Soft top window storage

[psw757]

The part number should be 68358392AB based on other posts in here. The Soft top window storage bag is NOT included with the soft top or dual top, it is an option you have to select and pay for when ordering the JL.

We are buying our rubi off the lot, picking it up today. We ordered the soft top and the bag wasn’t an option to order.

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[ekimgnuj]

Thanks, much obliged! I recall having found the part number before, couldn't find it this morning. Thanks! I need to find some solution, my windows are already getting marred and scratched!

 

[digitalbliss]

Anyone know if the window storage bag was supposed to be included when you ordered a soft top or dual top group? My operator manual shows pictures of it as if it was an accessory.

If not, does anyone know if there is a part number for ordering? I just received one from Smittybilt advertised as fitting the JL (on amazon, I did not buy from Quadratec or Extremeterrain because it was $40 cheaper on amazon), and it does not fit. Not sure if it was a bad product description or the wrong part number, but not even the rear side/quarter windows fit.

I saw that exteme terrain is selling that smittybuilt bag and advertising it as JL compatible. The Smittybuilt website does not, however. Yesterday I sent Smittybuilt an email to confirm.

 

[ekimgnuj]

Thanks, if you don’t mind posting their response that would be awesome !

 

[RussJeep1]

Really strange, asked dealer to order the storage bag yesterday when I ordered my regular soft top and the bag wasn’t available to be ordered. What’s up with this?

Mopar is really screwing up their rollout in my opinion.

OK..the good, bad, and ugly.

This wasn't FCA's finest hour, but it's not as if they failed to connect the steering wheel to the tires. But you're correct, they did drop a ball here.

As to why this happened.....? The specifics FCA seems to be keeping a tight lip on. This isn't to say though that it is impossible to figure out what went wrong.

It seems, based on this forum, that several of these bags were actually made, no doubt by a contractor FCA outsourced the product build to. And there's nothing wrong with that. Vehicle manufacturers constantly look to specialists in certain automotive fields: there's just to much complexity to today's vehicles to expect the same firm that specializes in fuel injection products to also make the finest brakes or tires.

Chances are this firm, which might not have been FCA's first choice (I allude to Bestop being FCA's first choice on such things: Bestop up to their earlobes in soft top production right now that they can't even deliver their Sunrider until next year) and for whatever reason said firm(s) never delivered. Maybe said firm(s) couldn't produce the product at the cost FCA was willing to pay them for it per unit...who knows.

So chances are--and this is conjecture, not fact, FCA renegotiated with these firms, their reincarnations when they went under, or others, to pay a higher fee, passed on to your and me, and produce this, or a similarly designed product.

 

[RussJeep1]

Anyone know if the window storage bag was supposed to be included when you ordered a soft top or dual top group? My operator manual shows pictures of it as if it was an accessory.

If not, does anyone know if there is a part number for ordering? I just received one from Smittybilt advertised as fitting the JL (on amazon, I did not buy from Quadratec or Extremeterrain because it was $40 cheaper on amazon), and it does not fit. Not sure if it was a bad product description or the wrong part number, but not even the rear side/quarter windows fit.

I know, and the answer is no. Now, the hard top Freedom Panels storage bag with the hard top purchase: yes. But not the soft window storage bag as included product with the soft top. FCA choose to charge separately for the later vaporware.

 

[RussJeep1]

I saw that exteme terrain is selling that smittybuilt bag and advertising it as JL compatible. The Smittybuilt website does not, however. Yesterday I sent Smittybuilt an email to confirm.

It's really a question of whether the JK bag is big enough to accommodate the largest (the back) window of the JL.

If it is, it's compatible. Or go out and buy a artists extremely large portfolio bag, as I linked above, and call it a day, or stick the window panels in the cargo area (if empty) with, if you want to be careful, towels between them. Or roll them up in this, or stick the roll into a segment of humongous PVC pipe purchased at the box stores.

We Wrangler owners, if nothing else, are (expected to be) resourceful. We're use to fitting square pegs (okay maybe oval pegs) in round holes, coming up with solutions and hacks we share with the community.

I too want the soft top bag. But when I bought my Wrangler, to me at least, the implied contract was, at times, predicated on my willingness to at times, think outside the box as it regards solutions and fixes to issues.

This is not to deflate the fact that FCA did drop a ball here. It's easy to criticize, but not so easy to afford a better approach.

So here's the better approach. When a large vehicle manufacturer outsources a design, particularly of a relatively simple product, they make it a point to become experts in the cost of the materials and labor to produce it so they offer to pay per unit a fair but small profit per unit to make sure, if nothing else, that those they outsource to can and will meet their commitments and not go belly up. Knowledge of an outsourcer's costs allows FCA to bid the lowest price they're willing to pay, while at the same time make this fee one the outsourcers can deliver on at fair markup.

I have a strange feeling that FCA was willing to pay per unit for this product below what outsources could make it at, at a profit, or at least not at a loss. And if so, that's on FCA for not becoming experts in the production process of something relatively simple that they outsourced.

 

[sjromeo]

I saw that exteme terrain is selling that smittybuilt bag and advertising it as JL compatible. The Smittybuilt website does not, however. Yesterday I sent Smittybuilt an email to confirm.

Hey yes please keep us updated

 

[MikefromLI]

Hey yes please keep us updated

i ordered one from quadra as it said jl will know in a few days will post pics., as my hardtop is on a rack (from qudra) and wrapped as the cover is not compatible... but the soft-top must go on!!!

 

[digitalbliss]

Thanks, if you don’t mind posting their response that would be awesome !

Hey yes please keep us updated

i ordered one from quadra as it said jl will know in a few days will post pics., as my hardtop is on a rack (from qudra) and wrapped as the cover is not compatible... but the soft-top must go on!!!

Here is smittybuilts reply to me about the compatibility of this bag with the JL.


"Hello,

Unfortunately it does not. Please check back periodically for any updates.

Thank you,
Smittybilt Customer Support Team"

So there you have it. The manufacturer even says it's not compatible. It's really disappointing to see that #1 there are no real options available and #2 that respected jeep part suppliers (quadra, extreme terrain, etc..) are continuing to list parts made for the JK as compatible the JL even when the mfg says otherwise.

 

[ekimgnuj]

Here is smittybuilts reply to me about the compatibility of this bag with the JL.


"Hello,

Unfortunately it does not. Please check back periodically for any updates.

Thank you,
Smittybilt Customer Support Team"

So there you have it. The manufacturer even says it's not compatible. It's really disappointing to see that #1 there are no real options available and #2 that respected jeep part suppliers (quadra, extreme terrain, etc..) are continuing to list parts made for the JK as compatible the JL even when the mfg says otherwise.

Thanks for posting there reply (as well as making the effort to contact Smittybilt), I just returned the one I ordered and figure led I would wait until someone comes up with a decent protector.

 

[MikefromLI]

its the bars? mine is enroute did anyone actually try them?

 

[GlitteryPonies]

I ordered and received a kangopod. Works great for the JL soft window storage.

 

[psw757]

I ordered and received a kangopod. Works great for the JL soft window storage.

Can you post pics?

 

[GlitteryPonies]

I took some pics of the Kangopod for anyone interested. First picture is the Kangopod in the cargo area, strapped to the rear headrests. It appears fairly large here, but it's just full of air at this point so if you push anything against it, it would compress. Haven't had the dogs in the back since I had it in, though, so not sure how they'll like it. May rig up a bungee or two to keep it pressed tighter to the seats.

Second picture is the best I could capture of where the rear window has to be folded. The bag is almost exactly as long as the tailgate bar, so anything longer than that has to be folded. Since the window has the short piece of hard plastic at the bottom on both sides, you basically have to fold it as little as possible, right after that plastic piece ends.

I haven't put anything in the front pockets yet, but they're pretty large. Zippers aren't Yeti quality, but seem sturdy so far. The hook and D-ring attached to the fabric that you loop around the headrests are metal, which seems like a nice touch until you hear them jingling if the strap isn't tight enough. I might end up replacing the current D-ring with plastic or maybe try to get some heat shrink tubing on it. It's been attached to the seats for a little over a week now, and it hasn't jingled since I tightened it up on day one. I've only been able to store the windows in it once so far, but I'm happy with it, especially in light of the very few alternatives. Hopefully we'll be seeing a lot more after-market options for the JL soon.

This was from page 4 of the thread. I will try and get pics of mine later.

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