Is it possible just to rivet the strip to the windshield frame and it not interfere with the hardtop when it comes time to put it back on? the holes are getting stripped out and it'd rather just pop rivet it on and leave it than use nut rivets.

i couldnt find a way... i just took a strip of 3/16" steel and threaded it for some screws and riveted that on to the frame and have had no problems with sealing my hard top.

Quadratec and 4WD (http://www.4wd.com/productdetails.aspx?partID=13269) sell a rivet nut kit to fix this problem.

I dont think the hard top will fit with the channel attached.

that's the nut rivets that I was referring to. I guess i'll pop rivet it for the summer, try the hardtop in the winter and if it doesn't work i'll nut rivet it.

Is it possible just to rivet the strip to the windshield frame and it not interfere with the hardtop when it comes time to put it back on? the holes are getting stripped out and it'd rather just pop rivet it on and leave it than use nut rivets.

Yes.

I drilled out the threads and pop-riveted mine in. Make sure you use steel rivets though.

well if you plan on pop riveting the windsheild channel on and putting the hard top on in the winter then i hope you like drilling out rivets

And the one thing everyone forgets is water gets in the windshield frame causing serious rust fast from the inside.