Factory Soft Top negatives?

[Fourthandlong5]

You can't convince me that a top that looks like this when it folds "down" is an improvement over the JK soft top ?

Agreed. This is one of my biggest complaints with the JL top. Its bulking looking when lowered and doesn't collapse as nicely as the JK top did. Also cant run it with only the rear window removed as the corner pieces want to fall out (unless they finally added the strap/snap on the corners like they have on the Trektop). After running a twill OEM top for 2 summers, i sold it and opted for the Bestop Trektop NX. I like the profile better then the bulky OEM top and I don't need it all the way down to enjoy the open air besides loving the bikini look with the rear/side windows out. That being said the OEM JL top is probably the best and easiest factory top Jeep ever made and I've used a lot of them, YJ, TJ, JK and aftermarket Bestop options, I just don't care for the look as much - up or down.

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[flyer92]

"Noisy" is subjective, so coming from years of CJ and TJ ownership, I don't notice any appreciable noise or flapping with the standard JL soft top. While I like the top's design and function, I am still quite concerned about ongoing complaints of side windows blowing out at highway speeds. This hasn't happened to me yet, but I can see how this could be a design issue. Still think zippers are the most secure way to go.

All that said, I drive for most of the year in safari mode anyway, so the windows stay tucked away in their storage bag. I never had any issues with loading/unloading anything from the tailgate with the windows installed either. 99% of the time, I just slide everything under the rear window without pulling it up. The remaining 1% only requires about 10 seconds to flip up, and another 10 seconds to secure. All told, that requires less than one minute per year, which I can easily fit into my busy schedule.

Yes, the plastic windows scratch easily and always have, but this isn't just a Jeep thing. I've owned convertibles since the 70's, and it happens to them all. Just care for the windows properly and try not freak out too badly when you get your first scratch. It's gonna happen, so just accept it and focus on your awesome lift, sweet rim/tire combo, or angry bird grille.

BTW...Plexus is the best cleaner for those windows and can even make smaller scratches less noticeable. Happy Jeepin'!

 

[Cutterone]

Best thing I did is retain the box the windows came in, including the paper separating the windows. I run safari mode a lot in summer and the windows stay perfect in their box which tucks perfectly under the hardtop sitting on a scaffold in garage

 

[gregus73]

Have been using the JL soft top for over a month…..really like it a lot. The hard top sits in my garage on a Quadratec stand.

It is noisy on freeways when up compared to the hardtop with headliner.
Love safari mode, and my wife really enjoys when I put the top all of the way down. Next got to get the half doors.

Reminds me how much I loved my TJ with the soft top.
Figure that I will keep the soft top on year round. Live in northern California where it snows about twice per year in the Sierra Nevada foothills.

 

[Grooster]

Having driven with the soft top at 75 mph in crosswinds for an extended period of time, I can only believe that the side windows would/could blow out only if the door windows were down. Nothing flaps with the windows up and the A/C blowing cold. Seems to me that you'd want the sides off and stored if you're driving at speed with the windows down. It's all about air pressure and buffeting. And yes, Safari mode rocks...

 

[Themallcrawler]

You can't convince me that a top that looks like this when it folds "down" is an improvement over the JK soft top ?

Exactly this. Are there ANY 3rd party options that will help to make the soft-top JLs look less awful folded down?

 

[Themallcrawler]

Disagree completely, the JK soft top folded totally out of the way.

God this looks so much better. I've been trying to find any solution for JLs that bring the soft top back to their former JK glory, and I can't find anything.

 

[Themallcrawler]

There are options to clean it up. The JL top is hands down an improvement over the JK. No zippers is a pretty big improvement alone. Look at my pic. Pretty damn clean looking

Do you have a 3rd party mod on the top there? Is that some type of bag over it?

 

[BrierPatch]

Do you have a 3rd party mod on the top there? Is that some type of bag over it?

I'm pretty sure it's the smittybuilt boot. It's what I use and it does help clean it up and makes it much more acceptable to me. I also like that it works as a dust cover so my top doesn't get full of dust.

I do agree that the folded soft top was a negative switching to the JL. That's why it was so hard to see a picture of what the new JL looked like with the soft top folded down. All the marketing material always showed it with the top completely removed. Jeep even knew it looked bad.

 

[TheNewGuy]

I'm pretty sure it's the smittybuilt boot. It's what I use and it does help clean it up and makes it much more acceptable to me. I also like that it works as a dust cover so my top doesn't get full of dust.

I do agree that the folded soft top was a negative switching to the JL. That's why it was so hard to see a picture of what the new JL looked like with the soft top folded down. All the marketing material always showed it with the top completely removed. Jeep even knew it looked bad.

Or the marketing materials actually showed the hardtop removed ?‍

 

[Themallcrawler]

I'm pretty sure it's the smittybuilt boot. It's what I use and it does help clean it up and makes it much more acceptable to me. I also like that it works as a dust cover so my top doesn't get full of dust.

Is it this?

https://www.smittybilt.com/product-skus/smittybilt-soft-top-storage-boot-black-diamond-700235/

 

[BrierPatch]

Is it this?

https://www.smittybilt.com/product-skus/smittybilt-soft-top-storage-boot-black-diamond-700235/

Yes, that is exactly what I have. I do have the 4 door JL. Not sure if there is a different one for the 2 door.

 

[Murphydog]

Summer finally arrived here in the PNW so I made the switch to the soft top. I am fortunate enough to have a roomy garage and am able to hoist the hard top up and out of the way.
Soft top and hardware went on way easier that the first time - I didn't scratch the roll bar this time!

Side note, with the hoist I have taking the hard top off and on is pretty dang easy. The appeal to the soft top of course is being able to cover up should the weather change, and I am looking forward to to the expanded Sunrider position the soft top offers.

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