Calgary Jeep Association

4x4 Related Groups => Tech Talk => Topic started by: dunl on October 18, 2006, 09:00:54 PM

Title: 95 YJ hardtop not fitting
Post by: dunl on October 18, 2006, 09:00:54 PM

Just finished putting on the hardtop for the first time, as I only bought the YJ this summer and previous jeeps have been the unibody type. First when I put it on I bolted the bottom of the hardtop to the sides of the jeep, and the doors closed perfect, but then I noticed the bolt holes above the windshield didn't line up - the hartop was too far to the passenger side.  So I loosened the bolts to the body, and bolted the top above the windshield first, then to tightened the body bolts again.

Now the passenger door will not close, as the hardtop seems too far forward on the passenger side, although the driver's side is fine.

Before I start dismantling the roll cage, I figured someone on here will probably be able to help the clueless "hardtop newbie", instead of me trying 45 different ways to work myself up to throwing the rubber mallet through the garage window (there's only one, so I'd like to keep it. :D)

Title: 95 YJ hardtop not fitting
Post by: RedYJ on October 18, 2006, 09:17:42 PM

I remeber having someone sitting on the top of mine to have it line up on the windshield... I don't take it off anymore partially because of this problem, and im too lazy to do it again.

Title: 95 YJ hardtop not fitting
Post by: dunl on October 18, 2006, 09:20:54 PM

Thanks for the story, but that doesn't help me.  :lol:

Title: 95 YJ hardtop not fitting
Post by: Gearhead on October 18, 2006, 10:25:39 PM

Try to start all of the fasteners before tightening any of them. You may need an assistant to put weight on the front above the windshield. Don't tighten any fasteners till the hard top is squared up with the body.

It could be twisted out of shape if it was stored on a suface that wasn't level but should return to it's original shape.

Title: 95 YJ hardtop not fitting
Post by: BlackYJ on October 19, 2006, 07:07:25 AM

Have you removed ALL the softop hardware, like the brackets that go between the rollbar and windshield?

I would also agree with gearhead, get all teh fasteners started first before you tightening anything

Title: 95 YJ hardtop not fitting
Post by: dunl on October 22, 2006, 10:03:25 PM

Thanks guys, but got it figured out and it fits now.  The problem was that the windshield was forward on the passenger side about 1/4", just enough to catch the door on the hardtop.

Removed the sound bar, undid the bolt for the roll bar above the passenger door, detached the windshield from the bar, shortened the bar length about 1/4", re-tightened it and then the windshield, which pulled the windshield in tight enough to have the door fit.

Thanks for the help guys.  :)