Soft top strap came off!
JK Enthusiast
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 340
Likes: 5
From: Carroll, Ne
My Sunrider top (4-ddor) came with those straps too... but both side of straps at "bow 2" were off (that's how it came for my JK). I asked the dealer what these straps are for and he said they are to use when take the top off completely (to wrap/tie around) 
Of course, he was wrong! I'm sure the dealer did something to the straps and came off... 
I figured out later (by looking at "bow 3" and "bow 4") that the straps are supposed to attatch to rivets at "bow 2"...so that the straps are connected from "bow 2" to "bow 3" and then to "bow 4". I was going to go ask deaker to fix it, but I've been lazy bringing my JK just for that.
Anyway, what are those straps for? Are they really need to be attached to the bows? I've been taking off to Sunrider mode, taking the top completely down, putting back on etc. almost every few days (the weather here is not consistent) and it doesn't seem any difference with the straps off or on. It seems the soft top works fine without straps....
Of course, he was wrong! I'm sure the dealer did something to the straps and came off... I figured out later (by looking at "bow 3" and "bow 4") that the straps are supposed to attatch to rivets at "bow 2"...so that the straps are connected from "bow 2" to "bow 3" and then to "bow 4". I was going to go ask deaker to fix it, but I've been lazy bringing my JK just for that. Anyway, what are those straps for? Are they really need to be attached to the bows? I've been taking off to Sunrider mode, taking the top completely down, putting back on etc. almost every few days (the weather here is not consistent) and it doesn't seem any difference with the straps off or on. It seems the soft top works fine without straps....
Thread Starter
JK Jedi
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,350
Likes: 2
From: Lacey, WA
Got it back from the dealer!
At the dealer I noticed that both sides were off now, the driver's side was off one rivet. The dealer is going to refer me to an uphoulstery shop on Monday. Hopefully they will do a better job than DC. I may just use straps with adjustable plastic buckles and wrap them completely around if they can fashion some up for me.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: montreal
At the dealer I noticed that both sides were off now, the driver's side was off one rivet. The dealer is going to refer me to an uphoulstery shop on Monday. Hopefully they will do a better job than DC. I may just use straps with adjustable plastic buckles and wrap them completely around if they can fashion some up for me.
probably end up doing the same with my sahara unlimited if dc ever decides to build it 
ordered jan09 has been bx ever since
JK Newbie
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
It's funny how I come across a post like this shortly after I have a similar problem. Anyway, just got mine back from the dealer... looks like they replaced both straps completely and this time attached them to the bar with screws and washers. It looks like it is going to rain heavily this evening, so I guess that is the best test to make sure they did not screw up the top. The second test will be taking the top off, and making sure they did not destroy the bar when they inserted the screws.
Either way, I made an appointment to drop the Jeep off at 9 a.m. to fix the straps and get an oil change. I called at 2 p.m. and was told they were working on it. It wasn't ready until 5 p.m.
Either way, I made an appointment to drop the Jeep off at 9 a.m. to fix the straps and get an oil change. I called at 2 p.m. and was told they were working on it. It wasn't ready until 5 p.m.
JK Newbie
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
i had both of the straps come off because of the front rivits, who woulda figured 4 washers or grommets were too expensive for a vehicle that costs 20,000 plus...after all the crappy fixes and arguments i had to have to get TSBs done at the stealership, i just drilled out the old rivets, and put new ones on with washers...looks like it was there from the start, and i know it was done right
JK Newbie
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore, MD
Yet another victim of the poor bow strap connection design. I took it to the dealer who pushed it up the ladder with DC after taking pictures to support the warranty work (JK was going there anyway to get a hardtop installed). Sure enough, DC has come out with a new design and the dealer replaced both straps. My initial failed setup only had one pop rivet which the strap quickly slid off. The new design has two rivets which appear to have a bit more substantial head.
If you've got this problem, let the dealer know that DC has released a new design and that the fix is fully warranted.
If you've got this problem, let the dealer know that DC has released a new design and that the fix is fully warranted.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 0
From: Deptford NJ
Same thing happened to me on the driver's side. I used end nippers to cut off the rivets and used 2 self tapping phillips head flanged screws to re-attach the strap. The screws had a black finish, so it looks like factory. If it happens again. I can remove the screws and make up a little metal reinforcement strip for the screws to go through and clamp the strap end to the bar.
I hate going to the dealer for minor things. Sometimes I think they screw up more things while fixing small problems.
I hate going to the dealer for minor things. Sometimes I think they screw up more things while fixing small problems.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: White Mountains, NH
I hate going to the dealer for minor things, too.
Both of my straps had the rivets blow out of the *crappy cheap* nylon straps. Leaving fraying holes where the rivets had been.
SO. I took a lighter and flamed the edges of the holes to stop the fraying. Then I took some small plastic wrap ties and threaded them through the holes and around the bow struts.
That was two months ago. I haven't had to look at them since. On the plus side, the wrap ties cinch down tight and they are black to match the top. Better than factory, IMHO.
Pics?
Both of my straps had the rivets blow out of the *crappy cheap* nylon straps. Leaving fraying holes where the rivets had been.
SO. I took a lighter and flamed the edges of the holes to stop the fraying. Then I took some small plastic wrap ties and threaded them through the holes and around the bow struts.
That was two months ago. I haven't had to look at them since. On the plus side, the wrap ties cinch down tight and they are black to match the top. Better than factory, IMHO.
Pics?
JK Newbie
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
me too on all accounts....
The drivers side strap just came off...WTF??? Also earlier this summer the rear clips popped off the corners, and now I need to take it in for the recall....
Well, I will check back after the workis done to report in...seeya
Well, I will check back after the workis done to report in...seeya