1990 YJ Hardtop questions

[Dan1990XJ]

So I got my girlfriend a hardtop at the junkyard for free, then I fixed it up and now its just about time to put it on the jeep only problem is I don't have any kind of hardware for it. I know that I can just use some nice bolts, nuts, and washers for the part where the top meets the tub but what can I do to attach the front lip of the hardtop to the front windshield frame? This needs to be safe as she commutes to school with her jeep and I also don't want to buy any aftermarket hardware.

Thanks in advance,
-Dan

 

[RichP]

The YJ hardtop is held on in the front with screws or bolts, 5 or 6, they screw right into the top of the frame. We've had two hard top YJ's, both my sons, if I was me I'd find some kind of wingnut for the front, the screws or bolts are a pia to put in and take off. As for the back you also need two aluminum plates that reinforce the fiberglass, there are a left and a right. The nuts that hold the bolts in are rectangular but quadratec has dedicated C clamps that work better.

 

[Dan1990XJ]

Thanks, now if I understand you correctly I should just bolt the hardtop lip straight to the windshield frame? The windshield Frame on hers only has one bolt hole and it is at the center I believe (this is what she told me I haven't been able to look at it yet as I am away for a week). Thanks again for the help, I appreciate it.

-Dan

 

[RichP]

There should be like 5 or 6 holes right behind the sunvisors. The top should have the same holes. Now if it came from the factory with a soft top that may be a different story. There are a bunch of YJ owners over on www.bmja.org that can provide a definitive answer so you might want to post there. In dealing with my sons its only been a matter of taking it on and off cause the SOB is heavy and awkward for one person..

 

[JeeperG]

There should be like 5 or 6 holes right behind the sunvisors. The top should have the same holes. Now if it came from the factory with a soft top that may be a different story. There are a bunch of YJ owners over on www.bmja.org that can provide a definitive answer so you might want to post there. In dealing with my sons its only been a matter of taking it on and off cause the SOB is heavy and awkward for one person..

You wuss its not really that heavy its just awkward, there should be 7 holes, when I got mine I ended up putting bigger screws with lock washers and in the back bolts with lock washers and wing nuts. On my rig they do come loose though, stupid MORE motor mounts. :doh:

 

[RichP]

You wuss its not really that heavy its just awkward, there should be 7 holes, when I got mine I ended up putting bigger screws with lock washers and in the back bolts with lock washers and wing nuts. On my rig they do come loose though, stupid MORE motor mounts. :doh:

It's always fun lifting it off and just, getting turned around to step off the rear bumper and a gust of wind comes along and lifts the front... with something that expensive I'll be a wuss and help...