I bought this to put on a 2000 TC SE model. My first time to do something like this. Instructions are pretty weak but did the job. The top fit well though the windows were a major chore stretching to fit the frame assembly. I strongly suggest getting another person to help you fit this on the bar. Be very careful when you stretch the window on the fram. Insert lower edge first with forward corner as your starting point of the window. I would not unzip window while putting it on. You need an extra set of hands to roll the last corner over the frame. Suggest you end with the top front corner. I had to use a wedge to help roll the corner at the end. DO NOT USE A SHARP SCREW DRIVER you will cut the material or puncture it. I suggest a good strong paint stirer with round corners. Made the last roll over a lot easier.
As far as the top when you mount the screws to the front window frame bar get a good leather punch or punch don't use a philips screw driver or a drill bit. An ice pick will do if you can not get a sharp punch. Take your time and center the holes properly start at one end and work around keeping the material tight. There is a plastic underlayment on the top with slots for this you will find they are well placed. Don't just center your punch the screws you removed may not have been put on in a uniform manner.
On the doors make sure you fully insert the windows before you try to match it with the door frame and be careful to not bend the rubber weather stripping. If you close the door and it does not fit under the top seal you did not fully insert the window pins properly in the door, a slight hammer strike on top of the pin angles will seat the door frame. Don't hit too hard or get carried away it does not take much to reset the pins in the door. Also do all three pins and make sure it is fully inserted evenly over the door panel. You should see no gaps between the outer door and the new cover at the bottom. Improper seating will damage the weather stripping on the top cover above the roll bar assembly.
On the rear window take your time to align the zippers properly the metal tabs of the zipper guide will should be even at the end below both zippers then take the top zipper and carefully zip it close. Don't just pull the zipper use one hand to hold the two sections above the zipper together as you zip it. Failure to do this can damage the zipper. Strongly suggest you do not secure the bar at the bottom of the window to the jeep frame until you zip it completely close. Roll the bar into the grove for it don't try to just jam it in. haste makes for a new window so take your time. Once you have properly set the window then tuck the plastic wedge into the guides to lock it in place not the other way around.
Inside roll the velcro around the frames and make sure that the velcro is evenly attached no wrinkles it will come apart later if you do when you are driving. Hard earned lesson. There are snaps to secure one of the bars. I suggest you inspect the old snaps before mounting the top. If any are bad don't waste your time and be fustrated new snap kits are cheap and available. Remember you are replacing an old top for a reason. I found two snaps were bent one loose, ( I bought a 13 year old jeep). It cost $12 to get a complete snap kit. No problem replacing the bad ones. Be careful of your front window mouting bar as far as the old self tap screws the instructions say to use the old screws. I went to my local hardware store and took some of the screws to show the clerk he came up with stainless and a slightly larger head. Make sure you use the same thread self tapping screws often look alike but are not especially with the cheap China junk you can buy from the big warehouse hardware stores.
It is easy to use the wrong thread and find you just ruined your plastic bar. You can go larger thread but beware of the head so it will not interfear witht he seat.
Jeep puts a special tape on the front window slot where the latch mechinisum for the top. If your jeep is old like mine is you might want to replace this and if rust is present hit with some rust reformer paint.
A great buy all in all much better than paying twice as much for other tops
| UPC | 631410088915 |
|---|---|
| OEM Part Number | 9970235 |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00631410088915 |
| Item Weight | 22 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 36 x 20 x 20 inches |
| Item model number | 9970235 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 9970235 |
