Killer soft top tabs

[NickTinVA]

Hi all!

I think the answer to this is "suck it up buttercup" but I figured I'd ask anyway.

I've got a 2019 JLUR with the premium soft top. Love it! It's been very fun, and we've taken it on the trail, camping, and tailgating. In chilly weather the top gets stiff. My question is the bottom ~3 inch wide tabs on either side. When it's cold they're a bear to dig out with my index finger, and I nearly always slice my finger doing it.

Anyone have any tips or tricks to break those free, or, conversely, any problem just leaving them undone?

Thanks in advance!

Nick

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[GreyFox]

Maybe I'm missing this, but why do you want to mess with the tabs (to remove top I assume) when it's cold?

 

[NickTinVA]

Maybe I'm missing this, but why do you want to mess with the tabs (to remove top I assume) when it's cold?

That's the frustrating thing - all I'm trying to do is flip the back window up to get in and out of the cargo area without trying to limbo things under the bar. But just to flip that window up I have to donate blood

 

[NickTinVA]

 

[intentsrig]

Mine never stay in. I have the standard top though.
So maybe don’t even tuck them back

 

[TrailTorque]

Mine come out while driving so when I get to where I’m going they are already out.

It’s a super cool feature by FCA.

Only the premium of the premium get this feature. VIP status.

 

[NickTinVA]

Mine come out while driving so when I get to where I’m going they are already out.

It’s a super cool feature by FCA.

Only the premium of the premium get this feature. VIP status.

Oh jeez. Sorry man. Well, my take away is I'm leaving the f'ers out.

 

[bloodwar]

When it gets cold, as it inevitably will here in the East/Ne I'd advise against flipping the rear window back in the soft top. Unless it's been running for a while and is toasty warm inside. I've damaged one in the past when it was too cold out. This is a just a heads up in case it's your first soft top

 

[amnesiac]

posts like these make me glad I went with dual tops.

you could probably find a deal on a hard top from someone who switched over?

good luck!

 

[Bryce]

Are you pulling the bar across the bottom loose first? If not, give it a light tug to pull it out of its holders first. That should start the lower tabs to come loose.

 

[NickTinVA]

Are you pulling the bar across the bottom loose first? If not, give it a light tug to pull it out of its holders first. That should start the lower tabs to come loose.

I'll try that, thank you!

 

[Gee-pah]

Hi all!

I think the answer to this is "suck it up buttercup" but I figured I'd ask anyway.

I've got a 2019 JLUR with the premium soft top. Love it! It's been very fun, and we've taken it on the trail, camping, and tailgating. In chilly weather the top gets stiff. My question is the bottom ~3 inch wide tabs on either side. When it's cold they're a bear to dig out with my index finger, and I nearly always slice my finger doing it.

Anyone have any tips or tricks to break those free, or, conversely, any problem just leaving them undone?

Thanks in advance!

Nick

Getting soft tabs to stay, and come out as needed without injury:

• Buy two of these https://www.homedepot.com/p/Simpson...-20-Gauge-Galvanized-Tie-Plate-TP15/100375260
• Cut long side to width of soft top tab. You may need to reduce width too.
• Remove tab if not already detached.
• Put cut and linked mending place in, in place of soft top tab.
• Put soft top tab into bottom of mending plate.
• The additional distance closer to the ground at which the soft top tab secures to the mending plate not only better secures it, but the combination soft top tab and mending place extra distance lower provides leverage for you to disassembling the back window as you described with no blood loss.

FWIW: I got this idea, and it works for me, when I heard that Bestop may have increased the height of the tab they sew into the soft top back window since their initial version of this window for the JL in response to the large number of people reporting tabs that pop out.

 

[laroo]

I have nothing to help you, sorry. But I've cut my finger a few times pulling those stupid things out. You're not the only one. I guess it's the price we pay for having tabs that fit tight, I've heard a lot here about them not staying attached at all.

 

[OldGuyNewJeep]

Mine come out while driving so when I get to where I’m going they are already out.

It’s a super cool feature by FCA.

Only the premium of the premium get this feature. VIP status.

^ This

 

[rommel102]

That's the frustrating thing - all I'm trying to do is flip the back window up to get in and out of the cargo area without trying to limbo things under the bar. But just to flip that window up I have to donate blood

I had this problem and took care of it with the simplest of mods.

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