Newbie with a question

[beejie]

I just got a 2002 Wrangler Sport last fall. I've always wanted one ever since I was a kid, and now I have one!

I feel a little silly asking this question, seeing as how you all ask things about changing axles and stuff like that. LOL.

Anyway, it's summer now, and I love riding around with the top down. The problem is, I cannot get the top back on without my husband's help. I don't want to be a pain in his neck "Oh, good, you're home from work. It's starting to rain, can you help me put the top up?"

Is it possible to put it back up without having to grow an extra 2 arms? LOL. I want to be able to do it myself. Can someone give me some tips on how to do it myself?

[Keithd2606]

Are you taking the top off or peeling it back?? I have a hard time getting mine on by myself but i set it up on the bars and work with one side then the next, then back to the other side so on and so forth.....

If your just peeling it back then it shouldnt be too hard of a task to put it back up, again like i said one side then the next....

Hope this helps you out,
Keith

[beejie]

OK, so here's how we've been doing it. Tell me if we're going about it in the wrong way.

1. Pull top onto roll bars. Close the latches over the visors.
2. Zip on the clear vinyl windows on either side of the back seat.
3. Fold in those plastic clippy things over the driver and passenger door.

The part I have the most trouble with is step 1. I cannot seem to get the top to stretch enough so I can close the clasps by the visor. I swear I get it to within a centimeter and cannot get it to close.

Is there some trick I am missing?

[Paul E]

1. Pull the top up so the front edge of it is near the windshield.

2. Attach the hooks into the header, but do NOT tighten them down all the way. Make them as loose/long as possible. Then pull out the long plastic side clips that sit above each door so they are not squeezed between the top and the door surrounds (2 per side). Do NOT attach them at this time.

3. Verify that the web strapping on each side (between the middle bow and the rear) is flat and not twisted.

4. Pull down on the rear bow and attach the rear vertical corners (plastic pieces under the fabric) into the lip surrounding the back of the tub.

5. Attach Rear window completely.

6. Attach side windows. This is a lot easier if you hook the back edge of the window (the flap that ultimately covers the zipper track) onto the velcro to temporarily hold it straight and level while starting the window zipper. Once the zipper is started, only zip up an inch or two. See step 7.

7. Insert the front edge of the soft windows into the groove of the door surround. Make sure the zipper is only started an inch or two. Once in the grooves, zip the window the rest of way and tuck in along the bottom.

8. Fasten down the header hooks that you loosely attached back in step 1, bringing your top tight against the windshield header.

9. Attach the 2 long plastic clips (per side) that you pulled out from under the top back in Step 2.

10. Drive. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

It took me a bit to figure a good way. This works the best for me.

-Paul

[beejie]

I'll have to try this way. But I cannot get the hooks into the header. I get darn close, but I cannot seem to get them in by myself.

My husband will usually stand on the running boards just outside the door and pull the top up further, then I can get the hooks in.

[Paul E]

If you do not connect the rear corners, the header should just fall onto the top of the windshield - no force AT ALL is

[yamamama]

[ QUOTE ]
But I cannot get the hooks into the header. I get darn close, but I cannot seem to get them in by myself.



[/ QUOTE ]
I had this problem to begin with also..Make sure that your hooks are extended WIDE open (as far as they will).Seems like doing that gave me that fraction of an inch that I needed to hook them...
Just something that helped me .. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

[beejie]

Hmmm... the I never disconnect the rear corners. I just leave them in all the time. Maybe I will try disconnecting them the next time I try to put it up on my own.

Wouldn't you know that it's raining here today, so I cannot try this out now? LOL

Thank you for your help!

[yamamama]

[ QUOTE ]

I feel a little silly asking this question, seeing as how you all ask things about changing axles and stuff like that. LOL.



[/ QUOTE ]
Ask ANYTHING that you want...This is a great site as nobody makes you feel like a dummy, even if you are (ME).. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gifIt is amazing how much I am learning by reading about axels, and gears, and backspacing, etc, etc...
Nothing better than having that top down letting your hair blow and the sun in your face !! I love it !! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tu.gif

[Don]

[ QUOTE ]
I'll have to try this way. But I cannot get the hooks into the header. I get darn close, but I cannot seem to get them in by myself.

My husband will usually stand on the running boards just outside the door and pull the top up further, then I can get the hooks in.

[/ QUOTE ]

When you have this problem, you may want to confirm that you have the plastic hooks in completely... refer to #4 in PaulE's list.

[BillM]

Darlin you don't have to worry about dumb questions. Only dumb one is one that is not asked. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[mikea]

PaulE's got the trick. I'v done it that way for some time. Even if you leave the rear corners connected when folded down (that way they dont get bent) un-doo them to put the top back up or your just killing yourself on the headder.

BTW how many of you have actually watched the video that comes with your wrangler. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[scrambled]

You TJ guys and gals are so silly /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eyeroll.gifGo buy a decent looking tarp and some bungee cords from a hardware store.Lay in on the jeep when it looks like rain. Put a tent stake or something comprable in the middle so all the water washes off. This is cheap and easy and you can do it yourself with out worry of scratching your top putting it on by yourself. You can even get one that matches the color of your Jeep /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tu.gif.

[Landon]

Scrambled, LOL /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/36_12_6[1].gif

[Paul E]

That's what my Rain Gear Jeep Cover is for. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Don]

[ QUOTE ]
---snip---BTW how many of you have actually watched the video that comes with your wrangler. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

What Video ?? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Well, I guess that answers your question /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/brows.gif

[Don]

[ QUOTE ]
You TJ guys and gals are so silly /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eyeroll.gifGo buy a decent looking tarp and some bungee cords from a hardware store.Lay in on the jeep when it looks like rain. Put a tent stake or something comprable in the middle so all the water washes off. This is cheap and easy and you can do it yourself with out worry of scratching your top putting it on by yourself. You can even get one that matches the color of your Jeep /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tu.gif.

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL!! I kind of all ready do this. I'm too cheap to buy the fancy waterproof seat covers for my cloth seats. However, I drive my Jeep all Sumer with doors off and since I don't like sitting in a wet seat, I cover seats with folded tarp and place a heavy board in each seat. So far, this has worked well for me....... and IT's CHEAP
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/popcorn2.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eusa_doh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/popcorn2.gif

[Don]

PaulE just uses large trash bags to cover his seat... neat idea..... and IT's CHEAP /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tu.gif

[Paul E]

I actually have seat covers, but in those times that I forget to cover the jeep before it rains, it makes a great way to keep my clothes dry while going to/from work.

[JUST JEEPIN]

I dont have that problem /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/animxj.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/36_12_6[1].gif

[Dave Taylor]

Yeah, when you first start to put it up; you want to be sure that nothing is attached in the rear...the entire soft-top should pivot on the 4 mounts that mount it to the roll-bar; and nothing else should be attached.

Sometimes; it might get hungup in the rear on the roll bar or something; but if you go back there and free it up; you should always be able to pivot the entire thing forward enough to clip the front windshield clips in place(but not locked down)
Then once their clipped; then straighten it back out; and back down. THEN...put the rear corners on.

Once you have that done; then you can put your rear windows in; and attach everything else...finally at the end; you want to lock-down the front clips.

Once you get the hang of it; you should be able to go from completely down; to completely up in about 4 minutes...

The hardest part is where to store the rear side-windows....I finally stopped using the side windows and rear window at all; just used the top and front soft-doors/windows.

Now, I just run a full-length bikiki in the summer with full soft-doors that can be taken apart or taken off and stored behind the rear seat...then run the hardtop in the winter.

[Darlene]

Cograts on getting your Jeep!
I had the same problems with my top at first and learned that I need to release the rear corners 1st, attach the front and then the side flaps, windows if needed and finish with the rear corners. Makes a big difference for me. I also have painfully learned that here in New England with it's drastic temperature swings if I don't plan ahead with forecasted drops in temp and put the top up and windows on before it gets cool I'm in big trouble. You lose any flexibility with stretching the top in cool/cold weather. It's raining and 60 here now and my window panels are not on and I won't even try to attach them - I'll just pray for better weather! Good luck!