Soft top header adjustment

[LJtheunicorn]

Bought a 2 year old soft top best top brand with aftermarket frame and everything not the oem match. I can’t get this header bar to snug down to the windshield and it’s driving me nuts. I’ve already taken it off completely and readjusted it tight. Drove 5 miles to a friends house and it’s loose again woth this gap and lots of wind noise.

is there a way to adjust the tightness of these?

it is a soft top and will make noise I know but I see this being a giant sail that will pour rain in as well.

 

[Rubicon88]

Do you have a stand alone header or one that's integrated to the soft top using 2 latches?

 

[Rubicon88]

After re-reading your description I think you have the stand alone header.

If thats true...
You aren't tightening the header down enough.

 

[LJtheunicorn]

It is integrated into the soft top with 2 latches. Didn’t know there was even an other design

 

[TWiG01]

It is integrated into the soft top with 2 latches. Didn’t know there was even an other design

Is there any way to tighten it down once latched? I’m on the opposite end and have only seen aftermarket tops with the stand alone header bar. My standalone header bar as two bolts to tighten and it creates a great seal.

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

Bought a 2 year old soft top best top brand with aftermarket frame and everything not the oem match. I can’t get this header bar to snug down to the windshield and it’s driving me nuts. I’ve already taken it off completely and readjusted it tight.

is there a way to adjust the tightness of these?

As usual I have no answer but I do have questions.

What brand are the aftermarket frame and everything?

Oh yeah, what is that everything?

I can say that I just checked my Bestop latches and they don't look to be adjustable

 

[LJtheunicorn]

It’s a full bestop set up frame header bar roll cage mounts rear tailgate bar and brackets.

 

[LJtheunicorn]

As usual I have no answer but I do have questions.

What brand are the aftermarket frame and everything?

Oh yeah, what is that everything?

I can say that I just checked my Bestop latches and they don't look to be adjustable

This Is the set I purchased. Frame door surrounds rear tailgate bar and brackets as well.

https://www.bestop.com/products/supertop-squareback-soft-top-jeep-2004-2006-wrangler-tj-unlimited/

 

[Rubicon88]

Call bestop and explain...

I'd also suggest taking some more and better pictures inside and out...email them those too.

It might take a few days.

Bestop is getting hammered with calls.

Thursday I needed a replacement part for a customer...

I was #63 in the queue when I called.

80 minutes later I had a live body.

 

[Fishtaco]

One of the UK members had a similar problem with his brand new Bestop Twill top not fitting right at the header.
Does your rubber seal need replacing? just a thought.

 

[LJtheunicorn]

Call bestop and explain...

I'd also suggest taking some more and better pictures inside and out...email them those too.

It might take a few days.

Bestop is getting hammered with calls.

Thursday I needed a replacement part for a customer...

I was #63 in the queue when I called.

80 minutes later I had a live body.

I’ll call them tomorrow.

One of the UK members had a similar problem with his brand new Bestop Twill top not fitting right at the header.
Does your rubber seal need replacing? just a thought.

I thought about that after I made this post. I’ll head to rock auto and find a part number

 

[Joe Blogs]

I just spent this weekend installing a brand new Bestop soft top on my TJ. It was a nightmare. I was in an area with no internet available so I had to wing it on my own. I followed the instructions to the letter but there was no way that I could get the top to fit. The header was about two inches away from fitting and I couldn't close the catches at the top of the windshield. The instructions say that the temperature should be above 72 degrees and it was just about that temperature when I attempted my install. Unfortunately, I was next to the ocean which meant the cool breeze prevented the top from getting the benefit of the sun's rays.

Earlier today, I was able to get internet coverage and I found a previous post on the forum about this problem.

It was suggested to disconnect the rear of the top and push it all forward. Once you do this, there should be no problem installing the front clasps.

I followed this advice and it worked. However, now I was unable to stretch the new top to fit at the rear. The solution was to install all the windows and seal it up as good as possible. I ran the engine at idle for about a half hour with the heat on full blast. The heat was enough to stretch the fabric and I was able to make the connections at the rear, with the assistance of my wife.

I drove it for about two hours this evening and no problems. I'm going to leave it all sealed up for a few days to ensure a proper fit before I even think about taking the top down.

Thanks to the previous poster who gave the advice on solving this common problem.

I hope this solution works for you too.

 

[Jwhutch]

I have had a similar problem. My original 20+ year old header bar was falling apart, so I ordered one from an online junkyard. The one that came looked identical, but instead of having a slight down turn at the corners, the new one was absolutely straight and this caused the corners to be about a quarter of an inch raised over the windshield weather strip, (just like in the original posters photo). I had to drill out the rivets and replace the frame on the new header. I thought I had gotten the frame clocked wrong, which was torquing the corners of the header up. I re-did the attachment of the frame to the header, which helped, but not totally. I ended up putting some regular weather strip in the corners to cover the gap. I am monitoring this thread.

 

[Succentor]

I just spent this weekend installing a brand new Bestop soft top on my TJ. It was a nightmare. I was in an area with no internet available so I had to wing it on my own. I followed the instructions to the letter but there was no way that I could get the top to fit. The header was about two inches away from fitting and I couldn't close the catches at the top of the windshield. The instructions say that the temperature should be above 72 degrees and it was just about that temperature when I attempted my install. Unfortunately, I was next to the ocean which meant the cool breeze prevented the top from getting the benefit of the sun's rays.

Earlier today, I was able to get internet coverage and I found a previous post on the forum about this problem.

It was suggested to disconnect the rear of the top and push it all forward. Once you do this, there should be no problem installing the front clasps.

I followed this advice and it worked. However, now I was unable to stretch the new top to fit at the rear. The solution was to install all the windows and seal it up as good as possible. I ran the engine at idle for about a half hour with the heat on full blast. The heat was enough to stretch the fabric and I was able to make the connections at the rear, with the assistance of my wife.

I drove it for about two hours this evening and no problems. I'm going to leave it all sealed up for a few days to ensure a proper fit before I even think about taking the top down.

Thanks to the previous poster who gave the advice on solving this common problem.

I hope this solution works for you too.

Thank you - this helped me a lot doing the same this morning. 75 degrees so you’d think it was warm enough. It's stretched fine now but it was so tight to start with.

Like @Jwhutch my header seems not to follow the curve of the windshield though it doesn't have actual gaps. I've emailed Bestop to see what they say.

 

[Jwhutch]

Thank you - this helped me a lot doing the same this morning. 75 degrees so you’d think it was warm enough. It's stretched fine now but it was so tight to start with.

Like @Jwhutch my header seems not to follow the curve of the windshield though it doesn't have actual gaps. I've emailed Bestop to see what they say.

My top is a Best Top. I would like to hear what they say. That being said, my problem is not the top material being too tight. If anything mine is loose. I still have the original header, and I think I can get a decent pic of the one that is on the jeep to show difference.