1st gen jimmy or blazer top reinstall

[Cadden]

Is there a trick to getting the topper back snug so my bolt holes line up?

I'm off by just a smidgen and no matter how hard I push or pull I can't seem to close the gap to start my bolts

Are there certain bolts I should try to start first? I'm trying to start from the tailgate area moving towards the cab
Just installed all new seals

No helper available at the moment so I'm on my own

 

[ashman]

I've always started with the bolts that go through the sun visor mount. On my tops those had some wiggle room so they were easiest to start. The 2 in the center I could never get to line up until I snugged down the sun visor ones a bit first. I did the bed rails last.

 

[Cadden]

I've always started with the bolts that go through the sun visor mount. On my tops those had some wiggle room so they were easiest to start. The 2 in the center I could never get to line up until I snugged down the sun visor ones a bit first. I did the bed rails last.

I couldnt get those either. Ended up very carefully using the two big Phillips screws in the center to snug it forward then I was able to get the visor ones in and now I'm going back to see if it's all lined up now

 

[warrpath4x4]

no help other than to say I also start with the windshield frame, so the ones on the bed sides wouldn't line up either?

 

[Greg72]

Use longer bolts.

when things start to get closer together, remove them and put the correct ones back in and finish the job.

-G

 

[Cadden]

Use longer bolts.

when things start to get closer together, remove them and put the correct ones back in and finish the job.

-G

The issue wasn't so much the length, but the holes being pretty far off because I couldn't hold enough pressure on the top to squish the new seals in and at the same time start a bolt

I didn't want to use the Philips screws to pull it in because I didn't want to risk breaking those brackets but I got it done very carefully and slowly

 

[TuckerK5]

I suggest putting jacks under the rocker boxes or the frame rails but in line with the doors and lift a little bit.
This to flex the body up just a hair right where the doors are. Doors open while doing this of course.
Get all of the bolts started and snug them down while letting the jacks down.

 

[Cadden]

I suggest putting jacks under the rocker boxes or the frame rails but in line with the doors and lift a little bit.
This to flex the body up just a hair right where the doors are. Doors open while doing this of course.
Get all of the bolts started and snug them down while letting the jacks down.

Dang I bet that would've made a huge difference, ill remember that for next time

 

[Cadden]

If i didnt live where it rains 9 months out of the year I'd get rid of the top honestly

It's a little rough and missing the back window/lift gate anyways