Folding the top?

bigkahuna03842 · 09-01-2005, 09:23 AM

Hi, I'm trying to figure out how to fold the soft top down on my 01. I've tried searching the forums but couldn't find anything and I don't have my manual. I do know I have to take the windows out, but what are the steps from there? Thanks much!

**Rocky529** · 09-01-2005, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigkahuna03842

Hi, I'm trying to figure out how to fold the soft top down on my 01. I've tried searching the forums but couldn't find anything and I don't have my manual. I do know I have to take the windows out, but what are the steps from there? Thanks much!

Take out the windows, unclamp the rear quarter panels from the tub and then unclamp the header to the windshield. Don't forget to unhook the drip rail too (right above the passenger and driver's head on the door). Then, just fold it back tucking in the material neatly.

bigkahuna03842 · 09-01-2005, 09:56 AM

excellent, thanks for the quick reply, i'll go try that right now.

herk · 09-01-2005, 09:59 AM

I have the same question, but I was too embarrassed to ask. I know how to fold it down, but I am looking for the best way to fold it. I have a video from Jeep, but I have not watched it. It is a VCR tape and I have not used a VCR in 5 years.

The Cigarman · 09-01-2005, 10:06 AM

If you send me the video I will make a DVD and mail it to you. I have a DVD/video cassette recording deck and can transfer one to the other. I'l like a copy for myself. BTW, what year is your jeep?

just e-mail me and we can exchange info. redvetteXXX@comcast.net (remove the XXX)

young yeller · 09-01-2005, 10:11 AM

If you want to simply fold it into the back and drive off, you can roll the back window up to the top and snap it into place (however, if you want to be able to see through the plastic by next year, I'd suggest unzipping it completely and taking it out), then it's pretty self-explanatory from there. #1. Unlatch the winsheild latches (but leave them connected), #2. Unzip/remove the windows, #3. Pull the rear fastening ends out from the rear corners of the tub, #4. Unseat the four fasteners from atop the doors, #5. Completely unlatch the winsheild latches and move to rear of Jeep to begin pulling the top down into place. #6. Start by pulling the corner sleeves(that fasten to the rear corners of the tub) in toward eachother, while watching the top coming back (it will fall toward you as you're pulling it back), #7. As the sides bulge out with the top coming toward you, tuck them in, pulling them towards the middle. #8. The last/front section of the top being folded down has the four plastic drip rail fasteners that need to be folded. Looking at one side, bend the two fasteners into an arrow pointing toward the rear of the Jeep and tuck them underneath the rest of the top as it's going down. Everything should be tucked neatly in place! I hope this helps- that's how I usually fold mine if I don't take the whole thing off all together. Someone chime in if I missed a step or didn't explain something clearly.

herk · 09-01-2005, 10:21 AM

Let me see if I can find the video first. I am not even sure what is on it. The funny thing is I have a VCR and a DVD recorder, but I dont have the time to hook the VCR up. This would require me goig through old boxes to find cables.

I have a 2005 and prior to this I had a 94. The 94 was easy because I just took the whole thing off. I realize folding the top is not rocket science, but when I had my Jeep at the dealer and they installed my hardtop, they were able to fold down the roof tightly enough to install the hardtop over it. Since then I have taken the hard top off and used the soft top but I have not been able to get it stowed that tight again. I take the windows out and I store them in a cloverleaf thingy. However they did it at the dealer was perfect. I should have taken notes.

ColoradoTJ · 09-01-2005, 10:24 AM

I doubt you will be able to get it that tight again, and if so it will take a lot of time. The top is only meant to be stored that way for delivery and not for storage.

herk · 09-01-2005, 10:34 AM

The Jeep came with the soft top. I took it back to the dealer to get the hardtop put on so it did not come from the factory like that, the dealer did it. Maybe it was just the weight of the hard top and the limited space for the softop that made it so compact. The indentation space on the hard top that the soft top was tucked into was pretty small. I thought it was cool that you could have the soft top folded down under the hardtop.

Maybe I just need to spend some time putting the top down to see if I can do it right. I have always been in a rush.

I liked the 94 because I would just take the top off and if the car got wet, it was not big deal. Now that I have an 05, I dont want to soak the interior. Too many gadgets and everything is still new.

Off topic - my 94 was so much faster. No mods to the engine. Maybe it was the weight.

bigkahuna03842 · 09-01-2005, 11:37 AM

Thanks everyone for the steps, i followed them exactly and now the top is down and it looks great

time for some fun!

kizer · 09-01-2005, 11:50 AM

Here's my howto

Http://www.links4jeeps.com/writeups/softtop/

Enjoy. Some say to unzip and remove the rear window, but 4-years later mine still works fine and its not scratched to heck.

herk · 09-01-2005, 12:09 PM

That is perfect. Thanks Kizer...

kizer · 09-02-2005, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herk

That is perfect. Thanks Kizer...

No problemo. I try and do writeups for everything I do, unless of course there are better ones out there and I simply do not want to duplicate their efforts.

Tinker · 09-02-2005, 06:45 AM

On a side note my top is original 97 and in pretty bad shape to begin with so..... I partially unzip my side windows and flop over on to the top while the top of the zipper is still attached. Also just roll up the back window, so when I fold down my top it is all folded up in one place. Up or down and buttoned up in 5 minets or less. Did I mention my top was nearly shot to begin with.?

I dont know if I would do it with a newer top or not but it sure is handy to just lift up the front of the top and all the windows fall into place. YMMD. BTW my soft top is just for farting around anyway I have a hard top for the winter. Thom

**GIJOE** · 09-02-2005, 05:43 PM

Something else I tried and it seems to work better/easier: When I have the back corners off and am folding the first section, I pull the corners across and over the top as far as they will go, to keep most of the material in the center of the frames. Doesn't seem to make sense the way I explain it. May have to try and take some pics! My biggest secret to keeping it neat is to leave the back seat open to fold against. Seems to work for me anyway. Each time you do it, it will be easier. Good luck!

09-01-2005, 11:50 AM	#11
kizer Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Marysville Wa. North of Seattle Posts: 1,601 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Here's my howto Http://www.links4jeeps.com/writeups/softtop/ Enjoy. Some say to unzip and remove the rear window, but 4-years later mine still works fine and its not scratched to heck. __________________ Links4Jeeps.com 1600+ Write-ups, and more My Writeups \| My Heap

09-01-2005, 09:56 AM	#3
bigkahuna03842 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hampton, NH Posts: 21 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	excellent, thanks for the quick reply, i'll go try that right now.

09-01-2005, 11:37 AM	#10
bigkahuna03842 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hampton, NH Posts: 21 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Thanks everyone for the steps, i followed them exactly and now the top is down and it looks great time for some fun!