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General Forums => The Mess Hall => Topic started by: Club Car on December 02, 2010, 07:34:15 PM

Title: Hardtop mounting
Post by: Club Car on December 02, 2010, 07:34:15 PM

Like most YJ jeeps the screw holes for my windshield are pretty stripped.  I am looking at a clamp system: Has anyone had experience with "Kwick Kit II Hardtop Removal Kit by Lange Originals?"
The other system I am considering is "The Hardtop Reinforcing Kit"  it promises to effectively secures the front edge of the factory hardtop by substituting the 7 self-tapping screws for a rugged, threaded backing strip with stainless steel machine screws. Once installed, the kit does not need to be removed, and switching from hardtop to soft-top is not a problem

Thanks

Title: Re: Hardtop mounting
Post by: Jeffy on December 02, 2010, 09:58:12 PM

You could use larger screws, clip on nut plate or make a strip and use bolts.  Lots of options.

I've never used the hard top kit.  Having strips would make for a better mounting point though.  Especially along the rails and they tend to crack over time.

Title: Re: Hardtop mounting
Post by: Club Car on December 03, 2010, 07:47:31 AM

The product I was referring to is found here:
http://www.4wd.com/productdetails.aspx?partID=5113

Has anyone tried it yet?

Title: Re: Hardtop mounting
Post by: st.chevrolet on December 03, 2010, 11:48:45 PM

I've had that exact kit on my 94 YJ for over a year now, it works great.

Title: Re: Hardtop mounting
Post by: Club Car on December 04, 2010, 06:31:39 AM

Thanks, I think I am going to give it a try... I trust the installation was easy.  Do you have any trusted similar products for the softop windshield channel?

Title: Re: Hardtop mounting
Post by: st.chevrolet on December 04, 2010, 12:47:33 PM

Quote from: Club Car on December 04, 2010, 06:31:39 AM

Thanks, I think I am going to give it a try... I trust the installation was easy.  Do you have any trusted similar products for the soft top windshield channel?

The installation is quite easy, as far as the soft top windshield channel try nutserts or rivet-nuts, see link.

http://www.enfasco.com/frame4.htm

Title: Re: Hardtop mounting
Post by: dwtaylorpdx on December 04, 2010, 01:11:51 PM

I added riv-nuts to the top of my windshield about 10 years ago for the bikini/soft top rails holes and my hard top, they have worked great ever since.

I use 10-24 stailess cap screws to hold the tops down.

Dave

Title: Re: Hardtop mounting
Post by: neale_rs on December 07, 2010, 11:31:08 AM

Mine hasn't had any screws in the windshield frame since I bought it.  It has never leaked through there nor caused any other problem.

Title: Re: Hardtop mounting
Post by: dwtaylorpdx on December 08, 2010, 10:32:22 AM

Wow, if I don't have the screws in mine and have them tightened correctly the air whistles like crazy through it.

Dave

Title: Re: Hardtop mounting
Post by: neale_rs on December 08, 2010, 11:03:37 AM

No idea why it works. Maybe the previous owner glued it on! 

Title: Re: Hardtop mounting
Post by: Jeffy on December 08, 2010, 01:28:31 PM

There is a seal under the front lip.  I know if I don't tighten mine down the front tends to vibrate a little which probably puts more stress on the rear bolts.  The rear bolts are always loosening up over time though.  PITA not to have some creaking.