Hardtop quick disconnects?

[bwhter66YJ]

Does anybody have any kind of hardtop quick disconnect kit on their Jeep? I found this: http://www.quadratec.com/products/13022_00.htm

Is it worth it?

Thanks

[aerojt]

I think that kit just makes it so you can clamp the back section down where you would normally bolt it down. My aftermarket top clamps in about 8 spots, I can take it off with a buddy in about 5 minutes. The clamps are nice, I won't argue with that. Goodluck with what you decide to do.

[Vape]

I use some clamps that came from a buddy's S-10 -- they were once used to clamp a cap to the bed of the truck. The cap got smashed up, so he gave me the clamps for my hard top. Not really a quick disconnect, but theyre a lot quicker than the star bolts that come on it.

That kit looks pretty nifty, though.

[bwhter66YJ]

My main concern is something for the hardtop to the windshield..kinda like what TJs have. That is a good idea though for the back bolt deals.

Thanks for all the input

[Vape]

i just ride without anything holding it to the windshield. whenever i try and put bolts up there they end up falling out and getting lost. the clamps alone keep it in place though, even on the highway.

haha i accidentally ran without any bolts or clamps anywhere on the top once. Pulled onto the highway, got up to 50-55mph, and no sooner did i notice the bolts for the top sitting idle in the console than the whole top lifted away from the windshield and the body of the Jeep and just floated there like a foot above the windshield (the bottom of the liftgate was being held in place by the high mount tail light, or it might have slid right off the back instead of tip up like it did). Gave me a pretty good scare, since then i've taken to checking everything before i take off from anywhere. just thought i'd share.

[cmsurfer]

I have my eye on that kit maybe for next year. I have some cheap-o thumb screws for the rear I got on Ebay. Still using the sheet metal screws but with the hardtop reinforcement kit from Q-Tec.

I'm questioning the size of those clamps though... It doesn't look like they would do much. If I don't have the front screws as tight as I can get them, the top squeaks and rattles like crazy on my Jeep.

[bwhter66YJ]

yeah thats my deal..when I hit bumps my hardtop bangs against the top of the windshield frame and its annoying. I did do this in the past: I went and bought some small nuts and bolts and tacked the nuts to the windshield frame where the bolts would come through (on the side where the hard top covers of course). It worked good but I just wanted a faster alternative. I may use a combination of the 2 in the winter, and just the clamps in the summer if it gets rainy for a week and I throw the top on a for a few days.

[Kirksjeep]

I run the quick release kit from Quadratech. The clamps for the windshield area are much better then the screws. I wasn't that impress with the thumb/ coin screws and the riveted holders for the rear, but they have worked superisingly well.

[bwhter66YJ]

good to know..thanks

[mjope]

I put a bit of silicone on the sheet metal screws. This seems to keep them from backing out.

[Vape]

That's a good idea, never thought of it. Either way though, something's always rattling or squeaking...it's a jeep.

[Durian]

I put a bit of silicone on the sheet metal screws. This seems to keep them from backing out.

I once used silicone as a kind of threadlocker, and it caused the threads to gall so much that the steel peeled off getting the bolt back out (it jammed as it went in and had to come out right away), ruining the bolt and the brake caliper bracket it went into. Might be OK on self tapping type screws where the clearances are large, my experience was with a fine metric thread.
Before I did it, my thinking was the same, that silicone would be OK for it.
I would use a non-hardening glue, or star type locking washers. Another way might be to make/get some rubber washers.

[bwhter66YJ]

I used little lock washers with the little bolts I had workin, but they even managed to back out eventually. The thing of it is that metal strip on the hard top that the screws go through kinda looks like chit because of all the other wore out holes. So I am thinkin of a way to make a new one and replace it and then rig up those quick disconnects.

Also what are yall using for weather stripping up there? Just that foam stripping junk you can buy from like the bLowes? Jeep has been been kinda drafty here the last couple days since it has been 15 degrees out for the high and what not.