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Tips for Supertop NX instal

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Old 08-19-2011 | 02:52 AM
  #1  
OziBoy's Avatar
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From: South coast of Western Australia
Default Tips for Supertop NX instal

Yesterday my Supertop NX arrived :) Must be close to the first in Oz. Has been on back order from Quadratec for 7 months. I went for khaki diamond because I think it works well with black. I have had a TJ with a soft top and I sold my JK soft top having never installed it.

You'll find plenty of info around on features on NX but here are my immediate impressions:
1. NX sailcloth fabric is very heavy duty
2. Dark window are great. Hide what's inside
3. Zippers are big and tough
4. When installed top is very taught and will stay tight
5. Fold back section over front seats is great
6. Arms and bows are very chunky

Instal Tips
In a nut shell it was a bit of a PITB. I did it on my own and on a 4.5" lifted Jeep. Don't try it. The reasons for which are largely covered below.

1. First I watched a Bestop TJ NX install for a few ideas. No JK yet vid yet. The TJ instal they reckon should take 3 hours with two people. Mine JK instal took 5 hours total on my own. With what I have learnt I could comfortably complete it in 3 hours.
2. Checked box contents. Only missing 2 small padding patches that I will follow up. The bars and bows are quite a bit more complicated than a OME top and it can look like chaos. Mainly because the front seats have a fold back section.
3. Instructions are photocopies and take a bit of interpretation with quite poor illustrations. Read several times before every step and was often still unsure. I went from step 1 thru to 24...what a pain and a mistake. I recommend fitting the key items in the following order and use the instructions as a guide as needed:
3.1 Instal side brackets onto roll cage.
3.2 Instal door surrounds. Mine were a bit hard to fit as I have the PPM handles. I would reco grinding off 5mm so that you can fit the U shaped surround onto roll bar.
3.3 Make up the rear bow and fit on JK
3.4 Make up front bow and fit on JK. Note that it is best not to screw into windscreen header which comes attached to the large fabric top section. Having a good look at how the front bow fits is much easier if it is top is not attached to header.
3.5 Screw on thick strap belt from sound bar area on front bow backward. The rear bow will then sit upward. Easier to then lay fabric over.
3.6 If you have to all of the steps above can be done at night in a shed. Installing the fabric though is IMPOSSIBLE if it is cold (18-20 degrees). I tried every which way to get the top to fit. The fabric is very heavy duty and it will not stretch at all when cold. My TJ top was light and you could muscle it on but not the NX.
3.7 On a sunny day lay side window in sun.
3.8 Lay main fabric top over JK and screw in side bow tubes into header. This can easily be done on the Jeep. As you do this the top is laying out getting warm.
3.9 Lightly clip header latches in place. Leave open.
3.10 Screw 4 screws into top of rear bow. This is along the top of the rear window area zip.
3.11 You will now be able to pull down rear fabric arches onto top of tub.
3.12 Fit rear bar and window as per instructions. Fit side windows
3.13 Last thing is clamp latches on header.

ps. There are 4 very small washers that attach the fold back arm to door surround...be careful...if you drop one (like I did) you'll lose it for good.

This order is quite different to the instructions. Jump to each section as needed.

Tools? Good phillips ratchet screw driver and Torx for roll bar bracket.

Happy? Yes I am. Excellent fit...just wish I had assisted someone first to see the easy way to do things AND waited until it was warm AND rang up a Jeeper buddy.

He's some pics. Colour varies but first couple are most accurate.
Closest i can get to the jungle ...the local cafe/nursery
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This stock chromed JK parked in front of me...couldn't resist a pic. Apologies in advance to stocky owners
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"Not another Jeep photo...can't we just hit the wheeling". Spiderweb Shade is great but I need to tweak the fit. Top folds back great.
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Last edited by OziBoy; 08-19-2011 at 08:06 AM.
Old 08-19-2011 | 04:49 AM
  #2  
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From: Stokesdale, NC
Default

Thanks for the write up and great tips. I am going to tackle mine this weekend if the weather hold out.





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