The old TJ I bought recently has some issues I'm hoping to get some help with. First, does the soft top tail gate bar lock in place or just sit in the brackets? Second, the Jeep has half doors with sliding glass that I really like, does anyone sell new material to replace the worn and cracked uppers? Third question, this jeep came with uppers that have zip out windows but will not line up with the hole in the lowers. I bought a like new soft top that came with upper zip out windows but these don't line up either. What years are interchangeable with my 1997 TJ and what years would the uppers I have fit?
1997 TJ new to me questions
- Thread starter tepark
- Start date
Welcome to the best forum for answers!
If you’re looking for the fabric around those windows I don’t believe I’ve ever seen replacements for those.
The tailgate bar is held in by the tub clips and the rear window.
Of course we never believe folks till they add pictures of their new jeep and pics of the questions.
If you’re looking for the fabric around those windows I don’t believe I’ve ever seen replacements for those.
The tailgate bar is held in by the tub clips and the rear window.
Of course we never believe folks till they add pictures of their new jeep and pics of the questions.
Welcome to the Forum.
Like @TJ Jim said, the bar of that soft-top rear window slides into the clips, and then gets held in place by the tailgate.
Hard to believe that you now have two sets of soft uppers that will not line up with the holes of our half-doors. I keep a list of unusual features of the 97 model, but I've never heard of that problem. Could you post some pics?
Like @TJ Jim said, the bar of that soft-top rear window slides into the clips, and then gets held in place by the tailgate.
Hard to believe that you now have two sets of soft uppers that will not line up with the holes of our half-doors. I keep a list of unusual features of the 97 model, but I've never heard of that problem. Could you post some pics?
@Crystal@Bestop
Bestop makes replacement uppers.
97 is the best year IMHO.
I'd check for exhaust leaks. I'll bet good money you have a crack in your exhaust header.
-Mac
Bestop makes replacement uppers.
97 is the best year IMHO.
I'd check for exhaust leaks. I'll bet good money you have a crack in your exhaust header.
-Mac
Welcome to the best forum for answers!
If you’re looking for the fabric around those windows I don’t believe I’ve ever seen replacements for those.
The tailgate bar is held in by the tub clips and the rear window.
Of course we never believe folks till they add pictures of their new jeep and pics of the questions.
Thanks for responding. I really struggle with posting pictures.
There is and exhaust leak that I might get around to fixing some day.
Like I told TJ Jim I struggle with posting pictures. Thanks for responding. The pins on my doors measure 14 inches between the lower pins and 15 inches up to the highest pin. The extra uppers measure 14 between the lower pins but 12.5 to the uppers pin.
The top I bought came with soft lower and upper doors. It seems that the where the hard lower door angle up to the windshield is about a 45 degree angle. The soft uppers have less of an angle but seem to be the same angle of the windshield. Maybe I will take the hard doors off in the next day or two and see if the soft doors and uppers fit. I found out today when it finally rained here that the sliding glass leaks and runs down on the inside.
The YJ half doors fit the TJ with a different latch striker but the pin furthest back for the upper is offset (left to right). No idea what you'd have if they're spaced differently apart.
Regarding the windshield angle, the CJ/YJ had the same angle (more vertical) and the TJ has a more slanted backwards angle. So that's why I mentioned that to try to see if that was what was going on.
I just take my full door mirror off and put it on the half door. 3 screws
I wish my '97 was a '98 with cruise control. Wasn't an option in '97. Maybe I'll throw in an aftermarket cruise control unit someday, but every time I've added one of those it was garbage.
I drove from Oregon to Moab topless without cruise control. It's no big deal.
I figure one of these days I'm going to put a Haltech ECU on my 97 and modernize all the sensors...that might include a drive by wire throttle body and then I'll have cruise control.
-Mac
I figure one of these days I'm going to put a Haltech ECU on my 97 and modernize all the sensors...that might include a drive by wire throttle body and then I'll have cruise control.
-Mac
I despise DBW throttle... DBW anything. I would NEVER buy a Cybertruck. DBW steering
Well I'm working on installing an iBooster on my TJ so I have power brakes even if I stall the engine or need to recover it.
I like modern things.
-Mac
I like modern things.
-Mac
Thank you for the info. The only doors I have are half doors or soft doors. I found doors off mirrors that mount to the windshield pillar for when I put on the soft doors and uppers. Learning things every day.
iBooster. How odd. Didn't know it existed, just looked it up. Was skeptical, now I can see the utility. I have an old project where I could see using it. Despise electric steering and throttle, always will. Electric steering has caused many casualties, certainly thousands, maybe many, many more.
Crystal@Bestop
Member
@macleanflood We sure do make TJ uppers! 97 is one of my favorite years too
~Crystal@Bestop
www.bestop.com
It'll integrate all the current functions of my PCM and allow me to use different sensors...along with integrating switched can bus relay connections so I can essentially eliminate and consolidate my PCM and my aftermarket relay box into one unit.
That also let's me set safeties like automatically switching off lockers at a certain speed. Makes it easier to integrate an electric fan.
-Mac
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