Jeep Wrangler Hard Top Rebuild

This is the process I went through to rebuild some rotted sections on my Steel Horse Hard Top on my Jeep Wrangler YJ. It is a 2 piece hard top made by Steel Horse in southern California.
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[@juanbarturen2726]

I repaired the hardtop I got WELL USED. I strengthened it with aluminum diamond plate on the outside, both sides. Then painted it all with truck bed paint. A little rough. But strong

[@jannis2072]

Man you have got some real skills. Buying wood, gluing it together, chopping it up to the right dimensions and then gluing it to the hard top..! Most people would have either bought a new one or would have just let it as it is hahaha.

[@JeepSolid]

Haha!! Thanks. Kinda do some of these things out of necessity. Saving $$$

[@julianhaylock9843]

Just traded my soft top for one of these steel horse 2 pieces tops. Im going to have to do the same thing you did, thanks for the video!

[@JeepSolid]

Awesome! I like this top

[@jarhead6153]

Dale, cool video.. I don’t recall seeing anyone do any Jeep hard top maintenance. My only suggestion post repair was that for the final step of glueing the felt back on the top, I would have used contact cement. Keep up the great content...

[@JeepSolid]

+jarhead6153 Yeah. Wish I had some upholstery glue... ended up using carpet glue I already had. Overall, I’m very happy with how it turned out.

[@InformalGreeting]

I have no idea why this is in my recommended videos but since I may be buying a YJ this week I suppose it’s not a bad thing. Makes me feel bad though. The number of clamps you used when glueing puts me to shame. Last time I did a similar project I used 3 clamps 😂

[@AndrewBrowner]

Glad im in the TJ family not the YJ one, seems like a huge improvement with little to no downsides, not a fan of the JKs and havent seen enough of the JLs yet, my opinion is the TJs are the perfect sweet spot in the wrangler lineup TJ hard tops are all plastic/fiberglass whatever its made out of no wood to rot out, and they bolt down rather then clamp so theres not really anything to break on them other then the glass

[@fishhuntadventure]

Factory YJ tops are solid fiberglass too. Not just the realm of tj and has the benefits of leaf springs

[@batty505]

Great vid. A suggestion I line the tub lip with camper tape. It keeps the whistling and draft down to a minimum.

[@JeepSolid]

Thank you. It worked out pretty good.

[@jwilson6086]

Great job. Looks amazing. Actually giving me some great ideas for my 73 CJ5 hard top.

[@JeepSolid]

Thank you. I am really happy with how it turned out. It looks like it'll work well.

[@sxstexan1956]

Damn, cold already. Seems like I just watched the video of you taking the top off!! Good with either way.

[@JeepSolid]

I know!! Summer was too short. Especially the parts of summer that were ruined by the smoke from wild fires... Weeks of nasty smoke. cough.. cough

[@isshinryu11]

Wish I had a wife that allowed the entire garage for my YJ projects! I did manage a driveway raptor liner paint job today despite the rain in Pennsylvania. Looks great. Wife allowed me to store it in garage to let it cure. Let's see if she tolerates the fumes. ha ha Next up, jeep supertop, then the light/mirror bracket you recommend.

[@JeepSolid]

+isshinryu11 Haha. Very cool. I need to get some paint on my project Jeep as well.

[@csn6234]

Tell the wife marriage is a 50/50 arrangement. 😀

[@MikeM-ld1rw]

Nice work! The saying, "you can never have too many clamps" is so true. I see your hardtop has the removable front part. There is one for sale in my area and I'm wondering if they are rare for YJ's? My current hardtop is in really good condition, but I've been wondering if this style is great to have or maybe leak prone?

[@JeepSolid]

Yeah, the more clamps the better. Haha. Yes, I really do like this 2 piece hard top. It makes it easier to store in the summer when its off, but they are know for leaking...

[@codywatts5739]

Thank you so much!! I just got a 2000 TJ and most of the top is in good shape; but like yours there is one corner that is rotted. Your video really helped me out! I'll be using your method to repair my top as well. Also do you have any experience using Penetrol to bring back the color on a hardtop and/or fenders?

[@sscottphillips1973]

Think you did better with the cedar, it stands up better to water and moisture better than the hardwood would. Great job as always. If I had a hard top that is the style I'd love to have with the targa style.

[@JeepSolid]

Thanks. And yeah, I think you're right. Cedar was a better choice.

[@sscottphillips1973]

@@JeepSolid I know it's a better choice here in Louisiana with all the humidity we have, lol

[@texashotshot4504]

Great looking projects, you've seen mine already. You got a new sub.

[@JeepSolid]

Thank you. I appreciate it!

[@dougled7912]

What brand of top is that? I just bought the exact one and can’t find anything similar to it except yours. Edit: never mind. I read the description late. Haha. Thanks for the video!!

[@JRay1980]

Nice job Dale!

[@JeepSolid]

Thanks! It turned out well.

[@BroncoSolid]

Cedar rocks, great if you end up getting any water in that area

[@jehu5279]

When I'm working in the garage on my Jeep, I like putting on some tunes to listen

[@JeepSolid]

Nice! I'll do that as well.

[@camcordernonsense5264]

That is awesome, Hector

[@juanbarturen2726]

Hey I just found you by accident. You have an awesome channel. I have a 91 YJ. The wiper arm plastic bushings died. I cant find any to replace them . They have them for other years. But not the 91. HELP !!

[@patbock275]

Not sure if you will see this comment. But….. I just bought a hard top with these same rotten wood rails. My issue is that the wood was completely rotten and crumbled away. I don’t have a lot to start a template. Just curious if you wrote down any dimensions or anything when you made yours. And how is the repair holding up after 4 years.

[@cherylmartin4050]

I like the latches. Is the front also latched

[@SaabSultani]

Nice

[@RIPSAWONE]

My 05 OEM Hardtop with 95 soft half windows designed for a soft-top on my 93 half doors has that same gapiopis in the top corner of the window....

[@sassyrose1226]

Hey I subscribed to your channel last year and didn’t realize we have the same steel horse targa top. I’ve loved it, except now it’s so old it has issues. I’ve had my Jeep 25 years. Any chance you have a picture of the keys that lock down the half doors. I have tons of random keys and none of them seem to work. So either I lost them or the ones I have just aren’t working. Testing keys accidentally broke one of the locks out in 2 pieces. Whoops. Do I just need a locksmith? Lol thanks also any videos on replacing all the weather seals around back windows and the bottom of top as well?

[@kyleshumosic8336]

Do you happen to have the measurements for the bolt pattern and the wooden supports? I have to do the same rebuild.

[@michaelsteelepix]

Nice work!

[@JeepSolid]

Thanks! I like how it turned out.

[@bradchaney7047]

At one time I had all the tools necessary for the wood rail rebuild, but unfortunately my new home doesn't have the space. Can you purchase replacement rails online?

[@bbowley2]

I found a hardtop for my yj but it's 2000 miles away. How would the top be shipped? Pallett, foam etc?

[@Rocketyfox]

I just bought one of these, but it is completely missing the dowel pins. What size pins do i need to look for? the one side keeps slipping off slightly which makes it really hard for the door to close. I didn't even realize that it was supposed to have them

[@markrichardson6497]

Where can I get the clips? Also can you send me a pic of your lift gate? I’ve got the same top but can’t find any info on it

[@carlosvicens2642]

Have you done any body work? I need to learn how to remove rust, bondo, paint my 1995 rustbucket.

[@daltonstuff]

Question can you do a measurement for the "key" that secures the targa top to the body of the hardtop? I need new ones to replace

[@L-I-V-I-N]

Thanks for posting! Any idea where to get replacement latches? I have the same top.

[@brodieholden8045]

pro trick: watch series on flixzone. Me and my gf have been using it for watching a lot of movies recently.

[@carmelodash1728]

@Brodie Holden yup, been watching on Flixzone for years myself :)

[@dougharlow6037]

Dale, I want to repaint my hard top. How do I remove the 2-side glass and the rear window glass? Could I use a thin bed liner of crinkle paint? What would you recommend? And would I have any problems with the window seals if using bedliner spray? And would you remove the hard top or leave it on the Jeep. 1991 YJ. Another Great video. Thanks

[@JeepSolid]

If it were me, I'd take it off the Jeep for painting. Remove the back hatch window, as it just unscrews, but leave the side windows and tape them off.

[@jackswitzer2816]

Where can I purchase those latches

[@camcordernonsense5264]

What's with the star wars shinanigans? I wanna go

[@kevindeibler346]

My hard top doesn't have that problem mine is all fiberglass

[@CoreyMcNeil]

Just found your channel and subscribed! Curious about your T-shirt. Are you a firefighter? I live just below Brian Head. That fire was horrible.

[@JeepSolid]

Thanks for subscribing! I’ll be releasing a ‘guess what I’d do for a living’ video in the future.. 👍🏼

[@jimjohnston3188]

Hi Dale, I was wondering if you could answer a question about hardtops. I have a CJ7, but I'm reasonably certain the tub and hardtop are from a YJ. I need to rebuild the lift gate into a CJ style lift gate. They have a latching mechanism in the center of the lift gate so I can close and lock it. Do you think the CJ and YJ tops are similar enough so that the hardware is interchangeable? Thanks Jim

[@oscarwinner2034]

The early YJ tops all had a latch mechanism. So you could swap out the non-latch bottom of your rear window for one that has a latch. I'm not sure what year Jeep stopped using the latch - so you'll have to research it.

[@-_-John-_-]

✅

[@paulwelsheimer9164]

Don't use would use composite build up a composite sheet and not to have you ever again worry about something like wood that'll rot again in the future

[@JeepSolid]

Composite would be good too, but I'm confident this red oak will last for decades.

[@changes571]

I just bought an 87 wrangler Laredo hardtop and the top has absolutely nothing but the shell, wear can I order the kits from?

[@JeepSolid]

Sorry, not sure, but let us know what you find..

[@donj0216]

Cedar was the way to go. Resists rot and bugs.

[@JeepSolid]

Yeah. I think you're right. It should stand up well.

[@rabbibacongrease88]

I would have used epoxy resin to glue the wood in and Make It bond to the fiberglass.

[@JeepSolid]

Epoxy would work well too. The Liquid Nail is another good option

[@fishhuntadventure]

JeepSolid Not nearly as good as 3M 5200. Const adhesive gets crumbly over time. 5200 us forever

[@anubis8680]

I also got a 94 YJ what model top is that? Looks pretty nice!

[@JeepSolid]

It's a 2 piece hard top by Steele Horse out of Compton CA. It's worked well for me.

[@rabbibacongrease88]

does anybody make a steel or stainless steel hardtop?

[@dezigntek]

I've seen pics with the 'Targa' section of the top setting over the rear section. Is there a way to drive with it like that? have you seen the pics I'm refering too?

[@JeepSolid]

Not with this 2 piece top. Can't use just the front section.

[@dezigntek]

JeepSolid more like this... bumpersuperstore.com/i-11370412-bestop-41499-04-jeep-hard-top.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3Yyo8c_q3QIVg7XACh0JWQXOEAQYAiABEgJHLPD_BwE

[@JeepSolid]

Oh, yeah. That is a cool system.

[@dezigntek]

I guess my point is.. there has got to be a slick way we can do that too... just not sure how those work to mimic the effort...maybe it requires the little roof rack and it clips to the roof rack.. I just dont know at this point.. would like to see one of those in real life.

[@jorgezuni2818]

Jeep solid : what brand is that hardtop . Good sir 😅

[@JeepSolid]

It was made by Steel Horse in Compton CA. But I believe they no longer make them.

[@oscarwinner2034]

@@JeepSolid Steel Horse was one of the least liked aftermarket Jeep companies. They have evolved though brand mergers and the like into the Rugged Ridge/ Smittybuilt/ Omix ADA / Llund corporate group.

[@robertthrem3382]

No, I turn you on when I am in the shop😅

[@rabbibacongrease88]

Does anybody make a hardtop out of metal?

[@fishhuntadventure]

Scot Johnson look up ‘metalshaper’ on youtube That’d be a ton of work with an english wheel! But doable if you have the imagination and skills.

[@oscarwinner2034]

In the day, there were several companies that sold steel tops for the "Jeep". You could buy these tops anywhere including from the Sears catalog. They were extremely heavy for the short wheelbase CJs. For the YJ, I've never seen a steel top. Would be super heavy. The CJ and YJ models had factory hard tops finally, so the aftermarket tops have been more limited and usually fiberglass.