How To Fix A Zipper On A Jeep Soft Top

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It wasn't until nosotros had our Jeep for several years that I realized not everyone rolls upwards their Jeep Wrangler rear window the same manner we do.

First, it's helpful to know that:

Ours is a 2004 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.
The Jeep is my daily commuter, a.k.a. dog mobile.

Hither are some interesting things I've learned about the Jeep Wrangler rear window that could ultimately save you a petty time… and money!

#1 – When To Close The Jeep Rear Window

I'm going to approximate that we're not the norm on this one. Nosotros e'er keep our Jeep Wrangler rear window rolled upwards (open up) year round — even in the snowy winter months.

We alive in Nashville, Tennessee. Yes, we become all iv seasons of weather here. And yes, it snows here. Regardless, our Jeep'south rear window virtually ever stays open!

For one, the Jeep heater works actually well. So even in the cold wintertime months with the rear window open, we never get cold.
Second, we accept our 100 lb. domestic dog Jeeping with us a lot of the time. Having the Jeep Wrangler rear window rolled up all the fourth dimension but makes it easier to go somewhere with the domestic dog spontaneously — without having to practise anything special.

We would take to be out & about in the Jeep and get caught in a major storm in lodge for the states to zip the rear window closed.

For the record, we keep the vinyl side windows in place about of the fourth dimension, and just remove them (along with the residuum of the soft top) a few times each year when we want the full effect of summer fun. Our Sunrider superlative is routinely opened and airtight throughout the warmer months.

Whatsoever yous practice, just don't try to scrape water ice or snow off your Jeep'due south vinyl windows in the cold winter months!

Okay, that's how nosotros roll… but what about you lot? Practise you lot leave the Jeep rear window rolled up all the fourth dimension or no?

#ii – How To Roll Up A Jeep Wrangler Rear Window

You know that long bar that secures the bottom of the Jeep rear window to the tailgate and has a flake of safe weather stripping to keep water out? It'due south called a tailgate bar.

Nosotros've always rolled the tailgate bar up with the vinyl window itself, and then secured it all in identify using the attached Jeep window straps. That fashion, it's a cinch to unroll the window and close off the back of the Jeep it if it starts to rain, sleet, or snow.

Still, I recently learned that some Jeep owners really remove the tailgate bar and just roll up the window by itself. I'm non 100% sure why.

The downside: non having the bar handy if/when you need to close the rear window in a rain storm (unless you always tote it effectually with you). Plus the window tends to sag a bit in the center when information technology's rolled up.
The upside: you won't stretch out the elastic rear window straps equally apace — considering that bar adds a proficient bargain of weight to what y'all're rolling up.

The photo on the left is with the tailgate bar rolled up inside the window versus with the tailgate bar removed in the photo on the right:

Technically, this is the proper way to scroll upwardly the Jeep Wrangler rear window.

How about you lot? Do you curl up the Jeep window with the tailgate bar inside, or not?

#iii – Replacing Jeep Rear Window Straps

At this point, with a 10-yr-old Jeep Wrangler, I'd honey to have some new rear window straps.

That said, nosotros are notwithstanding using the original Jeep rear window straps and they practise the task fine — they're simply a picayune stretched out.

Hither'southward what the Jeep Wrangler rear window looks like rolled upwardly when the original Jeep straps are loose and saggy:

To make them seem "almost new," I simply double-wrap each elastic strap around the rolled up window now. That mode, there'south no sagging, bouncing, or obstruction of the rear view.

Hither'due south what the Jeep rear window looks like with the straps looped twice around the rolled upwards window:

If you want to get rid of your onetime Jeep window straps and start fresh, here are some replacement Jeep rear window straps:

Jeep Information technology Rear Window Strap Kits
Quadratec MOPAR Jeep Rear Window Strap Kit
American Outlaw Jeep Rear Window Straps

If yous want some DIY alternatives, here's how to brand your own Jeep rear window straps:

Double-sided Velcro (…as described here, here, and here)
Bed sail clips (…they're very similar to the original straps)
Dog collars with quick-release buckles (…every bit described hither and here.)

Take you lot found some other unique style to go along the Jeep Wrangler rear window rolled up and out of sight?

#4 – Jeep Zipper Repair

I've heard from a number of Jeep owners who've had problemsfixing stuck or broken Jeep window zippers.

So I thought I'd share this helpful tip from TrueNorth on the Wrangler Forum:

If the teeth of the zipper are not torn (the black textile role with plastic coil)and the silvery tabs you start the attachment with are notwithstanding attached you lot can replace the attachment sliders (the sliver pull things that mesh the teeth) and set your window. Whatsoever upholstery, boat, or awning shop should be able to practice this for yous while you expect for less than $40. Takes almost 10 min tops. The sliders you need are #eight coil, (not vislon) not-locking, double separating. Yous'll demand the top and bottom slider set. Inquire if they can upgrade you to the stainless steel marine grade sliders used on boats. Tell them what it's for and they tin can aid get you lot the parts yous need. They just price a couple bucks. If yous can't notice a local shop to install them call or email Seattle fabrics or Tandy leather supply for a slider set and stops. Simply takes some needle nose pliers and few minutes to install.

To avert having to fix a stuck or cleaved zipper later on, continue your Jeep zippers in adept shape by simply cleaning them:

We use Dawn dishwashing detergent and a soft brush to give the zippers a deep cleaning every couple of years.
We apply Jeep-friendly vinyl cleaners for routine cleaning yr-circular. Our Jeep zippers are nevertheless in good condition, after ten years!

Here are a few more than tips for caring for your Jeep zippers and some helpful advice before rolling upward a Jeep rear window.

#v – Jeep Rear Window Scratches & Storage Issues

I've mentioned earlier that nosotros apply the Clover Patch window tote. It holds both of the vinyl side windows and/or the rear window — all rolled up like a long tube — in a durable tote bag. We absolutely dear it. It's super handy and keeps the side windows and rear window from getting scratched, aptitude, or damaged.

We mostly apply the Clover Patch window tote whenever we completely remove the Jeep soft top, but I also like how:

Yous tin utilise information technology for permanent (summer) storage of your Jeep'due south vinyl windows. Just proceed information technology in the garage until you decide to put the Jeep windows back in during the winter months.
You can toss it in the back of your Jeep and use it as a portable tote handbagfor your Jeep's windows. That style, your Jeep windows are always within accomplish should bad weather ascend. This is a smashing pick for long trips, away from home.

Here's how to make your own Jeep window storage tote.

example of how we rolled up the back window using towel

As for preventing scratches on the Jeep rear window when it's rolled upwardly as yous're driving…

They say any time you've got plastic on plastic (or vinyl on vinyl), you'll become scratches — even if the surface is perfectly clean.

It's truthful. Rolling upward the rear window and driving with it rolled up quickly led to scratches on our Jeep Wrangler rear window — even though we went to great lengths to "baby" our new Jeep in the kickoff months that we owned information technology.

When we started to observe the scratches appearing, we decided to identify a towel on the vinyl window before rolling it upwards into itself and securing with the Jeep window straps. (It would have definitely looked improve with a black towel!) This did preclude scratches, but wasn't worth the endeavor each time, in our opinion.

In the stop, nosotros decided our Jeep wasn't going to exist babied like fine cathay. Our Jeep was going to be lived in and enjoyed to the fullest — scratches and all.

Yes, over fourth dimension the rear window became slightly cloudy and it'south difficult to see out of when information technology'southward zipped closed. But hey, it is a Jeep! And I'm not certain how well we could see out of the rear vinyl window when it was brand new anyway.

If you're annoyed by all the scratches on your Jeep'southward vinyl windows, hither are some ways to remove them that people have had varying degrees of success with:

Employ machine wax to remove scratches on vinyl Jeep windows.
Lots of automotive cleaners are fabricated for the purpose of removing scratches from vinyl.

Then what nigh you?… Do you go to extra lengths to protect the rear window from scratches? How do yous store (or tote) the vinyl windows from your Jeep soft top?

Well, those are my ain 5 Jeep Wrangler rear window tips. What other Jeep window tips do you have for new Jeep owners?

Since nosotros've been married, my husband and I have owned 5 Jeeps (iii Wranglers and two Grand Cherokees). And when we're not driving our own Jeep, we're usually renting ane (a 4×4 Wrangler on vacation). We keep a Jeep Bucket List of places that nosotros'd similar to go next, and nosotros're ever crossing more than states off our listing of 'Places That We've Jeeped in the U.s.'. As our daily driver, we go on the soft top on our Jeep Wrangler year round (and the back window permanently rolled upwards) so the dogs can enjoy the ride. Yep… fifty-fifty in the winter! I've been sharing my best Jeep ideas with others by blogging full-time since 1998. When I'g not Jeeping or writing almost Jeeps, you'll find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites).