SOT & Hardtop Together?

[yarmo]

absolutely the hotheads headliner makes quite the difference! @yarmo , if you don’t have it installed yet, maybe that’s a good place to start before investing in a new top?

also, if you decide to go Greg’s way and re-route the SOT button panel, maybe you can:
(1) order and repurpose the 4xe mode selector panel that goes next to the driver’s left knee
(2) have custom vynils made for the buttons - I think forum sponsor @pixeldecals has done sth similar before for the aux switches?

Yes I do have the hotheads headliner and it definitely makes a difference. But Greg is correct - it’s really the airflow causing the top to ripple that’s annoying. I’m probably more picky than most people, so that’s why I’m trying to go the hard top route.

Your idea on the 4xe panel is very interesting! I’m going to look into adapting it for that or at the minimum moving it to a similar location on my lower panel. Thanks!

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[yarmo]

Interesting thing I found related to the open / close button not fitting with the hard top latches -

It looks like the '24 model year has a slightly different windshield molding than the previous years. I'm thinking this is probably due to the radio antenna now being in the windshield... The new molding has the SOT button position sticking much further out than earlier models. Here's a youtube video of what I'm looking at. I'm thinking I might be able to fit the button and the hard top latch in the factory locations if I run this. The best part is the 2024 molding is 1/3 of the price of the '21 I was looking at! Fingers crossed, but this might work even better.

 

[AndySpill]

Does anyone routinely swap between a sky one touch top and a hard top? I’m piecing together what parts I need to make this happen, but I'm wondering if anyone out there does this.

For anyone asking why - I ordered mine with the SOT, and while I love it in the summer, I want to more comfortably run a low profile roof rack in the winter like the rhino rack backbone system.

Here's where I'm confused---and it could entirely be me.

The low profile roof rack would get in the way of opening the SOT but you only want to use this rack in the winter when you wouldn't open the SOT, right?

 

[yarmo]

Here's where I'm confused---and it could entirely be me.

The low profile roof rack would get in the way of opening the SOT but you only want to use this rack in the winter when you wouldn't open the SOT, right?

Any roof rack on the SOT makes it incredibly loud to drive due to wind noise on the fabric.

 

[AndySpill]

Any roof rack on the SOT makes it incredibly loud to drive due to wind noise on the fabric.

I guess racks with wind fairing options don't address that (e.g.):

https://lodoffroad.com/products/jl-destroyer-roof-rack-wind-deflector

https://gobiracks.com/product/gobi-jeep-wrangler-jl-4door-stealth-rack-multi-50-setup/

 

[yarmo]

I guess racks with wind fairing options don't address that (e.g.):

https://lodoffroad.com/products/jl-destroyer-roof-rack-wind-deflector

https://gobiracks.com/product/gobi-jeep-wrangler-jl-4door-stealth-rack-multi-50-setup/

I tried putting a wind fairing on a few racks I’ve run and unfortunately it does not. It ends up creating a low pressure zone behind the fairing and causes the same noise pretty much.

 

[AndySpill]

I tried putting a wind fairing on a few racks I’ve run and unfortunately it does not. It ends up creating a low pressure zone behind the fairing and causes the same noise pretty much.

I respect Jack that these are your findings and opinions. Still more, I respect the direction you are taking with switching tops is for you the path of least (wind, ha, ha) resistance that you find best.

It's you putting in the work to make this doable, and easier to effect with the passing seasons and I suspect with your engineering background that you're well suited, if anyone, to make this work.

But all this said, I can't help but wonder if--and yes I know that you already ordered and love the SOT, if simply a hard top and Bestop/MOPAR Sunrider might have, presented with the same situation you describe, been the direction I might have taken, or maybe the https://ez4x4.com/EZ-Flip-Tops.

I guess there are tradeoffs between the ease of opening a Wrangler top (the SOT clearly be easiest) with the far greater frequency of...and otherwise the less frequent ease of swapping a Wrangler top that differ among owners, especially those with mechanical backgrounds like you who might both enjoy the challenge and apply mechanical knowhow to ease the difficulty of the swap, maybe somehow, with tools, get this to be a 2 handed rather than 4 handed job

I just find it curious (for me) how SOTs are often desired for their ease of deployment, but for you will come at the laborious 4 handed need to seasonally swap and store two heavy and cumbersome tops.

Then again, as a engineer I look forward to future posts on the rig you've devised to facilitate this seasonal top swap!

Good luck!

 

[yarmo]

I respect Jack that these are your findings and opinions. Still more, I respect the direction you are taking with switching tops is for you the path of least (wind, ha, ha) resistance that you find best.

It's you putting in the work to make this doable, and easier to effect with the passing seasons and I suspect with your engineering background that you're well suited, if anyone, to make this work.

But all this said, I can't help but wonder if--and yes I know that you already ordered and love the SOT, if simply a hard top and Bestop/MOPAR Sunrider might have, presented with the same situation you describe, been the direction I might have taken, or maybe the https://ez4x4.com/EZ-Flip-Tops.

I guess there are tradeoffs between the ease of opening a Wrangler top (the SOT clearly be easiest) with the far greater frequency of...and otherwise the less frequent ease of swapping a Wrangler top that differ among owners, especially those with mechanical backgrounds like you who might both enjoy the challenge and apply mechanical knowhow to ease the difficulty of the swap.

I just find it curious (for me) how SOTs are often desired for their ease of deployment, but for you will come at the laborious 4 handed need to seasonally swap two heavy and cumbersome tops.

Then again, as a engineer I look forward to future posts on the rig you've devised to facilitate this seasonal top swap!

Good luck!

I agree! I have thought about just running a sunrider, but since I already have an SOT I'd rather try two tops and see how much of a pain it is. I picked up a color matched hard top for $1300, and if I find I don't want to keep swapping I'll probably just ditch the SOT. The one other thing I love about it is you can remove the rear quarter windows. It's a small thing, but with half doors I think it looks amazing!

I wish Jeep would sell a 4 piece hard top the same way that Ford does with the bronco. Freedom panels + a second rear seat panel would be nice. Then you could have a massive sunrider that goes all the way to the rear cargo area the same way that you get with a soft top.

 

[AndySpill]

I agree! I have thought about just running a sunrider, but since I already have an SOT I'd rather try two tops and see how much of a pain it is. I picked up a color matched hard top for $1300, and if I find I don't want to keep swapping I'll probably just ditch the SOT. The one other thing I love about it is you can remove the rear quarter windows. It's a small thing, but with half doors I think it looks amazing!

I wish Jeep would sell a 4 piece hard top the same way that Ford does with the bronco. Freedom panels + a second rear seat panel would be nice. Then you could have a massive sunrider that goes all the way to the rear cargo area the same way that you get with a soft top.

Until they sell it (hard top component modularity that is) Jeff Scherb will help you make it.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/search/5696170/?q=modular&c[users]=jscherb&o=date

 

[rcadden]

I regularly drive cross country, so a quiet ride is important to me.

I understand what you mean and certainly am not here to try to talk you out of a Jeep, but this just made me laugh out loud.

I do a lot of long hauls in my Wrangler, as well. It's funny what we're willing to tolerate for the joy of the Jeep. My wife's Lexus RX 350 might as well be soundproof in comparison to the Jeep, but I *despise* driving it.

Hope you figure out a good solution.

 

[Smccray]

Until they sell it (hard top component modularity that is) Jeff Scherb will help you make it.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/search/5696170/?q=modular&c[users]=jscherb&o=date

I've been a fan of Jeff's posts for a long time. He makes it look so easy!

I've been wondering if it's possible to create some sort of composite cap that goes over the top of the SOT. I love the SOT for its easy of opening/closing, but I'm not a fan of the road noise.

I'm wondering if it would be possible to mold a cover that goes over the SOT. Route the front of the cover across the front of the windshield forward of the connection between the SOT and the windshield. Bring the sides down over the left and right side of the SOT rails and use the rain gutters to hold down the top. Easy to think about the design, but tough to execute and have it look good.

I'm assuming there's enough strength to hold the panel down to the gutters. I'm very concerned about creating enough stiffness in the leading edge of the cover to keep the air pressure from lifting the joint between the windshield and the SOT Cover Panel. It may need to be carbon fiber for stiffness rather than fiberglass (at least on the leading edge), but I'm way out of my depth. I have a couple ideas, but I bet someone smarter than me would have a better idea.

Thinking paint grade so it blends in, and build the cover panel with room for 1/2" (or more?) of sound insulation to make it even better. I bet it's doable- just a matter of cost and aesthetics. I'd bet a retail product would run $2K+ plus the cost to paint match.

 

[yarmo]

I've been a fan of Jeff's posts for a long time. He makes it look so easy!

I've been wondering if it's possible to create some sort of composite cap that goes over the top of the SOT. I love the SOT for its easy of opening/closing, but I'm not a fan of the road noise.

I'm wondering if it would be possible to mold a cover that goes over the SOT. Route the front of the cover across the front of the windshield forward of the connection between the SOT and the windshield. Bring the sides down over the left and right side of the SOT rails and use the rain gutters to hold down the top. Easy to think about the design, but tough to execute and have it look good.

I'm assuming there's enough strength to hold the panel down to the gutters. I'm very concerned about creating enough stiffness in the leading edge of the cover to keep the air pressure from lifting the joint between the windshield and the SOT Cover Panel. It may need to be carbon fiber for stiffness rather than fiberglass (at least on the leading edge), but I'm way out of my depth. I have a couple ideas, but I bet someone smarter than me would have a better idea.

Thinking paint grade so it blends in, and build the cover panel with room for 1/2" (or more?) of sound insulation to make it even better. I bet it's doable- just a matter of cost and aesthetics. I'd bet a retail product would run $2K+ plus the cost to paint match.

Love the idea, but it's easier to go buy and swap a second hand hardtop

 

[AndySpill]

I've been a fan of Jeff's posts for a long time. He makes it look so easy!

I've been wondering if it's possible to create some sort of composite cap that goes over the top of the SOT. I love the SOT for its easy of opening/closing, but I'm not a fan of the road noise.

I'm wondering if it would be possible to mold a cover that goes over the SOT. Route the front of the cover across the front of the windshield forward of the connection between the SOT and the windshield. Bring the sides down over the left and right side of the SOT rails and use the rain gutters to hold down the top. Easy to think about the design, but tough to execute and have it look good.

I'm assuming there's enough strength to hold the panel down to the gutters. I'm very concerned about creating enough stiffness in the leading edge of the cover to keep the air pressure from lifting the joint between the windshield and the SOT Cover Panel. It may need to be carbon fiber for stiffness rather than fiberglass (at least on the leading edge), but I'm way out of my depth. I have a couple ideas, but I bet someone smarter than me would have a better idea.

Thinking paint grade so it blends in, and build the cover panel with room for 1/2" (or more?) of sound insulation to make it even better. I bet it's doable- just a matter of cost and aesthetics. I'd bet a retail product would run $2K+ plus the cost to paint match.

In Jeff's 4th photo in this link https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/modular-hardtop-coming-from-jeep.11ou 3890/post-2367620

this one:

you can see how the top of the hard top (forget the Freedom Panels for a moment) is its own entity.

I'd like to see a version of this member in both conventional hard top and SOT top forms, the latter clearly replacing the Freedom Panels.

Modular connectors, no different than the factory ones controlling the hard top's wipers and rear defogger, could also facilitate energizing the SOT's closing and opening motors.

 

[Smccray]

In Jeff's 4th photo in this link https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/modular-hardtop-coming-from-jeep.11ou 3890/post-2367620

this one:

you can see how the top of the hard top (forget the Freedom Panels for a moment) is its own entity.

I'd like to see a version of this member in both conventional hard top and SOT top forms, the latter clearly replacing the Freedom Panels.

Modular connectors, no different than the factory ones controlling the hard top's wipers and rear defogger, could also facilitate energizing the SOT's closing and opening motors.

The cool part of the SOT is that it's already modular like that. The rear quarter windows come out of the jeep very easily. There are a couple youtube videos of the install of the SOT and it doesn't look that difficult, although it's a little time consuming. Have to change out some of the front window trim, and have to change the brackets where the hard/soft top connects to the front window.

There's also a video of a guy who swapped a SOT onto his JLU that came with a factory hard top. The factory SOT buttons and the factory connector in the back successfully controlled the SOT.

Jeff's conversion is awesome, and its even better that he outlined the steps in detail so that everyone can do it. He also detailed the changes he made to the top over on the expedition portal to run a traditional hard top without the quarter windows as well (in addition to swapping them for a soft top). Doesn't look that challenging, although I prefer the color matched top which would definitely be more challenging than the rattle can black touch up.

 

[yarmo]

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:

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