Softopper Installation Instructions Jeep Wrangler TJ, LJ, TJ02 ...Kit Includes: 1- Jeep Soft Top Canopy (not shown) 2- Side Windows (not shown) 1- Rear window (not shown) 1- Windshield

Softopper Installation Instructions

Jeep Wrangler TJ, LJ, TJ02, LJ02

Please read instructions thoroughly before starting installation

**Remove all contents of the Softopper carefully to protect from scratches.**Windows scratch easily! Keep protective layer placed between them when they are stacked.

Estimated Installation Time: 1 hour

Beginning Note: It is best to do the initial installation in warmer temperatures (70+ degrees F). The fabric of the top is at its tightest when it is new. Installing it in warmer temperatures initially will ensure that the fabric is easier to work with. The fabric of the top will relax slightly with time and become easier to put on.

1-800-810-7227 www.softopper.com Page �1

http://www.softopper.com

**Safety Notes**

Please read the following before driving with the Softopper installed:

1. This product is designed to shield the occupants from ordinary weather conditions. 2. DO NOT rely in any way on the soft top to contain occupants within the vehicle, or to

protect against injury or death in the event of an accident or a roll-over. 3. This top will not protect the occupants from falling or flying objects. Never operate vehicle

in excess of manufacturer’s recommendations or specifications.

Tools needed for installation:

- Flathead Screwdriver - #3 Phillips Screwdriver - 7/16” Wrench or Socket, preferably 2, or a pair of pliers - Power Drill - 3/16” Drill Bit - Measuring Tape

Table of Contents

1. Inventory……………………….……..3 2. Hardware Installation

1. Header Bar…………………………4 2. Door Surrounds……………………5 3. Rear Brackets………………………7

3. Soft Top Canopy Installation…………9 4. Softopper Care and Maintenance……15 5. Warranty Information………………..16



Kit Includes:1- Jeep Soft Top Canopy (not shown) 2- Side Windows (not shown) 1- Rear window (not shown) 1- Windshield Header bar 2- Door Surrounds *(not for TJ02 or LJ02 models) 4- angled stainless steel brackets *(not for TJ02 or LJ02 models) & 8- #14 Pan-head Screws 4- 1/4" x 20 x 2 1/4" Pan Head Bolts *(not for TJ02 or LJ02 models) & 4- 1/4" x 20 Nuts & 8- washers. 2- 1/4" x 20 x 5/8" bolts *(not for TJ02 or LJ02 models) & 2- 1/4" x 20 wingnuts for lower door surround 2- Rear bar retainer parts 4- #12 pan head screws & 8 washers. 2- Eyebolts with nuts and washers. 1- Rear window retainer bar covered in foam tubing 1- 48" upper rear support bar (pre-installed into canopy) 2- Rear tension webbing strap assemblies with metal hooks. 1- Front side-to-side webbing strap with buckles. 2 – ¾ inch webbing straps with male and female buckles 1- bottle of Seam Sure



Header Bar Installation

**Colored instructions available for download on our website under “Installation Instructions”.

1. Remove factory top and hardware if applicable. If you have metal belt rail flanges from another soft top installed on your Jeep, you will need to remove them as well. Keep all hardware.

2. Locate the Box containing the Header Bar. 3. Install header bar as per included Header Bar instructions located in the box. For colored

instructions online, follow the link on the “Installation” tab of the Softopper Jeep TJ or LJ pages, or visit the Smittybilt page at http://www.smittybilt.com/docs/installation/90104.pdf.



Door Surround Installation

**If you already have door surrounds (TJ02, LJ02 models), disregard this section and proceed to Page 7 “Rear Bracket Installation.”**

1. Locate the 2 Door Surrounds (not to scale below) and the bag containing 4 Mounting Brackets, (8) #14 Pinhead screws.

2. Using a #3 Phillips Screwdriver, mount 2 brackets to each door surround through the 2 provided slots in the brackets to the provided holes in the door surrounds. The horizontal part of the bracket should face in toward the screw side as shown (driver side depicted). Repeat with passenger side door surround. These screws can be loosened and readjusted later in the installation process if necessary for proper alignment.


Driver SidePassenger Side


3. Unzip the fabric cover on the roll bars over the driver and passenger seats.

4. Locate the small bag containing (4) 2 1/4” bolts, 4 nuts, and 8 washers.

5. With the driver side door open, place the driver side door surround atop the vehicle with the brackets on the door surround under the roll bar such that the holes in the brackets line up with the 2 existing holes on the under side of the roll bar as shown.

6. Place one washer on a bolt. Put the bolt up through the bottom of the bracket and roll bar. Place another washer on top of the bolt. Place a nut on the Bolt and finger tighten. Repeat with the other hole and bracket.

7. Close the door. Using a Flathead screwdriver and a 7/16” wrench, tighten each bolt while squeezing the door surround to the door to ensure a water tight seal.

8. Using a #3 Phillips Screwdriver, remove the 2 screws from the bracket located on the bottom of the door surrounds. These must be removed in order to get the next bolt into the bottom slot in the bracket. We have put them in for you the first time since they are very difficult to screw in. You may need to remove a small rubber plug from the mounting hole on the rail of the Jeep. Keep this in a safe place in case it is needed later.

9. Locate the small bag containing (2) 1/4-20 x 7/8” Bolts, Wing Nuts, and washers. 10. Loosely secure the bottom bolt through the bracket and into the vehicle side rail with one

washer on the bolt side and one on the wing nut side.



11. Reinstall the 2 screws removed in step #8. 12. Ensure that the entire door surround is

aligned tightly with the door to create a water tight seal.

13. Tighten all bolts and screws. Repeat on passenger side.

Rear Bracket Installation 1. Locate the 2 Eyebolts with 2

nuts, 2 more nuts, and 4 washers in the small bag contained within the bag with the other brackets.

2. Using one washer and one nut on each side of the vehicle side rail place the eye-bolt in the factory hole located near the rear of the vehicle.

3. Tighten the eye-bolt into place as shown using a 7/16” wrench, preferably 2, or a pair of pliers to hold one bolt still.



4. Locate the 2 Rear Bar brackets, the 4 remaining #12 screws, and the 8 washers. 5. Place a rear bracket on the rear of the vehicle bedrail adjacent to the tailgate. If you’ve

previously owned a factory soft top, there will be holes already located in this position, and you’ll use these holes to mount the rear brackets.

6. If you have no holes here, line up the inner most bracket hole (with the concave portion of the bracket facing rearward) 1 1/4” from the inner edge of the tailgate opening and 1” up from the lower angle surface as shown.

7. Mark the hole locations using a pencil. Drill the holes using a 3/16” drill bit. 8. Place two washers underneath the bracket and secure the bracket using a #3 Phillips

screwdriver and the provided screws. The washers go underneath the bracket, between the bracket and the vehicle in order to raise the bracket enough to fit a plastic strip in the rear window under it.

9. Repeat on passenger side.



Softopper Canopy Installation

1. Locate the roof panel of the canopy (the largest panel). 2. The edge of the roof containing the 54” piece of black plastic sewn into it is the front

leading edge of the roof canopy. 3. Place the roof canopy atop the vehicle with the finished side facing up and the black plastic

over the windshield. Drape the rest of the canopy in position over the rear roll bars. 4. Locate the 2 Rear Lower Straps.

5. Feed the ends of the straps through the ladder locks sewn into the rear of the roof canopy as shown.

6. Secure the metal hook on the other end of the straps to the eyebolts located on the rear bracket. Loosely tighten the straps.

7. Slide the 54” leading plastic piece into the front slot in the header bar, and pull backward on the canopy to secure it.



8. Tighten straps evenly on both sides of the vehicle while ensuring the plastic strip is secure in the header bar slot and centered.

**If you already have door surrounds (TJ02, LJ02 models), disregard this section and proceed to Page 12.**

9. Locate the triangles hanging from the roof canopy over the driver and passenger doors and the Front Overhead Strap.

10. Feed the fabric triangle from outside the vehicle, under the door surround, and over the roll bar into the vehicle as shown.

11. Repeat with the passenger side triangle. 12. Use the Front overhead strap to buckle the two

triangles together and tighten.



13. Locate the large, fabric rear triangle sewn into the roof. 14. Pull it around the rear of the rear roll bar and buckle the strap to the receiving loop at the

front of the vehicle by the windshield. Tighten and secure.



15. You’ve installed the roof canopy! It is safe to drive like this.

16. Locate the Driver side window.

17. Fold up the velcro flap on the roof to access the zippers. Join the zipper on the upper portion of the window to the zipper on the roof canopy, and zip closed.



18. Velcro the two velcro loops on the front of each window panel snuggly around each door surround.

19. Push the plastic on the bottom of the window panel down and underneath the tubrails

starting at the front and working rearward. 20. Repeat all of above for the passenger side window panel. 21. Locate the remaining Rear Window Panel. 22. First, join the vertical side zippers of the rear window panel to the rear zippers on the side

windows. Zip down a few inches only. 23. Join the zipper on top of the rear window to the zipper on the rear of the roof canopy. It

may be necessary to readjust the horizontal zipper to center it. Zip closed the zipper. 24. Secure the velcro on the top of the rear window to the velcro on the roof canopy while

pulling up ensuring that the top of the window velcro meets the top of the roof canopy velcro.

25. Locate the Rear Bar. Slide it through the flap on the inside and bottom of the rear window panel. Push each end of the rear bar into the rear brackets as shown.

26. Push the plastic on the rear corners of the side windows down, around, and underneath the rear bracket corners.

27. Zip closed the 2 vertical zippers. 28. Push the 2” piece of plastic on the bottom of the

rear window underneath the rear bracket.



29. **Optional: You can drive with the rear window panel completely out, or with the rear window rolled up. In order to roll up and buckle the rear panel, locate the 2 Rear Roll Up Straps. Place them between the velcro joining the rear window upper zipper to the roof. Roll up gently as to not scratch the windows (DO NOT ROLL UP WINDOW IN FREEZING TEMPERATURES: WINDOW MAY CRACK). Buckle the straps around the window and tighten securely.

Important Note: We have found that some Jeeps with the factory doors experience water leakage around the doors while others do not. It is probably because some doors have experienced interference while being closed at some point in time or that the weather seal around the doors is a little tired. Another possible reason is that not all sportbars were installed exactly the same at the factory. If you experience water leakage above the doors you may have to loosen the door surround bolts, and then apply outward force as you tighten them back up. This will apply more outward pressure to the door seal. If there is still leakage, washers may be installed in between the door surround and the "L" shaped mounting brackets to place the door surrounds even further out. If water still persists to enter we can supply you with a length of 1 inch sticky-back weather seal that can be applied to the top outside 24 inches of the door surround.1-800-810-7227 www.softopper.com Page �14


Softopper Care and Maintenance

Your top is made of the finest materials available. To keep it looking new and for product longevity and durability, it will need periodic cleaning and maintenance. All pieces are individually replaceable; call 1-800-810-7227, or order your parts online at Softopper.com.

Washing: The fabric should be washed from time to time using a mild soap and warm water. Be sure to rinse all soap off the top when washing is complete.

Vinyl Windows: Windows should be kept clean to avoid scratching. Wash with a water-soaked sponge or cloth and a mild dishwashing detergent. Do not use a coarse brush on the windows and never wipe the windows when they are dry.

COLD WEATHER: As with all automotive and marine vinyls, extreme care must be taken when rolling up or folding the windows in cold temperatures. Vinyl becomes stiff in cold temperatures and may crack. Retracting the Softopper in cold temperatures is not recommended and will void the warranty for the windows (see Warranty information for more detail on length of window warranties). When opening the rear of the Softopper in cold weather, be sure to raise the zippers as high as possible so that any folding will occur to the topper fabric and not to the vinyl window.

Zippers: Keeping the zippers clean and lubricated with a silicone lubricant will help prevent damage and keep the zippers in smooth working condition.

Leakage: As with any sewn automotive top there is always a slight risk of leakage. Right out of the box the Softopper may not be 100% waterproof. If you experience any water seeping through at the seams, apply Seam Sure (supplied), on the inside of the affected seams. Shake Seam Sure well and apply liberally to the inside seams concentrating on areas where needle and thread penetrated the fabric.

Snaps: Keep snaps clean and lubricated with a silicone lubricant to help prevent snaps from sticking to the studs. If a snap does become stuck to a stud, use a screwdriver and gently pry apart to prevent damage to the snap or top fabric. If any snaps need to be replaced due to sticking or damage please call Softopper and we can send out a small do-it-yourself repair kit.

For further information please contact: Softopper LLC, customer service (800) 810-7227 or (303) 304-0533



Warranty

We warrant all of our Softoppers to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of one year, with the exception of vinyl windows and zippers, provided there has been normal use and proper maintenance.

Vinyl Windows are warranted for a period of 3 months from the date of purchase.

Zippers are guaranteed to be in perfect working condition when leaving the factory. Due to atmospheric conditions, dirt, sand, road grime, dust, and abrasive cleaners, etc., zippers are warranted for a period of 6 months from the date of purchase.

Toyota 4 Runner, Jeep Wrangler, Blazer, Jimmy, Scout, Bronco, and RamCharger side curtain windows are warranted for 45 days from the date of purchase. Retracting or closing the top when the temperature is below 40 degrees may void the warranty on the side windows, as clear vinyl plastic can crack very easily at these temperatures. Use caution when retracting the top or cleaning off the windows in freezing temperatures.

Returns must be pre-approved and have Softopper’s issued RGA number attached. Any defective items must be returned with proof of purchase to Softopper 4750 Nautilus Court South, Unit B Boulder CO 80301, freight pre-paid. Items returned must be carefully packed, in clean condition, with plastic windows protected from scratching and creasing. This warranty does not cover damage resulting from abuse, misuse, alteration, accident or damage in transit. Softopper’s obligations under this warranty are limited to the aforementioned repair or replacement of warranty defects for which return authorization has been received during the warranty period, and Softopper SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING FROM BREACH OF THIS OR ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY. This warranty applies to the original purchaser only. All remedies under this warranty are limited to repair or replacement of any item or items found to be defective by the factory within the time period specified.

For further information or request for repair work, please contact: Softopper LLC, customer service (800) 810-7227 or (303) 304-0533



Softopper Installation Instructions Jeep Wrangler TJ, LJ, TJ02 ...Kit Includes: 1- Jeep Soft Top Canopy (not shown) 2- Side Windows (not shown) 1- Rear window (not shown) 1- Windshield

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