Someone Tell Me The Secret Of How To......

I've had the Bestop softtop on now since I got Willie. But I decided I'd also get a biki top for summers. I messed with trying to get the front edge in that slit for almost an hour and finally removed the hood rests like I had to on the regular softtop 18 months ago. The corner seam is too big to fit in the grove to be able to just slide the whole thing in from one side. So what's the trick?

 

I've had success two ways:

1) Slide the top into the channel a couple inches from the large corner, then pull the corner as far as it will go. Then go to the other side and pull as hard as you can until the other fat corner is on. Work the edge into the channel from the outsides.

2) Find a very smooth surface, whack the fat corner with a hammer until it is thin enough to fit in the channel.

I've never had one that I can put in on side and pull across... I've always had to get the two ends and work across to the middle.

 

Sounds like the problem right there.

Other than that, I use the same technique as termin8ed.

 

I always just slide it in "The seam area " on one side then pull it (slide) enough to allow to get seam in on other side . then pull it back to center . tuck in center of top into middle of channel . and flip it back over windshield

 

While I have always slid them in from one side, I do recall some 'head-scratching' at the outset of my first attempt. Getting it started in the channel is the hardest part; once started, it can be pulled across. A few suggestions:

1. Flatten the seam a bit as mentioned above.
2. Open the end of the channel a bit on one end if needed...not much, just enough to help get it started in there.
3. Once started, pull hard and straight...very helpful if you have someone else hold the top straight out from the end of the windshield where it is feeding into the channel so it does not catch or bind.
4. If all else fails, you can try talking sweet to it; although, this may be more applicable to bikini top removal...

 

I stand up inside with the top draped between me and the windshield, and just push it into the groove head-on. I've had to open the ends of the channel up on occasion to fit the seam, but otherwise no issues.

It never really occurred to me there was another option.

 

Same thing I had to do. I had to do this with my old one and my new one I bought a few weeks ago.

 

Just curious, are we talking about the soft round welt type, or the flat metal bar insert?

 

I think the Best Top has a flat card board insert. It is kind of tough getting it past the hood stand offs.