Soft top removal

FirstJeep

TJ Enthusiast
Original poster
Joined
Oct 29, 2018
Messages
178
Location
USA
I went to fold back my soft top on my 2000 Sahara today for the first time this season and I couldn’t get the front part that meets the top of the windshield to fold back. I removed the windows of course and removed the two flaps in the back and unhooked the hooks in the front. Am I missing a step? I didn’t have any trouble doing it last year.
 
Is that the drip seal that is like the kind on the bottom of the side windows?
 
I tried to pull those out but they wouldn’t budge. I don’t want to pull too hard and rip something. Does anyone have any tips on how to loosen those flaps?
 
I usually would grip the corner, right where the seam between fabric and plastic is, closest to the back and pull up and work forward. I also found it's easier to do when the windshield part is still clamped down. If it's a newer or good condition top, you may have to let it sit in the sun a bit the first few times.