Another Soft Top Question - driving with the rear window removed

[Slate]

In my TJ I was used to removing, or at least unzipping the rear window and I would often just lay it down on the back seat. I read a post here where a guy lost one of his rear panel windows - not sure what year his was and if they fixed that issue. It can get really hot here, almost too hot to lower the top down, so I really like to be able to "safari" style, but I also like the security of being able to put that rear window back up when we go in the store or restaurant, etc.

Curious if anyone drives around with the rear window removed and if the side windows will stay secure. I realize the rear window has the slats that slide into the side windows and helps to keep them snugged in, but was hoping there was a way to remove the rear without having to also remove the rear side windows?

FYI, I don't think I would go on the highway like this, but probably up to 55-60 MPH heading into town, etc.

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[Slate]

Good grief, I tried searching for the answer and nothing relevant came up, but as soon as I made this post then the "Similiar Threads" had several. Will review, but they seem to be several years old, so not sure if there was a design update.

 

[Opus]

I bought a cheap after-market bag for the soft-top windows off of Amazon. I usually store it and the windows in the garage when I go Safari style in the summer, but the bag would fit standing up behind the seats if I ever wanted to take them with me.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0923YJJZ3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

MOPAR makes an OEM one as well.

 

[Slate]

Right, I have the bag as well, I think I got that less expensive one on Amazon as well. Works great!

But, do you leave the side windows in and drive with the rear window in the bag?

 

[rk911]

I drive my '23 JL 'safari style' spring thru fall. I generally remove all the windows, not just the rear, but I have driven with just the rear out and both side windows remained secure. I bought a nice storage bag which remains in the garage. So far, I've found it much easier to remove/install the JL windows than the TJ windows.

 

[Opus]

Right, I have the bag as well, I think I got that less expensive one on Amazon as well. Works great!

But, do you leave the side windows in and drive with the rear window in the bag?

No. When I'm ready to pull the windows I pull all three and put on a fabric tonneau cover.

I've also heard some horror stories about windows blowing out on the highway. I think it's possible depending on air speed, pressure and direction. But I wonder how many of those stories were due to operator error of not having the side windows properly seated.

 

[dsgrey]

I've never tried it but wondered. I'd be worried about the side windows blowing out at highway speeds.

 

[mrtm1970]

No. When I'm ready to pull the windows I pull all three and put on a fabric tonneau cover.

I've also heard some horror stories about windows blowing out on the highway. I think it's possible depending on air speed, pressure and direction. But I wonder how many of those stories were due to operator error of not having the side windows properly seated.

Those stories all happened at highway speeds. Makes sense as because we all know from uninstalling and re-installing the side panels, the rear pillar section does not always play nicely and the bottom tab does move out of the underclip...then with added air/sidewinds when driving at highway speeds, I can see them getting pulled out of the tab even easier.

I do remember reading some said a solution was a bungie from one side window to the other or drilling a hole through that clip area (through both side panel clip and the tab it goes under and either screwing it together or a pin doing the same.

 

[yokramer]

Personally wouldnt trust it, just take all 3 out and run Safari mode

 

[Slate]

I drive my '23 JL 'safari style' spring thru fall. I generally remove all the windows, not just the rear, but I have driven with just the rear out and both side windows remained secure. I bought a nice storage bag which remains in the garage. So far, I've found it much easier to remove/install the JL windows than the TJ windows.

Thanks! That is what I was looking for. The side windows "feel" secure, but would hate for it to come loose and fly off, if it didn't have the rear window pulling the rear sides taut.

 

[Slate]

No. When I'm ready to pull the windows I pull all three and put on a fabric tonneau cover.

I've also heard some horror stories about windows blowing out on the highway. I think it's possible depending on air speed, pressure and direction. But I wonder how many of those stories were due to operator error of not having the side windows properly seated.

That is exactly what I am worried about. Although the windows are easier and faster to get in and out as compared to the zippered TJ, they certainly aren't as secure as a zipper.

There were at least a couple of folks on here whose rear side windows blew out. I think one guy drilled a hole through the rear corner body mount and used a zip tie to keep it tight. Not sure I want to mess with that, but I really want to be able to remove the rear window, keep the top up (safari style), and also keep the rear side windows in place.

 

[Opus]

That is exactly what I am worried about. Although the windows are easier and faster to get in and out as compared to the zippered TJ, they certainly aren't as secure as a zipper.

There were at least a couple of folks on here whose rear side windows blew out. I think one guy drilled a hole through the rear corner body mount and used a zip tie to keep it tight. Not sure I want to mess with that, but I really want to be able to remove the rear window, keep the top up (safari style), and also keep the rear windows in place.

Is there a particular reason you want to keep the side windows on?

 

[Heimkehr]

The side windows "feel" secure, but would hate for it to come loose and fly off, if it didn't have the rear window pulling the rear sides taut.

My salesman cautioned against driving a JL-generation soft top with just the rear window removed. My self-study of the design, paired with anecdotal owner reports of lost side panels when driving, seem to confirm his saying that the rear window helps to retain the side window panels when all three are in place.

It's not for nothing that female channels on the vertical stiffener pieces of the side windows work in conjunction with the corresponding male tabs on each side of the rear window. That's just as you suggest in the quoted post. ?

I too miss the ability to remove or roll up just the rear window panel, as I frequently did when I owned my YJ (the soft top on which was expressly designed to allow that function.) While the JL's soft top design is a better one in many ways, the loss of a safely removable (in isolation) rear window is perhaps its one shortcoming.

 

[Slate]

Is there a particular reason you want to keep the side windows on?

Mainly convenience and speed. Regarding the TJ rear window, I wouldn't even remove it or remove it from that bottom bar, just unzip it to one side and then lay it down on the rear seat. It didn't take much longer than zipping up your coat. Then I didn't have to mess with the rear side windows, etc.

On the JL, with the kids in the back and possibly groceries and other stuff in the back, it would be faster if I could fold the rear out of the way, but I realize it isn't designed like the TJ which had a double-ended zipper. The TJ, and I guess the YJ, was designed to roll UP and had straps to hold it out of the way but I never did that as I was afraid of scratching it.

I realize it isn't that long to remove the rear sides, it is certainly faster, for me, to remove them, than install them, but would prefer to leave them be and just remove that rear, get to my destination, reinstall it (for "security" and mainly prying eyes) and go about my day.

In a separate but similar angst, getting anything tall in the rear trunk means you have to remove the rear window anyway.

 

[Heimkehr]

In a separate but similar angst, getting anything tall in the rear trunk means you have to remove the rear window anyway.

That's not compulsory. Just undo the bottom bar and side tabs, and fold the window panel up on the top. Reconnect things when done. ?

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