the piece to your left that has the 2 metal "C"s facing each other is the hard top prep kit. the exposed piece to your right should have a rubber top covering it and would only be removed when you installed the prep kit. but once the prep kit is installed, you would just throw the rubber cover back on. obviously if u have the hard top on, it won't matter since it'll be covered either way. but if u have the hard top off, then you would want that covered (if you had the soft top down).
btw i coincidentally posted about the hard top install but be sure to check your trunk to see if you have the rubber trunk stoppers. these pieces prevent the trunk from making contact with the rear glass.
https://www.zpost.com/forums/showpos...1&postcount=25