Got some new shoes! Went from nasty old black to some silver moabs
Looks so much better! That pic almost makes me wish I hadn't sold my stock Moab wheels. If I could find some 15" with proper backspacing, I'd go that route.Got some new shoes! Went from nasty old black to some silver moabs
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How was the fit of the new top? It looks pretty good!Washed the Jeep at the car wash and soaked the new top to make sure it didn't leak anywhere. All is good now.
p.s. No Bestop logo either.
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Really good and quieter than my old Bestop. If it holds up for a few years, it will be worth the $269.How was the fit of the new top?
I've installed three and have been happy with them. However, as I said, mine were always stored in the garage. Even though it's parked in the garage, the tops have seen rain, sleet and snow with no issues.Really good and quieter than my old Bestop. If it holds up for a few years, it will be worth the $269.
That's good to know. My 3 year old Bestop windows are still scratch free, I checked prices on them and they sell for around $350 where I looked. Crazy.I've installed three and have been happy with them. However, as I said, mine were always stored in the garage. Even though it's parked in the garage, the tops have seen rain, sleet and snow with no issues.
I originally switched to these, years ago, because someone slashed a window. Bestop wanted more for a single window replacement than I could get an entire top for. Switching was a decision I have not regretted.
I would also be interested, I can’t recall, do the straps attach to the top by snaps as well?Carfax reminded me that it was time to rotate tires. I rotated all five and did the 6-month greasing of all the front end points.
Then I decided I was tired looking at the overstretched and saggy elastic rear window straps so I made a pair of non-stretch ones.
Cut 1-inch (25 mm) wide nylon into strips with a hot knife:
View attachment 320453
Fold the nylon in half and make a hole for the snap:
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Place the snap's parts on the strap and then onto a setting plate. The domed part of the snap rests in a recess in the black plate, the silver tool is the snap setter. It surrounds the snap and you hit the end of its middle plunger and it rounds the snap's internal stem out and down, setting it in place.
View attachment 320455
Use a hammer to hit the plunger and set the snap:
View attachment 320456
Install on the vehicle:
View attachment 320457
DIY tips:
1. The snaps on my frame sized out as Line 24 snaps. That's the size snaps I used for this project. I can't guarantee that's the same size for all frames, but if it is stock, you should be good to go. Line 20 would have been way too small.
2. If I'm rolling it up, I like my rear window up high. I measured and thought an 11.5-inch strap would work. It did, but just barely. I made a second pair of straps at 12-inches (30.5 cm) and they work just fine. Easy on/off.
3. Last fall I splurged and bought this particular snap setter for my leatherworking. It is a Barry King brand and I bought both Line 24 and Line 20 setters. Today was the first time I'd used either of them, but I wish I'd had them from the beginning. I can't tell you how many snaps I've hit out of line with the usual setters. This one worked perfectly.
Anyway, I'll see how they perform, but I'm not too worried.
If anyone wants the tighter-fitting, but serviceable, trial set of straps, let me know and I'll get them to you for the USPS cost.
Crap, now more tools I need to buy!Carfax reminded me that it was time to rotate tires. I rotated all five and did the 6-month greasing of all the front end points.
Then I decided I was tired looking at the overstretched and saggy elastic rear window straps so I made a pair of non-stretch ones.
Cut 1-inch (25 mm) wide nylon into strips with a hot knife:
View attachment 320453
Fold the nylon in half and make a hole for the snap:
View attachment 320454
Place the snap's parts on the strap and then onto a setting plate. The domed part of the snap rests in a recess in the black plate, the silver tool is the snap setter. It surrounds the snap and you hit the end of its middle plunger and it rounds the snap's internal stem out and down, setting it in place.
View attachment 320455
Use a hammer to hit the plunger and set the snap:
View attachment 320456
Install on the vehicle:
View attachment 320457
DIY tips:
1. The snaps on my frame sized out as Line 24 snaps. That's the size snaps I used for this project. I can't guarantee that's the same size for all frames, but if it is stock, you should be good to go. Line 20 would have been way too small.
2. If I'm rolling it up, I like my rear window up high. I measured and thought an 11.5-inch strap would work. It did, but just barely. I made a second pair of straps at 12-inches (30.5 cm) and they work just fine. Easy on/off.
3. Last fall I splurged and bought this particular snap setter for my leatherworking. It is a Barry King brand and I bought both Line 24 and Line 20 setters. Today was the first time I'd used either of them, but I wish I'd had them from the beginning. I can't tell you how many snaps I've hit out of line with the usual setters. This one worked perfectly.
Anyway, I'll see how they perform, but I'm not too worried.
If anyone wants the tighter-fitting, but serviceable, trial set of straps, let me know and I'll get them to you for the USPS cost.
Why did you replace the stock sub? Looks perfectly fine to me.
p.s. Forum Groupthink line is to your left.
Honestly, if I didn't have all the hobbies I do, or enjoy tinkering around making my own stuff, I probably wouldn't own most of these tools. However, all that tinkering does lend itself to some good crossover skills.Crap, now more tools I need to buy!
And some money saved!Honestly, if I didn't have all the hobbies I do, or enjoy tinkering around making my own stuff, I probably wouldn't own most of these tools. However, all that tinkering does lend itself to some good crossover skills.
Cool! I can make you a set this week.I would gladly pay for a new set of straps for my soft top.
On my TJ Unlimited these straps snap onto the rearmost bar of the soft top's internal frame.I would also be interested, I can’t recall, do the straps attach to the top by snaps as well?
Thanks! I’ve had this jeep since 2012 and always wanted Moabs. Best looking wheel on a TJ in my opinion. Finally found a good deal and pulled the trigger.Looks so much better! That pic almost makes me wish I hadn't sold my stock Moab wheels. If I could find some 15" with proper backspacing, I'd go that route.
How much trouble is it to change unit bearing?Click when turning can be a unit bearing.
Yes you can drive it if the wheel is not just flopping but notice where I corrected my post- Usually a click when you’re turning is your axle U joint- Basically if I ran into either one of those acting up I’m gonna fix it as quick as I can find timeHow much trouble is it to change unit bearing?
Can I still drive it until fixed?
I did both sides on mine in the driveway last fall, and it was a very straightforward job--lots of good Youtube vids. I had both axles out, I think I recall it was necessary.Yes you can drive it if the wheel is not just flopping but notice where I corrected my post- Usually a click when you’re turning is your axle U joint- Basically if I ran into either one of those acting up I’m gonna fix it as quick as I can find time
It is not a terribly hard job- I’m trying to remember the process and if you have to remove the stub axle
If you’re doing one you may want to do the other if it has considerable mileage and do both sides