Dual Top or Soft Top Only?

[Steevr]

Looking at ordering our first Wrangler with the dual top option. We plan on taking off the doors a lot during the summer. With the soft top down and the doors removed, is there still some kind of trim that the soft top attaches to by the rear doors that needs to be removed? We originally thought of ordering only the hardtop and hoisting it off in the garage during nice days including taking the doors off. We like the nice clean look with no top at all with the doors off. Thanks.

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[misanthrope]

Looking at ordering our first Wrangler with the dual top option. We plan on taking off the doors a lot during the summer. With the soft top down and the doors removed, is there still some kind of trim that the soft top attaches to by the rear doors that needs to be removed? We originally thought of ordering only the hardtop and hoisting it off in the garage during nice days including taking the doors off. We like the nice clean look with no top at all with the doors off. Thanks.

There is some weather stripping at the B-pillar (or C-pillar on the 4 door) and along the roof line that seals the soft top and the back windows to the doors, which you could leave in place when taking the doors off (which might look awkward/unsightly) or could remove with the doors (but I am unsure as to the effect on aerodynamics or road noise without these upper and rear seals.) I think the biggest issue would be with doors off, weatherstripping removed and attempting to keep the rear side windows installed. If you're just looking to raise and lower the top with the doors off and not use the rear side windows at all or the back window, I think it would be a non issue. This is possible now with the new "safari" configuration.
Perhaps a JK owner could chime in with the old set up that they may be more familiar with, but without the zippers I think all of the variables have changed.

Edit: after viewing a few videos, it seems like the soft top is dependent upon the top rail for a pivot/seal point, so removing that would make the soft top inoperable. If you were removing it altogether, say to use a bikini or other aftermarket add-on, this would work.

 

[Four Flusher]

I'd like to know how difficult it will be to remove the soft top? I'm just not a fan of the "safari top" that extends past rear seats, to me it looks weird.

 

[misanthrope]

I'd like to know how difficult it will be to remove the soft top? I'm just not a fan of the "safari top" that extends past rear seats, to me it looks weird.

It's interesting how little info there is out there about complete removal of the soft top and support rails/weather stripping. I can't even find a video with the doors off and the top down to see how it will look...

 

[Steevr]

It's interesting how little info there is out there about complete removal of the soft top and support rails/weather stripping. I can't even find a video with the doors off and the top down to see how it will look...

That’s exactly what I was looking for and couldn’t find anything either. Hopefully someone will have a video of that soon.

 

[passingnotes]

soft top only, premium, and i’m in new england - no worries. new design looks awesome. if i need a hard top, i’m going to wait for an update on the smittybilt safari top, it looks awesome.

 

[misanthrope]

soft top only, premium, and i’m in new england - no worries. new design looks awesome. if i need a hard top, i’m going to wait for an update on the smittybilt safari top, it looks awesome.

What do you do about rear defrost and rear wipers/washer? Also, are you going to Station, or the other one outside Taunton? (Central in Raynham)

 

[txroamer]

Premium soft top only for me. I had dual tops on my JK and the hard top came off after the first week and spent the next 5 years in the garage. Just never needed it. And so much easier to go topless if the decision is made when you’re already down the road a ways...

 

[passingnotes]

What do you do about rear defrost and rear wipers/washer? Also, are you going to Station, or the other one outside Taunton? (Central in Raynham)

not sure about defrost! and i’m north shore, got an awesome deal across the border at foss jeep near portsmouth area (essex i think), ask for jorge! i believe i’m circa 5.5 percent below on price

 

[Jeepsterfreak]

It's interesting how little info there is out there about complete removal of the soft top and support rails/weather stripping. I can't even find a video with the doors off and the top down to see how it will look...

The owner's manual covers removal and installation of soft top starting on page 84.

 

[Chicago]

The owner's manual covers removal and installation of soft top starting on page 84.

I just bought a Rubicon with body color duel top

 

[misanthrope]

I just bought a Rubicon with body color duel top

Yeah, only after I pointed out that you hadn't...

 

[misanthrope]

With the improvements to the soft top, is anyone considering going soft top only vs dual top?
I'm curious how difficult the newly designed soft top is to remove for hard top install.
Any insight is appreciated...

Thanks!

In a different thread another poster pointed out that you cannot rent a trailer with only a soft top, which I didn't know. If renting from UHaul or similar is a factor, then you will need at least the hard top.

 

[Chicago]

Yeah, only after I pointed out that you hadn't...

Yes 1100 more

 

[BlackRook]

Resurrecting an older thread with a new question on the topic. I'm leaning heavily toward going prem soft top only, as I'm not worried about the winter (blast furnace heater in the jeep coupled with parking in a garage) and the fact that the standard hard top doesn't really seem much quieter.

But, with the apparent popularity of the hard top AND the lack of plumbing for one if you don't order the hard top from the factory, would I be better off getting the dual top group for resale value in 5-10 years?

I know, you don't buy a vehicle for resale, but if a small change can positively impact resale without diminishing the ownership experience, seems like a smart move, no?

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