Soft Top or SOT?

[Gladius Nova]

I did the SOT in the '23 Willys because it was a $4k option as part of the "Sun & Sound" package that included the upgraded 8.4" display, the alpine sound system w/sub, the rear seat power/usb, and the upgraded alternator. I love being able to retract the huge sunroof (essentially) in a few seconds. With the windows down and the top back it is pretty open-aired. I haven't even taken off the freedom panels yet. Agreed this is not pure Jeep experience of a removed soft-top. Most of the soft-top Jeeps I see around here just have the front flap back and it looks like it would rip the rest of the top off at 60+ mph. Lastly, in South Carolina, it is HOT in the summer. The A/C has been able to keep up with the SOT, but I see a hot heads headliner in my future. I was excited when I first tried/saw the SOT, and I personally am happy with it.

Yes, the Hot Heads Headliner makes a significant difference in heat reduction IMO. And it gives it a more "finished" look interior wise. Well worth the price.

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[TX MOAB]

I live in Texas, and between myself and my wife we have one of each. The SOT doesnt really feel like the top is off, it’s ok and my wife like it, but it’s just not the same. if you are considering the cost of a SOT my suggestion is go factory soft top and get half doors with uppers. In the spring and fall i tend to go without the uppers, sides and back panel so i can go from canopy to top down. Then in the summer and winter the full soft top is on.

 

[Pnbld]

Situation specific I'd say.
Lots of factors:
Age
Primary or extra vehicle
Shop/garage for top removal/storage
Finances
Etc
Etc

 

[ag4ever]

Nice Jeep but I gotta admit you got me stumped— looks like a CJ8, but the top ? The right hand drive Overlander (Australia, others) & very rare Alaska postal had a full length top with barn doors and I doubt the lid came off and I don’t think the postal had side windows ( never seen one ) but Nope, outa guesses. Please remedy my ignorance before I scratch my head raw. ? ?

Those are the world cabs on CJ-8s and YJ-Ls with the side glass (like the Australian Overlander) where the tour company cut out the rear roof section and installed a vinyl top like on the VW bus. These are all left hand drive due to the country they are from.

Here is the same type of vehicle, but RHD and from Australia. (This one happens to be one of my CJ-8s.)

 

[stojanowski]

I got the SOT because on the Willy's the sun and sound package wasn't much more than adding hard top and upgraded radio.

Used it a couple times, 100% more times open air than if I had hard or soft top

 

[Mikejd1]

For me the SOT is a hard pass because:
- $4,300.
- Top can't be fully removed (important to me when off-roading on inclines near rock walls).
-yes it can.
- Soft-top can't be added.
-yes it can.
- Roof rack can't be added.
- Looks funny when doors and side windows are off but top frame and rear window remain.

For me the best of both worlds for quick open air has been the hardtop with a Bestop sunrider.

 

[wranglernoob2019]

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?

SOT - ?

the convenience is crazy .. you can be out in the open sky in seconds and close it in seconds when its too noisy or chilly/hot. I always wanted rooftop tent but i would never trade my SOT for a hardtop.

i even use my SOT in middle of winter just to get some fresh air which heat turned to max.
Go with SOT - it maximizes your jeep enjoyment

 

[Mikejd1]

SOT - ?

the convenience is crazy .. you can be out in the open sky in seconds and close it in seconds when its too noisy or chilly/hot. I always wanted rooftop tent but i would never trade my SOT for a hardtop.

i even use my SOT in middle of winter just to get some fresh air which heat turned to max.
Go with SOT - it maximizes your jeep enjoyment

Yup. I struggled for months moving from my 19 rubicon hard/soft combo and decided on SOT for my 392. All doors off and windows off looks absolutely mint with my setup.

 

[leakgator]

This is a great post!
I have a 392 Earl with SOT and it’s a love hate thing.
it’s so convenient, but it’s also louder. When I’m by myself, I don’t care, I love to push the button and roll, but with my wife and kids riding, I feel sound conscious. Meaning it’s noisy feeling, with it not open even. I have the HotHead headliner and it helps.
I’d like to order an Anvil 24 392, but no SOT option. So do I keep mine or order Anvil with the hardtop? Or pick another color and SOT?

With regards to the question for the OP, I think I’d like the SOT over the soft top.

Decisions!

 

[kah.mun.rah]

@Mikejd1 I should have added the word “easily.” Technically the body can be removed from the frame too on a Wrangler…

 

[Mikejd1]

@Mikejd1 I should have added the word “easily.” Technically the body can be removed from the frame too on a Wrangler…

It’s actually easier than doing the hardtop Took me far less time and easier to balance too.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

It’s actually easier than doing the hardtop Took me far less time and easier to balance too.

Haha!

 

[Ratbert]

I always wanted rooftop tent but i would never trade my SOT for a hardtop.

You can mount a rooftop tent on an Adventure Rack Systems rack on your JLU with your SOT.

 

[devster]

it’s so convenient, but it’s also louder.

It's funny, having come from a TJ with a soft-top, I was BLOWN away by how quiet the SOT was on my first test drive.

 

[yokramer]

Seeing that you call your Jeep a car says it all. For those that use their Jeeps as a "car", the SOT is probably the best option for quick and easy open air. For those that use their Jeep for off-roading, soft top or no top is, in my opinion, the best option.

Eh I crossed 100 miles on the Jeep in an off road park on temp tags, I still call it a car sometimes, or most often "the truck" words mean what you want them to.

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