Soft top straps
 

OK, I've looked everywhere for an answer. I put the soft top down for the first time today and can't figure how to remove the slider nut thingies that are there for the hard top to bolt to. I can't get the strap into the hole without removing them. The manual says to strap the bars through the holes.:thinking:

Anyone got any suggestions? What am I missing?

uhhhh..... the straps for the soft top are should have come in your manual thing or will be in the glove box, center console, or back compartment... they are thin 1" straps about 10" long that are velcro. They thread through the front oval shaped hole and simply velcro around the bars of the soft top... i dont fully understand you question, but i have had to remove nothing in order for the sof top to lay flat and velcro down.

if this doesnt help, clarify your question

I have the straps, but my oval slots have inserts in them that the hard top bolted to. With these in place, I cannot get the strap into the slot.

Did you have dual tops or just the softy? Maybe the inserts are only on hardtop models. Just need to know how to remove them without breaking them.

okay... i think i understand now... i just had the soft top. But for those inserts, at least for past models, they were plastic pieces that were the one way clip, where you could clip them in, but not be able to pull them back out. You should be able to look under the lip and use a screw driver or pliers to compress them and push them up and out.... unless they changed of course

try a hack saw.... sorry i couldnt be more help... it dont get cold enough in GA to warrant a hard top

hard top nuts
 

I haven't had my hard top off yet (except to remove the soft top after purchase) not quite warm enough in Canada yet, but i have had the front two freedom panels off a few times.

but on my 97 TJ, the hard top just bolted into flat nuts that would simply drop once the bolt was unthreaded (lost a couple of nuts behind the roll bar that way)

When i did have the JK's hard top off, i don't think those same nuts fell like they did in the TJ, but i didn't bother checking the manual to see how they came off. I just assumed the nuts were permanently mounted.

Also, the straps aren't really that important unless you're getting on the interstate or something. In which case I would still recommend some kind of tonneau or cover over the assembly.

solution
 

I just poked a hole in the straps with a philips between the velcro and used the torx bolt to hold them in place.

the computer is on the fritz, but i'll try to get some pics up.

Got it done. I used a flat tip screw driver and gently pried them out. It wasn't actually that hard. Stick the screwdriver tip into the slot and pry it forward toward the inside of the Jeep. That is, if you are on the passenger side with your belly against the body, stick the blade into the slot and push the screwdriver handle towards the drivers side while pressing down.


Overly descriptive explanation for a simple procedure, but I wanted to be clear.

This must be an Unlimmited issue only as I dont know what the heck you guys are talking about. I also haven't unpacked my soft top yet. I just assumed it was like the TJ top.....:thinking:

had same problem
 

all you have to do is push in on the middle plastic part then down and they come right out no screwdriver required. ill try and get a picture.