2023 JEEP GLADIATOR Owners Manual

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE95
(Continued)
HARD TOP FRONT PANEL(S) REMOVAL
Use this QR code to access your
digital experience.
CAUTION!
The hard top is not designed to carry any addi -
tional loads, such as after-market roof racks,
spare tires, building materials, hunting or
camping supplies, etc. Ú page 115.
Do not move your vehicle until the top has
been either fully attached to the front header,
sport bar, and body, or fully removed.
Failure to follow these cautions may cause
interior water damage, stains or mildew:
It is recommended that the top be free of
water prior to panel removal. Removing the
top, opening a door, or lowering a window
while the top is wet may allow water to drip
into the vehicle’s interior.
The hard top assembly must be positioned
properly to ensure sealing. Improper installa -
tion can cause water to leak into the vehicle’s
interior.
Careless handling and storage of the remov -
able roof panels may damage the seals,
causing water to leak into the vehicle’s inte -
rior.
The front panel(s) must be positioned properly
to ensure sealing. Improper installation can
cause water to leak into the vehicle’s interior.
CAUTION!
2

23_JT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 95

96GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
Hard Top Components
1 — Right Side Panel
2 — Left Side Panel
3 — Hard Top

23_JT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 96

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE97
NOTE:The left side panel must be removed before
removing the right side panel.

1. Fold down the sun visor against the
windshield.

2. Turn the three L-shaped locks on the left side panel (one at the front, the rear, and outside),
unlocking them from the roof.

Step Two
3. Unlatch the left side header panel latch
located at the top of the windshield.

Step Three

4. Remove the left side panel.
5. Repeat the preceding steps to remove the right side panel.Hard Top Panel(s) Storage Bag —
If Equipped
The Freedom Top panels storage bag allows you to
store your hard top panels. The storage bag
contains two compartments.
Lay the bag for the panels down so the loops and
hooks are facing upward. Unzip the bag and fold
back the outer flap.
NOTE:
Ensure the front panel latch is closed prior to
inserting the panel into the panels bag.
There is a pouch located on the front of the bag
to store the provided hard top edge protectors
that are used when the hard top is not installed
on the vehicle.

1. Insert the left side hard top panel into the bag with the latches facing upward.

2. Unfold the black panel divider (ensure the divider is lying flat).
3. Insert the right side Freedom Top panel into the bag with the latches facing downward.
NOTE:Ensure the front panel latch is closed prior to
inserting the panel into the bag.
1 — Outside Panel Lock
2 — Rear Panel Lock
3 — Front Panel Lock
1 — Header Panel Latched
2 — Header Panel Unlatched
2

23_JT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 97

98GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
4. Unfold the outer flap and zip the hard top bag closed.

Step Four

5. Store the Freedom Top panels bag in a safe location.
HARD TOP FRONT PANEL(S)
I
NSTALLATION

1. Set the right side panel on the windshield
frame with the locating pin in the front
receiver mounting hole, followed by the left
side panel, making sure there is no overhang.
Make sure that the panels are sitting flush
with the body.
2. Secure the panel(s) using the same steps for
removal in reverse order.
NOTE:To prevent water leaks, the seals and hard top
panels should be clear of any dust and debris prior
to reinstallation.
REMOVING THE HARD TOP
Use this QR code to access your
digital experience.

1. Remove both front panels

Ú
page 95.

2. Open both front doors.
3. Using the provided #50 Torx head driver and ratchet, remove the two Torx
head screws that secure the hard top at the
B-pillar (near the top of the front doors).
Step Three

4. If equipped, remove the lower interior soft trim panel (attached by the hook-and-loop
fastener) by pulling the panel away from the
trim.

Step Four

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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE99
5. Remove the Torx head fasteners that secure the hard top to the vehicle: two along the
interior body side, rearward of the back doors,
followed by the four fasteners along the back
of the vehicle cab using the #T50 Torx head
driver.

Step Five
6. Locate the wire harness on the left rear inside
corner of the vehicle. To access the harness,
remove the plastic cover by pushing the cover
to the side, and sliding it off.
NOTE:Do not force open; this will break the plastic cover.

Step Six

7. To release the wire harness, pull back on the red latch (1), then push down on the black
button (2) while pulling the harness out.
Step Seven

8. Remove the hard top from the vehicle. Install the provided edge protectors along the bottom
edges of the hard top, and place the hard top
on a soft surface to prevent damage.
1 — Vehicle Cab Torx Head Fasteners
2 — Body side Torx Head Fasteners
1 — Red Latch
2 — Black Button
CAUTION!
The removal of the Hard Top requires four adults
located on each corner. Failure to follow this
caution could damage the Hard Top.
2

23_JT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 99

100GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
9. Store the wire harness by removing the storage cover on the quarter trim. Use the
mechanical key blade to pry the cover open.

Step Nine

10. Tuck the wire harness inside the storage compartment, and replace the cover.

Step Ten

INSTALLING THE HARD TOP
If the door frames are installed from soft top
usage, they must be removed prior to installation
of the hard top Ú page 104. To install the hard top, place the hard top on the
vehicle while making sure that the top is sitting
flush with the body at the sides and across the
back. Then follow the removal steps in reverse
order.
NOTE:
Inspect the hard top seals for damage and
replace if necessary.
Install the hard top using the same steps for
removal in reverse order.
When reinstalling the interior soft trim panel:
Be sure the panel is centered so that there
is an even gap on both sides.
Apply pressure over the hook-and-loop
fasteners to ensure they are properly
secured.

The Torx head fasteners that attach the hard top to
the body should be torqued to 155 in-lb +/- 22 in-lb
(17.5 N·m +/- 2.5 N·m) using the provided #T50 Torx
head driver and ratchet.

CAUTION!
The front panel(s) must be positioned properly
to ensure sealing. Improper installation can
cause water to leak into the vehicle's interior.
The hard top assembly must be positioned
properly to ensure sealing. Improper installa -
tion can cause water to leak into the vehicle's
interior.
The hard top is not designed to carry any addi -
tional loads, such as after-market roof racks,
spare tires, building materials, hunting or
camping supplies, etc. Ú page 115.
Do not move your vehicle until the top has
been either fully attached to the windshield
frame and body, or fully removed.
The removal of the hard top requires four
adults located on each corner. Failure to
follow this caution could damage the hard top.
CAUTION!
Do not overtighten Torx fasteners. Damage to
the retainers will occur.

23_JT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 100

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE101
SUNRIDER® FOR HARD TOP —
I
F EQUIPPED
The Sunrider® soft top can be used in place of the
Hard Top Freedom Panels for quick and easy
opening of the area above the driver and front
passenger seats.

Sunrider® For Hard Top
To install the Sunrider® soft top, proceed as
follows:

1. Remove both front Hard Top Freedom panels


Ú
page 95.

2. With the help of a second person, set the Sunrider® top onto the top of the vehicle
making sure to align the holes at the front and
rear of the side rails.

Lower Sunrider® Onto The Vehicle

3. Swing the front frame bracket around the side of the rail, and insert the door rail attachment
bolt (provided bolt without spacer) from
underneath. Tighten with a #40 Torx head
driver until snug.
Attach Front Door Rail Bolt

4. Insert the rear door rail attachment bolt (provided bolt with spacer) from underneath.
Tighten with #40 Torx head driver until snug.

Attach Rear Door Rail Bolt

WARNING!
Do not open or close the Sunrider® top while
driving. Operating the top while driving could
cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Failure to follow this warning may result in
serious injury or death.2

23_JT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 101

102GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 on the other side of the vehicle.
NOTE:The recommended torque specification for the
front and rear door rail attachment bolts is 8.8 ft-lb
(12 N·m).
6. Attach the rear clamp at the rear center of the Sunrider® top using the two provided rear
clamp attachment bolts. Tighten with #40 Torx
head driver until snug.

Rear Clamp Location

NOTE:The recommended torque specification for the rear
clamp attachment bolts is 3.7 ft-lb (5 N·m). 7. From inside the vehicle, lift and pull the
Sunrider® top forward using the integrated
handle on the front header of the top.
Manually guide the top into the closed
position.

Push Sunrider® Top Forward
8. From inside the vehicle, pull the handle on the
header latch downward to engage the hook
into its receiver. Pull the handle back upward
while squeezing the hook, locking the latch
into place. Repeat on the other side.

Engage Both Header Latches

23_JT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 102