Fabric Replacement Top and Doors with
Tinted Side and Rear Curtains
Installation Instructions
For: Wrangler/TJ 1997 -2002 Part Number: 51124
www.bestop.com
DO NOT INSTALL THIS PRODUCT ON ANY VEHICLE
This product is only designed for the vehicles listed
above. Failure to install this product on the proper
vehicle could cause injury to the vehicle occupants
and damage to the product.
WARNING
This product is designed to enhance the appearance of
the vehicle. Do not rely in any way on the components
of this product to contain occupants within the vehicle,
or to protect against injury or death in the event of an
accident. This top will not protect the occupants from
falling objects. Never operate vehicle in excess of
manufacturer’s specifications.
WEAR SEAT BELTS AT ALL TIMES
Read and follow, precisely, all installation instructions
provided when installing top. Failure to do so may result
in a poor fitting top and could place occupants of the
vehicle in a potentially dangerous situation. Failure to
properly install or reinstall this product may cause the
top or a component part to come off the vehicle,
potentially causing an accident and possible injury to
the occupants of the vehicle. After installing or reinstalling the top, check to make sure it has been properly
installed.
51124 pg 1
OTHER THAN THOSE LISTED ABOVE.
Installation Tips
Before you begin installing this top assembly, read
all instructions thoroughly. After completing the
installation, keep these instructions for further
reference. Below are a few tips to make this
installation easier.
For a smooth fit:
For ease in installation, the top should be installed
at temperatures above 72° F. Below this temperature, the fabric may contract an inch or more,
making it difficult to fit to the vehicle.
It is normal for a top to contract and wrinkle when
stored in the shipping carton. Within a few days
after the installation, the top will relax and the
wrinkles will disappear.
Rev. B 0204
Removing the Old Top
Parts List
Fabric Top Qty - 1
Quarter Window, Right Qty - 1
Quarter Window, Left Qty - 1
Rear Window Qty - 1
Door Cover, Right Qty - 1
Door Cover, Left Qty - 1
Step One
Remove the Quarter Windows and the Rear Window. Remove the
metal Tailgate Bar from the bottom of the Rear Window and set it
aside.
Release the plastic strip sewn to the top above the doors. Pull down
and out to slip the plastic out of the channel.
Release Plastic Strips
from Retainers
Caution
Safety glasses should be worn at all
times while installing this product.
Tools Needed
Shoe Horn
Safety Glasses
Razor Knife
Phillips Screwdriver
Header Latch
Pull lever up
Windshield
Frame
Windshield
Release hook
from slot
Step Two
Release the latch that secures the header to
the windshield. Pull up on the lever and then
down and out to release the hook from the
slot in the windshield frame.
51124 pg 2
Pull down and then out to
release the fabric from the
retainer
Step Three
Release the rear corners of the top. Pull gently
down and then out to release the plastic strip from
the retainer on the vehicle.
Unsnap the fabric
from the rear bow
Step Four
Unsnap the fabric from the rear bow and
allow the bow to drop onto the tailgate.
Rev. B 0204
Step Five
Unfasten the flap around the middle bow.
Sport Bar
Unfasten hook and loop to
unwrap flap
View from inside vehicle
Middle Bow
Step Six
Collapse the bow assembly down onto the tailgate.
With the bow assembly laying on the tailgate, remove the
screws that fasten the fabric to the corners of the header.
Set the screws aside for use in installing the new top fabric.
Detail of Header
Collapse bows and
fabric onto tailgate
51124 pg 3
Remove Screw
Header
Manufacturing Note: Due to a recent header assembly
modification by Daimler Chrysler, the plastic strip on the
windshield header may have 8 screw locations instead
of 14. Both attachment numbers of screws will securely
fasten the header and perform as the original design was
intended.
Flip the fabric into the
rear of the vehicle
Remove the 8 or 14 screws
that secure the fabric
to the header.
Step Seven
Flip the top fabric back over into the rear of the vehicle (so
that the fabric lays backing side up) to expose the plastic
strip along the edge of the fabric. Remove the eight or fourteen screws that secure the fabric to the header, setting the
screws aside for use in installing the new top. Then remove
the old top fabric from the vehicle.
Rev. B 0204
Step One
If you have a 1997 vehicle with a slip-on plastic
extrusion on the door surround, it must be removed.
Pull down on the extrusion to work it loose.
Slip-On Plastic
Extrusion
Door Surround
Lay fabric, backing up
in rear of vehicle
Detail of Center
Screw Hole
Plastic
Strip
Fabric
Installing the New Top
Pull down on extrusion
to remove
Header
Start with center
ROUND hole
Align fabric with
header
Plastic Strip along front
edge of fabric
Step Two
In order to install the top fabric, make sure that the Center and Rear
Bows are in the folded down position on the rear of the vehicle.
Lay the top fabric, backing side up in the rear of the vehicle with
the plastic strip facing up and aligned with the front edge of the
header. Locate the round hole that marks the center of the plastic
strip (all other holes are slotted). Install a screw in the round hole to
secure the fabric to the header as well as to center the top. Then
proceed to install screws in the remaining seven or thirteen holes
along the front of the header.
51124 pg 4
Tailgate
Start with center
ROUND hole
Work pockets over
corners of header
Detail of Header
Install screw to
secure fabric
Drape fabric over
tailgate
Step Three
Flip the fabric over so that it wraps around the header and
drape the top fabric over the tailgate. Raise the header
slightly and work the pockets in the fabric over the corners
of the header. Install an oval head screw in each corner to
secure the fabric to the header.
Rev. B 0204
Step Four
Raise the header and bow assembly toward
the windshield and into position.
Inside the top, snap the fabric to the Rear
Bow (six snaps).
Snap fabric to
Rear Bow
Step Five
Close the header latches to secure the front of
the top to the windshield. Catch the hook in the
slot in the windshield frame and then close the
lever over it so that it lays flat against the windshield frame.
Header Latch
Pull down gently on
the Rear Bow and slip
plastic into retainer
Windshield
Frame
Windshield
51124 pg 5
Close lever over top of
hook to lay flush with
windshield frame
Catch hook
in slot
Step Six
Make sure that the Center Bow is centered in
the hook and loop flap inside the top. Do not
fasten the flap at this time.
Pull down gently on the Rear Bow and work the
plastic sewn to the rear corners of the top into
the retainer on the vehicle.
Rev. B 0204
Step Seven
Wrap the hook and loop flap inside the top
around the Center Bow and fasten it to itself.
Sport Bar
Wrap flap around bow and
fasten hook and loop
View from inside vehicle
Step Eight
Locate the left and right Quarter Panels and
orient them with the zipper along the top and
rear of the panel. Start the zipper at the front top
corner of the Quarter Panel, next to the door.
Hold the end of the zipper and close the zipper
slider 10" - 12" along the top of the panel.
Start zipper at front and
close 10" - 12"
Detail of Quarter
Panel
Hold end of
zipper while
starting slider
Center Bow
Roll Plastic Strip into
channel in retainer
Step Nine
Roll the plastic along the front of the Quarter
Panel into the channel of the Door Surround on
the vehicle.
51124 pg 6
Rev. B 0204
Step Ten
Locate the two plastic strips sewn to the sides of the top,
above each door. Slip the strips into the channel in the
Door Surround above the door opening. It is easiest to
insert the front plastic strip into the channel first.
Step Eleven
Close the zippers on the Quarter Panels the rest
of the way to the lower rear corner of the panel.
Roll Plastic Strips into channel
above door opening
Tailgate Retainer
Start at the rear and roll the plastic along the
bottom of the panel into the retainer on the
vehicle. Then fasten the hook and loop strips
along the top and rear of the panel to the top.
Close Zipper
Fasten Hook and
Loop Strips
Roll Plastic Strip into
channel in retainer
51124 pg 7
Tailgate Retainer
channel
Rear Window Backing Side
Tubed Strip
Step Twelve
Remove the Rear Window from the box and lay it flat with the
backing side up. Locate the Tailgate Bar set aside in Step One.
The bar has a "C" shaped channel, when viewed from the end.
Orient the bar with the round seal down and slide the "C"
channel on the retainer onto the tubed strip sewn to the
backing side of the Rear Window.
Rev. B 0204
Step Thirteen
Insert the Tailgate Bar into the mounts on each side of the
tailgate opening with the vinyl side of the Rear Window toward
the outside of the vehicle.
Place Tailgate Bar
in mounts
Step Fourteen
To start the zipper, pull the two sliders as far down as possible
on the driver's side of the window in order to catch the sliders
to the pin.
Once the zipper is caught, start the top slider 1/2". Then hold
up the top of the window with one hand and close the
zipper with the other. The zipper is sandwiched between
layers of fabric in the corners so be careful not to catch
extra fabric in the zipper. Close the zipper.
Make sure that the Tailgate Bar is centered and is securely in
the mounts. Then tuck the flaps on the Rear Window under
the top fabric.
Tuck Flaps
under top
Start Zipper
Pull flap over to cover
zipper and tuck in
View from inside top
Rear Window
51124 pg 8
Pull both sliders down
as far as possible to
catch pin
Step Fifteen
Inside the top locate the flaps sewn to the
top on each side of the rear window opening. Pull the flaps over to cover the zipper
and tuck them in.
Rev. B 0204
Note: For the best results and to
minimize scratches on the windows,
Installing the New Door Covers
remove all jewelry before installing
the door covers.
Note: This door cover is designed to fit very
tight on the door frame. We recommend
using a shoe horn to help work the corners
of the cover over the frame without tearing
the fabric.
Step Sixteen
Remove the fabric upper doors from the vehicle. Use
a razor knife to cut the stitches on the old door covers
and take them off of the door frames.
Step Seventeen
Unzip the windows and separate the hook and loop fasteners
on the door covers. Lay the door cover on a flat smooth surface
with the outside facing down.
Start by working the lower rear corner of the door frame into the
pocket in the lower rear corner of the cover. Then work the
lower front corner of the frame into the cover. Work the top front
corner of the frame into the corner of the cover, between the
hook and loop flaps (not between the zipper and the flap).
Finally, use the tab sewn into the cover to work the last corner of
the frame into the corner of the door cover, again between the
hook and loop flaps.
Make sure that the top edge of the door cover is straight along
the top of the door frame. Work around the door fastening the
hook and loop strips tightly around the door frame. Once the
door cover is on the frame, the tab in the top rear corner of the
cover may be cut off with a pair of scissors if desired.
Door Frame Between
Hook and Loop Flaps
4. Use tab to install
Upper Rear Corner
1. Install Lower
Rear Corner
WARNING
Do not pull on the weatherstrip to assist in
getting the door cover on the door frame.
This will tear the weatherstrip and the door
will not seal properly.
Detail of Hook and Loop Top of Door
3. Install Upper
Front Corner
Unzip Window
before installing
Hook and
Loop
Weatherstrip
2. Install Lower
Front Corner
51124 pg 9
Step Eighteen
Reinstall the upper doors. Insert the pins
into the grommets in the lower door.
Hook and
Loop
Pull Flap Up
First
Detail of Hook and Loop Lower Front Corner
Rev. B 0204
Folding the Top Down
Step One
Remove the Quarter Panels and the Rear
Curtain and store them carefully.
Step Two
Release the front of the top from the windshield.
Raise the front of the deck and collapse the
rear bows, tucking the two plastic strips above
the door openings and the stay pad on the rear
bow inside of the bows, Wrap the fabric around
the bows, then tuck the rear legs of the top
under the bows.
Collapse bows and
fold toward rear
Wrap fabric around
bows
Tuck stay pad
inside bows
Wrap rear legs
under bows
Tuck plastic strips
inside bows
Top Fabric
51124 pg 10
Rev. B 0204
Care and Maintenance of your New Top
Your top is made of the finest materials available. To keep it looking new and for the
maximum possible wear, it will need periodic cleaning and maintenance.
Washing:
brush. Rinse with clear water to remove all traces of soap.
Zippers: Keeping the zipper cleaned and lubricated
with a silicone lubricant will help prevent
damage and keep the
zippers in a smooth working
condition. If a zipper opens
behind the slider, the slider
may have been spread apart. This
problem can usually be repaired by using
an ordinary pair of pliers to bring the sides
back into parallel. Return slider to the end
of the zipper in the normal Open position.
Squeeze lightly at first and test the zipper.
If the zipper continues to remain open
squeeze more firmly with the pliers and try
the zipper again. Repeat this procedure
until the zipper operates correctly.
Water: In the event of seeping through the seams, 3M Scotchgard® may be applied
on the inside of the seams to stop the seepage. Rips in the fabric may be repaired
with Bondex® iron on patches. Iron the patches to the Inside of the top, carefully
following the Bondex® instructions.
Snaps: Keep snaps cleaned and lubricated with silicone 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 permanent damage to the snap or the top fabric.
Windows: Keep windows clean to avoid scratching. DO NOT use a brush on the
windows! Wash with a watersoaked cloth or sponge and a mild dishwashing detergent. NEVER WIPE THE WINDOWS WHEN THEY ARE DRY. Be careful when cleaning
snow or frost from the vinyl windows since they are easily scratched and may crack
at low temperatures. DO NOT roll the sides or rear window in cold weather. The
windows become stiff and will crack. Cold cracks are not covered under warranty.
The fabric should be washed often using soap, warm water and a soft bristle
Normal Slider Jaws Parallel
Damaged Slider Jaws Spread Apart
(sometimes broken)
We warrant our product to be free from defects in material and workmanship, for
LIMITED WARRANTY
the terms specified below, provided there has been normal use and proper
maintenance. This warranty applies to the original purchaser only. All remedies
under this warranty are limited to the repair or replacement of any item or items
found by the factory to be defective within the time period specified.
If you have a warranty claim, first you must call our factory at the number below
for instructions. You must retain proof of purchase and submit a copy with any
items returned for warranty work. Upon completion of warranty work, if any, we
will return the repaired or replaced item or items to you freight prepaid. Damage
to our products caused by accidents, fire, vandalism, negligence, misinstallation,
misuse, Acts of God, or by defective parts not manufactured by us, is not covered
under this warranty.
THE WARRANTY TIME PERIOD IS AS FOLLOWS: ALL “SOFT GOODS” MANUFACTURED
BY OUR COMPANY (USING PRIMARILY VINYLS, PLASTICS, AND/OR FOAM): TWO
YEAR FROM DATE OF PURCHASE.
ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND/OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE CREATED HEREBY ARE LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE SAME DURATION
AND SCOPE AS THE EXPRESS WRITTEN WARRANTY. OUR COMPANY SHALL NOT BE
LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGE.
Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, or the
exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above
limitations or exclusions may not apply to you.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights
which vary from state to state.
For further information or request for warranty work, please contact:
Bestop Inc.
Customer Service
(800)845-3567
(303)465-1755
51124 pg 11
Rev. B 0204
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