Finally picked up a hardtop but my tub doesn't have rear holes drilled out

connor grimes

TJ Enthusiast
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 24, 2018
Messages
362
Location
Los Angeles
Just picked up a factory hardtop and my tj which came with a softop doesnt have the 2 rear holes drilled out in tub, I’m assuming I just need to drill the holes out but was curious why it didn’t come with them , assuming tubs come out the factory the same for both hard or soft top.

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Just picked up a factory hardtop and my tj which came with a softop doesnt have the 2 rear holes drilled out in tub, I’m assuming I just need to drill the holes out but was curious why it didn’t come with them , assuming tubs come out the factory the same for both hard or soft top.

View attachment 352287

I've run into this before but can't explain why. You have a 97 correct? If so could this be another 97 only oddity? Who knows
 
All the bolts lined up perfectly but it just didn’t have the two rear bolt holes, it’s a 2001 and the top is off a 2006, however it was strange because on the 2006 that I pulled the hardtop from it didn’t have rear holes either
 
I would like to but my Jeep wasn’t wired for it … was thinking of just deleting the wiper and motor and plugging the hole. Then just hang onto parts if I sell in the future .
 
I took the wiper and motor off and I dont really miss having them or the defrost. I never did find a great way to plug the holes left and just have clear packing tape on the window.
 
that color top looks good with the red. be glad it’s an older hardtop as the newer ones don’t have the rear side vents. my 06 has the vent in the tailgate.
 
My LJ hard top does not vent very well. I always roll down the window before trying to close the drivers door if everything else is closed. I'm pretty sure the pull straps would get stressed if I didn't.
 
I took the wiper and motor off and I dont really miss having them or the defrost. I never did find a great way to plug the holes left and just have clear packing tape on the window.

Great West products sells a variety of pop in plugs - also the kind for wire to penetrate work well-
 
Summit racing has 6 pages of rubber plugs to pick from. ace hardware Lowes and HD usually have an assortment of them too.