Okay...well took delivery of my silver JK unlimited on 3/8....2.5 weeks later I was leaving work (actually to go to the dealer and have another soft top issue addressed) and the weather was good enough for sunrider driving. So I undid the 2 front roof clamps, untucked the front half of the roof edges from the frame up to the end of the B-pillar, unvelcroed the support bar from the top between the front and rear passenger seats, and then went to push the top back to just expose the front 2 seats. When I pushed back the top I got the top up 90 degrees and then on the descend say and watched in amazement when on bringing down the top, it got a tear right at the crease point!!!! I couldn't believe it! I didn't force it or anything. I didn't even really see it get caught on anything!! So now I have a tear about 3" long on my top. I took it to the dealer and they contacted chrysler who denied the warranty claim. The tear even went through the double stitch. The lady from Chrysler told the service manager that it would take "exssesive" force to tear through the double stitch...I am just here like, dude no way...that spot is just week. The rip was right at the edge where the reinforced section starts for the rear seat top to be tucked into the frame. But at this point I have 4 week old jeep with a top that has a tear that will let water and snow in (damn you midwest!) and chrysler who will do nothing about it. The service mgr also called some auto upholstery shops and they all said they couldn't do anything, and I don't want to dump money into the jeep to replace the top!!! Any thoughts from anyone what I can do to cover up the rip? I am concerned abou it growing and allowing rain to get inside. Anyone have any ideas? I was thinking super glue the fabric so it doesn't fray. Try to find someone to do some hevy duty stiching at the end of the rip so it dosesn't keep going and then use some black tape to cover the hole...but just seeing what other people think...thank

I will post some pictures soon.

 

The exact same thing happened to me. I immediately brought mine back to the dealer and showed them the problem. They completely replaced my soft top, no questions asked. I have a 4 door Wrangler, as well.

 

Was it in the same location? Do you have a picture of it? What dealership?

 

I believe Jeep includes a patch inside the canvas Owner's Manual pouch, which may do the trick (with some good adhesive) if Chrysler does not come through...

 

Geez, now you've got me leery of opening my soft top!!!

Tom
Bryson City, NC

 

Wow sorry to hear about your roof tear. I have a JK 4Dr soft top and have had it in sunrider twice and completely down 3 times (not so warm here in NY yet but couldn't wait anymore ).

I am writing because the girl who cuts my hair just bought a JK 4door with soft top and she wanted me to show her how to "just open the top up over the front seats only". I told her I didn't think that was possible. She insisted and tried the exact method you described and the top wouldn't go past 90 degrees. When I look at the physics of the sunrider motion, I do not think it is intended to do this. I think you HAVE to unseat over both front and rear doors and put the top back in sunrider which sits about 6-10 inches past the speaker bar exposing part of the back seats. This is what I have done and had no problems.

Am I wrong? Is there a way just to expose the front seats?

 

Can you please provide your dealership info as a reference that I can give my dealership and any pictures you might have of this. You can email me at pmergler@gmail.com. I really think there is a design flaw but my dealership (who is usually really good) got shot down by their Chrysler rep. Thanks, it would be greatly appreciated!!

 

Yeah you can do just front 2 seats. You need to:
1) Unbuckle the two front roof latches
2) detach the edge of the roof from the frame back to the B pillar
3) Unvelcro the roof (running from driver front seat to passenger front seat) from the support bar sleeve (for lack of better words)
4) Take the support beam that has teh u shaped forked plastic ends, and push the plastic ends off the main top frame rails. Sorry wish I had a picture or could describe better...but then you are done

 

awesome...thanks!

 

Thanks for correcting me. Seems easier just to put it back in the sunrider position over the back seat so I will just keep doing that. Thanks again.