Body Lange Quik-Kit II Latches keep falling out!

[N9VIW]

After tearing out several screw holes in the hardtop strip where it attaches to the top of the windshield, and having the holes in the windshield frame get hogged out bigger and bigger (I think I'm up to #12 screws, not quite to 1/4" yet), I ordered a pair of Quik-Kit II latches from Lange Originals. I installed them per the instructions (vague though they were), and for the first little while I had no problems.

The rivets holding the latches to the hardtop started breaking after a couple months, I'd install new rivets and they would either pull out or break off. Pretty soon, the fiberglass behind the metal strip on the hard top was hogged out, and I had to go back to using sheetmetal screws, this time to hold the latches on (the hooks on the windshield frame are fine). Now again, I've maxed out the size of screws I can put in to hold the latches on; any larger and the heads are either too wide to both fit in the latch, or (if allen head) are to tall to allow the latch to close. The way the latches are designed, it seems like the cam-over angle is too steep, and puts too much leverage on the mounting holes. I tried contacting Lange, but never got a reply to several emails.

I should mention, I live 6 miles back on a gravel road that's poorly maintained by the county, so the ride is jarring to say the least. I think all the vibration is what's doing this, but barring airing down and up every single day on my way to and from work or driving like a turtle, I don't know how to combat this. Fortunately, we're almost to the end of hardtop weather, so when I take it off in a few weeks, I plan to replace the header strip entirely, and I have a new windshield frame waiting to be installed. I was also thinking of cutting the hardtop front edge so I could glass in a 1/4"x1" metal strip, something thick enough to drill and tap for a machine screw, to prevent this in the future. Beyond that, I don't know what to do.

Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[hole]

Mine rattles some , but dont drive it daily , so I ignore it. Interested to hear some fix's others have come up with though.

 

[TSB8C]

I've seen some people use Nutserts in the holes rather than just threading a sheet metal screw into the windshield frame itself. I've also seen one person that welded some nuts onto the windshield frame over the holes. Then he used some bolts rather than sheet metal screws. Of course another idea is to just add additional latches rather than just the two. Using four or six would hold it more secure on those bumpy rides that seem to be vibrating the rivets/screws loose.

And here's an idea if you will rarely or never remove the top:



That's right - a piano hinge all the way across.

Some other latches from McMaster Carr Part#1864A15 with three instead of just two:

 

[Belizean]

Try calling or contacting GR8Tops. They actually repair the CJ8 tops I heard and fix the latches. At least worth a try. They make beautiful hardtops for maybe a couple of the newer Jeeps

 

[CJ]

https://gr8tops.com/

 

[N9VIW]

See how the McM latches have the screw hole at the top? The Lange latches do not have that. As a result, that portion of the latch lifts up when you go to close the latch, and it puts tremendous torque on the other two screws. (ETA: I can't tell on second look if those are actually integral to the latch, or if those are just extra screws with a large washer to catch the back edge of the latch. The latches at McM look just like the Langes, but they're actually cheaper, d'oh...)

I think I'm going to figure out how to tack a washer on at the top to add a screw, and get a couple more. Thanks for the suggestion.

Also, while I've got the conch, what insulation or gasketing (if any) do you hardtop guys use at the top of the windshield frame? I never have, but wonder if I put a 1" thick strip of neoprene foam up there it might dampen the vibrations, and quiet the wind noise. I'd have to take it off to put the soft top header strip on, but c'est la vie.

 

[Belizean]

I helped a friend put his CJ8 half hard top on last year and he had a strip of something on his above the windshield and I think back bottom corners if I remember correctly. Not much.