I hate being a n00b on a forum, but screw it. I picked up a yj a couple of days ago and it came with a bikini top. So I shopped around on craigslist and found a steel horse automotive top for 350. I jumped on it. I didn't notice that the holes that run across the header frame didn't line up untill today. So I realized that the horizonal bars needed to be shifted back a hair to let the top drop in the front. I decided, from there, to see what size screw threads into the holes. I have no friggin' clue because all the screws across the header, of the hardtop, had snapped off inside the holes. They've snapped so far back I don't think I can get an ez out to get them out. My question is, if I can't get them out, would it be easier for me to just drill all new holes across the window frame and top? Is the header panel where all the screws have broken off in the top metal all the way across? I've included a photo to assist with my problem. Is the area, marked in red, all metal with fiberglass coating or is there tapped anchors made in to the fiberglass? If I can drill all new holes I will. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

It might be best to just drill new holes and use a sheet metal screw. I don't know what kind of reinforcement will be in the hard top. But if I remember correctly it is just fiberglass.

you could drill out broken screws and re tap the holes! so you dont compromise the structural integrity of the hard top!

I asked the same question. I saw that 1 of the screw holes had some fiberglass chipped and it was metal behind. I don't know how far across it goes. If I used sheet metal screws would that even hold if there was not metal for support? I tried to call steel horse automotive and ask them, but nobody picked up the phone. It just rang with no voice mail system.

I think they might be out of business. There might be a flat steel bar that runs the length of that runner.

Thats's being seriously considered.


I'm going to chip some of the space between the holes and see if there is indeed metal. If thats the case I'll just tap new holes across the frame and the hardtop or drill and tap.

Cool. Don't forget to let us know what you find.

W3rd man. I'm used to dealing with foxbodies and figuring out how I can get something to work if it doesn't. I thought about running bolts the straight threw the frame and top with the bolt heads showing on the outside. But it would need some garnishing on the outside to give it a cleaner look. Perhaps a steel plate across the front rim?

I drilled a test hole to see if it was metal and it is metal all the way across. So I'm just going to tap all new holes for it. BTW what size tamper proof torx is on the horizonal bar? The one that has to be loosen up to bring the windshield frame. I've got a t40 and it almost moves freely.

OK, so everything I tried today didn't work. Could someone take a picture of the inside of the hardtop where the top meets the windshield frame? I want to see how far my top is off. I can't get the front to settle down any further.

I would take pictures of mine but I haven't put the holes in mine yet. My jeep didn't come with a hardtop so I don't have the holes in the windshield frame.

Here is what I would do, if you have a couple kids laying around set them on top of the hardtop on each side and then do your mounting. I use about 100-120 lbs worth of kid. Also loosen up the back mounting bolts and try shifting it around to see if it is hung up on something.

Do you have a soft top rail on there?

I didn't even think about asking that one. Good idea.

I bought the jeep with a bikini top on it. So I removed the strip before I started putting the hardtop on. Jeepers I swear man, you and I are having the hardest time with with steel horse BS. No one to call and get help from. Well I guess thats why we have wrangler forum!

small seft tapping screws , thats it

I wish it was just that easy. After messing with the windshield frame I have a 1/4" between the frame and hardtop. 1/4" is the closest I can get it.

Is it hitting anything anywhere? even in the back? are the soft top rail off everywhere in back? is there any rubber in the corners holding things up?

I wish it was just that easy. After messing with the windshield frame I have a 1/4" between the frame and hardtop. 1/4" is the closest I can get it.

Rails off in the back? is there any rubber getting caught up anywhere? have you loosend all bolts on windshield frame and trid to lift it up?

steel horse IS out of Business... I have a SH Soft top, that fits like $#!+, so i can understand why your hard top is not fitting... Honestly, I think they took the US measurements and tried to convert them to Metric then used some kind of Unschooled 3rd world Slave labor to measure and cut their parts... At least that's what they are doing in my head... their actual reason for stuff fitting so poorly is unknown but reflected in the fact that they are out of business!

Not sure if somebody bought the name, but steel Horse made some of the worst jeep and auto products ever. Ending up going out of bizness years ago.

If your still stuck.. I would say, try to sell the top and get a better one such as bestop, which you get get nice new parts for if need be.

Everything is snug. Seems the windshield frame is a little off now that I've been fvcking with it all week. I don't have time or money to sell the top and buy a new one now. I'm going to fashion something to hold the top to the frame. No one with pix?

Well I actually just went through this very thing this weekend and here what I did. I didn't even bother attempting to get the old screws out. I went to a local hardwar sore and found some metal screws. I also bought washers that would fit inside the railing. I drilled a very small hole through the rail and then used my cordless drill and screwed them down flush. Problem solved no more problem. I only used 6 screw to keep from hurting the windo frame and I think they were only a 1/2 inch long.

Please provide pix man. I really would like to see what you have done.