hard top panels not fitting in storage bag

[jhoward723]

Hey everyone, just got a Gladiator last week, and took the freedom panels out this past weekend to head to the beach. When I tried to fit them in the storage bag, they don't fit all the way. It's frustrating, I watched videos online and followed the diagram on the bag, and followed everything to a T, yet the bag won't zip, the one side zips, but when it gets to the top, the passenger side panel sticks up too far for the bag to zip all the way. Looking at the foam the panels get placed in, in the bottom of the bag, the in-cuts for the driver side are larger than the passenger side, and this extra foam for the passenger side seems to be the reason that panel sits higher than the driver side. I know I'm not crazy, is there something I'm missing? I've looked everywhere online and can't seem to find anyone who is having the same issue. I've tried just about everything and don't want to break the zipper on the bag by forcing it. Please help!!

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[MACulberson]

I have the same problem.

 

[xpcdoojk]

I did it for the first time Saturday and they fit easily. Are you sure you are putting them in like the picture on the inside of the cover shows?

 

[kj57]

I didnt think they would fit either, zipper would stop at the first turn. Had the stretch the cover over the LH side top (the first one you put in) to get it closed. After a couple times in and out the bag stretched enough where its easy now.

 

[noside85]

I didnt think they would fit either, zipper would stop at the first turn. Had the stretch the cover over the LH side top (the first one you put in) to get it closed. After a couple times in and out the bag stretched enough where its easy now.

This, another way is to grab both handles and gently lift. should self-adjust iirc

 

[jjmstang]

I just cut the styrofoam bottom a little, easy peasy

 

[BLK HOLE]

That bag is garbage cheap. Mine is crazy tight, so I don't doubt some don't fit. But I'm with ^ on this. Carve the foam.

 

[Doolin64]

Mine is pretty tight as well. I as afraid the zipper would remove the paint on the edge. I'm going to cut the foam.

 

[Moabite]

They fit perfectly if you do it right, but it is kinda like Jeep's version of the Rubik's Cube. This young lady helped me the first time:

 

[NC_Overland]

Weird. Mine fit perfectly on the first try. Not even that tight.

 

[tbaker]

I am going to buy an extra hard top bag and just put one side of the freedom panels in a separate bag by itself

 

[Mightytalldude]

Installed the Bestop Sunrider this morning and it almost took as long to put the hard tops in the bag as it did to install the Sunrider.

 

[lookitsadam]

I've never had any problems with mine, however I would check to make sure your locking tabs on the freedom panel isn't interfering with the panel being fully seating in the foam.

 

[TxGladiator]

Took me a few tries to get them in the right way.

 

[canyonrat]

They fit perfectly if you do it right, but it is kinda like Jeep's version of the Rubik's Cube. This young lady helped me the first time:

Useful video, she did a good job. I'll even forgive her for repeatedly calling her Jeep a "car". ;-) I have not put my panels in the bag yet, couple mid-60's days coming up here in Denver could be time!

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