Never knew this about fold down windshield!?

[Rubi SoHo]

That's the only time I've folded mine down. I have my switch panel wiring running under my windshield because the usual grommet pass through people use is taken up by the master cylinder.

Also a note for everyone to check their windshield bolts every once and a while. They tend to loosen up over time and you get a rattle that sounds like it's coming from the dash.

OMG, you just saved me a ton of time. I’ve been having an annoying rattle from the passenger side near the dash/windshield. I was literally planning on taking the dashboard down today to troubleshoot it. Never even considered that hardware, but the bolt closest to the passenger side a pillar was several turns loose. I nipped it up, and my rattle is gone!

Seriously, thanks for the advice!

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[au176]

I flip mine down to install/remove the sunshade, it also makes cleaning the windshield super easy. Then a couple times a year when she gets a good detailing.

Yep- this. IMHO, JL looks goofy with the windshield down, rollcage and all. Plus, you have to R&R the wiper arms. I drove like this once. Not worth it to me, except for the few reasons that some mentioned. (photography, slow ride through the woods, etc)

I do LOVE how clean I can get the inside of the windshield with it down. I do that a couple times a year when I R&R the hard top seasonally.

 

[SadRobot]

OMG, you just saved me a ton of time. I’ve been having an annoying rattle from the passenger side near the dash/windshield. I was literally planning on taking the dashboard down today to troubleshoot it. Never even considered that hardware, but the bolt closest to the passenger side a pillar was several turns loose. I nipped it up, and my rattle is gone!

Seriously, thanks for the advice!

Happy to hear that was the fix!

 

[XJConvert]

Folded it down once to watch fireworks. Kind of nice for that. Probably never again though. Honestly if they had a solid roof and non-detachable doors that'd be fine by me. Of course, others really like all the removable stuff.

that's where i am too; i'd love a modern XJ with rubi or 24+ willys stuff (axles, suspension, wheels, tires, etc). so here i am in a willys lol.

Of course, I'd also love a TJ w/ removable stuff, 4.0, manual as a second vehicle

 

[Kracka]

I agree that it's a relatively pointless, extremely rarely used feature, but less broken windshields?

Fixed would allow for more angle and curve vs. straight up and flat.

 

[Camaroboi13]

That looks as useful as a screen door on a submarine.

I use mine all the time

 

[Ratbert]

Fixed would allow for more angle and curve vs. straight up and flat.

That's a fundamental design characteristic that separates it from otherwise similar looking vehicles.

 

[pnut]

Just a disclaimer here. I will probably never fold down my windshield. I think it's cool that it's a heritage carry-over, but the reality is that the difficulty in doing so, and that frame/rollbar are still present, just doesn't warrant the effort on my part.

Now back on topic... I just saw a picture today for the first time of one folded down on a Jeep that has ACC. Never knew there was a huge box that stays put and that you get a factory cover that must be put in place to protect the sensors?! No offense if you have this, but it just looks plain dumb. Even without that box, from a distance it still looks like the windshield is still in place! Also the way it sits on hood with frame curved up looks like it would block some serious trail view!

The reality is that a modern Jeep, or any other vehicle, are just not meant to do this anymore. Looks super cool on CJ's though! [sorry if I sound like a hater]

Agree the newer Jeeps shouldn't have it. The tech and shape just doesn't lend itself to it. I'm sure it was on one of the lists at Jeep of "must haves" when they redesigned it in 2018. Like solid axles, removable doors, and removable hard top in pieces.

As much as I think the idea of it is super cool, I hope that they don't keep this feature for the next gen.

 

[LKG]

I've done every other option both tops, doors on/off, tube doors etc. . Maybe I will give the windshield fold down a whirl just for a goof.

My oldest and his high school buddies would drive around town in his YJ, windshield down wearing ski goggles. He said a cop pulled up to them one time, looked over, laughed, called them morons, and drove off.

So yeah, go for it but don't forget the goggles

 

[Kracka]

That's a fundamental design characteristic that separates it from otherwise similar looking vehicles.

Right, but even subtle changes can make a significant impact. This exact thing was actually discussed by the Jeep engineers and a sacrifice they had to be made in order to keep a movable windshield.

 

[c20040215]

 

[1941KY24]

I use mine all the time

I stand corrected !

 

[Kyanche]

Right, but even subtle changes can make a significant impact. This exact thing was actually discussed by the Jeep engineers and a sacrifice they had to be made in order to keep a movable windshield.

Honestly if you're concerned about it changing the gas mileage, I think there are other places. The Jeep has almost no air dam and a giant gap between the bottom of body and the ground. Ever notice how every pickup truck has a giant plastic skirt in the front that basically kills the ground clearance? Yea that would make a big change in the gas mileage.

The giant chunky tires also kill gas mileage. The bigger and heavier, the worse.

I'm not sure you'd gain much of anything by making the windshield fixed, at least not without killing the shape of the jeep. Perhaps something like the FJ cruiser or the hummer ev? But even the bronco has a fairly flat windshield.

 

[Kracka]

Honestly if you're concerned about it changing the gas mileage, I think there are other places. The Jeep has almost no air dam and a giant gap between the bottom of body and the ground. Ever notice how every pickup truck has a giant plastic skirt in the front that basically kills the ground clearance? Yea that would make a big change in the gas mileage.

The giant chunky tires also kill gas mileage. The bigger and heavier, the worse.

I'm not sure you'd gain much of anything by making the windshield fixed, at least not without killing the shape of the jeep. Perhaps something like the FJ cruiser or the hummer ev? But even the bronco has a fairly flat windshield.

I didn't mention MPG, I was referring to the frequency of broken windshields. If MPG is a concern...buyers best look elsewhere

 

[flyer92]

Been driving all manner of Jeeps for decades, and agree 100% that the fold-down windshield was way cool on my M38, CJ's, and even the TJ (well, a little). However, the current configuration looks terrible IMO, and while we're at it, the JL looks weird with the doors off too. Those older body styles looked very natural with windshield down and doors off because these features were necessities from the get-go, and most CJs never had doors in the first place. Nowadays, removable/foldable stuff is a mere afterthought to check a block for "heritage" sake and looks unnatural, as if one would have removed doors from a Cadillac, Prius, Corvette, or pretty much any modern production vehicle. Sad what this vehicle has become in recent decades, especially given it's prior success, functionality, and reliability. Just my 2 cents though...to each his/her own, and hope everyone enjoys their Jeeps in whatever configuration they like.

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