Stolen Soft Top Windows

[Jmazz]

I saw a post that someone had their windows stolen from a parking lot. It's always made me nervous. With the JK style you had zippers. A simple luggage type lock on the zipper would help make it harder to steal those. The JL style are easy to use but now so vulnerable. Even stuff kept in the back. A hard top obviously is better but the engineers should find a way to secure these better. The rear window bar does need the tailgate unlocked and open to remove but the window itself slides right out.
Anyone have a home-grown solution?

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[Heimkehr]

Drill a hole at the base of each vertical stiffener used by the side windows. Do the same in the adjacent plastic trim that is attached to the body. Run a zip tie through both holes.

That is the same M.O. used by those soft top owners that want to prevent [recurrent] loss of the side window panels while driving in high winds.

This subject recurringly makes the rounds on the forum. Here are the pics I've saved from the related threads.

 

[Flip]

Drill a hole at the base of each vertical stiffener used by the side windows. Do the same in the adjacent plastic trim that is attached to the body. Run a zip tie through both holes.

That is the same M.O. used by those soft top owners that want to prevent loss of the side windows panels while driving in high winds.

 

[ecomguy]

Is this a real problem, or did it happen to one person out of hundreds of thousands?

 

[Heimkehr]

Is this a real problem, or did it happen to one person out of hundreds of thousands?

There've been occasional owner posts -- just enough of them to get our attention -- that do mention the loss of one or both side window panels while driving, usually at highway speeds.

As for outright theft of soft top windows? This thread is the first time I can recall that particular subject being mentioned.

 

[RatZero]

Honestly, after owning Jeeps for 40 odd years all with soft tops I've resigned myself to not bothering securing my Jeep beyond normal means. I've learned that if they want something, they'll take it and if you make it harder they'll cut their way in or worse.

They've even taken a crowbar or somesuch and pryed open my locked hood for my battery, cut through windows with unlocked doors and drilled through a locked center console. Sigh.

 

[Brsox]

Honestly, after owning Jeeps for 40 odd years all with soft tops I've resigned myself to not bothering securing my Jeep beyond normal means. I've learned that if they want something, they'll take it and if you make it harder they'll cut their way in or worse.

They've even taken a crowbar or somesuch and pryed open my locked hood for my battery, cut through windows with unlocked doors and drilled through a locked center console. Sigh.

Wow! You live in a rough area

 

[blackthought_]

No one wants those soft top windows .
Just drive the darn thing.

 

[Jeep Wick]

The windows are kind of expensive, but honestly first time I've heard some were taken. Usually folks just break in. We had some kids go through the neighborhood, stuff in the wife's car was eventually recovered, there was nothing in the Jeep to steal. I autocross my other car, so that stays pretty empty.

 

[2019JLUS]

I saw a post that someone had their windows stolen from a parking lot. It's always made me nervous. With the JK style you had zippers. A simple luggage type lock on the zipper would help make it harder to steal those. The JL style are easy to use but now so vulnerable. Even stuff kept in the back. A hard top obviously is better but the engineers should find a way to secure these better. The rear window bar does need the tailgate unlocked and open to remove but the window itself slides right out.
Anyone have a home-grown solution?

sounds like you need bestop etop

 

[yokramer]

Drill a hole at the base of each vertical stiffener used by the side windows. Do the same in the adjacent plastic trim that is attached to the body. Run a zip tie through both holes.

That is the same M.O. used by those soft top owners that want to prevent [recurrent] loss of the side window panels while driving in high winds.

This subject recurringly makes the rounds on the forum. Here are the pics I've saved from the related threads.

To be fair if they have your tailgate open to be able to steal your side windows none of that is going to help.

 

[embedded rock]

It's a bummer and frustrating to have anything stolen (from experience), but taking soft top windows from a Wrangler only benefits the presumed Wrangler owner. I never thought Jeep owners would steel from other Jeep owners.

 

[Opus]

It's a bummer and frustrating to have anything stolen (from experience), but taking soft top windows from a Wrangler only benefits the presumed Wrangler owner. I never thought Jeep owners would steel from other Jeep owners.

I think the m.o. would be to steal from one Jeep owner... try to sell the windows on CL or FB Marketplace to an unsuspecting second Jeep owner.

 

[embedded rock]

I think the m.o. would be to steal from one Jeep owner... try to sell the windows on CL or FB Marketplace to an unsuspecting second Jeep owner.

Good point.

 

[Opus]

Good point.

Not to say there aren't a few shifty bastards around here I would keep my eye on...

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