Soft top or sunrider?

[CJ_s3v3n]

Looking for advice on whether to have a soft top or just get the sunrider for the hard top.

I've had Jeeps for the past 31 years ( CJ7s and Wranglers). I'm not likely to leave the top off for any duration on my new JLU like I did the older Jeeps. Having the freedom panels off is surprisingly very similar to having the entire top off, it might even be a little more comfortable than having the full top off for me. But I can't get past feeling of missed opportunity of not having a softop even though I'm less likely to take it off than I have in the past.

Anyone else feel this way and was satisfied with just the sunrider for their hard top?

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[rcadden]

I've had a sunrider basically since I bought my Jeep.

I've also considered buying a soft top, but I figure the sunrider is the best of both worlds. Its not fully topless but it's close enough but with the added security and option of the hard top.

 

[Jeep Wick]

Looking for advice on whether to have a soft top or just get the sunrider for the hard top.

I've had Jeeps for the past 31 years ( CJ7s and Wranglers). I'm not likely to leave the top off for any duration on my new JLU like I did the older Jeeps. Having the freedom panels off is surprisingly very similar to having the entire top off, it might even be a little more comfortable than having the full top off for me. But I can't get past feeling of missed opportunity of not having a softop even though I'm less likely to take it off than I have in the past.

Anyone else feel this way and was satisfied with just the sunrider for their hard top?

I've had soft, hard and sunrider. Like you, the freedom panels off is probably the sweet spot for me. I even bought a toplift pro but find myself leaving the top on more than anything. My High Tide came with the sunrider, but it's noticeably louder and hotter than just using the freedom panels.

 

[AndySpill]

Looking for advice on whether to have a soft top or just get the sunrider for the hard top.

I've had Jeeps for the past 31 years ( CJ7s and Wranglers). I'm not likely to leave the top off for any duration on my new JLU like I did the older Jeeps. Having the freedom panels off is surprisingly very similar to having the entire top off, it might even be a little more comfortable than having the full top off for me. But I can't get past feeling of missed opportunity of not having a softop even though I'm less likely to take it off than I have in the past.

Anyone else feel this way and was satisfied with just the sunrider for their hard top?

I don't want to sway you one way or another or even at all, just have you consider the most common factors people face when making this decision:

• How inclined are you to be willing to take the entire hard top off seasonally?
• Do you have people who can help you with this or do you intend to purchase a device like the Top Lift Pro to help you remove it?
• Do you have room to store the hard top and soft top off season versus the smaller Sunrider?
• Will you need additional products to secure the hard top out of the way or do you intend to store it on the same device that removes it, again, like the Top Lift Pro?
• How important is rear seat open air access to you and your passengers?
• Would you rather save the money in the difference in purchase price of the soft top versus the Sunrider for other things?

 

[lowmpg]

Sun Rider. You just picked it for yourself by saying 1) you don't plan on having a roof off 2) Freedom Panels being more your style. Simple answer.

 

[Aonar]

I know not what you want but I went soft top only. Adding a pic of how I run April through Halloween Not sure if you have seen any in this configuration. First pic is with full doors, the others are w/ halfs.

 

[Rhinebeck01]

@CJ_s3v3n

For me ..... At this point in my life, I prefer hardtop on and having a Bestop Sunrider on that hardtop 365 days of the year ..... and the sunrider being open as much as possible..

I suggest you go with a Bestop Sunrider for Hardtop...

You will truly enjoy being able to open and close the Bestop Sunrider in seconds. Many guys/gals find they can even open and close the sunrider without even getting out of the vehicle..

 

[dsgrey]

Soft top for me but my top is down over 1/2 the year and I live in a warm climate.

 

[Ang1Sgt]

I’ve had CJ’s, TJ JK and now my JL, The JL was the first with a Hardtop and being a Willys, was slightly quieter with the Hardtop and the tires it came with. But I missed the open air feeling and for me (age and disabled) the Freedom panels are a PITA. I got the Bestop Sunrider and I could not be more pleased. I can be sitting at a stop light and in less than 30 seconds can be open air with no storage issues of the freedom panels.

Caveat here is this Jeep does not get used 365 like some Jeeps.

 

[Steph1]

I am also lucky enough to have been driving Jeeps since the late 80s and have been there done that top and doors off all summer. Gotten more colds and tonsillitis than I dare to count, but I was young and foolish.

Now I have my hardtop on year round and have the sunrider for hardtop. As you mentioned, from the driver position, the experience is the same except for the backdraft you get when the rear part is also absent.

The sunrider literally takes 3 seconds to put down and 3 seconds to put back up. Heck it can even be put down while very slowly moving forward!!! Even if the weather calls for rain and it’s completely overcast, I put it down knowing that it will go back up in a finger snap if it starts to rain.

Having had all possible configurations of soft tops through the years, I too am totally convinced that this is the best of both worlds.

 

[Morejeeps]

I got a Sunrider this year and I am really enjoying it. It is pricey but maybe pick up a used one like I did.

 

[vetygud]

One of the benefits of owning a JL was all of the options of going topless or having a hardtop with the ability to remove the Freedom tops on a whim. The Freedom tops are great but it does require time to remove and then store in the back which takes up space. I purchased a Bestop Sunrider and installed it this year and can say this is one of the best mods that I have added. Living in a climate that can be very cold and snowy in the winter and constant popup rain showers in the summer. I can open or close the Sunrider in 5 seconds. I will remove the Sunrider in the late fall and install the Freedom panels for the winter. Once assembled the Sunrider can easily be removed or installed in 5 minutes. The Sunrider works for me and I do not have any plans to remove the rear hard top. On wet days my Sunrider does not leak. The wind noise is less closed but road noise is slightly louder than the Freedom panels. My Willys is a daily driver.

I installed the Sunrider on April 19th and it was snowing. It stayed closed for awhile.

 

[lindaspins]

Love my Sunrider! I don't have the resources for removing the hard top but wanted it because we road trip and it helps with the noise, and we live in a place with winters that would destroy a soft top.
We still take it out in the winter and store it (I don't want road salt and grime on it).

 

[Buzz11]

From what you describe, I'll echo what a few others have said, it sounds like you want the Hardtop and a Sun-rider.

I actually have a soft top for winter and in the summer, take off the soft top and put on a Sun-rider.

 

[Rmartinson]

I have the hard and the soft top for my 2018 JL 4dr. The one thing I have noticed is it’s much less noisy and windy in the front seat with the soft top in the sunrider position and all the way down. Just seems very loud and windy with the hard top on without the panels. I’ve never tried the hardtop/ sunrider combo so I’m not sure if that fixes the issue. As far as hardtop removal and storage, I basically built a hand winch system to raise my top off. It raises up and hangs in the top of my garage all summer. Best part is I can do it with no help. Good luck in your decision.

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