Difference between regular and premium soft top when building a Wrangler online?

[Norvak]

I tried searching for this answer but only really found WTB and WTS adds.

What is the difference between the regular soft top and the premium when building a Wrangler online? I can't find many videos on youtube comparing the differences between the base and premium tops? Is one quieter on the highway? Does the premium hold up better to bad weather? If buying a new jeep should I worry about this option or just buy an aftermarket one?

Thanks!

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[WilhelmSR]

I tried searching for this answer but only really found WTB and WTS adds.

What is the difference between the regular soft top and the premium when building a Wrangler online? I can't find many videos on youtube comparing the differences between the base and premium tops? Is one quieter on the highway? Does the premium hold up better to bad weather? If buying a new jeep should I worry about this option or just buy an aftermarket one?

Thanks!

Basically it's like vinyl vs cloth. As some that has had owned both. The premium is literally premium. Cuts down on road and wind noise. 100% would buy it again. Can also go to any local dealer and check out the difference, it's night and day.

 

[WilhelmSR]

Forgot to add, best aftermarket is Bestop but Bestop makes the soft tops for Jeep

 

[Norvak]

Basically it's like vinyl vs cloth. As some that has had owned both. The premium is literally premium. Cuts down on road and wind noise. 100% would buy it again. Can also go to any local dealer and check out the difference, it's night and day.

Thanks for the quick reply!

 

[Marine2146]

The premium is black twill, looks like fabric.
I found a brand new in the box mopar premium soft top on FB the other day. I wanted the mopar over the bestop. The mopar top has better header latch handles (IMO), quick release pins on the guide rails on the door surrounds to take the top off, and it has a one-handed fold down operation in the rear. I’ve also heard the rear windows aren’t interchangeable between bestop and mopar but I can’t confirm that.
I still need a Jeep to put it on though…

 

[Bren]

I don’t think I’ve seen a JL with the standard soft top, which is like vinyl. The premium is a cloth. Premium is a darker black, nicer to the touch, ages better (vinyl fades) and is thicker / better insulated. A must-have I’d say.

 

[WilhelmSR]

These post can also help

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/standard-soft-top-frame-vs-premium-top-frame.15094/

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...oft-top-vs-regular-soft-top-differences.6212/

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...ence-between-the-two-factory-soft-tops.30738/

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/premium-or-standard-soft-top.7350/

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/premium-vs-non-premium-soft-top.3748/

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...e-between-premium-soft-top-and-regular.15027/

 

[Marine2146]

I tried searching for this answer but only really found WTB and WTS adds.

What is the difference between the regular soft top and the premium when building a Wrangler online? I can't find many videos on youtube comparing the differences between the base and premium tops? Is one quieter on the highway? Does the premium hold up better to bad weather? If buying a new jeep should I worry about this option or just buy an aftermarket one?

Thanks!

I don’t know if you’re looking at getting a hardtop to start with, but if you are here’s a good video on the difference between bestop and Mopar. It also goes over the different Materials for the tops.

 

[Jjirish]

With my 20 rubi, it came with standard top. Lightweight, not any noisier that i can really tell.... im spoiled and im fine with it. If i was ordering a jeep, i might go premium as i have in the past... but honestly, i like how much easier the basic one is to fold and mess with. No leaks. Didn't notice any difference in the clamps on the windshield either.

 

[Ridgway Jeeper]

I have the standard top. looks good, works good, can't imagine spending and extra $600 for something that is a wear item. Mine sits in the garage most of the time anyway.

 

[Norvak]

So many good responses! We drive highway with the family maybe once a month. I could probably get away with the standard vinyl, but I like the idea of the cloth type design better. My old 91 Mustang had a vinyl top that did not fair well in the Oklahoma weather.

I’m steering away from hard tops because of the sometimes spontaneous rain storms we have here.

 

[The Fixer]

Here's a pic with two Jeeps together. The Mojito JL has the standard top. It's a grayish-black, canvas-type material, and only a single layer so you see the white inside of the canvas top.

The Firecracker Red JLU has the premium top. It's dark black, made from a very nice cloth-type material, and double layered with a headliner on the inside. On the road, the premium is definitely quieter with respect to road noise.

My son and I swap the premium top onto the JLU in April, and it stays on until November-ish when we put the hard top back on for winter. My JL has just the standard soft top year round, through snow and everything. Both are really watertight and neither one has an issue with leaks.

 

[Heimkehr]

I've the sailcloth (i.e., standard) soft top on my Wrangler, and I'll be the first to say that the premium soft top has a rich appearance that befits its description.

The only demerit I can mention is that, based on my own anecdotal observations, the premium soft top may eventually and visibly sag when the vehicle (specifically, the JLU) is parked out doors. This is most evident on the portion of the roof over the cargo area. Most recently, this was seen on a 2018 Sahara for sale at a local dealer from whom we've purchased several vehicles.

Possibly, the heavier cloth material in the premium top comes with a penalty as it concerns prolonged exposure to soaking rains and/or snow loads, both of which are sure things here in the Northeast.

I've not seen the same occurrence on standard-soft top JL Wranglers...and I do look for it, particularly when I know the provenance of the Jeeps, such as when asking about a used one on a dealer's lot.

 

[Bestop]

The Twill or Premium option is acrylic as opposed to vinyl. The Twill or Premium is a deeper black, better insulator against heat and sound, is easier to clean, resists fading longer, and is generally easier to work with. If you have it in the budget, the upgrade is well worth the expense.

Lee
- the Bestop team
www.bestop.com

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