Hard top removal

[mjka3122]

Good evening all. Today was the first day we took the entire top off of the gladiator. It was a blast but I have a question for those that have had their hard top for a while and remove it.

How many times can the 8 bolts be taken out and put back in before they strip out?It’s a serious concern that I have in the long run.

I bought what the dealer had on the lot bc of the shortage of inventory so I got the color matched hard top. I would have order the dual top group but that wasn’t in the cards.

My second question is, do they have an after market soft top yet? The 2K sticker for the Mopar option seems steep.

Thanks for any help

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[GoVR46]

If your stripping them then your tightening to much and you'll end up cracking the fiberglass.

 

[NachoRuby]

I wouldn't worry about it unless your majorly overtightening. It doesn't take much. Barely more than handtight. I'm more worried about dropping my hardtop on the ground, to be honest.

 

[mjka3122]

Thanks for the replies. I’m definitely not over tightening just was wondering if something would go wrong after say 100s of times of tightening and loosening the same bolt in the same hole.

 

[GoVR46]

Thanks for the replies. I’m definitely not over tightening just was wondering if something would go wrong after say 100s of times of tightening and loosening the same bolt in the same hole.

I don't know about tightening and loosening the same hole, but I do know drilling the same hole 100's of times will definitely feel looser.

 

[whiteglad]

I always put a little high pressure chassis grease on the threads of bolts.

 

[cafecito]

There's a brand called MyTopUS (on Instagram) that says they're working on a Gladiator soft top. It's not likely to be cheap though - their whole niche is that they make complete soft tops that work like the one touch Skywhatever it's called on the Wrangler.

https://mytop.us/pages/products#ComingSoon

 

[dcmdon]

Thanks for the replies. I’m definitely not over tightening just was wondering if something would go wrong after say 100s of times of tightening and loosening the same bolt in the same hole.

That's the thing. Nobody will take it off and on 100s of times. Lets say you do it once every two weeks for 10 years. That's 250 times.

Highly unlikely. And if you don't over torque things, then it should be fine even at 250.

In short. Move on. Nothing to worry about here. ;-)

 

[Dqban]

5000 rotations or 6 years, no more. Junk the Jeep after. .....Just kidding.

They theoretically can last the life of the jeep if lightly oiled from time to time and not over torqued or cross threaded.

 

[fyrefight]

There's a brand called MyTopUS (on Instagram) that says they're working on a Gladiator soft top. It's not likely to be cheap though - their whole niche is that they make complete soft tops that work like the one touch Skywhatever it's called on the Wrangler.

https://mytop.us/pages/products#ComingSoon

Just looked at those. $4 grand is insane in my book.

 

[brianinca]

I have an old YJ hardtop, it's a different mounting system to the JT but essentially the same idea. I doubt I've taken off and replaced the hardtop 50 times in 28 years, it's a May / November thing here. It's also a heavy pain in the ass compared to the JT hardtop, but still. How often do you take off / replace? Don't over torque, there is no need, you have ENORMOUS clamping force with eight bolts like that. Plenty of other things to sweat, but almost anything on the Jeeps is replaceable.

Thanks for the replies. I’m definitely not over tightening just was wondering if something would go wrong after say 100s of times of tightening and loosening the same bolt in the same hole.

 

[Terminus33]

My second question is, do they have an after market soft top yet? The 2K sticker for the Mopar option seems steep.

Thanks for any help

I have only heard of Sun Top making one aftermarket for it so far. A few members here have emailed them and I think ordered it but I can't be sure on that part. Supposedly around the $1000 mark or a little less.

Sun Top for Gladiator

 

[Bamaprof]

Good evening all. Today was the first day we took the entire top off of the gladiator. It was a blast but I have a question for those that have had their hard top for a while and remove it.

How many times can the 8 bolts be taken out and put back in before they strip out?It’s a serious concern that I have in the long run.

I bought what the dealer had on the lot bc of the shortage of inventory so I got the color matched hard top. I would have order the dual top group but that wasn’t in the cards.

My second question is, do they have an after market soft top yet? The 2K sticker for the Mopar option seems steep.

Thanks for any help

Remove factory bolts and store under rear seat. Replace with aftermarket hand tighten ones. MUCH easier and safer

 

[Newlife]

Remove factory bolts and store under rear seat. Replace with aftermarket hand tighten ones. MUCH easier and safer

We’ll now I’m intrigued

 

[Bamaprof]

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