Sponsored

Hard top vs Soft top pros and cons?

rudyr89

Member
First Name
Rudy
Joined
Apr 21, 2022
Threads
3
Messages
20
Reaction score
27
Location
Central Florida
Vehicle(s)
'18 JLU
Hey all, I purchased my JLU last week. It has the black hardtop but I'm REALLY thinking about going with the mopar twill black soft top. Reason being is that we are in Florida. It rains on a daily basis here in the summer. I would love to be able to ride around without the top or safari and when some storms roll in just throw the top on. The versatility of the soft top is really pushing me to that side.

Other than the fact that someone can cut into the soft top are there any other cons you all could think of? The hardtop definitely looks better on the JLU but I'd be willing to trade looks to go topless.


Jeep Wrangler JL Hard top vs Soft top pros and cons? 1651504763965
Sponsored

 

GATORB8

Well-Known Member
First Name
Matt
Joined
May 30, 2021
Threads
19
Messages
7,030
Reaction score
9,082
Location
CLT NC
Vehicle(s)
21 JLURe

oldcjguy

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jim
Joined
Aug 26, 2020
Threads
1
Messages
569
Reaction score
691
Location
Central FL
Vehicle(s)
16 Challenger Hellcat, 19 Challenger Scatpack, 20 JLUR Recon
Occupation
Software Engineer
My JLU is a hard top, but I've owned Jeeps in the past with both hard and soft tops. I'd say get the soft top, you'll love it. They've improved massively over the years. They seal great and wind noise isn't that bad IMHO. I ran a soft top in NJ even in the winter and had no problems. IF you're in a high crime area, just don't leave anything out in plain site. Don't give anyone a reason to break in. I never had a problem though. Criminals know that we know how easy it is to break in. Just like any other convertible out there. Keep the hardtop around for winter travelling or vacation of security is an issue.

BTW I strongly recommend looking at Bestop soft tops. Been around for many years and give you some cool options. Quality is top notch. Better or equal to OEM. The OEM sunrider top option for new jeeps is actually made by Bestop, jeep just limits the warranty (Bestop offers lifetime).
 
OP
OP
rudyr89

rudyr89

Member
First Name
Rudy
Joined
Apr 21, 2022
Threads
3
Messages
20
Reaction score
27
Location
Central Florida
Vehicle(s)
'18 JLU
My JLU is a hard top, but I've owned Jeeps in the past with both hard and soft tops. I'd say get the soft top, you'll love it. They've improved massively over the years. They seal great and wind noise isn't that bad IMHO. I ran a soft top in NJ even in the winter and had no problems. IF you're in a high crime area, just don't leave anything out in plain site. Don't give anyone a reason to break in. I never had a problem though. Criminals know that we know how easy it is to break in. Just like any other convertible out there. Keep the hardtop around for winter travelling or vacation of security is an issue.

BTW I strongly recommend looking at Bestop soft tops. Been around for many years and give you some cool options. Quality is top notch. Better or equal to OEM. The OEM sunrider top option for new jeeps is actually made by Bestop, jeep just limits the warranty (Bestop offers lifetime).
I'm originally from NJ as well. Ran a soft top on our TJ. Pretty much why I want to get back into one.

Jeep Wrangler JL Hard top vs Soft top pros and cons? 1651507069012


I see you're in Central FL as well. I'm out in Clermont.
 

Sponsored

cgagnon99

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2020
Threads
11
Messages
293
Reaction score
294
Location
Maryland
Vehicle(s)
2021 JLU Sport Altitude
I have both a Hard Top & Premium Soft Top in Maryland. I prefer the Hard Top in winter, especially in snow, etc. Plus the soft top windows can get brittle when it's below freezing. However, from April to November my Soft Top is on.

It's SO much faster to open, even just in Sunrider mode.
Noise isn't substantially different from the Hard Top w/ MOPAR headliners

Only cons I have:
- If you don't do the back windows right they could blow out
- MUCH easier to break into
- Since the windows are plastic they can scratch easily.

The sunrider for Hard Top is a great option if you don't want a full open top, but you can't beat having the whole thing open super quick. Plus, putting it up is a matter of seconds if it starts to rain (the back would still get wet but most of the cabin would be dry w/o the windows in)
 

KevinC11

Well-Known Member
First Name
Kevin
Joined
Dec 13, 2021
Threads
7
Messages
396
Reaction score
735
Location
Central Florida
Vehicle(s)
2022 JLU Willys, 2023 JT Mojave
Occupation
Gunsmith/EMT
Central Florida rules - get a soft top.

The hard top is not designed to be taken on and off on a regular basis. Once you take it off, you will not want to put it back on. But while it is off, it will take up a lot of valuable space somewhere around or in your home.

The JL soft top is a modern marvel of technology. It is nothing like your TJ.

I hope Clermont treats you well. Used to fish the lakes often before it became what it is today.

KevinC
 

Rubi SoHo

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2021
Threads
24
Messages
742
Reaction score
1,498
Location
Utah
Vehicle(s)
2021 JLUR-XR
Occupation
Physician
I’m with you. And since you have a hardtop you can get the best of both worlds, just order a soft top, or check Craigslist/Local Classifieds. I just bought a premium softop for my Sting Gray Rubi, from a guy who ordered the dual top option, and then decided he didn’t see himself removing the hardtop. He sold it to me, still sealed in its box, never used, for $1500
 

Fudster

Banned
Banned
Banned
First Name
Elliot
Joined
Mar 9, 2022
Threads
29
Messages
657
Reaction score
673
Location
Athens, GA
Vehicle(s)
2019 Sahara
Although headliners for soft tops are available, I think that the headliners for the hard top are apt to keep the Florida heat out better.

That said, if, as described, your likely to pop the top in hot weather before even cranking, it may not be an issue. I'd recommend a sunshade.

One saving grace is that Wranglers are known for strong climate control systems: heat and air conditioning.
 

Dyolfknip74

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2021
Threads
35
Messages
4,747
Reaction score
8,264
Location
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Vehicle(s)
2021 JLU Rubicon
Central Florida rules - get a soft top.

The hard top is not designed to be taken on and off on a regular basis. Once you take it off, you will not want to put it back on. But while it is off, it will take up a lot of valuable space somewhere around or in your home.

The JL soft top is a modern marvel of technology. It is nothing like your TJ.

I hope Clermont treats you well. Used to fish the lakes often before it became what it is today.

KevinC
It literally is designed to be taken on and off easily. From few screws to the quick disconnect washer fluid and electrical connectors, loads of people take it on and off a lot.
 

Sponsored

Steph1

Well-Known Member
First Name
Steph
Joined
Jul 21, 2021
Threads
27
Messages
1,518
Reaction score
2,084
Location
Quebec, Canada
Vehicle(s)
Jeep JLU , Audi Q5
I've owned Jeeps since the late 80's and some of them with soft top only, and other than when I was a young foolish newbie, I've never had the top open as much as with the sunrider for hadrtop that I currently have on my JL. litterally 5 seconds at the most and it's open or closed.
 

rcadden

Well-Known Member
First Name
Ricky
Joined
May 4, 2021
Threads
85
Messages
2,647
Reaction score
5,581
Location
Fort Worth, TX
Vehicle(s)
2021 Hydro Blue Sahara Altitude
Build Thread
Link
Occupation
Marketing
Clubs
 
Another vote for the sunrider option - best of both worlds, really.

The hard top is super easy to remove - it's 8 bolts and they include a ratchet in the toolkit, and there are little holes to store the bolts under the rear cargo cover. I built a $40 hoist system with ratchet straps in my garage and can remove the top - alone - in about 20 minutes. SUPER easy.

Another thing to think about is that the soft-top on the JLU looks really stupid when fully lowered (IMO). Looks like your Jeep has saggy britches.

Fun fact: Bestop makes the MOPAR soft tops. They're just whitelabeled as MOPAR. Just like the sunrider. You can usually find soft tops on the B/S/T or your local FB Marketplace pretty cheap.
 

KevinC11

Well-Known Member
First Name
Kevin
Joined
Dec 13, 2021
Threads
7
Messages
396
Reaction score
735
Location
Central Florida
Vehicle(s)
2022 JLU Willys, 2023 JT Mojave
Occupation
Gunsmith/EMT
It literally is designed to be taken on and off easily. From few screws to the quick disconnect washer fluid and electrical connectors, loads of people take it on and off a lot.
I didn't say it wasn't easy. For some it may not be, as the weight and balance is something I personally don't like to do alone. The risk of scratching the paint is high.

In Florida it is going to rain on you every afternoon in the summer time. The hard top laying in the yard at your house is not going to help you.

KevinC
 

Glovetown

Well-Known Member
First Name
Darren
Joined
May 22, 2021
Threads
2
Messages
114
Reaction score
174
Location
St Albert,Ab
Vehicle(s)
2021 wrangler
My JLU is a hard top, but I've owned Jeeps in the past with both hard and soft tops. I'd say get the soft top, you'll love it. They've improved massively over the years. They seal great and wind noise isn't that bad IMHO. I ran a soft top in NJ even in the winter and had no problems. IF you're in a high crime area, just don't leave anything out in plain site. Don't give anyone a reason to break in. I never had a problem though. Criminals know that we know how easy it is to break in. Just like any other convertible out there. Keep the hardtop around for winter travelling or vacation of security is an issue.

BTW I strongly recommend looking at Bestop soft tops. Been around for many years and give you some cool options. Quality is top notch. Better or equal to OEM. The OEM sunrider top option for new jeeps is actually made by Bestop, jeep just limits the warranty (Bestop offers lifetime).

Bestop NX works fantastic :)
Sponsored

 
 



Top