Soft top in desert heat

[24jeeprubi]

I’m looking at upgrading from my current vehicle to the ‘24 Jeep Wrangler. I currently live in the desert (Death Valley) where temps can reach over 120 degrees for a few months out of the year. I personally don’t have an issue with the heat, but I’m looking at getting a soft top Wrangler for ease of access to removing the roof since I don’t have a place to store the hard top when removed.
Does anyone know how well the soft top will hold up in the high temps?

Sponsored

 

[Bob Burd]

I have the premium soft top on my 2018 JLUR with 160Kmi. I've spent more than 250 days/nights in the CA deserts with it. The top has held up impressively and still looks great.

 

[Murphydog]

Used the soft top for a trip to Moab last year - temps upper 90's to 100. Top did well, though one drawback is the rear window is a bit of a pain if you need to access the rear cargo area frequently.

 

[Capt. Don]

The last two days the heat factor here in Puerto Rico has been 105-115 degrees F. Awfully early for that. That is hot. I have the Sunrider soft top over the front seats and the hard top over the rear seats. I get better insulation from my soft-top than I do from my hard top or hard panels. A good soft top today has some impressive insulation value. If that is what you are asking, insulation value in extreme high temperatures with modern three or four layer modern soft-tops might surprise you.

 

[Windshieldfarmer]

The last two days the heat factor here in Puerto Rico has been 105-115 degrees F. Awfully early for that. That is hot. I have the Sunrider soft top over the front seats and the hard top over the rear seats. I get better insulation from my soft-top than I do from my hard top or hard panels. A good soft top today has some impressive insulation value. If that is what you are asking, insulation value in extreme high temperatures with modern three or four layer modern soft-tops might surprise you.

Don’t agree with that comment. Hard top with black panels is far superior to my very hot soft top during the summer. Same with the cold. Jeep has good AC and heater, but the hardtop is far better at the extremes. Love the softtop during Spring and Fall.

 

[Capt. Don]

Don’t agree with that comment. Hard top with black panels is far superior to my very hot soft top during the summer. Same with the cold. Jeep has good AC and heater, but the hardtop is far better at the extremes. Love the softtop during Spring and Fall.

Well, in the mid-summer intense sun and heat here in the Caribbean, mid-day returning to my Jeep in a heat index approaching 110 degrees, inside the Jeep I cannot keep my hand on the inside of my hardtop (not even black, it is Hydro Blue), it is that hot. My Sunrider softtop I can easily keep my hand on the inside of my softtop. That is a big difference. The softtop seems to breathe much better allowing the heat to leave the vehicle, also a factor. As I have the Sunrider softtop and the hardtop Freedom panels I can check these back to back. Initially, this surprised me as I expected the hardtop to yield better insulation under intense sun. Not so in my experience.

 

[AZ Hella]

I live in the Phoenix metro area and have no issues with the soft top. It is hotter than hell here, 30 days in a row now over 110 degrees. The fabric top does not get heat soaked like the fiberglass top does. So, while the hard top is more insulating the soft top cools down faster.

 

[cripton805]

I have owned both in the JL. The soft top seemed to be cooler for me. The black hardtop gets heat soak and they are closer to your head. I'm 5'10" and the soft top sits higher away from your dome.

 

[The Fixer]

My JL has a sailcloth top, and my wife's has the twill (premium) top. The twill has an extra layer like a headliner on the inside. It is definitely cooler inside her Jeep, and I can touch the inside of the premium top without scorching my hand after sitting in the direct sun on a 90+ degree day. With the sailcloth top, you can actually feel the heat radiating off it on the inside.

 

[Sdallnct]

Good discussion. I have a 2016 2door w/premium soft top. I’m going to order a 2024. It’s been so hot in N. Texas, I went see how much the dual top option was so could use hard top in summer.

Willys doesn’t appear to have a dual top option, but sounds like hard top for heat isn’t a huge improvement. If any.

 

[orange01z28]

This is good to know. I thought the hardtop would be the way to go for living in the desert. When I ditch my JT and get a 2 door I won't kick one out of bed for having a soft top

 

[LazyJL]

I was worried that adding a Bestop Sunrider would be too hot but have been surprised by how well the A/C works even in 105+ temps, it has been cooking here the last few weeks.
The top works fine in winter temps too.

 

[thecritter]

Texas here, so it's a humid hot and 103 happens regularly. No way compares to Death valley temps, but hot enough. I run the twill top, and it does a great job in the heat. I have not had doors on for months except long highway trips, run safari mode %95 of the time. If the windows are hot when removing them make sure you have a flat surface to lay them on or they will mold to what ever you lay them on, completely reversible once heated back up in the sun.

 

[thecritter]

Don't know what color your Jeep is, but the Tan top might help reflect heat better than Black. ? Has anyone ran both softop colors and notice any difference?

Sponsored