How To Install Rear Window On Jeep Soft Top

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

Get-go, it'due south helpful to know that:

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

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

#1 – When To Shut The Jeep Rear Window

I'm going to guess that nosotros're not the norm on this i. Nosotros always keep our Jeep Wrangler rear window rolled upwardly (open) year round — even in the snowy winter months.

We live in Nashville, Tennessee. Yes, nosotros get all 4 seasons of weather condition hither. And yes, it snows hither. Regardless, our Jeep's rear window almost e'er stays open up!

For ane, the Jeep heater works really well. Then fifty-fifty in the cold winter months with the rear window open, we never become cold.
Second, we accept our 100 lb. dog Jeeping with us a lot of the time. Having the Jeep Wrangler rear window rolled up all the fourth dimension just makes it easier to get somewhere with the domestic dog spontaneously — without having to exercise anything special.

We would have to be out & about in the Jeep and go caught in a major tempest in order for us to goose egg the rear window closed.

For the record, we keep the vinyl side windows in place most of the time, and only remove them (along with the rest of the soft top) a few times each year when we want the full consequence of summertime fun. Our Sunrider height is routinely opened and closed throughout the warmer months.

Whatever you do, just don't endeavor to scrape ice or snow off your Jeep's vinyl windows in the cold winter months!

Okay, that'southward how we gyre… but what about you lot? Do yous leave the Jeep rear window rolled upwardly all the time or no?

#2 – How To Roll Upwards 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 bit of safe weather stripping to continue water out? It'south called a tailgate bar.

Nosotros've always rolled the tailgate bar up with the vinyl window itself, and then secured it all in place using the attached Jeep window straps. That way, 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 actually remove the tailgate bar and just coil up the window past itself. I'm not 100% sure why.

The downside: not having the bar handy if/when you demand to close the rear window in a rain storm (unless yous always tote it around with you). Plus the window tends to sag a bit in the center when it'south rolled upwardly.
The upside: you won't stretch out the elastic rear window straps as rapidly — because that bar adds a skillful bargain of weight to what you'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 photograph on the right:

Technically, this is the proper fashion to roll upwardly the Jeep Wrangler rear window.

How about you? Do you roll up the Jeep window with the tailgate bar within, or not?

#3 – Replacing Jeep Rear Window Straps

At this point, with a 10-twelvemonth-old Jeep Wrangler, I'd love to accept some new rear window straps.

That said, we are still using the original Jeep rear window straps and they do the job fine — they're only a little stretched out.

Here's what the Jeep Wrangler rear window looks similar rolled up when the original Jeep straps are loose and saggy:

To make them seem "nigh new," I simply double-wrap each elastic strap around the rolled up window now. That manner, in that location's no sagging, bouncing, or obstacle of the rear view.

Here'due south what the Jeep rear window looks similar with the straps looped twice around the rolled up window:

If you desire to become rid of your old 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 you desire some DIY alternatives, here's how to make your ain Jeep rear window straps:

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

Have yous found another unique way to keep 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 issuesfixing 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 attachment are not torn (the black fabric role with plastic coil)and the silver tabs you offset the zipper with are all the same attached you can replace the zipper sliders (the sliver pull things that mesh the teeth) and fix your window. Any upholstery, gunkhole, or awning store should be able to do this for you while y'all wait for less than $40. Takes nearly ten min tops. The sliders you need are #eight curlicue, (non vislon) not-locking, double separating. You lot'll need the top and lesser slider set. Enquire if they tin can upgrade you to the stainless steel marine grade sliders used on boats. Tell them what it'due south for and they tin aid get you the parts you need. They only cost a couple bucks. If you can't notice a local store to install them phone call or electronic mail Seattle fabrics or Tandy leather supply for a slider prepare and stops. Just takes some needle nose pliers and few minutes to install.

To avoid having to fix a stuck or broken zipper later, proceed your Jeep zippers in good shape by simply cleaning them:

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

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

#5 – Jeep Rear Window Scratches & Storage Problems

I've mentioned before that we apply the Clover Patch window tote. It holds both of the vinyl side windows and/or the rear window — all rolled upwardly like a long tube — in a durable tote bag. We admittedly love it. Information technology's super handy and keeps the side windows and rear window from getting scratched, bent, or damaged.

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

You can utilize it for permanent (summer) storage of your Jeep'southward vinyl windows. Just keep information technology in the garage until you lot decide to put the Jeep windows dorsum in during the winter months.
You can toss it in the back of your Jeep and use it as a portable tote bagfor your Jeep'due south windows. That way, your Jeep windows are always within reach should bad weather condition ascend. This is a neat option for long trips, away from dwelling.

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

example of how we rolled up the back window using towel

Every bit for preventing scratches on the Jeep rear window when information technology's rolled upwards as you're driving…

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

It's true. Rolling up the rear window and driving with it rolled upward quickly led to scratches on our Jeep Wrangler rear window — even though we went to bang-up lengths to "infant" our new Jeep in the first months that we owned it.

When we started to notice the scratches actualization, we decided to identify a towel on the vinyl window earlier rolling information technology up into itself and securing with the Jeep window straps. (It would have definitely looked better with a black towel!) This did prevent scratches, but wasn't worth the effort each time, in our opinion.

In the end, we decided our Jeep wasn't going to be babied similar fine china. Our Jeep was going to be lived in and enjoyed to the fullest — scratches and all.

Yes, over time the rear window became slightly cloudy and information technology's difficult to run into out of when it's zipped airtight. Simply hey, it is a Jeep! And I'thousand non sure how well we could come across out of the rear vinyl window when it was brand new anyway.

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

Use car wax to remove scratches on vinyl Jeep windows.
Lots of automotive cleaners are made for the purpose of removing scratches from vinyl.

So what about you?… Do you become to extra lengths to protect the rear window from scratches? How practice you store (or tote) the vinyl windows from your Jeep soft top?

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

Since nosotros've been married, my husband and I have owned 5 Jeeps (3 Wranglers and 2 Yard Cherokees). And when we're not driving our own Jeep, we're usually renting one (a four×4 Wrangler on vacation). We keep a Jeep Saucepan List of places that we'd like to go next, and we're e'er crossing more than states off our list of 'Places That We've Jeeped in the U.s.a.'. As our daily driver, we keep the soft top on our Jeep Wrangler year round (and the back window permanently rolled up) so the dogs can enjoy the ride. Yep… even in the wintertime! I've been sharing my best Jeep ideas with others by blogging full-time since 1998. When I'thousand not Jeeping or writing about Jeeps, you'll find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites).

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