Jeep Wrangler Unlimited with Soft Top Installed
Jeep Wrangler Soft Top Installation – Lessons Learned
Today was the first time I installed a soft top on a Jeep since the late 1980’s. It was not a joyful experience. For starters my soft top which was in Mopar factory sealed boxes was missing some parts and ended up costing me an additional $180 bring my total to $780 which is still a bargain albeit a frustrating one.
Before you remove your hard top do yourself a favor and check all your parts and make sure your soft top kit is complete!
Jeep Wrangler JK Unlimited Soft Top Bow Brackets
Used soft tops are often missing the brackets that connect the roll bar and the soft top knuckle joints. So you will need bow brackets and the 6mm bolts. I had my brackets but not the screws fortunately my local Tractor Supply had 6mmx1x25mm body bolts that allowed me to complete the installation. The bolts were not T-30 Torx so I needed a 10mm socket to install them. No big deal.
Jeep Wrangler Soft Top Missing Knuckle Joint Shoulder Screws
Bow Knuckle Joint Shoulder Screws 190-24x.625 6036311AA (4) $28 – Missing these screws was a pain in the butt. I had to use cable ties to whole the soft top bows to their brackets. The screws are $7 each!
Jeep Wrangler Soft Top Missing Tailgate Bar
Mopar 55395757AE Tailgate Bar for 07-18 Jeep Wrangler JK (1) $145 – The tailgate bar hurt the most ast it cost $145! Without the tailgate bar rainwater will poor in at the rear window and tailgate.
Make Certain The Soft Top Functions To Your Expectations
Watch YouTube videos and read the instruction manuals. If I was to purchase a soft top again maybe I would not by the Mopar or a full soft top at all. Removing the hard top is incredibly easy and I question whether I needed a soft top at all.
Install the Jeep Soft Top Early as Possible
It’s nearly August and here in Connecticut I will be removing the soft top in late September or early August. I wish I Installed it in early May.
Mopar Jeep JK Unlimited Soft Top 82213651 Versus 82213652
What’s the difference between the Jeep Soft top 82213651 and 82213652? My research indicates the 82213651 is constructed of black diamond fabric (sailcloth) and the 82213652 is manufactured from black twill fabric.
Most opinions are the twill is superior in durability and looks. The twill is better for all year use in hot and cold climates. Twill is is more quiet than sailcloth. The negative of the twill is it’s more difficult to clean and mud really clings to it. BMW uses black twill on their convertibles.
The black diamond sailcloth is thinner than twill, and can sweat. it’s also less durable. It is however easy to clean and cheaper to purchase.
Mopar 82213651 Complete Cable Style Sunrider Soft Top with Spring Lift Assist in Black Diamond for 07-18 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited JK 4 Door
Mopar 82213652 Complete Cable Style Sunrider Twill Soft Top with Spring Lift Assist in Black for 07-18 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited JK 4 Door
Mopar Jeep JK Unlimited Soft Top Installation Instructions 82213651 82213652
Download: Jeep Wrangler JK Unlimited Soft Top Installation Instructions 82213651 82213652
