Top woes

[JeepNurse]

Hey ya'll. New to the forum here, but, loving it so far. I'm coming to you kind folks in hopes that you can point me in the right direction. My recenet aquisition of a '98 TJ was a success! 4.0 with less than 118,000 miles, runs like a sewing machine, jam up and jelly tight. The top is in great shape but it seems as though the last owner didn't take it down very often. It was damn near impossible to get down, despite my knowing how to do it (my parents always drove Jeeps, primarily TJ's). My problem is the side pieces that "clip" into the track above the doors. I can't "flip" it out like normal. It is just sooo tight. Any suggestions on how to get these little suckers to turn loose before I break my knuckles? Also, what do you folks use for zipper lubrication? My Mom uses a bar of bees wax which she swears by. Didn't know if there was anything better on the market or???? Thanks in advance

Work done so far:
New belt
Idler
Tensioner
Heater Core flush
Thermostat
Tie rods and pitman arm
Front drive shaft (original had way too much play and was clanking around / vibrating. Decided to pull it and put in a replacement so as to not crack my case!

other than that, she is all stock (minus the wheels) and original. My Jeep guy said "you got yourself a real jewel right here".

 

[L J]

welcome and congrats

 

[John Cooper]

Hey ya'll. New to the forum here, but, loving it so far. I'm coming to you kind folks in hopes that you can point me in the right direction. My recenet aquisition of a '98 TJ was a success! 4.0 with less than 118,000 miles, runs like a sewing machine, jam up and jelly tight. The top is in great shape but it seems as though the last owner didn't take it down very often. It was damn near impossible to get down, despite my knowing how to do it (my parents always drove Jeeps, primarily TJ's). My problem is the side pieces that "clip" into the track above the doors. I can't "flip" it out like normal. It is just sooo tight. Any suggestions on how to get these little suckers to turn loose before I break my knuckles? Also, what do you folks use for zipper lubrication? My Mom uses a bar of bees wax which she swears by. Didn't know if there was anything better on the market or???? Thanks in advance

Work done so far:
New belt
Idler
Tensioner
Heater Core flush
Thermostat
Tie rods and pitman arm
Front drive shaft (original had way too much play and was clanking around / vibrating. Decided to pull it and put in a replacement so as to not crack my case!

other than that, she is all stock (minus the wheels) and original. My Jeep guy said "you got yourself a real jewel right here".

Pictures are always a nice additive to.

Welcome!!!!

 

[Hog]

Hey ya'll. New to the forum here, but, loving it so far. I'm coming to you kind folks in hopes that you can point me in the right direction. My recenet aquisition of a '98 TJ was a success! 4.0 with less than 118,000 miles, runs like a sewing machine, jam up and jelly tight. The top is in great shape but it seems as though the last owner didn't take it down very often. It was damn near impossible to get down, despite my knowing how to do it (my parents always drove Jeeps, primarily TJ's). My problem is the side pieces that "clip" into the track above the doors. I can't "flip" it out like normal. It is just sooo tight. Any suggestions on how to get these little suckers to turn loose before I break my knuckles? Also, what do you folks use for zipper lubrication? My Mom uses a bar of bees wax which she swears by. Didn't know if there was anything better on the market or???? Thanks in advance

Work done so far:
New belt
Idler
Tensioner
Heater Core flush
Thermostat
Tie rods and pitman arm
Front drive shaft (original had way too much play and was clanking around / vibrating. Decided to pull it and put in a replacement so as to not crack my case!

other than that, she is all stock (minus the wheels) and original. My Jeep guy said "you got yourself a real jewel right here".

Nice.. congrats and welcome… try unclipping the top from the window frame first…. Cold temps tend to make everything real tight.. should loosen up in the summer… bees wax should be fine.. I’ve never tried anything on my zippers.. post some pics when you can

 

[primetime4]

Tight is what you want on these tops. It’ll loosen up when it’s warm and will be floppy if it’s not. Try unlatching first as suggested to get some room. I also keep a screwdriver in the glove box to help pry it out gently but if it’s warm enough hands will work.

 

[JMT]

Would a hairdryer work to supply some heat to the area?

 

[Artsifrtsi]

For the tabs around windows, I made some loops out of stripped down 550 cord, and installed that before snapping the tabs in. without the cord, you'll need a thin screwdriver to carefully insert and pull the tabs down. I have used bees wax per instructions from my dad, who was instructed from my grandfather... We've been a Jeep family since the '40's, and as long as there was a zipped top, there was beeswax. (also good for squeaky belts...)

 

[LONGJP2]

My problem is the side pieces that "clip" into the track above the doors. I can't "flip" it out like normal. It is just sooo tight. Any suggestions on how to get these little suckers to turn loose before I break my knuckles?

IIRC, the trick is to tuck the flap of material in with it.
Pulling on it releases the 'clip'.

There was a post about this somewhere.
I'll see if I can find it.

 

[Artsifrtsi]

IIRC, the trick is to tuck the flap of material in with it.
Pulling on it releases the 'clip'.

There was a post about this somewhere.
I'll see if I can find it.

There is a post with pics somewhere… the flap is only there on tops with the split door tabs… some tops have a solid, one piece plastic clips, without the fabric tab-pull.

 

[AndyG]

Thoroughly clean the top and soak it in 303 protectant and wipe off the excess- this will restore some of the original pliability. All stock tops need this every year or two. Maybe more in harsh climates.

 

[JeepNurse]

welcome and congrats

thanks!!! Glad to be here.

 

[JeepNurse]

Thanks everyone. I do see the "flap" of fabric.....tucked it in the last time i put the top up, and this time used it as leverage to pull the "clips" out. Worked like a charm. I think I'll also take trick out of your book Artsifrtsi and get some paracord to fashion a pull strap of sorts.

 

[MikekiM]

IIRC, the trick is to tuck the flap of material in with it.
Pulling on it releases the 'clip'.

There was a post about this somewhere.
I'll see if I can find it.

This... ^^^

An absolute revelation when I found out why those little tabs of fabric are there.

That said, prior to learning this I just wedged a finger in the aft end of the plastic tab. Hurt like all heck, but it always worked.