Foam sleeves on TJ soft top bow / frame?

AutoCrat

TJ Enthusiast
Joined
Apr 8, 2022
Messages
189
Location
New Zealand
I took my OEM soft top frame (2004) some time back and didn’t pay much attention, however yesterday I took it out of storage to clean it up and noticed these foam sleeves on the middle bow. Not sure what their purpose is and how many there should be? I found 2 on one side and just one on other side so definitely missing one if not more.

These are very fragile and wont be surprised if some are torn and lost in last 20 years 😁. Please let me know how many there should be and I will make some and reinstate before I install my new (still on the way) Bestop “Replace A Top”.

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I took my OEM soft top frame (2004) some time back and didn’t pay much attention, however yesterday I took it out of storage to clean it up and noticed these foam sleeves on the middle bow. Not sure what their purpose is and how many there should be? I found 2 on one side and just one on other side so definitely missing one if not more.

These are very fragile and wont be surprised if some are torn and lost in last 20 years 😁. Please let me know how many there should be and I will make some and reinstate before I install my new (still on the way) Bestop “Replace A Top”.

View attachment 379727

Haven't seen anything like that before, maybe used when the top was new and packed to avoid rubbing?

What style Bestop did you get?
 
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Haven't seen anything like that before, maybe used when the top was new and packed to avoid rubbing?

What style Bestop did you get?

Yes possibly it could be in there to avoid the rubbing, Went with Bestop “Replace A Top“ OEM style to go with my original hardware. I decided to be brave and chose “Spice“ colour to go on my bright silver TJ 😁. It’s been on black factory Mopar top till now so just to change a bit.
 
I’ve never understood the purpose of them either. Like @BeavisTJ said it probably has to do with packaging.
 
Mine are still hanging on and keep moving around when the top gets folded and unfolded. I have no idea what they are supposed to do.

How many are on each side? Please post some pictures. I might make same and put it back to keep it looking factory 😂.
 
I still have all four (two on each side) of the original foam sleeves on mine. I believe they are intended to prevent chafing between the rear and middle bows when the top is folded down. They do move around a bit each time the top goes up or down, so I still dutifully reposition them when lowering the top to prevent contact between the two bows