Jeep Parts - Windshield Channel
Posted: Tuesday, February 01, 2011
by Lourdes Amil
http://www.jeep4x4center.com
With the development of the 1997 design, Jeep greatly improved upon the fit, seal and durability in the Wrangler soft top and its hardware. One major change was in the way the soft top connected and sealed into the top of that windshield frame. In prior years, the entry edge of that soft top simply “tucked” into a channel which was permanently attached to the top of the windshield frame. Once tucked in, that seal was generally good. Getting the top tucked in, however, was not always easy and oftentimes took two men.
Jeep Bikini tops usually do not use hardware; they simply mount on the windshield frame and roll bars. Since there is not a “channel” to the windshield frame, one must be installed in order to use a Jeep bikini top. On 1997+ Jeep Wranglers, a Header style Bikini with a no-drill windshield channel will be the best combination. The no-drill windshield channel simply bolts in where the factory soft top latches in over the visors. It really is easily removed and also the factory soft top (or hard top) can return back on without any modifications. This will be the same windshield channel that Bestop uses on their Supertop.
For 1997-2002 Jeep Wranglers, Bestop does offer a strapless Bikini Top which employs a drill-in design windshield channel. If the factory soft top, hard top, or Supertop is later used, the windshield channel must be removed from the windshield frame making holes where it was attached. This setup is only recommended for vehicles which are not replacing the Bikini Top with another top, at least not all too often.
On older (up to 1995) Jeep Wranglers in addition to CJ’s, both factory tops, in addition to, aftermarket soft tops utilize the drill-in style windshield channels. A new windshield channel is only required when adding a Jeep Bikini Top for a vehicle originally built with a hard top, or if the original was lost or destroyed. As all proper products that tend to be industry leaders you can be a need with regard to improvement, on new products and also the older ones.
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