Drilling new holes for hard top

[Jeep#3]

1041848

Is it OK to drill new holes for the bolts that hold the hard top down? I just bought a 97 Wrangler and I got 5 out of the 6 bolts out to get the top off. The last bolt is in the back right hand corner and is impossible to get my hand under to hold the nut. The soft top, which is also in there, is also in the way. Would there be any problem with the hard top sealing back up if I move that hole toward the front about 2 inches?



Thank you!!!



[addsig]

 

[TerryMason]

1041850

In order to get everything to line up you'd have to drill a hole in the hardtop, and into your body right?



I drill holes in my CJ all day long, but in your case, I'd recommend just not bolting the last bolt, and having 3 on that side.



You probably won't take your hard top on and off too many times a year, especially if you have a soft top, so you may just leave everything the way it is.



[addsig]

 

[TerryMason]

1041851

I just reread your post, and noticed that you can't hold the nut. Sounds like you have the wrong type of nuts (no punn intended). On my CJ, the nuts inside of the rail are in the shape of a rectangle, so that the rail prevents them from turning.



Go to the hardware store and buy some new ones. A wing nut might work alright too.[addsig]