Soft Top Issues....the complete list in one spot

[xeon]

Probably

Hey there,

I can ask but I am guessing I will not be able to comment on any of this due to our contract.

CassieAtBestop

Probably not...but had to ask

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[x7tristan]

@xeon any chance you have pictures of these flaws, like the seals that don't fit or come off? Being new to the Wrangler it would be good to get a visual so I can check my rig. Thanks!

 

[SMITTY14]

This is my third soft top, 2nd premium and I can honestly say that this top is light years away from my TJ and JK. Zippers jammed and broke, the door surrounds on the TJ nearly gave you carpultunnel trying to put it on or off and the rear window was a PITA to get back on the right way. With all that said. I have not taken off my door surrounds just yet, but I can honestly say I don't know why Jeep did away with the old knob and screw for the torx bolts. there was something simplistic just having to unscrew a bolt rather than having to use the rachet. Oh well. When I do take the door surrounds off, its typically for several days and not a daily thing.

 

[PavementWarrior]

This is operator error. Read the section in the manual about how to put the top down. You are leaving off the last step to push down on each side of the top to secure it so that it does not bounce around.

well only option is to buy additional straps. 2 door soft top has nothing that keeps it from bouncing, 30+ posts of guys buying straps in 2door threads.

Our last step they tell us to use the sunrider straps to also try to help secure sides from rattling. It helps some.

I have not fiddled with it much, I like safari mode so much I just stay in that mode! I can see messing with it more in October when it cools down enough to not get fried topless.

 

[xeon]

@xeon any chance you have pictures of these flaws, like the seals that don't fit or come off? Being new to the Wrangler it would be good to get a visual so I can check my rig. Thanks!

I will grab some pics today and post later tonight

 

[xeon]

I cant believe I forgot the issue bulletins:

Issue Bulletin: Soft Top Windows Streaked
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/issue-bulletin-soft-top-windows-streaked.14598/

Issue Bulletin: Soft Top Will Not Fold or Extend or Bows Bent
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...p-will-not-fold-or-extend-or-bows-bent.14600/

 

[xeon]

@xeon any chance you have pictures of these flaws, like the seals that don't fit or come off? Being new to the Wrangler it would be good to get a visual so I can check my rig. Thanks!

Here are some pics of the rear lower driver side and passenger side that never stay in. I dont even bother at this point tucking them in until I park somewhere to make it look more snug.

These pics show how long the rear window is and why they dont stay in. You can reposition the sides to slide to max height and they will fit loosely in place. But the weight of the window just drags it down to this position.

 

[BlackRook]

Here are some pics of the rear lower driver side and passenger side that never stay in. I dont even bother at this point tucking them in until I park somewhere to make it look more snug.

These pics show how long the rear window is and why they dont stay in. You can reposition the sides to slide to max height and they will fit loosely in place. But the weight of the window just drags it down to this position

Your rear window is very clearly messed up; looks like it's outside the acceptable manufacturing tolerance range. Have you brought it in to the dealership for service (i.e. replacement of that window)? Curious how dealers handle warranty issues on the soft tops...

 

[x7tristan]

Here are some pics of the rear lower driver side and passenger side that never stay in. I dont even bother at this point tucking them in until I park somewhere to make it look more snug.

These pics show how long the rear window is and why they dont stay in. You can reposition the sides to slide to max height and they will fit loosely in place. But the weight of the window just drags it down to this position.

Thanks, I'll keep a look out on mine. I have the dual top too, and I've only had the soft top on for 3 days.

 

[MacombRoger]

I have almost 7k miles on my Jeep. 4 door. I don't have any of those extreme problems. For me its only these 3+1 things:

1. Back window is a touch too tall, so the 2 flaps on either side don't stay engaged very well; I see that is a common problem on here. I consider it a cosmetic issue.

2. The holder for the hardtop plug does get pulled off with raising a lowered soft-top. I have just left the plug detached from the plastic trim piece and have been fine. Wonder if its fixed in the 2019 models, it clearly is a design flaw.

3. With the top down, and the "locks on" the top does billow and seem to bounce a bit. It really doesn't ever get so bad to block rearward view, but I solved it with a simple strap I put around the soft top when its down, keeps it tight and low.

Bonus: 4. When the top is down, there is no great spot to store the rear window, the metal bar is too long to sit in the "trunk area" flat. You can take it off, or I even have sorted to rolling the rear window and leaving it attached when lowered. Its not a problem, just something that is different from TJ days, but I do like this top a lot more, super easy and quick to raise or lower.

 

[Kadonny]

This is operator error. Read the section in the manual about how to put the top down. You are leaving off the last step to push down on each side of the top to secure it so that it does not bounce around.

You are wrong on operator error. Even if you push the top down and the levers are in the lock position, the manual says there may be an "audible" click that I just don't get. Believe me, I've tried. So with the lock lever engaged on both sides and no click, the soft top bounces. I've found too that one or two velcro straps stop the flapping.

 

[DravenGSX]

You are wrong on operator error. Even if you push the top down and the levers are in the lock position, the manual says there may be an "audible" click that I just don't get. Believe me, I've tried. So with the lock lever engaged on both sides and no click, the soft top bounces. I've found too that one or two velcro straps stop the flapping.

You aren't pushing down hard enough. After you lock it, push down on both sides until you can feel it click into place. It will stay there and not move at 80 MPH.

 

[Kadonny]

You aren't pushing down hard enough. After you lock it, push down on both sides until you can feel it click into place. It will stay there and not move at 80 MPH.

Well, I've tried, multiple times, but next time I have my top down, I'll try again. Like how hard are you saying...like jumping on it? And where are you pushing, at the back or on the sides where the frame joints are.

 

[outlanderbz]

I have had an '02 TJ and a '15 JK. This soft top is by far the best in my opinion from a usability standpoint, especially for my 5'4" wife. I can easily make a list of Pros to my below Cons. That being said, for the purpose of letting the OP know and maybe have these things improved for future Jeeps I have had many of the issues here.

1. My 15' JK had the regular soft top and man was that thing tight - to the point my wife couldn't close everything up. This one is very loose in many ways, especially when it is up. Hasn't seemed to be an issue yet though.

2. Side window top portion droop. I have this. Hasn't bothered me but I get it

3. Hard top electrical and washer fluid holder/clip. That is a clear miss. Did they not test dual tops? I have removed and moved mine.

4. Soft top bounce when down. Once I learned that I need to push the soft top down to the point it snaps the above mentioned holder/clip and gets into the well more it hasn't been as bad. I also take the top flap of the soft top and kind of tuck it under the front header. This keeps that portion from blowing in the wind and blocking more view out the rear view. I lock it but there is still a good amount of play if you lift it locked before it stops. The bounce back there at 70 MPH is a bit scary but since it is locked I figure it will not go anywhere. I also do not hear any audible "click" other then the noise it makes when I slide the locks. It can't be pushed any further!

5. Rear window bottom flaps. They come out all the time. On the flip side, I love how much easier it is to open and flip up to load cargo. no zippers is nice! The lower bar fits nice and secure also.

6. Windows scratch easy. They seem even more prone to scratches then my previous windows. My wife even put her parking sticker on it one day when she used my car and there is now a permanent square where it was. Kind of think they would get more durable over the years. I have given up on worrying about them years ago though. It's a jeep. I don't trash them but I just use them. I built a spot to hang them in the garage when not in use.

7. Some wear at the fold points. I think this comes from the bounce when down. Its not that noticeable but I wonder how it will be in 3-5 years. I run a hard top 8 months a year so not too worried.

As for the Windows blowing out. I have not had any windows blow out but I rarely drive in sunrider or even the windows down. If its nice enough for windows down then my top is down. The few times I did I can see more play in the rear soft windows than previous Jeeps. And if anyone says you're not supposed to ride in sunrider with the soft windows in then I would say that is the most pointless configuration and Jeep shouldn't even promote it. Just put the top down if you went that far.

thank you.

 

[DravenGSX]

Well, I've tried, multiple times, but next time I have my top down, I'll try again. Like how hard are you saying...like jumping on it? And where are you pushing, at the back or on the sides where the frame joints are.

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