Is open Jeep a dying art?

[Reinen]

Just so everyone understands, sometimes the image of going naked does not match the reality. I don't go naked because this is my reality.

This isn't dirt, not mud. It's super fine talc-like desert dust. It happens all the time, just takes an hour or two of wheeling. There's enough on the tail light alone to make a pile 1" high. Without a top it would be piling up everywhere, eventually filling up the entire Jeep while I violently hack it out of my lungs. No matter who you are after a couple miles of this, you are now a brown person. There's no avoiding it, except with a top. Much better to just clean your air filters. Not all top-up people are crazy.

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[NewJLU2019]

Just so everyone understands, sometimes the image of going naked does not match the reality. I don't go naked because this is my reality.

This isn't dirt, not mud. It's super fine talc-like desert dust. It happens all the time, just takes an hour or two of wheeling. There's enough on the tail light alone to make a pile 1" high. Without a top it would be piling up everywhere, eventually filling up the entire Jeep while I violently hack it out of my lungs. No matter who you are after a couple miles of this, you are now a brown person. There's no avoiding it, except with a top. Much better to just clean your air filters. Not all top-up people are crazy.

Please pick your spots for NAKED!!

Please pick your spots for Fully Dressed!!!

I am sure some Wiseman (Jeeper) said that somewhere down the line!!

 

[Austin23]

Top Down and Radio Up. Nothing better!

 

[ELJeffe77]

Congrats!

Having just the freedom panels off is like a windier version of a sunroof (because there’s no deflector). Having the top off is like a bigger sunroof. A sunshade makes a huge difference with wind (not as much wind), and makes it a tad quieter. It also keeps you from frying in the sun. Get one.

The doors make a huge difference. 35 and below it’s mostly road noise. It’s fun and you can still have a convo and listen to the radio. On the highway it’s assault from wind and trucks. You won’t be having any casual conversations or listening to your crime podcast. You’ll have to communicate with your significant other through loving glances or shouting, “WHAT???” at each other.

Thanks, I appreciate the detailed response!

 

[NewJLU2019]

Thanks, I appreciate the detailed response!

Differently get sunshade. Few out there. This one is Spiderweb Shade.
Some might still use Bungee with Balls to attach. This one use these mounts for better look and fit.

 

[Richtor]

Just because we can doesn't mean we have to.

Then why get the JL. There are plenty of other SUV’s and Trucks to choose from.

 

[YenBoon]

Then why get the JL. There are plenty of other SUV’s and Trucks to choose from.

Why gatekeep the JL? Some people love the way they look.

 

[gato]

Then why get the JL. There are plenty of other SUV’s and Trucks to choose from.

It is the most off-road worthy Jeep, and the ones with the most aftermarket support.

If Jeep put beefy solid axles, large fenders, winch-capable steel bumpers, sway-disconnects, lockers and 35" tires on a Grand Cherokee I'd pick that in a heart beat over the Wrangler.

I still miss my WJ/ZJ.

 

[m(a)ce]

dropped the windshield today!

 

[beachbumm78]

Just so everyone understands, sometimes the image of going naked does not match the reality. I don't go naked because this is my reality.

This isn't dirt, not mud. It's super fine talc-like desert dust. It happens all the time, just takes an hour or two of wheeling. There's enough on the tail light alone to make a pile 1" high. Without a top it would be piling up everywhere, eventually filling up the entire Jeep while I violently hack it out of my lungs. No matter who you are after a couple miles of this, you are now a brown person. There's no avoiding it, except with a top. Much better to just clean your air filters. Not all top-up people are crazy.

Yep!! I have to drive to work down an 8-mile dirt road. This desert dust gets in everywhere…even with the top and doors on. Without it (I tried it) it took 3 hours to clean it out snd I still missed some spots.
so long as I work there I’ll only Put my top back when putzing around.

 

[grimmjeeper]

Way back when, Jeep made the Dakar concept Jeep. https://www.allpar.com/threads/1997-jeep-dakar-concept-car-the-first-four-door-wrangler.228874/

I would absolutely love to have a full load bearing steel body that could take a rack and all that stuff.

Jeep would sell the crap out of this if they made one. Do all the design work on the open top forst. Then make a full body that shares a bunch with the open top.

 

[Reinen]

Yep!! I have to drive to work down an 8-mile dirt road. This desert dust gets in everywhere…even with the top and doors on. Without it (I tried it) it took 3 hours to clean it out snd I still missed some spots.
so long as I work there I’ll only Put my top back when putzing around.

You know it! Between the inevitable massive quantities of dust, sun and heat of the summer, then the massive quantities of snow we get in the winter, my solar reflecting white hard top is a permanent thing.

What about spring & fall, you say? They only last about 1-2 weeks each. It just flips between full-on winter and full-on summer like a light switch. Not worth the effort to go naked for such a short time.

 

[XJfanatic]

Just so everyone understands, sometimes the image of going naked does not match the reality. I don't go naked because this is my reality.

This isn't dirt, not mud. It's super fine talc-like desert dust. It happens all the time, just takes an hour or two of wheeling. There's enough on the tail light alone to make a pile 1" high. Without a top it would be piling up everywhere, eventually filling up the entire Jeep while I violently hack it out of my lungs. No matter who you are after a couple miles of this, you are now a brown person. There's no avoiding it, except with a top. Much better to just clean your air filters. Not all top-up people are crazy.

Yes desert moon dust sucks. I have seen hmmwv’s disappear to the hood in it. That being said I inhaled a lot of it as a M113 driver, along with Detroit Diesel exhaust.

I will say it’s not much fun to clean out that fine dust though. But to me I wouldn’t have it any other way for wheeling visibility.

 

[beachbumm78]

You know it! Between the inevitable massive quantities of dust, sun and heat of the summer, then the massive quantities of snow we get in the winter, my solar reflecting white hard top is a permanent thing.

What about spring & fall, you say? They only last about 1-2 weeks each. It just flips between full-on winter and full-on summer like a light switch. Not worth the effort to go naked for such a short time.

I can imagine!! Down here it’s nice for a short time but the dust. I have a soft top so it’s pretty easy to flip it back on good days. At least you can remove freedom panels for those short weeks between.

 

[RoadiJeff]

Then why get the JL. There are plenty of other SUV’s and Trucks to choose from.

My wife wanted one for whatever reason - she says she likes the styling - and since she's making the $525/mo payments I figure she can buy whatever she wants for whatever reason. She has a '20 Recon (the one in my profile pic) and has never driven it off-road, never removed the top or doors and most likely never will. Again, she's making the payments and it's her choice.

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