Anyone folding windshield for cleaning or driving?

[Spacenut]

Is there any benefit to folding the windshield down when cleaning or waxing the Jeep? Any fun driving around with it down? I guess you have to come up with some type of hold down if you are driving above 25mph.

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[Sandevino]

Easier to fold the window down to clean it than move everything out of the way. Use some Velcro straps to hold it down when driving.

 

[zouch]

i don't know about "benefit", but it can be fun if you like the wind in your face.

J*p actually makes straps (82215717) for holding the windshield down to those big black brackets on the hood.

Is there any benefit to folding the windshield down when cleaning or waxing the Jeep? Any fun driving around with it down? I guess you have to come up with some type of hold down if you are driving above 25mph.

 

[Megawatt]

Did it once since 2013. I’m sure cleaning would be easier with the windshield folded down but with my luck I would crack the glass and then wish I didn’t bother.

Driving? Get eye protection or get a ticket. Luckily I have a couple motorcycles for the wind in my face fun.

I think everyone should do it at least once. It is interesting but not for me.

 

[Grandmaster]

Curious why anyone would want to drive with the windshield down? Dirt bikes and 4 wheelers are fun, but not because you are wearing goggles.

I do appreciate the fold down windshield for it's original intended purpose, being able to temporarily fit very long cargo. It's cool that the 4 door could safely transport some 20 foot long 2x12s with the windshield down and the rear window up. Does anyone know how people protect the windshield from the weight of the wood in these scenarios?

 

[Spacenut]

I thought it might be handy for cleaning under it and lubricating seals too.

 

[Ratbert]

I do appreciate the fold down windshield for it's original intended purpose, being able to temporarily fit very long cargo.

The original purpose was to be able to fit the Jeep in a crate.

 

[Grandmaster]

The original purpose was to be able to fit the Jeep in a crate.

You're right. I remember reading that before. I don't know where my imagination pulled that from.

 

[RatZero]

I've put the windsheild down a few times when driving at the beach but driving anything faster than city speeds is rough on the face.

Otherwise, I've done it when doing the complete cleaning bookending the top down season. Couple bolts and you're done, rest it on a pool noodle to be safe. Also a good time to clean the seals and really get the dash top cleaned and the vents Swiffered out.

 

[Alan_Hepburn]

Also made it easy to install the 106mm recoilless rifle in the M151s we used, which got replaced by the TOW missile system...

 

[runningshoes]

Monday I've got Gerber coming over to replace the windshield the 3rd time in less than a year after going 6 years without a scratch. Maybe I should drop the windshield and put on the motorcycle helmet....

 

[GabeBoyTheGreat]

For me, there is a tier list for how much open air I want depending on the temperature. It looks something like this:
1. 60 - 70 deg: Sunrider top open
2. 70 - 80 deg: soft top fully open
3. 80+ deg: soft top fully open, doors off

My list assumes that the sun is out; cloudy days means the air temperature needs to be warmer. This also assumes that I am commuting around 55 MPH.

So when I like to have my windshield down is 90+ deg, but I would only do it driving around town, so we are talking 25 - 35 MPH. At this speed, even with the doors off, there is not enough airflow to combat the heat, but folding the windshield downs helps tremendously, and I don't think it is too much wind in the face at these speeds.

I usually only encounter these conditions at the beach, where speed limits are generally slower, the heat is generally hotter, and there is usually a bit of a natural breeze which helps keep you cool when at a complete stop.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

Another reason the original Jeeps through the M151s had folding windshields was to eliminate glare that gave the position of the vehicle away to the enemy.

I folded mine one to condition the seals and clean the area. It looks goofy with the windshield folded. Not the clean look of the TJs and older models.

 

[Reinen]

Folding the windshield down is very convenient for installing things on the top of the dash.

As for driving, do it once and you'll very quickly realize why windshields exist. Your face will be fully subject to all dust, bugs and small rocks. You'll often have to resort to a personal windshield, i.e. goggles or a full face helmet.

 

[Odyssey USA]

I’ve dropped mine before for some reason I don’t recall. It may have been to get something out of the crack but I know I looked to see if the PDR guy could get access because I had something kick up from someone’s tire and out a small dent in the frame. He ended up using a some kind of adhesive he had to pull most of the dent out. Anyway, I cleaned while in there and figure I could do that once in a while for deep cleanings. You could put some wax in there to help dust and dirt to roll out with washings if it got there in the first place.

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