soft top to tailgate

[joec]

I bought a 1986 CJ7 recently. I am not a mechanic or car enthusiast so my questions may seem simple. Does the soft top attach to the tailgate? I see where it attaches to the body in the rear but it looks like I may be missing a piece on the top of the gate.

 

[superj]

i think there is a flat piece that goes across the tail gate, like on the windshield.

i don't have a soft top but i see that part on ebay alot

 

[zatog]

No the top does not attach to the tailgate, because if it did you wouldn't be able to open your taigate.

 

[xt master]

On my TJ it does not attach to the tail gate,but does have a metal rod going through it that attaches on each side of the tail gate.