Soft Top Completely Removed - Dangerous Metal Tab

[mynamesrickgrimes]

Today I decided to completely remove the Bestop soft top off my 2000 TJ (not just retract it, but remove it)

Love the way it looks without the top, but immediately noticed the remaining metal tabs on either side (where the pivot arms attach to), are seriously dangerous! Mainly the bottom one I'm concerned about. It does look like the PO fiddled with it.

Has anyone else noticed this? Or is there anything I could/should do to prevent my rear seat passengers from accidentally hurting themselves?

Photo below:

 

[06TJ35's]

That is not suppose to be like that.

 

[taylormade73]

I don't have the lower tab only the rounded upper one on mine

 

[mynamesrickgrimes]

LOL — I didn't think so. Anyone have a photo of what it's supposed to look like?

Thanks man for the quick confirmation!

 

[06TJ35's]

Omix-ADA 13516.12 Bracket, Soft Top Bow, Right, 1&3, 97-02 TJ, 1 Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073RS9Y2B/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[06TJ35's]

I don't have the lower tab only the rounded upper one on mine

Uh that’s weird.

 

[mynamesrickgrimes]

Uh that’s weird.

Sounds like I should replace the existing brackets and go ahead and order new left/right ones.

Easy enough to remove the current ones?

 

[taylormade73]

Uh that’s weird.

Maybe it's an LJ thing. Or I'm just blind LOL

 

[06TJ35's]

LOL — I didn't think so. Anyone have a photo of what it's supposed to look like?

Thanks man for the quick confirmation!

Looks like the previous owner drilled hose on the bracket. No clue why. I linked the part that you will need. You will also need to remove the roll bar padding and use a Torx bit to remove the bracket.

 

[06TJ35's]

Sounds like I should replace the existing brackets and go ahead and order new left/right ones.

Easy enough to remove the current ones?

If both brackets are like that yes. Remove both. If it’s only the passenger just remove that one.

 

[mynamesrickgrimes]

Looks like the previous owner drilled hose on the bracket. No clue why. I linked the part that you will need. You will also need to remove the roll bar padding and use a Torx bit to remove the bracket.

Makes perfect sense — thanks man!

 

[pagrey]

Those are completely normal. They can be removed if you look under the cover. I think there are two screws.

Edit, nevermind, I didn't see the back ones in the picture

 

[mynamesrickgrimes]

Left and right brackets ordered Amazon Prime! Thanks gents —

 

[mrblaine]

I don't have the lower tab only the rounded upper one on mine

If you don't have the lower for an OEM top, then you have a TJ Unlimited.

 

[mrblaine]

Maybe it's an LJ thing. Or I'm just blind LOL

Both

 

[taylormade73]

If you don't have the lower for an OEM top, then you have a TJ Unlimited.

Both

I have a TJ Unlimited.