installing soft top 04 unlimited

[john2u]

how big a job is it to remove the hardtop and install the soft top on a 2004 unlimited

[kb5xg]

1) Remove the 8 torx bolts that hold it on.
2) Unclip the front windshild brackets
3) Get help and lift it off. (hard part as it is heavy and bulky
Be careful with the hard top as it chips really easily along the edges. It normally takes me about 10 minutes to remove the top. I do it by myself with a homemade hoist. Is easier with help. 2 helps a bunch but 3 are better.

Watch video of the soft top raising and lowering.

1. Attach soft top to the bracket on the roll bars
2. Install door surrounds. (2 handle bolts on each side)
3. Put top up making sure it latches on the pins at the corner of door surround. Also make sure that the horseshoe pieces on the top rail of the top near the pins rest on top of the bar. If not the top will not be tight at the front.
4. Latch front to windshild (do not tighten, just put latch into holes.
5. Put rear corners on rear of tub
6. Install Side windows. (per instructions in manual or video)
Dont forget to install into door surround before zipping all the way. Then you can zip. Then tuck the bottom into the tub drip rail.
7. Tighten Latch on Windshield
8. Install rear window. (per instructions in manual)
9. Tuck the top front edges into the door surround over the door

Takes me about 15 minutes to put the soft top on from no top at all. Only takes about 10 minutes to raise the top. About 7 minutes to lower the top I use a cloverleaf window roll to store the side and back windows.

This assumes that the soft top was put together from the instructions in the box. I dont have those instructions anymore.

I may have left out a step or too but tried to remember everything.

[john2u]

thanks i appreciate the info

[Belfast]

I just did this over the weekend - if you have the option, put the top up on a warm sunny day. The sun does wonders on the flexibility of the top and windows. If it is cool, the top can be a real PITA to get on. It is much easier when it has sat in the sun for 10-15 min.

I usually put my top up and just hook (but not latch) the latches and then set the 3 windows in the grass to warm up.

I also have a home-made hoist/storage solution in my garage - otherwise the hard top can be a bear to get off. I can do it by myself or with help from my wife (no heavy lifting - all pullies). It ends up hanging 1" off the roof of my garage and I park underneath it no problem. I personally take my doors off when I take the top off as the first time I did it the doors got scuffed by the top.

[Clouseau]

I just changed mine this last weekend. One thing I've found useful is a bed frame with rollers and some closed cell foam padding for storing my hard top. If you didn't get the video with your LJ, ask around to borrow one. It goes through everything step by step. If your are installing it for the first time and need to assemble everything, I would allow at least two hours and hope the sun is shining.

[mykeoxlodge]

Hello,
I am a new member here and I am going to install my soft top for the first time on my 2004 Unlimited. This thing is a lot different than my Scrambler!
Does anybody have a copy of the installation video that I could borrow? I will Paypal you for the shipping.
I feel pretty confident installing it but I would hate to do something wrong and damage the top or the Jeep.
Thanks in advance.

Mike
[e-mail]

[moneypit]

Is your soft top already attached to the frame? If so follow the directions from the guys in this thread you should have no trouble. If you have a rear wiper/defroster there is a connector in the drivers side rear corner you have to disconnect. It's in a tight spot. Make sure to stick the plug in the washer tube. Any question let us know.