Factory soft top tearing; Is this normal?

[Deleted User 38384]

My 2018 Twill top has the exact same issue. I have thought about making an iron on loop out of material used to patch jeans. Mine flaps more than new, but not bad. I have had to reinstall the curved pieces at the end of the bow that makes the fabric line up with the door surrounds. Also when putting it completely down it does not stack up as neatly when the bows were attached.

Yeah that's what I was noticing myself.

Good to see I'm not alone in this boat. Suffering is better with friends!

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[BXFXJeep]

Check out the JK soft top to see how they did it, might have been the same with the TJ, the YJ soft top was a complete ? show

 

[double0762]

The JK had a broad velcro that wrapped around the bar, that's how it kept the canvas attached.

So with the JL canvas coming loose, velcro can be secured to the canvas, then just wrap it around the bar.

It's been over a decade, I can't exactly remember how the velcro was secured to the canvas, maybe sewn on.

Velcro definitely will not work. The adhesive side will not stick to the ribs because of the fabric sewn onto it

 

[Flip]

Hard top options are available. ?

 

[gsbrockman]

Hard top options are available. ?

So is this…..

https://www.mightymendit.com/?mid=1...MI_qq_7trtgwMVu1BHAR1PMAz8EAAYASAAEgKoNvD_BwE

 

[double0762]

So is this…..

https://www.mightymendit.com/?mid=1...MI_qq_7trtgwMVu1BHAR1PMAz8EAAYASAAEgKoNvD_BwE

I will definitely look into it?

 

[Deleted User 38384]

I will definitely look into it?

Definitely let me know what you find. Again it's not super high on my list of things to fix, but at the same time, It would be good to have a more permanent solution squared away early on.

 

[Deleted User 38384]

Hard top options are available. ?

A hardtop is definitely in the future for me, just a long ways away. Like years away.

I was planning on running with the Jeep open for the whole spring and summer and fall here in Texas, and trying to square away a way to be able to run it mostly open next winter, but that's a different topic I guess.

But yeah hard tops, definitely an option, just a pricey one. Would definitely be much better to try and get this fixed, although it's also quite clearly not a game-ender.

 

[Opus]

Hard top options are available. ?

Around here, it's cold enough that all you'd need to do is spray the soft top down with a hose and park it outside for a few hours... instant hard top.

 

[dsgrey]

FWIW, I have the premium top on my 2020 and it has not done this.

I have a 2019 premium top and no issue though he has more miles than mine. My top is down almost constantly from April through October.

 

[Deleted User 38384]

I have a 2019 premium top and no issue though he has more miles than mine. My top is down almost constantly from April through October.

Do you know if the connecting fabric in the premium soft top is the same as the connecting fabric in the base soft top?

If you do take a peek at it, the best way to describe it is like a thicker version of that fabric you put down before you mulch your garden.

It feels like a thicker version of this on my top...

I was under the impression that the only difference between the regular soft top and the premium soft top was the exterior fabric. Maybe it has better quality parts too though? ?

 

[Jeep Wick]

Do you know if the connecting fabric in the premium soft top is the same as the connecting fabric in the base soft top?

If you do take a peek at it, the best way to describe it is like a thicker version of that fabric you put down before you mulch your garden.

It feels like a thicker version of this on my top...

I was under the impression that the only difference between the regular soft top and the premium soft top was the exterior fabric. Maybe it has better quality parts too though? ?

I have limited experience with the base top, but when I helped a friend remove his it was much stiffer than my twill top. I think there is less give and more strain on that material. I also drop my top quite a bit between March and October, I live in the south. It gets lots of use.

 

[BXFXJeep]

Seems Bestop secure the fabric to the bars by screwing the attachment, might be an option

Checkout around the 16 minute mark

 

[OldGuyNewJeep]

This has to be a four door problem, perhaps due to the extra material. My premium top is into year six and is exactly as it was brand new, but I have no a two door.

 

[Deleted User 38384]

Seems Bestop secure the fabric to the bars by screwing the attachment, might be an option

Checkout around the 16 minute mark

The only downside of a fix like this is that I'd have to take it to a seamstress to get it professionally sewn on. At that point I feel like it'd be better to just purchase an aftermarket top.

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