Additional Hardtop parts?

[maduece]

I ordered my hardtop kit today and I read somewhere where I need to use the original hardtop latches. I don't have any latches left from the old soft top nor my old half cab so where should I pick up some at? Any suggestions or part numbers, cost range? I saw some TJ Hardtop latches listed on Ebay for $65, is this what I'll need? Thanks.

[AEV Dave]

We normally suggest buying them from a dealer, but be careful, the softtop latches are different than the hardtop even though they look similar.

dh

[maduece]

OK, I ran into a little snag here with the hard top latches. As suggested, I went to the dealership and ordered two hard top latches for an '03. I made them verify that it was indeed for the hard top. I brought them home and they were way too short, no way were they going to reach the slot in the windshield that they glasp to. I took them back to the dealership and they broke out the parts book verifing that is was the right part. Everything is lining up great on the hard top as far as fitment goes.... any suggestions?

[AEV Dave]

The first install can be a bit tough till things settle in. I normally move the seat up all the way and push forward on the top and latch (be sure its bolted down in the rear) which causes the latch to go down to where I can get it latched, the other side is easy then. Once the top has been on and off a few times it fits on like a factory top.

dh

[maduece]

OK, I'm getting a little frustrated here. I can cut a jeep in half no problem but I can't get these latches to work for the life of me.

So I returned the latches from the dealership and purchased another set from a Jeep recycler that were in great condition. These seemed to line up much better and fit in the slot, however they do not clamp down tight at all.

There isn't any additional weather striping that goes on the top itself up front is there? Just the weather striping that was on the windshield frame from the factory, right?

All the gaps between the door/windshield/top/body all look great so I don't think its an alignment issue.

[Da Bear]

OK, I'm getting a little frustrated here. I can cut a jeep in half no problem but I can't get these latches to work for the life of me.

So I returned the latches from the dealership and purchased another set from a Jeep recycler that were in great condition. These seemed to line up much better and fit in the slot, however they do not clamp down tight at all.

There isn't any additional weather striping that goes on the top itself up front is there? Just the weather striping that was on the windshield frame from the factory, right?

All the gaps between the door/windshield/top/body all look great so I don't think its an alignment issue.

Hey maduece

The only parts that are needed for the installation of the hard top are the latches, the foam weatherstrip(supplied in the kit)for the bottom and the bolts for the rear. How does the windshield frame weatherstrip look?
If that is in questionable shape(compressed and or worn) it may be the source of your heart ache. I know when I through my hard top on she was tight and I was scared of ripping the latches out of the fiberglass!! Oh and I opted for recycled latches as well and they worked out well, the dealership wanted a small fortune and the first born for them!!!

Bear

[maduece]

Thanks Bear, the weather stripping on the windshield looks good, this jeep never saw life topless. I'm going to take everything off and give it another look this weekend. What's really strange is that first set from the dealership (the ones that cost nearly $200 for the set) were soo short and now these are too long. Seems to me like there are some variations over the years or maybe different factories. Maybe the next set will be dead on.

[Da Bear]

Thanks Bear, the weather stripping on the windshield looks good, this jeep never saw life topless. I'm going to take everything off and give it another look this weekend. What's really strange is that first set from the dealership (the ones that cost nearly $200 for the set) were soo short and now these are too long. Seems to me like there are some variations over the years or maybe different factories. Maybe the next set will be dead on.



No problem man....I know my new to me set came off an 04 and they were identical to the ones on my full hard top....

Good luck bud!!

Bear

[Cannonball]

I had to scrounge mine from wrecks........ in order to get some that were not all bent.

One was tight and the other was loose....... switched sides and one was still tight and the other was loose just on the opposite sides. I scrounged a few more all off hard tops. two were loose and finaly found a tight fitting one to match the other one. I think they had several different lot numbers or some got stretched out by owners not latching them up properly bending them

I did have to push like hell the first time to het the tight latches to clamp down.

CB

[Logan]

Can anyone tell me where I can find these hardtop latches? They are on backorder from Jeep.

[CRDSTU]

Another little trick is to losen the factory roll cage tension bolt to relieve it of any pressure whilst doing it up.

Mine were so tight I had to ratchet strap around the rear of the roll cage and front eyelet to get them close enough for a tight clamp down. Needless to say she's not coming off any time soon :)

Even at Max Flex and tucking during 4WDing my entire cabin doenst make a noise.