How to Properly Remove Your Jeep Hardtop and Store It

The ability to remove the top is one of the best improvements you can make to a Jeep Wrangler. When the top is removed, Wranglers become the perfect summertime vehicle, which is a big part of why they are so well-liked. If you own a Wrangler, you’ll want to know how to correctly remove and store your Jeep hardtop.

Must-Have Tools to Remove Your Hardtop

You should know the various tools required before we begin removing the hardtop from your Jeep Wrangler. Among the necessary equipment you’ll need are:

T40 Torx bit
Socket wrench
A friend or a hoist

If your Jeep Wrangler is a more recent model, a hardtop removal kit may be provided. If not, these tools are readily available at your neighborhood hardware shop to help you remove the top properly.

How to Remove Your Jeep Hardtop

Having the previously mentioned equipment and, if you lack a hoist, someone who can lift the rear top near the end is essential for removing a Jeep hardtop. Although removing a hardtop is a simple adjustment, you should exercise caution because it’s one of the most costly parts of your Jeep. This is a detailed guide on removing and storing your Jeep hardtop.

To remove a Jeep Wrangler hardtop on your own, you must first remove the front panels from the inside of the car. As you can see, the front panels are held in place by six latches, three in the front and three in the rear. To unclip all six latches in the front section of your Wrangler’s cabin, pop out the sun visors.
When you have finished with all the latches, the panels at the front of the Jeep can be safely removed. There will be a driver’s side panel and a passenger side panel.
The bolts in the rear panels of your Jeep Wrangler must be removed with a socket wrench and a T40 Torx bit if it is a four-door. On either side of the rear are two T40 Torx bolts. Under the window of the trunk, each Wrangler will have three screws on each side. As an aside, if you own a more recent model of Jeep Wrangler, you can store all eight of the screws in one place so you will know where to go for them when you want to replace the top. The carpet will cover this storage area.
Once all of the bolts in the back have been removed, you will need to unplug the washer fluid and electrical harness. These plugs are in the driver’s side trunk at the rear of the hardtop. After first freeing the red connector, pull the electrical harness out by pulling it downward. Pull this piece down and squeeze the oblong nose for the washer fluid. If your Jeep Wrangler has plugs, this should disconnect both of them.
You are now prepared to remove your Jeep Wrangler’s rear hardtop. If you don’t have a hoist, you’ll need a friend to help you lift it.
Ensure the rear doors on both sides and the trunk window are open so that someone else can easily lift the rear top. This will make it more straightforward to grasp the hardtop firmly enough to lift it with assistance from another person. Move your front hand underneath the top after lifting it over the spare wheel at the back and then resting it on the Jeep. Next, close the rear window with your backhand.
After completing that, carefully set the hardtop down on a dolly or secure location to prevent damage.

After completing those seven procedures, your Jeep Wrangler will look brand new, allowing you to take in the fresh air while cruising or going on an off-road excursion.

The Greatest Methods for Storing Your Jeep Hardtop

Regarding how to store your Jeep Wrangler, there are a few strategies you can employ to make sure your top is secure while not in use and readily available. After you have removed the front and rear panels from your Jeep Wrangler hardtop, here are some of the best methods to store them:

Rear Top Storage

Hoist Cart: The first alternative is a hoist cart, which can assist you in lifting your hardtop independently and make it easier to store the rear top because of its ungainly design and bottom wheels that serve as a dolly. By adding extras for your doors, you can also store a lot more than just your hardtop.
Hoist-A-Top: A hoist-a-top is an additional method of storing your hardtop. If you have vertical space in your garage, you can store your hardtop on your ceiling, and a hoist-a-top can help with that. With a steel frame, a hoist-a-top hanging from the ceiling may support and assist in removing your hardtop.
Four-Point Lift System: You may also store your hardtop in your garage’s ceiling and utilize a four-point lift system to remove the top. You must fasten the lift system to the hardtop’s inside in this manner. The back part of the roof, connected by a rope attached to the garage wall, can then be raised.

Front Panels Storage

Wall storage: Although it won’t let you remove your Jeep’s top, it provides a convenient location in your garage to keep the parts. Although you can just put it there, wall storage is typically the best option for your Jeep Wrangler’s front panels and doors.
Purchasing a storage bag is an additional safe option for keeping your Jeep Wrangler front panels. To do so, slide the panels into the bag, fasten it to your Jeep’s rear seats, or store it in your garage.

Visit AM Off-Road if you want to modify your Wrangler beyond removing the top. You can customize your car using the many Jeep Wrangler exterior accessories, off-road equipment, and other items available online.

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