Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts

Bulldawg Hardtop Fitment

WestKyJeeper

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Jun 3, 2025
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Mayfield Ky
I finally got my Bulldawg Hardtop delivered and installed. It's definitely awesome! I love the windows and the sunroof is my favorite part. I installed it my self and a couple buddies.

The only issues I'm having are the doors are very stiff to open and close, the driver door is extremely hard to open. I have to get in on the passenger side and push the door open. It seems the seal on the hardtop is contactng the actual door itself where it curves near the top of the door (picture #2). I have moved it a few times to try and get it right but no luck. I can't move the hardtop toward the rear of the jeep because the bolt holes on the tub wouldn't line up correctly and it wouldn't mate up to the windshield seal at the top. Maybe the seals will break in soon but I feel like I'm going to break the door handle off before that happens! Any suggestions?

There are 8 bolts and wing nuts that secure the hardtop to the tub of the jeep. I am only able to get 6 of them secured. The two that are furthest to the front, near the roll bar, there isn't enough room for the supplied wing nut to fit into the space. I am going to try to pick up something at a local hardware store and get these on.

IMG_9732.jpeg


IMG_9738.jpeg
 
I finally got my Bulldawg Hardtop delivered and installed. It's definitely awesome! I love the windows and the sunroof is my favorite part. I installed it my self and a couple buddies.

The only issues I'm having are the doors are very stiff to open and close, the driver door is extremely hard to open. I have to get in on the passenger side and push the door open. It seems the seal on the hardtop is contactng the actual door itself where it curves near the top of the door (picture #2). I have moved it a few times to try and get it right but no luck. I can't move the hardtop toward the rear of the jeep because the bolt holes on the tub wouldn't line up correctly and it wouldn't mate up to the windshield seal at the top. Maybe the seals will break in soon but I feel like I'm going to break the door handle off before that happens! Any suggestions?

There are 8 bolts and wing nuts that secure the hardtop to the tub of the jeep. I am only able to get 6 of them secured. The two that are furthest to the front, near the roll bar, there isn't enough room for the supplied wing nut to fit into the space. I am going to try to pick up something at a local hardware store and get these on.

View attachment 663316

View attachment 663317

What did bulldawg say when you asked them about this
 
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You should try adjusting the door - remove your mirrors, loosen all six hinge screws where they attach to the door, and move the door away from where it seems to be contacting the hard top... tweak so it has a somewhat even reveal all the way around. You may have to adjust the striker a little as well.

I had to to something similar when I first installed my bulldawg hard half door uppers - I had to tweak the hinges on the half doors and the door strike to get an even reveal all the way around - took a couple of tries to find a spot where both my full doors and half-doors would both work and look right. The hinges mostly effect the reveal around the perimeter and the striker effects how tight to the body the rear of the door is pulled against the tub. You can also bend the barrel of the hinges like you would a door in your house to tighten or loosen how tight the front of the door seals against the tub and top.

I think just tweaking your doors a little will fix it since the hard top is probably not as forgiving as the soft top was.
 
You should try adjusting the door - remove your mirrors, loosen all six hinge screws where they attach to the door, and move the door away from where it seems to be contacting the hard top... tweak so it has a somewhat even reveal all the way around. You may have to adjust the striker a little as well.

I had to to something similar when I first installed my bulldawg hard half door uppers - I had to tweak the hinges on the half doors and the door strike to get an even reveal all the way around - took a couple of tries to find a spot where both my full doors and half-doors would both work and look right. The hinges mostly effect the reveal around the perimeter and the striker effects how tight to the body the rear of the door is pulled against the tub. You can also bend the barrel of the hinges like you would a door in your house to tighten or loosen how tight the front of the door seals against the tub and top.

I think just tweaking your doors a little will fix it since the hard top is probably not as forgiving as the soft top was.

I will try this thank you!!
 
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