Trektop NX header

[pbr_rob]

I've just purchased my first Jeep. It's a lot of fun and came with a hard top. So, I purchased a Trektop NX and attempted to install it yesterday.

Everything came together great except for the front--it won't latch over the header. It just kind of sits on the header without really joining properly, and because it has the sun rider bars there isn't a way to move it forward.

I hope someone can point out an obvious fix for me--otherwise I'll be on the phone tomorrow afternoon to Bestop. I've checked part numbers and all of that, it's the right kit for my model. It just doesn't fit or I've overlooked something obvious.

Here are some photo's to illustrate what I'm probably failing to describe. I loosened everything up to try to pull it forward, even disconnected the sun rider bars--still doesn't latch. Hoping a second, third or fourth set of eyes can point out something obvious.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Edward Turner]

With my sunrider section I had to use a clamp to compress the rubber pad on the plastic door upper, then tighten the knobs. I also didn’t put the pins for the bow in the side brackets until the clamps were closed.
Did you try: unzipping the back window, pulling the rear tabs loose and putting the front clips in the slots without latching first? Then put the tabs back in and close the clamps, then zip it up. I did the side pins last and that seemed the easiest. And a little rubber mallet to ease the front into place. Copious swearing, too.

 

[Rob5589]

Hmm. New soft tops can be extremely tight, which is a good thing. I would try and latch them by disconnecting the sunrider bars and see how it goes. If it works, leave it in the sun for a few hours and try again. That will give it some stretch time.

 

[pbr_rob]

Thanks for the tips, guys.

I disconnected everything and attempted to close the latches to the header. With it disconnected I can almost make it. I might try to get some clamps in there; can't make it go with finger strength.

 

[Edward Turner]

Meet my little friend:

 

[pbr_rob]

It took some fighting, but following the directions above I was able to get it on last night. I put it in the garage for a week with everything loose to let the fabric stretch. Then yesterday I pressed the header until I got the hooks in, left them unlatched and worked my way to the back closing everything tight. Then latched it. Guess all it took was patience.

 

[Chris]

Looks great! Sometimes all it takes is patience as you found out. Also, fitting those tops for the first time can be a royal pain in the butt!