[Nick B]

I'm looking at a 06 Rubi with a hard top. How hard is it to take that thing off and put back on ? With two people how much time is involved ?
TIA, Nick

[docbud]

I had a 98 JT with a hard top and it was a pain-in-the-butt to take off and put back on.

I'd say half-an-hour (depending on a beer-break).

Are you planning on taking it off just for a few hours at a time, or more along the lines of keeping it off for a weekend or several days?

If just for the day or something, I think it would be a pain (especially putting it back on and making sure it was seated correctly).

doc

[bmboll]

Originally Posted by Nick B

I'm looking at a 06 Rubi with a hard top. How hard is it to take that thing off and put back on ? With two people how much time is involved ?
TIA, Nick

With 2 people, 10 min to take off/ 10 min to put on.

edit: I guess everyone has different experiences. I just took mine off myself last week. I used wratcheting straps (4 of them) and lifted it off into the rafters of the garague. It to me about 30. It was slow going because I had to lift each corner a little at a time.

[pasadena]

Originally Posted by bmboll

With 2 people, 10 min to take off/ 10 min to put on.

IF that long....6 torx bolts and to things in the front, its off

[ROUGHSHOD]

It's no problem at all! Only 6 bolts total (they're slightly annoying) - the real issue is the size of the thing. But with 2 people you should be done in a couple minutes. There are tabs on the bottom of the hardtop that pop into place to ensure you've got it on correctly.

[bee guz]

You might want to look into a hoist, and a sling, that way you don't have to do all the lifting.

[Bishop Creek]

Originally Posted by bmboll

With 2 people, 10 min to take off/ 10 min to put on.

Same here except that you need 4 people with an Unlimited top.

[Nick B]

Thanks for the reply's. Just 6 bolts ? Is there a nut on the bottom of the bolt that has to be held ? How about the gasket ? After it has been on and off a bunch of times does it still seal good ?

[Erik T.]

it's easy, 10 mins with 2 people sounds about right. Thats the only problem with them really, unless you have a hoist you have to have 2 people to take it off.

It's 6 bolts, easy to remove. And if it came with a rear windshield/defroster/washer then you'll have to unplug it from the left of the rear window. Don't forget to cap the windshield washer fluid tube or else it'll empty it into the rear of your jeep.

[PhulesAu]

With an Unlimited top, and 8 bolts. By myself its a 20mn. job PVC is your friend. un do the bolts, un hook the front , tip up and insert a 1.5 inch piece of pvc pipe on the top of roll bar. lift from rear end and roll off on to saw horses. ( fold-ups from home depot) with a short top, 2 times to move the "roller bearing" and drive away.

[bmboll]

Originally Posted by Nick B

Thanks for the reply's. Just 6 bolts ? Is there a nut on the bottom of the bolt that has to be held ? How about the gasket ? After it has been on and off a bunch of times does it still seal good ?

I think it depends on the model or if it came with a hard top or not. Mine didn't come with a hard top so I had to get nuts. I think the ones that came with a hard top have the nuts welded on and some rectangular nuts that you don't have to hold in place to keep them from spinning

[grogie]

I'd say it took me less then ten minutes two weekends ago when I first attempted to take it off. I had the six bolts off, unhooked the front, then unplug the rear windshield wiper. I then asked my wife to help me lift it off, but she's petit, and just didn't have the strength on her side. So it stayed on. Otherwise it's easy. The six bolts took a few more minutes to put back on then they took to unscrew. Looks like I'll buy a hoist system. I've seen a manual and power hoist on Quadratec (power below).

http://www.quadratec.com/products/12020_02_07.htm

[dragginwagon406]

My original hard top retaining "nuts" are actually flat pieces of steel threaded and held in place by plastic clips. Makes removal much easier Just be sure to drop a little oil on the bolts to keep corrosion down.

[JFM626]

Seems to me that the nuts nearest the doors are not captured like the other four, and can fall down into some hard to get at spot. Could be wrong though.

[grogie]

Originally Posted by JFM626

Seems to me that the nuts nearest the doors are not captured like the other four, and can fall down into some hard to get at spot. Could be wrong though.

That happened to me too! It took me a few minutes to find one, and then get it out (fell between the tub and the front roll bar). One of the other four in the back also was not captured as you said. Don't know why? UAW?