Topic: Soft Top ?

[outrunthemoon]

So, Every time I've taken my top down to put it back up later it gets even more difficult to put back on. Last year when I took it down I could put it back up myself. The two times I've had to put it back up this year I needed my boyfriend once and then my dad the second. I feel like I'm doing something wrong because it is so tight, much more than it used to be so I need someone to push down on the top so I can latch it over the windshield.  I know it was a little cool last night which I took into account some of my troubles but it was really tough.

Any suggestions?

Also, My back window zipper is stuck at the part where it separates from the top. Is there anything I can use to loosen it up to get it off?

Thanks for the suggestions!

[Rocko]

Double check that your doing everything right. Read you manual or check in the F.A.Q. My buddie has a soft top and it's been fine. If any thing things are moving on you. Or you might need to adjust you windsheild.

[outrunthemoon]

I re-read through the FAQ section, the instructions are different to what my top is but I've followed the basic instructions (as my Jeep didn't come with a manual) and never had a problem originally. I haven't done anything different. Maybe I'll have my friend look at it with me when I get to see him next & see if he can help

[lanulos89]

was it still war,m out when you were doing it temperature plays a big role in soft top expanding and shrinking. 

[outrunthemoon]

the last time yea it was a bit cooler out but the time before that it was pretty warm out still, it was early evening.

[Jesse-James]

What top is it?

[Jeffy]

I re-read through the FAQ section, the instructions are different to what my top is but I've followed the basic instructions (as my Jeep didn't come with a manual) and never had a problem originally. I haven't done anything different. Maybe I'll have my friend look at it with me when I get to see him next & see if he can help

The guide is for a YJ.  The TJ top is a bit different but overall not by much.

Unlatch the front and flip back.  Undo the side windows and rear window,  Pull up the rear corner.  Pull everything down.  If you take the top off and it gets cold, you'll have a bear to deal with trying to get it back on.

You might check on Bestop.com and see if they have instructions.  They make the OEM top.

[outrunthemoon]

it's a best top, I visited the website and looked at their instructions. I don't seem to be doing anything wrong. So we'll see what happens when it gets warmer out.

[stan98tj]

soft top issues...yea it's time i get a new one-i tore the back left corner on mine last year getting it back on when it was kinda cool-and my side tabs above the doors are pulled back from the stitches..i have to take it off and button up real carefully nowadays....so here is what i do to put it back up:
i push it up halfway and put in the back two windows-but only start the zipper.
lay the top down all the way forward and put the latch tongues in but i dont actually latch it down
put in the tabs above the windows-recently ive wd40 the part that contacts the plastic to make em pop in easier
do the back two corners
push the latches at the windshield in
zip in the side windows
good to go
also (as mentioned by you and others) doing this while it's still warm makes it a hell of a lot easier but you really ought not have too much difficulty.
if the top is old (like mine is) the zippers will really start to go-my driver door window is a pain in the ass to zip up-splits on me all the time-sometimes it takes 4 tries to zip it up

[FourbangerYJ]

Isn't there some sorta wax or something to make the zippers slide easier?

[stan98tj]

i dunno but that zipper really is a pain in the ass. i dont think wax would help...what i need is a new top.

[jvhooser]

Hey, I'm new here so no expert, but I have always used Burt's Bees Wax chapstick on the zippers. Easy to keep in the conslle or glove box, and when a zipper gets stubborn, I just rub some on. Works great!

[stan98tj]

guess ill have to give it a shot
thanks

[spedyr6]

I like the chapstick idea, beats putting black grooves in my wifes candles. Mine is a best top thats only about 4 years old. I was having the same problem with the door window zippers separating until I took a pair of needle nose pliers and squeezed the base of the zipper together (part where the teeth get meshed together. That seemed to fix my problems. I would just be careful if your zippers are older and brittle, wouldn't want to be blamed for a completely broken zipper.

[rubberducky]

Goin Topless is always an option. I used wheel grease on my zippers, very messy and I also took Pliers to it. Lets just say I bought a new top a year later.