Soft Top or SOT?

[Yolobaggins]

Hey all,

Looking to build my 24 from factory this time instead of buying off lot to make sure I get everything I want this time

Just moved to south-central Texas and have been going back and forth from the Soft Top vs SOT and which I should choose

I don't want the hard top because it was such a pain to store/remove on and off during the summer. Since I am an warmer/sunnier climate, I want to take advantage of the weather as much as possible.

I only had a hard top on my Jeep last time so I don't know which one to pick this time. 4k seems like a lot but it is nice to just hit it and get that open air experience

Thoughts?

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[kah.mun.rah]

For me the SOT is a hard pass because:
- $4,300.
- [EDIT] Top is not designed to be removable (important to me when off-roading on inclines near rock walls).
- Soft-top can't be added.
- [EDIT] Typical low profile roof racks can't be added.
- Looks funny when doors and side windows are off but top frame and rear window remain.
- One more electrical thing to stop working.

The soft top is a pass because:
- Too loud on long road trips.
- Plastic windows get creased, scratched, and faded over time.
- Too easy for someone to steal things in the back of the Jeep.

For me the best of both worlds for quick open air has been the hardtop with a Bestop sunrider. It would be interesting to add that option to the poll.

 

[At Risk Ute]

SOT if you’re buying a 392 (not much more than the painted top).

Hardtop with Sunrider otherwise.

 

[bradcrc]

what is a SOT? when I google it, it says "a habitual drunkard" which seems like a bad option for a Jeep.

 

[Mike_Hawk]

what is a SOT? when I google it, it says "a habitual drunkard" which seems like a bad option for a Jeep.

Sky One Touch roof

 

[Maverick909]

how about dual top group. best of everything. if not then i would say soft top. you can pull the rear windows out and still have that open jeep feeling while having cover form the direct sun. or you can toss it back and have it wide open. less electrical to go bad on these 60+ thousand dollar jeep that can go bad. and if you have an issue with cutting a window its easily replaced

 

[Byrds8]

I have both hard and soft top. Planned to run the soft from March to Nov. However, this year is so damn hot I couldnt get the Jeep cooled down when we were out and about so put the hard top back on. I say go dual top group IMHO.

 

[NewRiver77]

I live in coastal South Carolina 15 minutes from downtown Savannah, GA. I have owned hard and soft tops. I ordered my new JL with a soft top. I won’t own another hard top, mostly because it’s a pain to put on by myself when I don’t have help around, and I don’t have a place to put a top lift and store it. I don’t think this year is any hotter than past years, and I’ve ran a bikini top with the doors off in past years to keep the sun off my head. I don’t like the price of the one touch, and I like taking the top and doors completely off. At the end of the day, it’s your money and your Jeep, so do what makes you happy. If you’re undecided and you have the money, get the dual top. This way you can run both, especially if you have a place to keep the hard top.

 

[jo_xj]

I went back and forth on hard vs soft, even slightly considering the SOT, before buying my first Wrangler (2023 Willys). I went with soft top, and I'm glad I did.

The best advice I ever got was along the lines of this: there are two things that make up the classic Jeep experience, unparalleled off-road capability and removing the entire top. SOT and sunroofs don't replicate the topless Jeep experience, so if you want that experience you'll really be thankful for the soft top.

Dual top is the best of both worlds, but in my case I don't have anywhere to store a hardtop, so I went with the soft. After lowering the top and removing the windows now a couple dozen times, I have it down to 5 minutes or less. So while it's not as easy as a button, it's easy enough for those spur of the moment adventures.

 

[yokramer]

Soft top all day long.

 

[GATORB8]

Get the soft top bag if you order the soft top.

We considered the SOT, but scrapped it when we realized the rear window didn't come off.

We did go dual top, but would go soft top only if we could do it again. The hard top just hangs in the garage collecting dust.

It is more temperate here, my AC kept up pretty good down in Austin last month, but not sure how it holds up dead of summer, like @Byrds8 mentioned.

 

[2nd 392]

SOT if you’re buying a 392 (not much more than the painted top).

Hardtop with Sunrider otherwise.

It’s not just $2K for 24’s— now $3,795 like Rubi, Rubi X, Sahara regardless of standard top. Standard painted top is normally a $1,695 option and no price break anymore. Numbers according to B&P if it’s not screwed up……. Just double checked because it doesn’t make sense- yep $3,795 upgrade from standard soft top to painted top.

 

[Byrds8]

Get the soft top bag if you order the soft top.

We considered the SOT, but scrapped it when we realized the rear window didn't come off.

We did go dual top, but would go soft top only if we could do it again. The hard top just hangs in the garage collecting dust.

It is more temperate here, my AC kept up pretty good down in Austin last month, but not sure how it holds up dead of summer, like @Byrds8 mentioned.

Here with the high humidity, its been up to 115ish. Even the almost hour ride back from work each day, it got cooler but not enough to be wholly comfortable.

 

[At Risk Ute]

It’s not just $2K for 24’s— now $3,795 like Rubi, Rubi X, Sahara regardless of standard top. Standard painted top is normally a $1,695 option and no price break anymore. Numbers according to B&P if it’s not screwed up.

Yikes! I stand corrected. Hardtop with Sunrider then. Wasn’t fond of the soft top back window.

 

[2nd 392]

Yikes! I stand corrected. Hardtop with Sunrider then. Wasn’t fond of the soft top back window.

I got the SOT ($2K). I have never had a hard top, I have however been miserably soaked, chilled, and roasted many times when “things changed”. I like- unlatch panels- push button, sudden weather change latch panels-push button. Yea I’m getting old and lazy, but I like it. Even though the rear window should also be easily removable and not perfect. ?

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