by Terry Pritchard
Torque Staff Writer
Part One of a Series.
"Spring is the time of plans and projects." — Leo Tolstoy
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There is a sense of renewal in the air. The cold, bitterness of winter gives way to longer, warmer days and incoming thoughts of summer.
That is spring for you; a time of rebirth when there is a whole clean slate of days stretching ahead and ready to be filled with smiles and regained energy.
It is also that part of the year when many choose to take on projects and prepare for whatever adventures await in the coming months.
Spring cleaning is a chance to clean out the garage, porch, attic, or whatever during a nice pleasant weekend. So maybe also set aside a few hours and find a project or two for your Jeep because it probably needs some love as well.
As the spring season is quickly approaching, we’re starting a ‘March Maintenance’ series to get you some ideas. This series highlights items that are sometimes overlooked but should be examined, maintained and, if needed, replaced on your Jeep.
Soft Tops
Perhaps that soft top has been sitting in the garage waiting to replace your hardtop during the warmer parts of the year. Or you’ve had it on your Jeep all through the harsh winter months. And you probably think everything is just fine and ready to go.
Well, there probably are some things to check and maintain before you are ready to enjoy top-down freedom with the wind blowing through your hair.
The winter cold weather harshness, or merely just sitting inside a cold garage, can really affect your soft top’s vinyl and plastic material. Over time, this means that stuff can stretch out, tear, have zipper issues, or no longer attach to the hardware like it did when you first bought the vehicle.
Now, this does not happen instantaneously. But there can be enough of a problem coming out of winter that causes your top to demand some spring maintenance attention.
If these extreme conditions have impacted the entirety of your top, then Bestop offers handy Replace-a-Top fabric-only solutions really play well with your factory Jeep hardware. Not only does this save you time and money when replacing, but you know it will perfectly fit because this is the company that created your OEM soft top.
All Replace-a-Tops are offered in factory-matched material, or you can choose to upgrade to a thicker twill variety. These tops include all the fabric parts and windows needed to replace your original top and install over the hardware you already own. Plus, Replace-a-Top versions are offered in all factory color options so you can easily match what you had originally to keep your Jeep looking, and performing, its best.
Winter and cold weather can also be harsh on plastic windows and could cause cracking. If you only need to replace a cracked or damaged window, then Mastertop’s Replacement Windows are ideal for those individual pieces, and are not as wallet-busting as a full soft top replacement. These windows are available for specific years and offered in Black Diamond material or upgraded twill fabric to match your factory top.
Replacement windows can be purchased as individual passenger or driver’s side quarter windows or just the rear window. There is even a solution if you need just rear quarter windows. Finally, a full set of windows can be purchased that includes both quarter windows and the rear window.
Sometimes, a sticky soft top zipper can be repaired or just needs a little tender loving care to return to its factory condition. Gear Aid Zipper Lubricant, as well as Mopar Zipper cleaner and lubricant, are excellent choices to keep those zippers running smoothly throughout the year.
Mopar’s Zipper Cleaner and Lubricant is specially formulated to work on all types of plastic and metal zippers. A patented push/pull dispenser brush removes harmful dirt, sand, and salt deposits, while the cleaner itself rinses away debris and leaves a unique protective film that continues to lubricate without collecting residue.
Gear Aid Zipper Lubricant is designed to keep soft top zippers operating smoothly, and is offered in a 0.16 oz./4.5 g (2 pack) tube. Besides ensuring ease of operation, this lubricant additionally provides UV protection for plastic zippers while protecting metal zippers from corrosion.
Keep an eye on Torque over the next few weeks for more March Maintenance projects. We'll be looking at topics to bring us all out of the winter doldrums and into the excitement of spring. Things from electrical to brakes; tires to interior items.
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