JKU Hard Top Questions

    Need a little help from the DEJA Jeep gurus. I found a hard top for my JKU but I don't have a trailer or vehicle to pick it up with in Doylestown, PA. So I was thinking about driving up in my JKU, removing the soft top and mounting the hard top on the Jeep. I know I'll have to remove the soft top, hardware and door surrounds. Are there any other pitfalls with this plan that you can think of? Also, I seem to recall reading that you need to reprogram the vehicle once the top is on. Is this reprogramming needed for the wiper only? Thanks!

    taking the soft top off won't be hard...if it's warmer. Be careful unzipping the windows and folding them...they will snap.


    might want consider renting a Uhaul... so you aren't rushing things in the cold at your place of pickup.


    and yes...i believe the programming is to accomplish the wiper/washer configuration...

    Dunno about the JK, but the TJ hardtop will fit over a folded down soft top, but just barely.


    You will likely have to get it folded pretty tight which could be very risky in freezing temps.


    I would blast the heat just before you try to drop it to try to soften it up.

    Quote from keith_c


    Dunno about the JK, but the TJ hardtop will fit over a folded down soft top, but just barely.


    You will likely have to get it folded pretty tight which could be very risky in freezing temps.


    I would blast the heat just before you try to drop it to try to soften it up.


    Thanks Keith. I was actually planning on taking it totally off. Figure that way I won't damage either top.

    You can, but it requires sliding/tilting the passenger seat up to the dash and having the rear seat removed. Been there/done that at Elff's house when he sold me a hardtop during the winter.


    **wait**
    Just saw you meant a JK. I need to clarify that I was referring to a TJ. In our JKU we needed to lift up the hardtop about 6" above the tub rails in order to remove the factory-stowed softtop. Can't see it being any different if folded by anyone else.

    Does your JK have the nut plates that clip into the box? I don't think the soft-top Jeeps have those. Make sure you get them from the seller. I didn't know that there was anything to program, if your Jeep originally came with a hard top, you'll have the wiring harness and the windshield wiper stalk will have the extra controller for the rear wiper. When you plug in the the rear wiper/defrost harness, the computer will recognize it. If you don't have the harness, that's a different story.

    Jerry / Whatevah

    2020 Gladiator Mojave - 33" Falken mud tires, LoD side steps, Zroadz bed rack, Quadratec QRC winch bumper, Superwinch EPi 9.0, Kleinn on-board air, Kleinn air horns, lots of lights, Yaesu ham radio with GPS tracker.

    Gone- 2012 JK Rubicon with stuff. Long gone- Long-arm 2001 Cherokee with stuff.

    I had the same issue with my YJ. I drove to the hard top, then removed the soft top and installed the hard top. What you will likely need is....
    1) At least one more pair of hands


    2) A portable impact driver with the proper adapter and bits. (This makes the job a snap IMO)

    Quote

    1) At least one more pair of hands


    Ditto - It's not just the weight, it's awkward.


    Unaware of any programming issues. Mine came with a hardtop and I just pull it off and put it back on without any need to program anything. Maybe it is different if it didn't come with a hardtop.


    Put one of those manual hoists on your list to install in your garage...makes taking the top off much easier and gives you a good place to stow it in summer.

    Harken Hoister

    Quote from quadna


    You can, but it requires sliding/tilting the passenger seat up to the dash and having the rear seat removed. Been there/done that at Elff's house when he sold me a hardtop during the winter.


    **wait**
    Just saw you meant a JK. I need to clarify that I was referring to a TJ. In our JKU we needed to lift up the hardtop about 6" above the tub rails in order to remove the factory-stowed softtop. Can't see it being any different if folded by anyone else.


    Thanks Quadna!

    Quote from whatevah


    Does your JK have the nut plates that clip into the box? I don't think the soft-top Jeeps have those. Make sure you get them from the seller. I didn't know that there was anything to program, if your Jeep originally came with a hard top, you'll have the wiring harness and the windshield wiper stalk will have the extra controller for the rear wiper. When you plug in the the rear wiper/defrost harness, the computer will recognize it. If you don't have the harness, that's a different story.


    Do you mean the bolt rod attached to the discs that go in the soundbar rail holding the front of the hardtop?


    Thanks Charlie!

    Quote from Grningbear


    Do you mean the bolt rod attached to the discs that go in the soundbar rail holding the front of the hardtop?


    no, this dude... I think you'll need 3 per side. they go on the underside of the body rails where the top sits. you'll already have the bolt holes there.



    Jerry / Whatevah

    2020 Gladiator Mojave - 33" Falken mud tires, LoD side steps, Zroadz bed rack, Quadratec QRC winch bumper, Superwinch EPi 9.0, Kleinn on-board air, Kleinn air horns, lots of lights, Yaesu ham radio with GPS tracker.

    Gone- 2012 JK Rubicon with stuff. Long gone- Long-arm 2001 Cherokee with stuff.

    Quote from whatevah


    no, this dude... I think you'll need 3 per side. they go on the underside of the body rails where the top sits. you'll already have the bolt holes there.





    Ahh...nope...didn't have those which is why I had to use a trailer. That was a really fun drive but I got it home. Thanks for all of the feedback.

Participate now!

Don’t have an account yet? Register yourself now and be a part of our community!

Register Yourself Login