98 TJ Soft-Top Fit Question

I don't have a TJ, but that is what I have to do on the YJ. Zip everything up, slide the uprights into place, and tighten the spreader bars. Then, park the vehicle in the hot Colorado sun with the top up for a couple days.

Earle

I don't know about tightening everything up ...but if you run a bar of soap over the zippers every now & then, they're a lot easier to move.

Yeah, it's not that I'm just annoyed with how hard it is to zip, but I'm more worried about the severe stretching that is attempting to happen around the bends. It looks bad, and eventually will pull the seams apart I'm sure.

I am betting it is the shrinking thing. Perhaps try zipping it before you clamp it at the windshield, doing the last tighten there instead of at the zipper.... Tomes

I had that problem with the factory top... had to pull down on the bows that support it, and it was still tight so I bent them a tad... I've since replaced it all though.

Troy

You are waiting until all the windows are in place to latch down the windshield header, right? The hooks should be in the holes, but not latched down until everything is zipped up.

Yeah, I always latch it down last..