SOT & Hardtop Together?

[Gregj]

Wanted to post a followup here in case anyone else ever tries to do this. I was able to successfully do what @Gregj did, and I'm now running the SOT and hard top interchangeably! What I needed to make that happen:

1. OEM JL windshield header trim for a hard/soft top. I got mine used off ebay for $70.
   - FYI 2024+ JL's use a completely different header panel to accommodate for the roll bar airbags. 2018-2023 use the same panel!
2. A small momentary two way switch.
3. Hard top mounting brackets (I got these off DV8 ones off Amazon they're cheaper than OEM).
4. Both the left and right latch brackets for the hard top (you'll also want bolts for them)
5. I started with already having all of the SOT parts, so this is assuming you already have those.

Steps to make this work:

1. Remove your existing SOT header panel. Here's a video on how to do that.
2. Swap the wiring over to the new header panel from your SOT panel
3. Drill a 5/8 hole in the center of the header panel between the two mics and shove the switch in there
4. Cut the wiring for the SOT switch and wire it into the new smaller momentary switch
   • Black goes in the center prong, then orang/green & orange/violet on the other two. Orange/gray is the constant power for backlighting which you will not need.
     
     
     
5. Cut out two sections on the end of the panel to accommodate the SOT bolts on the left and right sides
6. Install the header latches and hard top mount brackets from DV8.
7. Snap the header panel back into place and connect all the wire harnesses!

Now whenever I swap tops all I have to do is remove or install the two mounting spikes at the front of my top that are for the SOT top. I'll need to drill two holes under the areas I cut to make removing the bolts easier, but I'm leaving that for another day. Thanks to @Gregj for all the info. Here's how mine looks:

Looks great! Glad to see someone else who enjoys the versatility of multiple tops.
Gregj

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