I have a 97 TJ and had a 91 YJ before that so I think it is still probably the same but I don't know for sure on a newer Jeep or the longer unlimited...this is to answer the piece of your question about taking off the Hardtop...someone else will have to step up and help you with the soft top installation (you may want to indicate whether you have an OEM soft top or another brand). Oh, and look at the bolts and see if you need a special star torx wrench and get that before you begin. I would recommend getting or making a hoist for the hardtop...it helps lift/remove it and store it as well. You CAN take a hard top off alone, but it is a pain and risky - I did mine for years (I am a big guy) but on one occasion it tipped a little one way and lost balance and next thing you know I was out a rear window (almost a grand to replace and that was 10 years ago). So definitely have 2-3 other people help you with this. My short answer to your question would be:
1. Find the right star torx wrench
2. Unplug rear window connections - wiper/defroster
3. Undo the bolts along the back sides with the torx wrench
4. Look under the sun visors and unlatch the two front latches
5. Open the rear window
6. Lift it off and walk it back over the rear tire and then set it down
7. Close the latches, and then start thinking about taking those doors off!
(remove the 2 nuts on the hinge outside of each door - don't just use a wrench unless it is rubber coated - put a towel or something around the nuts or you will mess up the paint on the nuts; disconnect the strap from door to the inside; remove glovebox and pull the fuse in the bottom right corner of the fusebox to turn off the interior lights; grab door and lift while swinging door open and closed a bit).
Do a quick look around the Jeep for anything that might blow out with the top off....and enjoy!
Note: I would go ahead and order the Lange Originals Kwick Kit Hard Top hardware and chuck out those stupid star torx bolts - I wish I had done that 17 years ago. When you put the top back on it is soooo much easier... Don't sweat it if you lose some bolts - I probably drove for 5 years without any bolts holding down the back of my hardtop - just the under-visor clamps...and the wind keeps it down.
I hope this helps - I have never had a full soft top, just bikini tops, so I can't help you with the rest.
05-27-2008, 08:34 PM
97 TJ Sport-4.0L-Green: 33X12.5's (BFG AT)-Amrcn Rcng Chmbr Tfln whls; 4" Tera lift; JBA Header; 4.56 Grs; Body Armor rear bmpr w/Swing-Away tire carrier, 2 jerry cans, & hi-lift jack; Body Armor frnt Triple Hoop bmpr w/ Smittybilt XRC-8 Winch; Tuffy expand-a-trunk, cntr cnsl, & glv bx; Wet Okoles; Cobra 75WX; Viair onboard air-450C/2.5; K&N Air; Optima Yllw Top; 4 Hi-Liters; Bestop Fndrs; Yakima Rk; Ravelco ...and more coming!
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