2 Door Soft Top

[jhalla920]

I rock a 2 door soft top JL and my only complaint would be limited access to cargo when it’s too cold to flip up the rear window. Once it gets below 30 degrees the window gets really stiff. Had a TJ with a soft top for many years with no complaints as well. Run most warmer months with no windows but top on for shade. Doors and windows off when feasible. JL stays dry, heater cranks, and the top is now zipper free which is a huge plus.

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[The Fixer]

Going on 7 years in Michigan, base soft top only and it’s my only vehicle. Other than the scratches from off-roading and that you can’t really undo the rear window when it’s cold, it’s totally fine.

Totally agree. I've had my JL since 2019 and I'm in the same boat as you - base soft top and it's my only vehicle. Also lives outside 24/7 in the elements. My rear window is a little cloudy after all these years, but the sides are still clear except for some trail pinstripes.

I have to say, @Tiffster if the JL you find has the twill top, in our experience it's a great option. My son just sold his hard top and is running the twill top year round on his '20 JLUR. It's quiet with that extra headliner material and stays very warm inside. My wife just had us install her twill soft top on her '18 JLU Sport S (middle of winter, 42° out today) because she wants to get rid of the hard top and rock the soft top all year as well.

 

[JPAloha]

I have a hard top and full doors on one of my 2 doors and a premium soft top and half doors on the other. Both are great and have their pros and cons.
Hard top advantages:
Can handle wet, heavy snow better.
Able to clean the rear window (wiper and defroster).
Easier to access the rear (mostly a concern in winter months).
Hard top disadvantages:
Heavy/awkward to remove on your own.
Bulky to store if removed.
Soft top advantages:
Lighter.
Premium top is quiet (no experience with regular top material).
Multiple top configurations (fully closed, sunrider open, safari mode, fully down, removed).
Quick to change from one configuration to another.
Soft top disadvantages:
Noisy in strong winds (side windows have a tendency to get blown in/out revealing gaps).
Windows can get scratched (proper storage helps reduce this).

Anyone saying that a hardtop is more secure than a soft top has never seen a brick/rock, etc…glass will break just as easily as plastic can be cut. Ultimately, if you want both tops, wait for a hard top one to be available as retrofitting the rear wiper/washer stalk and wiring can be time consuming (therefore costly if paying someone to do it for you) But is very possible.
As always, when buying a used vehicle, get the lowest mileage, best cared for example you can find. Everything else can be modified to your needs later.

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