Bestop soft top question

Dvaniwaarden11

Dvaniwaarden11

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I bought a used best top soft top from a member on here. I love it and happy with it, however, where it’s supposed to slide into the slots above the tailgate to secure the back of the soft top, my metal brackets are either bent or not the right size.

What part is this and where would I be able to find the proper replacement to fit the tailgate bar? I’m not even sure the name for the metal bracket so that would probably help me out.
Thanks

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The tailgate bar attached to the soft top flap does not slide into the ends of the metal brackets; it rotates into the brackets.
Align the tailgate bar ends with the metal brackets; rotate the bar counter clockwise about 30* and push the bar inward while rotating the bar clockwise.
The tailgate bar will fit snugly into both metal brackets otherwise the bar could easily slip out of the brackets if the wind is pushing against the soft top flap.
 
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Dvaniwaarden11 said:
I bought a used best top soft top from a member on here. I love it and happy with it, however, where it’s supposed to slide into the slots above the tailgate to secure the back of the soft top, my metal brackets are either bent or not the right size.
Click to expand...
The (Bestop) top I bought 6 years ago did not fit into the original brackets. I had to use the ones supplied with the top.
So there are at least 2 different sizes out there.

Search tailgate retainer bar clip.
 
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What @CharlesHS said.

It's a snug fit and a real challenge to pus straight in. I get it lined up left to right and rotate it down towards myself while pushing it in.

I could be wrong but it looks like the inboard end of your passenger side bracket is squeezed closed.. That would make it impossible to install the tailgate bar.
 
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MikekiM said:
What @CharlesHS said.

It's a snug fit and a real challenge to pus straight in. I get it lined up left to right and rotate it down towards myself while pushing it in.

I could be wrong but it looks like the inboard end of your passenger side bracket is squeezed closed.. That would make it impossible to install the tailgate bar.
Click to expand...

I agree with MikekiM…
The passenger side bracket inboard end is squeezed slightly for about 1.5-2” which needs to be opened up the same amount as the area on the outboard side.
That should allow to more easily insert the bar.

IMG_6176.jpeg
 
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I have Bestop clips that came with the TrekTop NX. Look the same to me.

Mine were a little bent in the same spot as the OP. I likely dinged them moving camping gear in and out of the rear bed. Took two seconds to straighten it.

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MikekiM said:
I have Bestop clips that came with the TrekTop NX. Look the same to me.

Mine were a little bent in the same spot as the OP. I likely dinged them moving camping gear in and out of the rear bed. Took two seconds to straighten it.

View attachment 538491
Click to expand...

Honestly, yours look like my new ones and his look like my old ones.
Mines a Trektop too.

I forgot to measure. 😞
 
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While we’re on the subject, my treetop has gaps on each side between the weather seal on the flap and these retainers. Windows out right now or I’d snap a pic. Anyone with a trektop have same issue? I can see into tub. Theoretically flap hangs down and covers but not really worth a damn at keeping sand and dirt out. It is a jeep though.
 
BIGMike said:
While we’re on the subject, my treetop has gaps on each side between the weather seal on the flap and these retainers. Windows out right now or I’d snap a pic. Anyone with a trektop have same issue? I can see into tub. Theoretically flap hangs down and covers but not really worth a damn at keeping sand and dirt out. It is a jeep though.
Click to expand...
Mine is drum tight. Can't see in and no dust, dirt or water gets in.

My issue (unrelated) is the half door uppers... those fit horrible.
 
MikekiM said:
Mine is drum tight. Can't see in and no dust, dirt or water gets in.

My issue (unrelated) is the half door uppers... those fit horrible.
Click to expand...

Hmm. Admittedly it was on there when I bought it so install may be incorrect but I can’t really see how you’d mess it up. I guess I’ll put window back in and snap a pic and get some opinions.
 
BIGMike said:
Hmm. Admittedly it was on there when I bought it so install may be incorrect but I can’t really see how you’d mess it up. I guess I’ll put window back in and snap a pic and get some opinions.
Click to expand...

A picture would help.

If you have any creases or wrinkles in any of the panels post these pics too. Sometimes the angle of pull can be used to figure out where things might have gone awry.
 
Dvaniwaarden11 said:
I bought a used best top soft top from a member on here. I love it and happy with it, however, where it’s supposed to slide into the slots above the tailgate to secure the back of the soft top, my metal brackets are either bent or not the right size.

What part is this and where would I be able to find the proper replacement to fit the tailgate bar? I’m not even sure the name for the metal bracket so that would probably help me out.
Thanks
Click to expand...

I had it backwards.
My original ones (55176739aa) were larger, 3/4".
My current, newer ones are less than 1/2".
I think the original ones were also able to hold the hardtop rear window.

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