Sponsored

Soft top vs Hard top regarding MPG?

Lightsped

Well-Known Member
First Name
David
Joined
Dec 5, 2018
Threads
44
Messages
170
Reaction score
139
Location
Kennesaw/Acworth, Georgia
Vehicle(s)
2021 Willys, 2017 Tacoma Off Road, Honda S2000.
Occupation
Technology Research
Is the hard top heavier enough to lower MPG/accleration on a JL? Specifically on a 2 door, but interested in results on the 4 doors as well.
Sponsored

 

SecondTJ

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 9, 2019
Threads
8
Messages
1,212
Reaction score
1,133
Location
Il
Vehicle(s)
Jeep
Hard top is around 110 lbs.

Itā€™s not heavy enough to significantly influence mpg or acceleration.

I weighed my unlimited hard top, 100 lbs. unpainted, not including freedom tops
 
Last edited:

GreyFox

Well-Known Member
First Name
Brandy
Joined
Oct 11, 2018
Threads
15
Messages
3,059
Reaction score
6,215
Location
Ohio
Vehicle(s)
17 JKU, 19 JL
Too many variables to really tell. Regular soft top vs premium? Top up or down? Location of said Jeep? How does the operator like to drive (i.e. lead footed)? Weather?

But FWIW, I get approximately 24.8 mpg in my stock JL with the regular soft top, in Ohio flat farm country, with the top in Sunrider position most days utilizing cruise control whenever I can. Now, it will be interesting to see what I do get when we head to the Smoky Mountains at the end of October:like:
 

cOtter

Well-Known Member
First Name
Chris
Joined
Aug 6, 2019
Threads
20
Messages
986
Reaction score
2,115
Location
Southern, Indiana
Vehicle(s)
ā€˜20 Sahara 2.0L Ocean Blue Metallic, Toyota Highlander & Pontiac G6 coupe
Occupation
Senior Manager PM (Automotive OEM)
GSM National Park. One of my favorite places on the planet. Me and my family have made 3 trips there this year. Cannot wait to make the trip in my Jeep. Have a great trip!!!! Not sure what part of Ohio you are in. I am in Southern IN. Half way between Indy and Lā€™ville
 

GreyFox

Well-Known Member
First Name
Brandy
Joined
Oct 11, 2018
Threads
15
Messages
3,059
Reaction score
6,215
Location
Ohio
Vehicle(s)
17 JKU, 19 JL
GSM National Park. One of my favorite places on the planet. Me and my family have made 3 trips there this year. Cannot wait to make the trip in my Jeep. Have a great trip!!!! Not sure what part of Ohio you are in. I am in Southern IN. Half way between Indy and Lā€™ville
I'm right next door to Richmond! We also make about 3 trips a year to the Smokys, but this year we haven't been down yet. But we have trips scheduled for October and December. If I could talk my husband into moving to TN, I'd be packing last night:LOL:
 

Sponsored

higbyz

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 7, 2019
Threads
5
Messages
1,505
Reaction score
3,885
Location
vermont
Vehicle(s)
2018 sahara mojito 2.0 - 2020 Sahara Bikini 2.0
Yeah, just normal interstate driving.

Any idea how much the soft top assembly weighs?
We have been running the hard top and average between 27 and 28 mpg ( 4 cyl ,91 0ct non ethanol) Been saving the soft top for next spring . I dont expect much deviation form the 27-28. Its gonna feel like a new car when I pull that soft top out of the shed.
 

Headbarcode

Well-Known Member
First Name
Mike
Joined
Aug 16, 2018
Threads
26
Messages
7,782
Reaction score
17,829
Location
LI, New York
Vehicle(s)
2019 JLUR Stingray 2.0 turbo
Vehicle Showcase
1
Even in the controlled environment of a static wind tunnel, the test results between hard and soft tops would be too small to notice any difference in fuel economy. Assuming that the hard top is heavier than the soft, its more rigid and wind resistant structure would offset that weight difference. Every movement made from the soft top, by the wind current going past it, will create more wind friction and offset its lighter weight.

Next time you're around a typical patio umbrella and its windy enough to be rocking it back and forth, close it just enough that the fabric isn't pulled tight. Note the amount of movement. Than fully open it so the fabric is pulled tight. You'll find it to have considerably less movement because the tight fabric is more resistant to the wind.
 

higbyz

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 7, 2019
Threads
5
Messages
1,505
Reaction score
3,885
Location
vermont
Vehicle(s)
2018 sahara mojito 2.0 - 2020 Sahara Bikini 2.0
Even in the controlled environment of a static wind tunnel, the test results between hard and soft tops would be too small to notice any difference in fuel economy. Assuming that the hard top is heavier than the soft, its more rigid and wind resistant structure would offset that weight difference. Every movement made from the soft top, by the wind current going past it, will create more wind friction and offset its lighter weight.

Next time you're around a typical patio umbrella and its windy enough to be rocking it back and forth, close it just enough that the fabric isn't pulled tight. Note the amount of movement. Than fully open it so the fabric is pulled tight. You'll find it to have considerably less movement because the tight fabric is more resistant to the wind.
Yeah my initial thought, when I saw the post, was that the hard top would produce better mileage due to less friction
 

Headbarcode

Well-Known Member
First Name
Mike
Joined
Aug 16, 2018
Threads
26
Messages
7,782
Reaction score
17,829
Location
LI, New York
Vehicle(s)
2019 JLUR Stingray 2.0 turbo
Vehicle Showcase
1
Yeah my initial thought, when I saw the post, was that the hard top would produce better mileage due to less friction
Assuming again, and further, that the hard top is lighter than the soft top, it would still require the controlled environment of a static wind tunnel to be able to measure the minute difference between the two. The only appreciable difference would be in comparing a 2 door to a 4 door, as far as the OP's initial questioning of fuel economy.
 

Sponsored

Jeepinjack66

Well-Known Member
First Name
Lisa
Joined
Jun 7, 2018
Threads
8
Messages
119
Reaction score
111
Location
Rhode Island
Vehicle(s)
2019 JL Rubicon
Occupation
IT
I'm dying because I'm thinking why is this even a discussion? who drives a wrangler for gas mileage? if you are worrying about mpgs, a wrangler should be your last choice. Someone had to say it :bandit:
 

Pig-Pen

Well-Known Member
First Name
Steve
Joined
May 29, 2018
Threads
80
Messages
3,873
Reaction score
5,971
Location
Eastvale, CA
Vehicle(s)
2018 JLU
Occupation
jabroni
Clubs
 
well, according to Broscience, the hardtop is nice and slick and air just flows over it. while the standard issue soft top is SAILcloth and we all know if you were to put a sail on the jeep it would cause major drag and kill your mpgs.

so im going with mpg worse in soft top. at least the base soft top.

the premium top requires premium fuel, because premium.

therefore, the hard top is the best choice for mpg/value.
 

ar15rifle

Well-Known Member
First Name
Heath
Joined
Aug 22, 2018
Threads
7
Messages
78
Reaction score
65
Location
Kansas
Vehicle(s)
2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon. 2014 Audi A4. 2015 Fiat 500C. 1970 Ford F250
We get a couple of MPGs better with the hard top installed (painted one) than we do with the soft top (premium version). Also, we've found that the ethanol gas in the midwest gets several MPGs lower than the 'normal' gas.
 

Rahneld

Banned
Banned
Banned
First Name
Ronald
Joined
Jan 26, 2019
Threads
62
Messages
1,113
Reaction score
692
Location
Boston
Vehicle(s)
JL Wrangler
;)Whenever I use my soft top I always prop it up halfway to Sunrider position.

It points to the sky.

I always seem to get better MPG with the hard top. Even if it's loaded with gear.

I don't know why.;)
Sponsored

 
 



Top