Hard top fix suggestions

[cm11zero11]

When we bought our TJ, the glass door on the hard top was screwed in improperly which cause a seal issue with the door. We are going to need to rescrew the hinges but are there any suggestions on a water tight filler for the original holes that will be exposed?

 

[TJ4Jim]

When we bought our TJ, the glass door on the hard top was screwed in improperly which cause a seal issue with the door. We are going to need to rescrew the hinges but are there any suggestions on a water tight filler for the original holes that will be exposed?

Can you post some nice clear pic's.

 

[cm11zero11]

Can you post some nice clear pic's.

I will see how I can maneuver that, we currently have the hard top off and put away so I will try to get it out and snap a photo.

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

What does "rescrew the hinges" mean?

I'm only asking because I don't think you could move the hinges far enough to expose the original holes and really don't understand what's going on.

 

[mrfourpointo]

Which part of the glass ended up with a seal issue? I chased down a rear seal issue for years where the bottom of the glass meats the tailgate (the glass would pop out when closing a door). After trying everything I could find on several forums, and trying to figure it out on my own, I ended with a perfect solution for $10 from Amazon.

 

[cm11zero11]

What does "rescrew the hinges" mean?

I'm only asking because I don't think you could move the hinges far enough to expose the original holes and really don't understand what's going on.

We took the glass door completely off of the hard top because it wasn't lined up properly and will probably have to make new holes in the top after lining everything back up.

 

[cm11zero11]

Which part of the glass ended up with a seal issue? I chased down a rear seal issue for years where the bottom of the glass meats the tailgate (the glass would pop out when closing a door). After trying everything I could find on several forums, and trying to figure it out on my own, I ended with a perfect solution for $10 from Amazon.

It was both sides of the glass and the hard top because the window wasn't lined up properly before being attached to the hard top. That was allowing water to go into the back when it rained.

 

[mrfourpointo]

I'd really explore other options before redrilling new holes. If you believe you have exhausted all other guidance, you could patch the holes with a fiberglass patch. Alternatively, silicon or a two-part epoxy may work.

 

[AndyG]

We took the glass door completely off of the hard top because it wasn't lined up properly and will probably have to make new holes in the top after lining everything back up.

I'm not sure what you have going on but remember the factory holes are designed to work... And remember there's also adjustment at the glass side... vertically at least.

I would let modifying the top be a last resort... I'm still not following why you would need to do that.

 

[mrfourpointo]

There is adjustment in both the window bolts and the hinge screws. With a properly installed weatherstrip that is in good condition, the glass can be pretty far out of alignment and still seal well. Please verify that you have numbers 19 and 24 from this diagram on your Jeep. 19 should be attached to the hardtop, and 24 should be plastic at the bottom of the glass with a rubber seal attached to the bottom of it. Also, where exactly was the water entering?

 

[cm11zero11]

So update on our hardtop issue, we took the glass off and reassembled it to the top and it fits much better. There are still gaps on the bottom and top which will allow water in so it’s looking like probably new weather seal should take care of the issue.

 

[Viking Jeeper]

Not a factory hard top.

 

[cm11zero11]

There is adjustment in both the window bolts and the hinge screws. With a properly installed weatherstrip that is in good condition, the glass can be pretty far out of alignment and still seal well. Please verify that you have numbers 19 and 24 from this diagram on your Jeep. 19 should be attached to the hardtop, and 24 should be plastic at the bottom of the glass with a rubber seal attached to the bottom of it. Also, where exactly was the water entering?

View attachment 211532

The water has been coming through the top part of the glass because there is a gap between the glass and the top itself.

 

[cm11zero11]

Not a factory hard top.

Gotch ya, I have no clue the brand but some of the adjustments we made did make some difference. Hoping weather seal will take care of the rest.

 

[Viking Jeeper]

Gotch ya, I have no clue the brand but some of the adjustments we made did make some difference. Hoping weather seal will take care of the rest.

I don't know the brand either but you probably need that information to get the right weather seal.

 

[mrfourpointo]

Ah...not a factory hardtop. All bets are off, but I think seal would definitely be the first thing to check out. Look through pictures, this one looks pretty similar:

https://dv8offroad.com/products/tj-top

 

[cm11zero11]

Ah...not a factory hardtop. All bets are off, but I think seal would definitely be the first thing to check out. Look through pictures, this one looks pretty similar:

https://dv8offroad.com/products/tj-top

Thank you! That looks very similar to our top. We are going to work on the seals tomorrow and see how that does.