JK vs JL - Soft Top Rear Window Access

[Hadoken]

Hey All,
Dreaming about ordering a JL sometime this year after having to sell my JK a couple years ago.

On my JK I had the premium soft top and a Tuffy Security Deck - the security deck effectively split the rear storage area in half vertically, which was always a bit annoying since you had to unzip the rear window from 2 sides to access the top half of the storage area.

I thought for that reason I might get a hard top this time, but was was wondering if the new zipper-less rear windows makes it any easier to open to put stuff in? I know it'll be more of a hassle than a hard top even with the channels, but with the zippers it was impossible with your hands full. Does anyone open the rear of the soft top regularly to put things in the back or is it still too much hassle?

Also with the JK when you removed the rear window to lower the top you left the "bow" at the bottom of the soft top window in its retainers and it was held in by the rear tailgate - is that still the case with the JL? Every video I've watched of someone removing the JL rear window just throws the entire rear window with the "bow" in the rear of the jeep for storage.

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[stil2low]

Hey All,
Dreaming about ordering a JL sometime this year after having to sell my JK a couple years ago.

On my JK I had the premium soft top and a Tuffy Security Deck - the security deck effectively split the rear storage area in half vertically, which was always a bit annoying since you had to unzip the rear window from 2 sides to access the top half of the storage area.

I thought for that reason I might get a hard top this time, but was was wondering if the new zipper-less rear windows makes it any easier to open to put stuff in? I know it'll be more of a hassle than a hard top even with the channels, but with the zippers it was impossible with your hands full. Does anyone open the rear of the soft top regularly to put things in the back or is it still too much hassle?

Also with the JK when you removed the rear window to lower the top you left the "bow" at the bottom of the soft top window in its retainers and it was held in by the rear tailgate - is that still the case with the JL? Every video I've watched of someone removing the JL rear window just throws the entire rear window with the "bow" in the rear of the jeep for storage.

The new system is so much better than the zippers, and because of it I ordered a soft top only
The new channels system can only be opened with the gate open and have to remove the rear window before removing the sides unlike the JK you could simply unzip a side window to gain access
You left the tail gate bar in on your JK? I always removed mine when I took the window out

 

[Hadoken]

The new system is so much better than the zippers, and because of it I ordered a soft top only
The new channels system can only be opened with the gate open and have to remove the rear window before removing the sides unlike the JK you could simply unzip a side window to gain access
You left the tail gate bar in on your JK? I always removed mine when I took the window out

Yeah on the JK it was held in by the tailgate so I could roll the side and back window into a felt cloth roll. Pop the tailgate bar back in and it took up a lot less space in the back. Hopefully the JL can do the same. I know the side windows are a little harder to “roll” now.

 

[Jebiruph]

Yeah on the JK it was held in by the tailgate so I could roll the side and back window into a felt cloth roll. Pop the tailgate bar back in and it took up a lot less space in the back. Hopefully the JL can do the same. I know the side windows are a little harder to “roll” now.

Releasing the sides and flipping the rear window up over the top is as easy as it looks, but I have not tried it with my hands full. I am still careful to avoid any damage to the plastic. I do put the tailgate back in place and it is held in by the tailgate.

 

[Jondrew]

It’s 100 times easier to open the JL rear soft window. That said, it’s not as easy as a hatchback. And if you’re going to constantly be going in and out you may want to go with the hardtop.

 

[stil2low]

Yeah on the JK it was held in by the tailgate so I could roll the side and back window into a felt cloth roll. Pop the tailgate bar back in and it took up a lot less space in the back. Hopefully the JL can do the same. I know the side windows are a little harder to “roll” now.

I see what your getting at, the rear window still will slide off the tail gate bar like the JK did. I always left my windows at home so I just left the bar attached to the window

 

[Hadoken]

It’s 100 times easier to open the JL rear soft window. That said, it’s not as easy as a hatchback. And if you’re going to constantly be going in and out you may want to go with the hardtop.

Thanks for all of the replies, I have a 18 month old and another on the way in April, but the Jeep wouldn’t be the primary family hauler so I think the soft top would still be doable. Sounds like I need to spend some time at the dealer playing with the new soft top. Unfortunately the closest dealer has 100% hard tops most of the time.

 

[Jondrew]

Also keep in mind the Bestop sunrider for the hard top. You just flip it open and it’s like a giant sunroof. Plus you still have the advantage of a hard top. No hard top panels to store.

 

[Hadoken]

Also keep in mind the Bestop sunrider for the hard top. You just flip it open and it’s like a giant sunroof. Plus you still have the advantage of a hard top. No hard top panels to store.

Yep, if I get a hard top that will be a must have. With the sunriders regular price I can almost order the dual top group for the same price but I feel like I would still want the hard top sunrider.
My only hesitation with the sun rider for hard top is that restricts the open air to the front passengers. Right now that is preferred since my daughter is so young but I can already imagine complaints when she is 4 or 5.

When I had my soft top JK my favorite way to ride was safari mode top with no doors. So I feel like a hard top with no doors would be great for me personally.

 

[Jondrew]

Yep, if I get a hard top that will be a must have. With the sunriders regular price I can almost order the dual top group for the same price but I feel like I would still want the hard top sunrider.
My only hesitation with the sun rider for hard top is that restricts the open air to the front passengers. Right now that is preferred since my daughter is so young but I can already imagine complaints when she is 4 or 5.

When I had my soft top JK my favorite way to ride was safari mode top with no doors. So I feel like a hard top with no doors would be great for me personally.

I thought about dual tops. The hard top would just take up space and never get installed. I like safari mode too

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