Any tips, hints, secrets, or just a guide to getting naked?

[Blue Ridge]

I live in the NC mountains and it rains. All summer long. And I don't have a garage. But there's only one day in the entire 10 day forecast showing even thundershowers now and I've never taken my top and doors off after 2 years of ownership. I think it needs to happen this weekend. I recall reading here about a tab that breaks easily on the hard top. Obviously, I'd like to avoid doing that.

I've procured door pin hinge guides and have a Mopar cover coming from Fed Ex today. I'm reading old posts about door and top storage systems, and plan to make something over the weekend so they don't fill my entire spare bedroom. Also, I'm looking into tube doors, and am open to any suggestions on those. Something with mirrors preferred.

I've watched some YouTube videos and it all looks pretty straightforward, but none mention the tab that's broken on other members here. Where is that? Turning to you guys because I know many of you do this regularly and know how to do it correctly. I want to enjoy my Jeep stripped down and get somewhat proficient at taking doors/top off and on without damaging anything. I'll give a report and attach pics when I do it. Thanks in advance!

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[Sandevino]

The only piece that can break easily is the trim piece covering the rear window defrost wiring that connects to the driver side near the rear door.

Be careful when removing it and you'll be fine.

 

[zuki_dan]

There are alignment pins molded in the rear hard top by the B pillar and on the back edge, C pillar, on both sides. The top needs to be lifted about 1/2" prior to pulling it back. I open the rear window and pull the rear hardtop from the bed by myself with a step ladder at the tailgate.

Also in Eastern NC and get 30% chance of rain every day. I have since bought a use factory soft top and run that 3 seasons. I also have the Mopar Jeep cover when going full naked.

 

[Blue Ridge]

I've had an eye out for a soft top since buying it but have yet to find one. Hopefully my Mopar cover arrives today and I can see but does it fit when your doors are on? I wasn't sure if the mirrors had clearance on those.

 

[FLACRACKER]

Hello, as mentioned the tab of the trim for the rear window defroster can be cracked/broken. I had to make a clip to rescue mine. With the door hindge bolts, after removing them I did not reinstall them. Have not had any problems with the doors. This will make removal of the doors quicker the next time. With the mirrors don't buy the cheap ones (vibration). Read the reviews. Having a cab cover with you is wise ! You may wish to get a mesh type bimini top for "Florida" sun. Enjoy !

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I recall reading here about a tab that breaks easily on the hard top. Obviously, I'd like to avoid doing that.

As already said - they must be talking about the tab for the cover for the electrical connector or the connector itself. The only other thing is the front edges of the bottom of the roof but there's pieces included to protect those areas if you set it on the ground and there's also ways to prop it to prevent damage as well.

The top needs to be lifted about 1/2" prior to pulling it back. I open the rear window and pull the rear hardtop from the bed by myself with a step ladder at the tailgate.

That works - two can pick it up from the sides and side-step it back, or one from inside the bed.
Just clear those short pins.
Mine goes straight up in the garage hoisted by a pair of cheap bike hangers and a cheap boat winch and some paracord. I don't even work at it.

Also in Eastern NC and get 30% chance of rain every day.

Can we buy some of that? Things are dying here. Even with a 60 to 70% chance it's not likely to even sprinkle. Can't remember the last rain. Well running dry really easily.
The reason my JT is still intact is because of the heat and humidity - 5 minutes outside and you are soaked, dripping wet and your glasses fogged up.

Anyway, the top isn't a bad thing, watch the electric connector, use the protectors on the front edges of the bottom of the roof, and watch the door hinges when removing the doors. They are still fairly heavy and really really easy to ding paint. Especially going back on. Go to Amazon and buy some of those alignment pins to screw into the hinge pins - really a big help, IMO.
I'm older with arthritis and what the doctor calls "essential tremors" in my hands, especially my right hand (I asked him why they were essential, I really don't need 'em and he just laughed)
Anyone with steady hands and a few years younger won't have problems.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Hello, as mentioned the tab of the trim for the rear window defroster can be cracked/broken. I had to make a clip to rescue mine. With the door hindge bolts, after removing them I did not reinstall them. Have not had any problems with the doors. This will make removal of the doors quicker the next time. With the mirrors don't buy the cheap ones (vibration). Read the reviews. Having a cab cover with you is wise ! You may wish to get a mesh type bimini top for "Florida" sun. Enjoy !

Spiderweb shade helps a lot with the intense sun of the past couple of years.......

 

[Blue Ridge]

I actually bought a spide shade when I first got the Jeep. I'm ashamed to admit that it's never come out of the box. Do you guys drive around with no doors at all? Guessing the wife will be nervous about that even though tube doors won't help much in the event of an accident. Any tube doors you'd recommend?

 

[SPED1]

Be careful of putting doors back on, the front door harnesses are finicky and some have bent pins plugging them in by force. My mopar cover works with my mirror set up. Almost a CMM style arm and mirror but bolted into the grab bar trim with a jack nut. I completely remove the soft top by taking out the 4 bolts holding the cover on.

 

[Gvsukids]

I actually bought a spide shade when I first got the Jeep. I'm ashamed to admit that it's never come out of the box. Do you guys drive around with no doors at all? Guessing the wife will be nervous about that even though tube doors won't help much in the event of an accident. Any tube doors you'd recommend?

First time with doors off is scary watching the road fly by beneath your feet. After a while it becomes normal and my wife isn't afraid to drive without the doors on the highway. There are many tube door options, both on Amazon and through the vendors.

 

[Blue Ridge]

Yeah, I'd imagine it's something you get used to. I've found a ton of tube doors online, but seeing as I'm unsure how much use they'll get, don't want to go top end. These are leading the pack as of right now. https://www.hookeroad.com/products/...-jeep-gladiator-bxg512?variant=37940029817012

 

[zuki_dan]

I have the Amazon 2 piece mesh shades in mine also when the top is off knocks down some of the direct sunlight and cheaper then the name brand versions.

It would be nice to not have to deal with afternoon thunderstorms here. Been mainly driving to work at 5am topless. Been upper 70's to 80's at 5am!

 

[Rahkmalla]

Once you take your door hinge pin bolt things off, throw them in the trash (hyperbole, just put them in the bolt box under the rear seat and never take them back out.

Once you take your door stop bolts out, push your door stops in completely, and store the bolts forever.

Congrats, your doors are now floppy, BUT you never need a tool to take doors off again!

Those are my tips.

As for dealing with summer sun, sunriders are really cool, and can be put back on the truck even after the rear section of the hardtop is off. I find that while direct sun might feel nice when you're moving and the wind is moving all around you, it starts to really beat on you at stop lights. A sunrider solves (for front passengers only) this because you can flip it closed in an instant while sitting at a light, then toss it open again when you're ready to move.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I actually bought a spide shade when I first got the Jeep. I'm ashamed to admit that it's never come out of the box. Do you guys drive around with no doors at all? Guessing the wife will be nervous about that even though tube doors won't help much in the event of an accident. Any tube doors you'd recommend?

The problem here is WIND. And it's always windy. One reason for the big concentration of wind turbines is, well, duh, wind. And when you are driving along at 55-65 and all of a sudden a gust blows across through your Jeep and you feel like the air was just sucked out of your lungs - it's one of those shocks then you feel like you were just on a really crazy theme park ride and want to do it again.
I'd get tube doors if I had the doors off enough to justify it but the sun and humidity and popcorn storms in normal years - just don't take them off that often.
Yeah, there are seat/shoulder belts but you never know and with a side impact I'd feel a lot better with at least something there. I like ultralight flights but there's the knowledge that you have not only the restraints, but a certain amount of structure there as well.
My S-I-L's Blazer was hit by a moron blowing through downtown Des Moines during the lunch rush, blew a light and smacked the passenger side of her Blazer dead center. Flipped her Blazer on its side and her arm flew out the window and was dragged along between the door and pavement - so I guess stuff can happen no matter what, but still, anyone on the right side would have been killed with no door at all there. Tube doors? Dunno, but would feel better.

I've found you have to bolt everything down, can't wear a hat or have anything in the vehicle that can be picked up by a big vacuum or strong gust - it will leave your truck for sure.
It's just so often windy here it's hard to find a good day to strip it down. (plus where the heck do I put the doors when they are off?? Garage is FULL)

 

[Gvsukids]

Yeah, I'd imagine it's something you get used to. I've found a ton of tube doors online, but seeing as I'm unsure how much use they'll get, don't want to go top end. These are leading the pack as of right now. https://www.hookeroad.com/products/...-jeep-gladiator-bxg512?variant=37940029817012

Or go doorless.

I've found you have to bolt everything down, can't wear a hat or have anything in the vehicle that can be picked up by a big vacuum or strong gust - it will leave your truck for sure.

That's what's great about having a bed.

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