Max speed with the SOT open?

[Jake21]

Newbie to the JL. Just bought a used Rubi with the SOT roof. I have searched and have not found anything about there being a max speed to run with it open. I don't want to mess up. TIA for info.

Jake

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[BXFXJeep]

Not sure if there is a max speed limit, but I would avoid driving fast with it partially open, the wind seem to catch the folds.

 

[Ratbert]

No max speed. Only a max on opening or closing it.

 

[Cips]

No max speed. Only a max on opening or closing it.

Which I found to be about 60MPH to open.

 

[Ratbert]

Which I found to be about 60MPH to open.

Yep. Or close.

 

[gek]

Won't open or close 60 and over.

I have had mine open at 80mph with no issues. That is a rare occurrence, but it is open all the time at 70 mph with no issues also.

 

[Wbino]

With the two rear windows out it's all good. ?

 

[Jake21]

Thanks guys! Looking forward to much learning here, and contributions in the future. As an owner of a 2000 TJ I bought new, I gotta say I am loving the JL. I might miss the TJ when I sell it, but love the JL Rubi.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

96 is my top so far with it open.

 

[Mgdstar]

Just curious, were the back side windows in and the other four windows opened or closed when doing 96 mph?

 

[tomk62]

I would think that if there were an official max speed, it would be published in the owners manual ...

 

[Heimkehr]

I would think that if there were an official max speed, it would be published in the owners manual ...

Mm. Maybe not.

Consider a scenario where the practical maximum speed of the JLU with the SOT open was demonstrably above the highest legal speed limit in the U.S. at the time the Owner's Manual in question was published. Let's call it 85 MPH. What manufacturer would be willing to court controversy, and/or the unwanted attentions of regulatory agencies, an overzealous media, injured owners (with standing) and/or attorneys eager to cash in on the idea that including that number in the manual was negligent and thus actionable?

Consider that the sheer size of a modern owner's manual is the consequence of our overlawyered and risk-averse culture, as manifested by the endless safety warnings present on almost every page. It's much safer for the OEMs to take a position on official maximum speeds by camouflaging it in the form of the ECU's electronic speed limiter.

I get what you're saying, Tom, but here we are.

 

[tomk62]

Mm. Maybe not.

I hear you. Your argument would then lead me to believe the absence of a published limit suggests any legal speed is safe, since they do give explicit guidance on things like towing weight and "preferred" speed for shifting into 4H or 4L.

 

[pfletcher229648]

No limit that I know of. Rarely have my Wrangler, SOT opened or closed, above 70mph. Have it open everyday and often go 65mph.

 

[BXFXJeep]

All the Wrangler tops are based on using your best judgement, actually the Wrangler itself is the same, abuse at your own risk.

Remember the TJ Hard top had a sticker, this roof is to protect occupants from the elements, it's not designed for safety....or something like that.

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