Great video, thank you, it was a great help. I just want to add that removing the back flaps did not help me get the front hinges locked down at all. Didn't budge. What did help was undoing the pin at the side of the roll bar and the one over the door. That gave it some room to move forward a tiny bit - it was still super hard, but once I got it clipped in, it was easy to pull down a on the sides a little and get those pins back in.
I have to tell you (unrelated to the jeep) awesome work! I built a custom lift using a winch hanging from the rafters and some cool metal setup I designed! The issue is I moved my setup to my house and the rafters in my garage are not the same as my parents garage because I needed a garage ready for building my jeep and other projects at that time! Now I can recycle what I made (lol) and utilize the engine hoast and not have to worry about the weight on the garage rafters! Jeep community rocks! Quick tip, if you don't have sun outside like you where saying, you can use a hottub for the windows! They will flaten out because of the heat almost instant! Cheers! Happy jeeping
Great video. I'll be installing mine this weekend. (2001 Yellow TJ SE) I have a 20 year old soft top I'm replacing and the hardware looks similar so I'm going to pay attention as I disassemble the old one as to how and where the parts go - even though the new hardware is slightly different. I figure that will help with knowing what goes where.
Amazing video. Got this same top in perfect condition from a salvage yard the other day for only $250!! (Top, frame, windows, tailgate bar, top arch, hardware and all!) Will be putting it on my 06 Rubicon which currently still has the factory soft top (khaki in color) that’s in perfect shape. I’m so careful with it and scared to scratch the windows cuz u can’t get that color anymore from Bestop. OEM top will go in a box and collect some dust in the shop for the rest of my life. 🤣😂🤣
Finished my install today. Was basically an identical experience to what you had so this video was very helpful. I had someone help push down the back bar a little which helped me get the back corner panels hooked in after hooking but not clamping the front bar to the windshield. That made that portion easier. Getting the back side windows was a challenge though I had to then unhook the back corner panels to get them fully zipped and then reattach tighten all the flaps to the body. One thing I noticed is that like you point out, i have a small gap on the front right corner by the windshield still, even after clamping everything down fully. I can see the sky through the corner from the inside. The left side is pretty flush. I'm assuming as it stretches out some this will close up? I was a little worried about leaking if i end up having to drive in the rain. I'm in a garage normally, and I think sitting in the rain it would run off and over the hole like an umbrella and not leak, but I think with driving and rain the wind might pull the rain in through the hole...
Replacing my old soft top soon, '06 LJ. They can be a struggle but if you have time to lay it in the sun it is easier. A hard top is nice in places where it is very cold and lots of snow but if not $1500.00 is nicer to have. I do love a soft top and running with it down.
I agree.. in my opinion the hard top was made for someone that wanted to daily drive a Jeep. only a few times a year in Houston tx you really want to take the top all the way down but many times I take all windows out and run it like a bikini top.. all the jku and newer owners always give you this weird look when they see an older Jeep with the top down… 😐
Dude,u got some balls, putting that top on yourself, got one just like this coming for my 02 tj, probably need some help getting it on, body been banged up pretty bad, 68yrs old, anyway nice job, Chris looks good. Donnie
if you live in Houston, tx I can help you put yours on. There are few difficult parts that WILL in fact whip your ass.. so be prepared and be patient.. maybe I will make a video showing the hard parts… would you want to see that? and it’s not throwing the entire top in place
The bar you have over the driver/passenger seat. Did that come with the kit? Just bought and installed the same kit in my dad’s 99 and it doesn’t have that bar. It having the sun rider feature I thought it would come with the kit.
Great tutorial, thanks.
Most other vids leave out all the details that you explain.
Appreciate it bro!!
Great video, thank you, it was a great help. I just want to add that removing the back flaps did not help me get the front hinges locked down at all. Didn't budge. What did help was undoing the pin at the side of the roll bar and the one over the door. That gave it some room to move forward a tiny bit - it was still super hard, but once I got it clipped in, it was easy to pull down a on the sides a little and get those pins back in.
I have to tell you (unrelated to the jeep) awesome work! I built a custom lift using a winch hanging from the rafters and some cool metal setup I designed! The issue is I moved my setup to my house and the rafters in my garage are not the same as my parents garage because I needed a garage ready for building my jeep and other projects at that time! Now I can recycle what I made (lol) and utilize the engine hoast and not have to worry about the weight on the garage rafters! Jeep community rocks! Quick tip, if you don't have sun outside like you where saying, you can use a hottub for the windows! They will flaten out because of the heat almost instant! Cheers! Happy jeeping
Thank you! I installed mine this evening with your help 🙂
Great video. I'll be installing mine this weekend. (2001 Yellow TJ SE) I have a 20 year old soft top I'm replacing and the hardware looks similar so I'm going to pay attention as I disassemble the old one as to how and where the parts go - even though the new hardware is slightly different. I figure that will help with knowing what goes where.
This video is the only reason I was able to get my top on, THANK YOU!
What problems were you having?
@@chriscraft77022 I was having issues putting the frame together, thought the directions were overall unclear in the package
Amazing video. Got this same top in perfect condition from a salvage yard the other day for only $250!! (Top, frame, windows, tailgate bar, top arch, hardware and all!) Will be putting it on my 06 Rubicon which currently still has the factory soft top (khaki in color) that’s in perfect shape. I’m so careful with it and scared to scratch the windows cuz u can’t get that color anymore from Bestop. OEM top will go in a box and collect some dust in the shop for the rest of my life. 🤣😂🤣
Finished my install today. Was basically an identical experience to what you had so this video was very helpful. I had someone help push down the back bar a little which helped me get the back corner panels hooked in after hooking but not clamping the front bar to the windshield. That made that portion easier. Getting the back side windows was a challenge though I had to then unhook the back corner panels to get them fully zipped and then reattach tighten all the flaps to the body. One thing I noticed is that like you point out, i have a small gap on the front right corner by the windshield still, even after clamping everything down fully. I can see the sky through the corner from the inside. The left side is pretty flush. I'm assuming as it stretches out some this will close up? I was a little worried about leaking if i end up having to drive in the rain. I'm in a garage normally, and I think sitting in the rain it would run off and over the hole like an umbrella and not leak, but I think with driving and rain the wind might pull the rain in through the hole...
it should stretch out... mine has 0 leaks I leave the Jeep outside for now... you should do a review on TH-cam about it.. I’d like to see it
Great job on the installation and video. Congrats on selling the hard top.
Thanks for this video it was a great help, and you are right it looks great when stretched out and yes it did kick my butt
Thanks a lot, this video really helped me a lot! Installed and very satisfied with it.
Replacing my old soft top soon, '06 LJ. They can be a struggle but if you have time to lay it in the sun it is easier. A hard top is nice in places where it is very cold and lots of snow but if not $1500.00 is nicer to have. I do love a soft top and running with it down.
I agree.. in my opinion the hard top was made for someone that wanted to daily drive a Jeep. only a few times a year in Houston tx you really want to take the top all the way down but many times I take all windows out and run it like a bikini top.. all the jku and newer owners always give you this weird look when they see an older Jeep with the top down… 😐
I just put the best top frameless top on my wife's yellow jeep just like yours, very hot day is your friend ,flip top is nice
I believe you 100% the sun rider feature is awesome.. I’m about to upload a review on the top
Dude,u got some balls, putting that top on yourself, got one just like this coming for my 02 tj, probably need some help getting it on, body been banged up pretty bad, 68yrs old, anyway nice job, Chris looks good. Donnie
if you live in Houston, tx I can help you put yours on. There are few difficult parts that WILL in fact whip your ass.. so be prepared and be patient.. maybe I will make a video showing the hard parts… would you want to see that? and it’s not throwing the entire top in place
@@chriscraft77022 sure Chris, I in in Iowa ,yes please make the video if u can,let me know it's done,thank buddy
Great video, def better than Bestops video for install, I’m digging your fender flares, what brand are those?
Thanks Dude, this video helped a ton!
Does this top flip back over the driver and passenger seat to make it a sun rider as well?
Awesome video, but the part with the hand screws for the door surround isn't going near as easily as you said, mine is a royal PITA haha.
5/3/24 Great job! How’s that top holding up?
Awesome video! What tools did you use? Cause in the manual, it includes even a power drill.
I used basic hand tools.. no drill.. you don’t want to strip out your new frame
Great video , what side steps do you have on your jeep in this video
I have a video on them I don’t remember the name. They are affordable. Look up rock slider installation
The bar you have over the driver/passenger seat. Did that come with the kit? Just bought and installed the same kit in my dad’s 99 and it doesn’t have that bar. It having the sun rider feature I thought it would come with the kit.
mine came with it
The reason why it was hard for ya is cause the very last step is clamping down the windshield, just keep it loose during install or putting it up
What size lift do you have and what tires
i dont really know.. 2" body lift.. its a skyjacker bent arm lift but i dont know how high..i think 4" but they only make a 6".. 33'' tires
How much was that softop system. I just bought a 2003 tj sport with hard top. I want to do this
with half doors? or full doors? the top was like $1450
Just wondering as time goes by can I put something on zippers to make them work smoothly?
They sell wax. Or silicone, but I know they sell something. Just break out an old candle. Haha
I use a silicone zipper lubricant I found on amazon.
Or in a pinch, chapstick, will help zipper go up and down, I keep in glove compartment just in case
How come yours doesn't have the stupid giant silver bestop logo in the rear top ??? Got mine today and hate that big logo .
I haven’t seen the new logo? that sucks