Would You Do it Over - Soft Top or Hard Top?

[jayteal]

I have a hard top now for the first time after being in a soft top in my old TJ. I love the security of the hard top and the hoist I installed in the garage makes it a 10 minute removal job. Having a hard top in the winter makes sense however, I am really missing the soft top now in the summer. Seriously thinking of buying a soft top to use for the 9 months of summer in Texas. Pros and cons for either top but I'd recommend a soft top. My JLUR stays parked in the garage so I'm not concerned about someone ripping into a soft top if I get one.

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[Mjclay]

I believe the regular soft top is made out of a sail cloth and the premium is made out of a twill. The premium one is much thicker and (please correct me if I am wrong here) the regular one doesn’t have the Sunrider feature.

As for hard top vs soft top...I wanted a dual top myself so I could have the hard top for winter and the soft top for summer. I ended up with the hard top. I like the hard top...I have a JLU and it’s not too heavy for me to take on or off by myself...but I much prefer having help or a lift. Also...I get nervous about taking the hard top off and getting caught in the rain...

I have the regular soft top and it does have the sunrider portion. The only difference I see in the premium and regular is what they are made out of. Premium (canvas) and regular (vinyl).

 

[TA1ton]

I have the regular soft top and it does have the sunrider portion. The only difference I see in the premium and regular is what they are made out of. Premium (canvas) and regular (vinyl).

Thanks for the info...corrected my previous post.

 

[Sean L]

If I had found a Dual Top I think I would have gotten that. I do plan on getting a soft top for my Wrangler early next year so I can switch over after the winter is done, and then switch back to the hard top once the summer is finished.

 

[Bubba33]

Mine came with a hard top and I bought the premium soft top. And the difference in the premium and sail cloth is big to me. The premium looks way nicer and heavier. I would have got the dual top if I had to do it over. I built a cart and store the top on it. It's easy to take off and put back on with my wife helping. Only plan to change it out once or twice a year.

 

[slimgrady18]

Currently, I wish I would have gotten a soft top instead of my hardtop. Once winter rolls around I think I will be happy with my decision of a hardtop.

 

[Brad41]

Correct but then if you get caught in a sudden downpour you're getting soaked. With the soft top you can throw it back up real fast on the side of the road.

But you make a great point. Both tops have their pluses and minuses and that's why the dual top group is a box that I wish I had checked off!!

I have the dual top, took the hard top off right away and switched it for the soft, so I’ll reserve judgement until I’ve had the hard top on for the winter. For those hard-toppers who are worried about getting caught in a downpour, you could always buy a trail cover and keep it in the cargo area for those unexpected cloudbursts. I’m looking at a company called raingear that supposedly makes a good one. That way, I can keep my doors off for longer periods of time.

 

[Steamboat]

I have the dual top and have really enjoyed having the soft top on since I swapped right after I got it. That being said, I do not really like the way it looks with the top down (the track channels that remain on the side - near the rear area - look like an unfinished project).

I do however, wish I had purchased a hoist BEFORE I made a homemade pulley system using ropes and rope stops and then securing with ratchet straps 11 feet in the air. Now I am pondering how I am going to get it down without having a team on ladders.

*Edited as I never realized I answered the question* - If I did not travel from Atlanta down to the beaches as often as I do, I would simply get the hardtop and an electric lift system. Most of my time is spent near home so having the look and ability to quickly remove the hard top would suffice but I would miss the opportunity to remove it when traveling.

 

[mazeppa]

Hardtop only now, and it will never be removed (never say never), the Freedom Tops may not even get removed either. I have been through a few Jeeps since my first soft top 78 CJ7 (purchased in 82), the last two were duel top optioned Jeeps. It is too much of a hassle for me to switch/store tops anymore. Now when I want fresh air I just roll the windows down, but it is good to have the option later to get a soft top of just take the hardtop off.

 

[jjonesx86]

Great topic because this seems to be a matter of compromise for most folks which leaves us all open to delight and disappointment swings day to day.

I agonized over this decision when researching my Jeep purchase but when it came time to buy two factors drove me to the hard top. I wasn't patient enough to wait for a custom order and it seems in the Seattle area 90+% of Jeeps are ordered with a hard top. I would have preferred to pay for a dual top but I prioritized this lower than other, harder to change later options that I really wanted.

I love the looks and security of the hard top. I love the lift up rear window for ease of loading, getting the dog in, etc. The freedom panels are great and give me a quick open air feeling. I'm sure the hard top will be great for 9 months out of the year in Seattle when we live with 60 degree days and frequent rain. My problem is that I bought the Jeep in July and July, August and most of September is perfect here. No rain, lots of sun but the weather never gets too hot where I would even need a sun shade...perfect months for a topless (or naked) Jeep. To make matters worse, when I brought my Jeep home, my wife and kids loved it and the first question they asked is, how do you take the top down? Why a hard top...I thought the point of a Jeep was to go topless? Their questions immediately exposed my regret of the hard top in the summer and the freedom panels elicited a "huh, that's kind of cool I guess" response

I tried to take my hard top off by myself and it was impossible. Also impossible with my wife because the thing is just too damn heavy and I need to be able to do it myself. Now I'm working on a project to lift the top in my garage. Topsy brackets, Racor lift, etc. I actually have to replace my garage door opener from a top mount to a side mount to make room and even then I run the risk of getting caught in a sudden/unexpected rain storm with my hard top miles away in my garage.

I want, and will eventually buy, a soft top to compliment my hard top. I consider the soft top a must have from June to September in Seattle. My plan will be to swap them seasonally but I think there is at least a 50/50 chance that once I put the soft top on, I may never put the hard top back on it. Which is why I went with the Racor platform lift...at least I can use that for regular storage if I ever ditch the hard top

Quick edit - I should also add that one of the reasons I went hard top was to be able to easily add a roof rack for our Sup boards and eventually a roof top tent. There isn't anything available yet that makes this possible, the gutter rail based racks aren't heavy duty enough.

 

[Kahdir]

Went with hardtop (twice) and would do it again
I knew before purchasing I would not see a Sunrider, Bikini or TrekTop before the season ended. Looking forward to Bestop soft accessories in spring of 2019.

 

[wired]

The security of the hardtop is just a false security. My 2016 JLU was parked in front of my house with the soft top on and was broken into. Not by cutting the plastic windows or the top, but by breaking the glass on the door. I questioned the police and they said most don't bother to cut the soft top windows or top because it is much easier to break the glass. I was surprised until he showed me a similar video on his phone. (You can buy these tools less than $10 on amazon and they break a window instantly with almost no sound. Breaks the glass at 1:55. Too easy.)
Didn't bother with a hardtop this time.

 

[Sgt Beavis]

I just have the hard top. I'm pretty sure i would go for the dual top group if I had a do over.

 

[Angelarm35]

I bought a soft-top. Its my first jeep ever (super happy btw). I wanted the ease of putting the top down all the way. I can do it myself and don't need anyone to help me. I have no garage and storage for a hard-top is not an option. I am very happy with the soft-top. It seems insulated really well, it's much quieter than I expected and there are no leaks. To me it was a no-brainer.

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