I had a new soft top installed on my 2001 tj. It is a Smittybilt top. Many times at speed, or in windy conditions, the bottom side window clip comes unclipped to the rail on the side of the jeep. Anyone know why or have this problem? I believe I've followed the correct process for side window attachment. Thanking anyone in advance. I want to tow this car behind my RV and would not like the side window to have a problem.
Smittybilt soft top comes undone
- Thread starter waverly23
- Start date
That is an odd spot. I know on my Pavement Ends top there is a full run of that plastic to fit in the channel.
I have a full run of plastic on the bottom of my window also. I'll take a picture as soon as I can.
Smittybilt's tops are about the lowest quality you can buy, what you're reporting comes as no surprise. Is it too late to return it to get your $$$ back?
Here are a couple of pixs. The first one shows the plastic lip on the bottom of the softtop side window. The second one shows it "detach
Bestop is the only brand I'd go with, most of the others are cheap Chinese made with thin fabrics that seldom fit well. I'd go with a Bestop with the Sailcloth fabric which is what Jeep started shipping all new Jeeps with starting around 2001 or so. It's a good heavy-duty fabric that also makes the interior quieter since it doesn't flap nearly as easily. My '97 TJ came with a Bestop top but with the thinner fabric. I eventually replaced that top with a Sailcloth top from Bestop and the interior was dramatically quieter on the highway afterward.
I'm getting old. When I read that, I mistook SB for Bestop! You must have caught my reply before it clicked in my head and I deleted the post LOL
I must have a knock off brand. My top is loud, esp against the wind. And the right back side flaps constantly, drivers side is quiet
Try zipping all the windows shut completely so no air can get out and then turn the vent on with the fan onto about its #2 setting. That will usually inflate the top enough to quiet it down in a very noticeable amount. Running the A/C in recirculate mode also makes the top noisier, run the A/C in the normal non-Recirc. mode so it will serve to help keep the top inflated and thus quieter too.
I was going to ask if the OP had the top that uses the original factory bow hardware, or the bow that comes with the SB top...their bow hardware is less than desirable, but it should be adjustable to tighten up the top.
@psdavidson, do you have the Smittybilt top with their bow system?
@psdavidson, do you have the Smittybilt top with their bow system?
When I looked at it it’s the oem frame. The plastic lip fits completely into the rail with no play but also no extra firmness. But the driver side is also like this too but stays
I know that Bestop has a bracket where the bow knuckles attach to the roll bar behind the front seats, and it has several holes where you can attach those to tighten up the top. What I don't know is if they sell just that bracket. It may just come with their replacement hardware. Worth a call to Bestop to see.
I’ll look at some pictures, maybe I can manufacture something. I had thought about making a bow before I done a search and found this post. Thanks
I too have a Smittybilt top and can vouch for the fact that it is low quality and poor fitting. Get what you pay for I guess...these tops are $189 wholesale... Is it both sides or one side? If one side, try unclipping it from the front and unhooking the sides, side windows and back window. When you do does the top shift to one side? I had to make a few adjustments to mine for this. When you connect it back, put the front clips on, but don't snap them down, then connect the back, then the sides...see if that helps. I know I am not describing this well...
Nice weather in Florida right now has me spending money on other things, the top is down and will stay that way until the summer rains start. But this summer, I am really, really making it a priority to replace this top. To me its horrid...noisy, ill fitting, and cheap crap... Will be going with a BestTop Black Twill...4x the cost of the SB, but from all the testimonials, worth it...
Nice weather in Florida right now has me spending money on other things, the top is down and will stay that way until the summer rains start. But this summer, I am really, really making it a priority to replace this top. To me its horrid...noisy, ill fitting, and cheap crap... Will be going with a BestTop Black Twill...4x the cost of the SB, but from all the testimonials, worth it...