Help with soft top gaps -- cause and fix?

[laroo]

It does appear that your side windows aren't installed in the channels correctly. Can you post some pics of the top part of the side windows? Hopefully that is the problem, and correct installation fixes the gaps. The rear window also looks like the previous owner didn't install it correctly. You might be able to use some pliers to squeeze the channels closed more on the ends to fix it.

I bought a used soft top for my wife's JLU a couple of years ago. It did not fit correctly, and I spent days comparing hers to mine, which was delivered on the Jeep from the factory. Without a way to compare to another good top, I would have never found the problem. There were 2 parts bent out of place, and once I bent them back, the fit was fine. If reinstalling the windows doesn't fix the fit, you might want to find another soft top to compare with yours to find bent/damaged parts.

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[Bridgewood]

It does appear that your side windows aren't installed in the channels correctly. Can you post some pics of the top part of the side windows? Hopefully that is the problem, and correct installation fixes the gaps. The rear window also looks like the previous owner didn't install it correctly. You might be able to use some pliers to squeeze the channels closed more on the ends to fix it.

I bought a used soft top for my wife's JLU a couple of years ago. It did not fit correctly, and I spent days comparing hers to mine, which was delivered on the Jeep from the factory. Without a way to compare to another good top, I would have never found the problem. There were 2 parts bent out of place, and once I bent them back, the fit was fine. If reinstalling the windows doesn't fix the fit, you might want to find another soft top to compare with yours to find bent/damaged parts.

That may be tough to get another one to compare it to. I took it to the dealership for them to look at it and they charged me $400. I told them it looked the same and they kept it for another week only to refund me since they weren't able to fix it.

 

[laroo]

That may be tough to get another one to compare it to. I took it to the dealership for them to look at it and they charged me $400. I told them it looked the same and they kept it for another week only to refund me since they weren't able to fix it.

Right, I was very lucky I had another one in my garage. You might have to make friends with another soft top owner.

Hopefully it's just an installation problem, or closing the channels so they hold better. I would not waste any more time with a dealer. But the refund was nice, I don't think that's norm with dealers.

 

[Bridgewood]

Slide the back window back out towards your left. Then undo both side windows and reinstall them.
You first want to start at the top of one of the sides and slide it into its track. Once it’s in, then you want to push the end corner up into its position and clip the bottom rear corner into its clip. You will have to look around to the other side to see it. Then just use your palm to push the front and bottom of the side windows into their track.

Now it’s time to put back the rear window. You don’t have to do this every time but just for this fitment issue try removing the bottom bar of the window and set aside.
starting on the left side place the white end of the tube into the track and then grab the window with your right hand and pull it towards your right while holding the left side up level. Once you pull it all the way across the frame. Now grab the rear bottom bar and reinstall it to the window. everything should be nice and snug without any gaps.

your corner pieces are definitely installed wrong at the top corner. If the rear window still pulls out of the track after this, I would slide the rear window back into the track and then flip it over the rear top with it still in the track. Then find away to squeeze the track back into shape to keep from being pulled out from the bottom of the track once you try and secure the bottom of the rear window.

Went through the process again and it's clear that something is bent. If I push the windows in the pocket of the roof there's about an inch and a half gap at the bottom. See pics. Which is why I'm thinking the back section of the top is too high.

Snugged into the top

Gap at the bottom.

 

[AdamG]

I echo @laroo, go to a popular Home Depot or REI, find a soft top in the parking lot, and wait for the owner to come out.

Molded components and metal tubes and hard points generally can’t be that far off without something being broken or installed incorrectly.

The other option is completely uninstall and start over from the very beginning.

 

[cgagnon99]

Went through the process again and it's clear that something is bent. If I push the windows in the pocket of the roof there's about an inch and a half gap at the bottom. See pics. Which is why I'm thinking the back section of the top is too high.

Snugged into the top

Gap at the bottom.

I may be looking at this wrong but that tab seems to be right ontop of the clip, what if you let off a little pressure to get that clipped in? Also make sure to unfold the plastic tabs under the hard plastic bar, mine tend to get stuck flipped up and I have to pull them down before I can clip in the bracket. You could also post in the local forum for you to see if any forum members with a soft top are close by that could help.

Some folks also unlatch the soft top when doing the windows, then relatch it once everything is in. I don't but seems to help some people here.

Also the inside picture has your rear window in. I would wait to do that last. My process is:

Slide side window onto the bar
Ensure bottom tab is flipped out
put corner bracket in (top first, then latch on the bottom)
tuck the bottom tab starting on the corner, working towards front
tuck the vertical tab
Repeat for the other side.
Slide rear window onto top bar
Put rear retaining bar on window. Latch.
tuck both side tabs
tuck left and right bottom tabs

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