Video: How To Take Off & Put On A Jeep Soft Top

By Lynnette on Nov 13, 12:37 AM Category::Jeep Parts & Add-Ons | 1 | 83 Comments

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Here's a video we made as a how-to guide for removing your Jeep soft top...

Jeep Soft Tops

We've owned two Jeep Wranglers -- one a 1990 YJ, and one a 2004 TJ.

On the YJ, we simply used the Bestop Supertop (for the front seats) and the Bestop Duster (for the cargo area) during the warmer months of the year. And in the winter, we'd put the hard top on.

With the 2004 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, we don't have a hard top, so we ride around with the soft top -- either up, or down, or completely off.

Here's our video showing how to remove a Jeep soft top...

Jim

If you want to take a picture and email it to me I'd be happy to look at it - jim (a) squeakywheelonline (dot) com.

Except for the 'forcing' part it sounds kind of normal. I wouldn't force the zipper - it should move freely unless it is dirty - then just hit it with some mild soap and water.

Assuming the window is all the way off - and you're reinstalling it - both zippers start from the left (I can tell you understand that part) - but as the right zipper goes ON (back towards its home on the right) it will 'mesh' the left side back together - and continue until you get to the right side. So when you're done - you just slide the left pull barely on and you're done.

If you want the window to be rolled up - just zip the left and right pulls to the top of their own side and your done.

What it sounds like (if the zipper is tightening up) is that you may have accidentally got it sort of 'cross threaded'. Like any zipper - you'll have to take care not to break the teeth off when trying to 'undo' it.

Good news for you - it's still under warranty - let the service guys help you out. If you're local dealership has any customer service skills - the service techs should happily walk you through it.

Good luck - and again feel free to send a picture if you wouldn't mind me posting it.

Jim

Hey Mike

I've re-read your comment 4 times and I'm not 100% certain that I understand your problem.

When you bring that right side zipper pull around to the left side - it does look strange. Since the left side zipper pull is already off - the 'right-sided' zipper appears to only be holding a small patch of the actual zipper as you bring it around.

If this is what you are talking about - that's normal. If the zipper material or teeth (not the 'pull' but the track) has pulled away from the soft top or window - then that is a problem that will require a seamstress or a new rear window.

I hope that helps

Highlander

Hi Jim thanks for getting back to me, it is kind of hard to explain and I have an appointment to take it to the dealer Monday as it is still under warrenty. What it looks like is: the left zipper is all the way down and off on the left side, and the pull is on the window part but the teeth are pulled apart up the left side to the top of the window and the right zipper pull and teeth are meshed up to that point from the right. Is that normal, should I just force the right pull down where the teeth aren't meshed? I can move the right zipper pull all the way to the right and off, but the left zipper will not start. or do I move the right zipper all the way off to the right then pull apart the teeth and the window will be free then start all over with both zippers on the right , will that work I wonder? humm maybe I just figured it out, but like I said I sure don't want to mess it up so I have no back window it has been really cold weather lately. Thanks, Mike

Mike M

hi thanks so much for the video, so I understand the 2 zippers come down the left side, well the first zipper is down all the way down the left side and free and the other one will come all the way to the top corner, but the zipper has come apart from the bottom left side up to the top of left side, I am thinking that shouldn't be the way it should be, I don't want to force the top zipper down because it is winter and it is 60 miles to the dealer where I just bought my 2007 wrangler 2door.Is there anyway to fix it myself?

Sam Huff

i have a 2005 unlimited. what is the best way to fold the side windows so that the plastic sides are not damaged. i want to take them with me so i can put them back on if the weather becomes questionable. where do you store the side once they are folded. thanks

sam

Buddy

I am still not clear on one issue. When using the sunrider "sunroof" do you have to remove or roll up the rear window? I have read different accounts

Leslie Rice

i have a 2008 jeep and everytime i take the top off i struggle terribly with the back window. From taking it off to putting it back on.. To me its not very user friendly..good luck!

Buddy

Just bought a 2009 2-door soft top wrangler. Question is when using sunrider feature, I have read you must remove rear window at over 40 miles per hour. What is the best way to do this? Roll it up or lay it flat? I have read different views. Mine has the straps with snaps to roll it up. Do you roll it up with the bar? Not much info on this.

Jim

I roll it up with and attach it to the bar OR we use this sometimes use this roll-up bag: http://bit.ly/AA3Tr

Kendall B

LOL!! Thank you so much for posting this video! I bought my 05 Jeep used and it had no manual, of course I wanted to get right out there and rip the top off, yeah right!! After watching your video I realized it was easier not having the pieces laying all over the ground..heehee...Thanks again!!

Jeeping

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