thanks for the reply, now that I look closer I can see that plate is bolted/screwed to the front sports bar. Upon initial observation that front sports bar against the cab blended really well with the drivers side rear.
wow, surprised people have had that much issue removing their hard top solo. I'm a fairly scrawny feller and removed mine alone a couple times last year. after getting the top out of its place on the jeep I'd slide the top along the bed rails to the end of the bed, then place my arm/hand thru...