2023 JEEP GLADIATOR Owners Manual

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE87
Removing The Rear Window And Quarter
Panel Cover Assemblies
NOTE:Both quarter panel cover assemblies and the rear
window must ALL be removed together, or installed
together.

1. Start by removing the rear window first. Use the two straps located on the bottom of each
side of the rear window to remove the right
and left vertical retainers, as well as the lower
center retainer.

Step One (Right Side Shown) Step One

2. While keeping the rear window level, slide it outward in either direction until it is completely
separate from its retainer. Do not pull
downward while removing the rear window.
Damage to the retainer could result. Store the
rear window in the soft top rear window
storage bag (if equipped), or in a safe location
Ú page 88.
Step Two

3. After removing the rear window, remove the quarter panel cover assemblies starting with
either side. Disengage the quarter panel cover
assembly from the bottom by pulling the fabric
at the bottom upward.
2

23_JT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 87

88GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
4. With two hands, grab the front of the quarter panel cover assembly and pull outward to
disengage it from its retainer on the door
frame.

Step Four

5. Pull the quarter panel cover assembly up and out from the bottom, then pull it down and
away from the vehicle to remove.
Step Five

6. Repeat this procedure for the other quarter panel cover assembly. Store the assemblies in
the soft top rear window storage bag (if
equipped), or a safe location.
Soft Top Rear Window Storage Bag —
If Equipped
To safely store the soft top rear window, proceed
as follows:

1. With the bag opened completely, fold the fabric divider downward and lay the rear
window in the bottom of the bag.

Step One

23_JT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 88

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE89
2. Fold the divider upward, covering the rear window.

Step Two

3. Lay the first quarter panel cover assembly all the way to the right side and the second
quarter panel cover assembly on the left side.
Secure both using the two hook-and-loop
fastener straps on each side.
NOTE:The quarter panel cover assemblies are marked
“1” and “2” on the inside of the panel assembly.
Step Three

4. Close the storage bag and store in a safe location.

Step Four

RAISING THE SOFT TOP
Use this QR code to access your
digital experience.

1. From the Sunrider® Position, remove straps if previously
secured.

Step One

1 — Left Quarter Panel Cover Assembly
2 — Right Quarter Panel Cover Assembly
CAUTION!
Failure to follow the next steps could result in
damage to the soft top or vehicle.
2

23_JT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 89

90GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
2. Using the side link, lift and push the soft top toward the front of the vehicle, manually
guiding the top into the closed position.

Step Two
Step Two

3. From inside the vehicle, pull the handle on the header latch downward to engage the hook
into its receiver.
Step Three

4. Pull the handle back upward while squeezing the hook, locking the latch into place.

Step Four

5. Repeat steps three and four on the other side.
Installing The Rear Window And Quarter
Panel Cover Assemblies
NOTE:Both quarter panel cover assemblies and the rear
window must ALL be removed together, or installed
together.
If the rear window and quarter panel cover
assemblies were previously removed, proceed as
follows to install:

1. Guide the top of the quarter panel cover assembly up into the retainer.

Step One

CAUTION!
Failure to follow all quarter panel cover
assembly and rear window install steps could
result in damage to the Soft Top or vehicle.

23_JT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 90

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE91
2. Engage the plastic retainers on the front of the cover assembly (toward the front of the
vehicle) starting at the top, and working
downward.

Step Two

NOTE:It is critical that the retainers are fully engaged
before the vehicle resumes motion.
3. Secure the hook-and-loop fastener at the upper front corner of each quarter panel cover
assembly by pressing firmly.
Step Three

4. From either side, guide the rear window into the retainer while keeping the window level.

Step Four

5. Engage the retainer along the bottom of the rear window beginning on the left side of the
vehicle and working toward the center. Then,
move to the right side of the vehicle and continue from the center, working to the right
until the rear window is secured in the lower
retainer.

Step Five

6. Engage the vertical retainers up the right and left side of the rear window.

Step Six

2

23_JT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 91

92GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
7. Tuck the rear window under the soft top fabric and press firmly.

Step Seven

8. Engage the rear window retainers in the lower right and left corners.
REMOVING THE SOFT TOP
Use this QR code to access your
digital experience.

1. Fully lower the soft top to the Sunrider® position

Ú
page 83.
2. Using the provided #T50 Torx head driver and
ratchet, unscrew the two Torx head fasteners
on the inside of each top mechanism.

Step Two

3. Utilizing two people, lift the soft top up and away from the vehicle, careful to avoid the
vehicle’s sport bar and trim. Store the soft top
in a safe, clean, and dry location.
4. Remove the door frames. The rear door frames must be removed before the front door frames
Úpage 104. 5. Using the provided #T50 Torx head driver and
ratchet, unscrew the six Torx head fasteners
on both rear corners and the back of the cab,
then remove the belt rail.
NOTE:Folding down the rear seats is recommended to
provide easier access to the fasteners.

Step Five

CAUTION!
Quarter panel cover assemblies and rear
window must be either all in or all out.
CAUTION!
Failure to follow the next steps could result in
damage to the soft top or vehicle.
1 — Corner Fasteners
2 — Rear Fasteners

23_JT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 92

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE93
INSTALLING THE SOFT TOP
NOTE:If installing the soft top immediately after removing
the hard top, ensure the wire harness is stored
properly, and not tucked under the belt rail
Úpage 98.

1. Install the belt rail on the rear of the vehicle. Secure the belt rail using the six fasteners
with the provided #T50 Torx head driver and
ratchet. Refer to the following table for
recommended torque specifications.
Step One

2. Install the door frames. Start with both front doors, followed by both rear doors. Apply the
appropriate torque specifications for the door
frame Torx head fasteners Ú page 104.3. Unsnap and remove the storage bag. This bag
should be discarded. It was intended as a
protective cover for shipping only.
4. Ensure the top is secured with the provided hook-and-loop fasteners, then lift the soft top
onto the rear of the cab. Line up the locater
pins (one on each side of the soft top) with the
rear door frames.

Step Four

Torque
Specification For Torx
Fastener Maximum Minimum
119.5 in-lb (13.5 N·m) 150.5 in-lb
(17.0 N·m) 106.2 in-lb
(12.0 N·m)
CAUTION!
Do not overtighten Torx fasteners. Damage to
the retainers will occur.
1 — Corner Fasteners
2 — Rear Fasteners
CAUTION!
Failure to follow the next steps could result in
damage to the soft top or vehicle.
2

23_JT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 93

94GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
5. Using the provided #T50 Torx head driver and ratchet, install and tighten the Torx fasteners
by turning them clockwise. Secure them until
they are snug, being careful not to cross-
thread the fasteners or overtighten. Refer to
the following table for recommended torque
specifications. Repeat on the opposite side.

Step Five Step Five
6. Before driving the vehicle with the top in the
Sunrider® position, ensure the top is secured
with the provided hook-and-loop fasteners
Úpage 89.

Step Six

Torque
Specification For Torx
Fasteners Maximum Minimum
119.5 in-lb (13.5 N·m) 150.5 in-lb
(17.0 N·m) 106.2 in-lb
(12.0 N·m)
CAUTION!
Do not overtighten Torx fasteners. You can strip
the fasteners if they are overtightened.

23_JT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 94