New soft top question

[TLT1964]

So, installed a new soft top last week, my first experience with a soft top.

It's been good, however I notice if I go out on highways with 55+ mph, the driver's side soft window (in rear area, not door window, I have full doors) partially comes out of the track at the rear corner? Any tips on how to tighten that up more?

 

[Chris]

Post some photos of the rear corner and track. Maybe we'll see something you missed.

 

[TLT1964]

I can't get a clear picture, but it seems like the rear corner right where the zipper ends is partially popping out of the tub flange. The passenger side it very tight, and has no issue at all. It easily pushes back in place, but I'm not sure what else to do to tighten it up more?

 

[TheBoogieman]

 

[Jeepin'Ed]

Make sure the middle bow is sitting on the frame correctly. Also check the straps that go between the bows. A picture of the issue might help.

 

[MikekiM]

What soft top are you using.

The TrekTop NX has straps that hook to the inside tub rail to control tension on the corners and keep the top deck in place with then windows are out...

 

[JB auto]

I put a 1/8th" poprivet in the plastic railand ground down the protruding shaft. It rolls in and stays. I had this problem above the drivers side rail. GL

 

[TLT1964]

What soft top are you using.

The TrekTop NX has straps that hook to the inside tub rail to control tension on the corners and keep the top deck in place with then windows are out...

It's a King top with the tinted windows. Sorry I didn't think pictures would help.

It just looks like someone grabbed the bottom right corner of the driver's side window and started popping it out of the track after I go on a drive on open highway.

Also, is it normal for the top to expand while driving, almost like it "inflates"?

 

[TLT1964]

I put a 1/8th" poprivet in the plastic railand ground down the protruding shaft. It rolls in and stays. I had this problem above the drivers side rail. GL

Does that just narrow the rail enough to make it catch?

 

[TLT1964]

Here's some pictures. Maybe the window got stretched some when rolled up in the box? Seems looser than the passenger side?

 

[TLT1964]

They are sold on extreme terrain and Quadratec. Around $400. It's seems very well made.

 

[TheBoogieman]

They are sold on extreme terrain.

I'd contact them and get a refund if needed.

 

[TLT1964]

Make sure the middle bow is sitting on the frame correctly. Also check the straps that go between the bows. A picture of the issue might help.

Middle bow is good. I replaced the bow straps, but they may have a little slack, but the top is tight with no sags.

 

[TLT1964]

I'd contact them and get a refund if needed.

I didn't buy it from them, it was sold with a used OEM frame. It was still in the box.

 

[MikekiM]

Did you ever have a soft top installed? Do I understand that you have an OE frame and an aftermarket top on it? That cold be the issue. Maybe you need to flex the bows up to add some tension?

I doubt anything stretched while in the box. If anything, the opposite would happen.

Yes to the top inflating. Mine lifts up off the front bow once I get up to speed. The rear windows do the opposite... they get sucked in creating even more tension on the bottom tabs.. no way they are coming out.

Never heard of King top.

One of two things happening here..
Either there is something up under the lip of the tub rail that is preventing the plastic tabs on the bottom of the window from seating all the way up under the belt rail or there is a kink in the plastic tab on the window that is preventing it from sitting all the way up.

I can tell you this... when I install my side windows there is quite a bit of tension on them when the tabs are being inserted. Sometimes the bottom edge doesn't seat all the up and under the belt rail and it needs a gentle tap with the heel of my hand, then it sits flat and fully inserted. Once in, there is no way it is coming out without unzipping the window.

Another thought.. if the plastic tab on the window is designed in multiple sections, maybe one section is in but another isn't?

 

[TLT1964]

Did you ever have a soft top installed? Do I understand that you have an OE frame and an aftermarket top on it? That cold be the issue. Maybe you need to flex the bows up to add some tension?

I doubt anything stretched while in the box. If anything, the opposite would happen.

Yes to the top inflating. Mine lifts up off the front bow once I get up to speed. The rear windows do the opposite... they get sucked in creating even more tension on the bottom tabs.. no way they are coming out.

Never heard of King top.

One of two things happening here..
Either there is something up under the lip of the tub rail that is preventing the plastic tabs on the bottom of the window from seating all the way up under the belt rail or there is a kink in the plastic tab on the window that is preventing it from sitting all the way up.

I can tell you this... when I install my side windows there is quite a bit of tension on them when the tabs are being inserted. Sometimes the bottom edge doesn't seat all the up and under the belt rail and it needs a gentle tap with the heel of my hand, then it sits flat and fully inserted. Once in, there is no way it is coming out without unzipping the window.

Another thought.. if the plastic tab on the window is designed in multiple sections, maybe one section is in but another isn't?

My experience was the opposite, the rear windows were bulging out, even with the windows rolled up. I had the vent open at the time and wondered if that was the reason?

Thanks for the input, this is all new to me. I'll check all the plastic tabs on that side.

 

[MikekiM]

My experience was the opposite, the rear windows were bulging out, even with the windows rolled up. I had the vent open at the time and wondered if that was the reason?

Thanks for the input, this is all new to me. I'll check all the plastic tabs on that side.

hmmm.. now that you mention it, my side windows do behave differently if I have the recirculate setting on the HVAC on. Either way, the direction of pull on the bottom tabs should be the same.. no? Pulling the bottom tabs into the belt rail.

 

[MikekiM]

What I can tell with certainty, is the bottom lip of my side windows are FULLY under the belt rail. BOTH sides..

 

[TLT1964]

hmmm.. now that you mention it, my side windows do behave differently if I have the recirculate setting on the HVAC on. Either way, the direction of pull on the bottom tabs should be the same.. no? Pulling the bottom tabs into the belt rail.

True. After looking it over even more, I'm wondering if the tub flange on that side is a little spread out, possibly from cranking down on the hard top bolts over the years? I tapped along the tub with a rubber hammer and the plastic tabs seemed to seat better?

 

[MikekiM]

True. After looking it over even more, I'm wondering if the tub flange on that side is a little spread out, possibly from cranking down on the hard top bolts over the years? I tapped along the tub with a rubber hammer and the plastic tabs seemed to seat better?

I never had a hard top on the TJ.. And sold the hard tops on all of my JKs.

The bolts go under the inside of the belt rail. Can't see how that would deform the outside lip. Plus, I would expect you would be able to see any deformation. Have you tried running something under the outside rolled lip of the belt rail? Maybe there is years of dirt/mud caked under there. Does the window sit all the way up into the belt rail like mine does in the picture above but THEN gets pulled out? Or does it not actually sit up under the lip?