Jeep Wrangler Forum banner

Soft top screws up rear trim panels...

2K views 12 replies 6 participants last post by  dgarber 
#1 ·
Finally removed the hard top from my new JKR a few weeks ago so I could remove the soft top. Once I lifted my soft top up, I could see that the weight of it had separated my rear driver's side trim panels. I'm talking about the 2 pieces that snap around the rear roll bar. They would not snap back together because the tabs were screwed up. The dealer said no problem, and ordered me a new set. Waited a few weeks for the new ones to come in. In the mean time, I put the soft top back on to enjoy the summer. Installed the new trim panels...and they fit perfect. First time I put the soft top down, I notice the pressure separates the new panels. This is only happening on the driver's side. Maybe this is just the way things are going to work. Anyone else have problems with those trim panels not staying connected?
 

Attachments

See less See more
1
#4 ·
My soft top was only under the hard top for about 1 week. This happens with only the soft top installed. The hard top hasn't been installed with the new trim panels installed. Surely someone else has had this happen. I've had the problem with two sets of trim panels. The weight of the soft top folded back just puts pressure on the back panel in a funky way. I would just remove the panels if they didn't cover up the seat belt retractor.
 
#5 ·
Well...I will give this one last shot. Does anyone else have the issue of the back trim panels separating due to the soft top being folded down or any other reason at all? A guy I work with has never had his hard top off on his JKU and his trim panels won't stay clipped/snapped together. Anybody have a fix?
Thanks again.
 
#8 ·
As stated you are not supposed to drive around with both tops. The soft top is there for transportation home only. I'm sure you noticed the sticker and the warning in your owners manual. Consider yourself lucky that your dealer fixed the damage you caused. They didn't have to.
 
#6 ·
I have a hard top, not a dual top. But, I do know that when a dual top JK/JKU is delivered, the soft top is in boxes. You install the soft top when the hard top is removed, and the soft top is removed to install the hard top.
 
#9 ·
daggo66...I think everyone is missing the point. My new JKR was in transport, with dual tops, longer than it was in my garage with both tops on. Yes, I am well aware to remove the soft top ASAP. Yes, I read the sticker. I didn't cause the damage, the factory did...or bad trim panel design. There are jeeps with dual tops that sit on dealer lots for months waiting to be sold. It was in my garage for 1 week, not driven...and it didn't set on the dealer lot because I special ordered it and picked it up the day it arrived. I drove it home 10 miles and parked it in my garage for 1 week before removing the soft top. Point is, the dealer replaced both trim panels (said it was a factory mistake)...I installed the new ones, with only the soft top installed...first time I carefully fold the soft top down, the weight of the soft top pops/pulls apart the "brand new" trim panels, same side (drivers). These new trim panels, that were never installed with the dual tops installed, did the same thing the originals did. So, if everyone's opinion is still that I somehow created this problem myself, twice, I will stop posting on this topic. If anyone else has seen this separation of the trim panels, I would love to hear from you. Thank you.
 
#10 ·
Did everyone miss your point or did you fail to properly explain it? The issue is not with the top just being there, it's driving around with it. You seriously drove your Jeep home from the dealer and left it in your garage for a week? WTF? You have a warranty take it back to your dealer and let them handle it. We're not mind readers.
 
#11 ·
After looking at my first few posts, I feel like I properly explained things. New set of trim panels separate just like the originals with only the soft top on, folded down. I'm sure lots of JK owners drive more than 10 miles before removing the soft top that is under the hard top without any issues. That is why I brought it too the forum. And yes, life can get so busy that a new jeep has a to wait to be driven...doesn't mean I didn't go sit in it every night. :) Also, I did use the warranty and was able to get brand new trim panels. I was just trying to get some input from the forum members that seem to be able to figure almost anything out. I understand the forum is not mind readers. I just figured it was more common of an issue.
 
#12 ·
My trim panels separate easily, too. I haven't even put the top down yet, and I had them unsnap a few times when tucking the hose/harness for the rear window on the hardtop. It seems any pressure at all will cause them to unsnap, and I have to stick one hand underneath them to help snap them back together again. The tabs should be bigger/thicker, that's for sure. I may just put some Gorilla tape on the underside to help keep them together or something.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top