What hardware do I need for first time OEM soft top install?

jdgmbi1

jdgmbi1

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I have a 2004 Wrangler that apparently was not outfitted for a soft top. I acquired an OEM (never out of the box) top with all the windows, door opening frames, etc...I have ordered a set of the Pivot Brackets for the bows. But do I need anything else (hardware-wise) for the header, tailgate, or whatever?

As always, thanks for all the help you provide.
 
Have you looked through everything in the box? The top, windows, frame, hardware, everything comes in a single box.
 
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Just looked through all my boxes and other than the rear tailgate bar, I don't see any other hardware. So I could be mistaken that it never was installed, but it sure looks like it never has been.
So that being said, other than the pivot brackets, and tailgate bar bar, do I need anything else?

Thanks
 
Just looked through all my boxes and other than the rear tailgate bar, I don't see any other hardware. So I could be mistaken that it never was installed, but it sure looks like it never has been.
jdgmbi1 said:
So that being said, other than the pivot brackets, and tailgate bar bar, do I need anything else?

Thanks
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If it has been installed or put together previously the header screw holes in the fabric would show its been fitted to the header, do you have the header screws? do you have the door surround bolts? do you have some earplugs? :)
 
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Fishtaco said:
Just looked through all my boxes and other than the rear tailgate bar, I don't see any other hardware. So I could be mistaken that it never was installed, but it sure looks like it never has been.

If it has been installed or put together previously the header screw holes in the fabric would show its been fitted to the header, do you have the header screws? do you have the door surround bolts? do you have some earplugs? :)
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I do not see any holes in the header fabric, but I also don't see any header screws. I have the door surround bolts, and (I have 4 kids, under 22 yrs), so I have earplugs like I have justifications to my wife why I need to buy "Just one more thing" for the jeep-Lol

So far, I have ordered the bow brackets, quick release bow knuckles, header screws, and tailgate bar brackets...am I missing anything?

Thanks
 
...And what the heck do these things do?

Soft top Straps.jpg
 
jdgmbi1 said:
...And what the heck do these things do?

View attachment 239968
Click to expand...
Without know what you already have, quite a few parts come with the Mopar top.

Those are straps that run from the rear bow to the center bow. The kit comes with 12 self-tapping screws to attach the straps to the frame. There are 4 more screws that attach the top to the rear bow.
 
AjRagno said:
Without know what you already have, quite a few parts come with the Mopar top.

Those are straps that run from the rear bow to the center bow. The kit comes with 12 self-tapping screws to attach the straps to the frame. There are 4 more screws that attach the top to the rear bow.
Click to expand...
I have always had a convertible car of some kind, but this is the first one that I have had that wasn't already attached to the body I am getting the feeling this first install (for me) is going to be a little bit of an adventure to under-take-Lol.
 
Heres a pick of what you need. This is the oem frame.

Jeep wrangler TJ soft top oem factory frame.jpg


Heres a thread that might help. Down to what type of screws u need.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...-any-other-brand-soft-top-installation.17352/
I still cant tell what you have and dont have. But your best bet is to buy a comolete hardware set used. Or one with a crap soft top. Since u have one.

Also read that thread. There are a couole brackets you need. That dont come stock on a non softtop tj.
 
Moab said:
Heres a pick of what you need. This is the oem frame.

View attachment 240080

Heres a thread that might help. Down to what type of screws u need.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...-any-other-brand-soft-top-installation.17352/
I still cant tell what you have and dont have. But your best bet is to buy a comolete hardware set used. Or one with a crap soft top. Since u have one.

Also read that thread. There are a couole brackets you need. That dont come stock on a non softtop tj.
Click to expand...
Man that link has put me off softops and made my head hurt almost as much as my Tow hook saga :)

If I ever take my hardtop off I am getting a trektop. my OEM sunrider is in the shed with a few bits missing so I took it all apart but the bows are a PITA to store.
 
Fishtaco said:
Man that link has put me off softops and made my head hurt almost as much as my Tow hook saga :)

If I ever take my hardtop off I am getting a trektop. my OEM sunrider is in the shed with a few bits missing so I took it all apart but the bows are a PITA to store.
Click to expand...
If its any consolation i can take my top down or put it up in just a few minutes now. And i now know every part and screw in that damn top.

I have since upgraded to an oem khaki top. And its night and day better than the Rampage top i had. The Rampage served its purpose tho. And performed perfectly. Kept the rain out. But this oem top looks WAY better. And is much quieter. It makes my Jeep look better. The Rampage one didn't have that going for it.

I dont take my whole top off. I just remove the windows and fold it nicely in the back. So if there was a rain shower a distance from home. I would at least have a safari top of sorts.

I run like that mid spring to mid fall here in socal.

But going thru all that with my top and the half door uppers and the frame and the header and yaddah yaddah yaddah! Lol i learned so much. I knew nothing. And in the course of going thru that i feel super confident with anything to do with our soft tops.
 
Moab said:
If its any consolation i can take my top down or put it up in just a few minutes now. And i now know every part and screw in that damn top.

I have since upgraded to an oem khaki top. And its night and day better than the Rampage top i had. The Rampage served its purpose tho. And performed perfectly. Kept the rain out. But this oem top looks WAY better. And is much quieter. It makes my Jeep look better. The Rampage one didn't have that going for it.

I dont take my whole top off. I just remove the windows and fold it nicely in the back. So if there was a rain shower a distance from home. I would at least have a safari top of sorts.

I run like that mid spring to mid fall here in socal.

But going thru all that with my top and the half door uppers and the frame and the header and yaddah yaddah yaddah! Lol i learned so much. I knew nothing. And in the course of going thru that i feel super confident with anything to do with our soft tops.
Click to expand...
My OEM soft top looks in pretty good condition even the windows apart from the webbing bits between the bows that have ripped off, I don't think it has seen much use given this was a dual top from factory but if you are not used to TJ softops (like me) off the vehicle it looks like a whole lot of parts that are awkward and just don't fold up neatly especially with the OEM sunrider!
I think it only needs the bow webbing but I took the header off tailgate bar out and hard plastic rear side stiffeners because I just couldn't fold it up any which way I tried!
 
I was trying to piece a frame together also on my 01 TJ I'm getting ready to sell. Lots of stuff. Do you have the door surrounds? I'm going to put the Rampage frameless back on and skip the frameScreen Shot 2021-04-04 at 9.18.58 AM.png
 
Moab said:
Heres a pick of what you need. This is the oem frame.

View attachment 240080

Heres a thread that might help. Down to what type of screws u need.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...-any-other-brand-soft-top-installation.17352/
I still cant tell what you have and dont have. But your best bet is to buy a comolete hardware set used. Or one with a crap soft top. Since u have one.

Also read that thread. There are a couole brackets you need. That dont come stock on a non softtop tj.
Click to expand...
Is the Supertop NX the same header? It looks the same.


1617542828160.png
 
Moab said:
Heres a pick of what you need. This is the oem frame.

View attachment 240080

Heres a thread that might help. Down to what type of screws u need.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...-any-other-brand-soft-top-installation.17352/
I still cant tell what you have and dont have. But your best bet is to buy a comolete hardware set used. Or one with a crap soft top. Since u have one.

Also read that thread. There are a couole brackets you need. That dont come stock on a non softtop tj.
Click to expand...
Thats not an OEM frame, that's a Bestop Supertop frame, surely? My OEM frame doesn’t have the sunroof bit.
 
I was asking if the Supertop NX is the same header as the oem. I think that is the case, but the Supertop (no NX) is different.
 
Okay. I am pretty sure I have the original OEM frame and top. It has the bow connecting straps, and the 2-latch header piece, along with the rear attachments. I am only missing the actual bow connectors and the rear window roll-up straps. So from what I ordered, and have confirmed I have, I think I am good on parts-Thanks.

That being said, I have two questions regarding the bow attachment hardware. Moab shows a picture (in his referenced) of a smooth-sided bracket without the ribs (specs say that's for a 97-02 TJ) where the specs say an 03-06 TJ it should be (see below). Which one? The 03-06 brackets are a heck of a lot more $$$. Also, how do I deal in with the roll bar pad, and cover set-up? After the brackets are installed-The tabs are not going to show through and I don't see any pre-sewn slots in the cover? Seems like if you ordered one of these with a hardtop, to switch to a soft top, you start from scratch.
Thanks for everyone's input. I'm getting to the point I'm almost dangerous!

Bow bracket 03-06.jpg


roll bar.jpg


roll bar.jpg
 
jdgmbi1 said:
Okay. I am pretty sure I have the original OEM frame and top. It has the bow connecting straps, and the 2-latch header piece, along with the rear attachments. I am only missing the actual bow connectors and the rear window roll-up straps. So from what I ordered, and have confirmed I have, I think I am good on parts-Thanks.

That being said, I have two questions regarding the bow attachment hardware. Moab shows a picture (in his referenced) of a smooth-sided bracket without the ribs (specs say that's for a 97-02 TJ) where the specs say an 03-06 TJ it should be (see below). Which one? The 03-06 brackets are a heck of a lot more $$$. Also, how do I deal in with the roll bar pad, and cover set-up? After the brackets are installed-The tabs are not going to show through and I don't see any pre-sewn slots in the cover? Seems like if you ordered one of these with a hardtop, to switch to a soft top, you start from scratch.
Thanks for everyone's input. I'm getting to the point I'm almost dangerous!

View attachment 240664

View attachment 240669

View attachment 240699
Click to expand...

Did you get the door surrounds?

Door Surrounds 1.jpg


Door Surrounds 2.jpg
 
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