TJ hardtop bolt attachment upgrade

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New TJ owner here. I noticed the bolts on the hardtop are not self-threading like the JK and instead use nuts on the underside of the rail, which is annoyingly cumbersome. Is there a rail system or something you can add to get rid of the need for the nuts?
 
No, but there are replacements for the bolts themselves that are hand tightened rather than using the torques head. Then you just slide your fingers around either side of the bolt on the rectangular nut and hand tighten. I agree, the design isn't the most user friendly, but this upgrade makes it a bit better. New hardware set is <$20.
 
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There is a sponsor here who sells the hand-tighten hard top bolts. I got mine from him, they work great and the price was definitely right. Check the sponsors section.
 
Replace the factory bolts with a shouldered eye bolt.
Screenshot_20220511-114524_Google.jpg


These are easily removable by hand, they fit better than a regular eye bolt, and they can be used as tie down points.
 
I dont get why such a trivial thing would bug somebody? I like the factory hardware and wont use anything else. It's not like you are removing and installing the hardtop all the time
 
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But they still use a nut underneath ya big dummy
Horrible!

On mine the two rear pairs are held captive with plastic clips under the tub rail. Twice a year, I am forced to reach a finger in and hold the front pair of nuts in place while I swap tops. It's disgusting, but I do it!
 
Horrible!

On mine the two rear pairs are held captive with plastic clips under the tub rail. Twice a year, I am forced to reach a finger in and hold the front pair of nuts in place while I swap tops. It's disgusting, but I do it!
Just think of the time wasted..could have been out wheeling with the Krew
 
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New TJ owner here. I noticed the bolts on the hardtop are not self-threading like the JK and instead use nuts on the underside of the rail, which is annoyingly cumbersome. Is there a rail system or something you can add to get rid of the need for the nuts?
I use C-channel nuts that are attached with silicone adhesive under the rail.

P3006-1420-Unistrut-Nuts-1100px.jpg
Now that I know it's a JK thing, I'm going to rip them out.
 
Just get yourself some decent double-sided tape.
Add a layer to the nut, then get an exacto knife and cut out the hole.
Peel the second protective layer off and stick the nut up into the rail area.

Then get yourself a set of the thumb-screw bolts for quick installation/removal.

I used a set of eye bolts and washers/nuts to create tie-down points when the top is off.
 
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I solved this problem by getting rid of the hard top. For what I do and where I use my jeep, I've not missed it once.
 
Horrible!

On mine the two rear pairs are held captive with plastic clips under the tub rail. Twice a year, I am forced to reach a finger in and hold the front pair of nuts in place while I swap tops. It's disgusting, but I do it!
How do you live with yourself after? I guess multiple showers to wash away the shame.
 
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There is a sponsor here who sells the hand-tighten hard top bolts. I got mine from him, they work great and the price was definitely right. Check the sponsors section.
I am not seeing the sponor — just Wrangler Fix. And I am missing a couple of the bolts on each side of one of my hardtops and have a couple of broken-eared ones in the back, so I need a set.
 
I am not seeing the sponor — just Wrangler Fix. And I am missing a couple of the bolts on each side of one of my hardtops and have a couple of broken-eared ones in the back, so I need a set.
Just click the link in post 14 and move on!
 
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