Hard top vs soft top
- Thread starter Erik V
- Start date
I think you will really like it that is what I got too (Black Diamond) The Sunroof is pretty cool and taking the windows off and having a safari tap is way cool too. Super easy to install.
When first installing it don't connect the back straps and don't tuck in the side windows. The top is so tight that it will look like it doesn't fit but it does. Lift the top above the rear roll bars and start the zippers on both sides of the rear window then slowly pull the top back down and let it sit for a bit. then lastly tuck in the bottom of the side windows and attach the rear back straps. Once you do this a couple time it gets easier but it is a PITA the first time. Make sure it is is sunny out also let the top sit in the sun while installing it the first time.
Watch this video, It helped me a lot.
Kiwi TJ
Just asked myself if I’m crazy and we all said No
Supporting Member
Ride of the Month Winner
For me the soft top works very well, no leaks even when we have our tropical downpours and sure it’s noisy and feels like you on the Black Pearl in full sail but that’s all part of the fun if you ask me...(still running the original 18yo soft top )
Down here we can have 4 seasons in one day to being able to adapt and change things on the fly make the soft top a clear winner for me.
Well done on your purchase...
Down here we can have 4 seasons in one day to being able to adapt and change things on the fly make the soft top a clear winner for me.
Well done on your purchase...
I prefer soft tops to hard tops. Here's why:
1) I think they just look better
2) Easier to take the top down on the go
3) Allows you to just take off some windows for a pseudo-top down experience
4) Cheaper to repair/replace
As others have said, the wind noise can be an issue, but Jeeps are never really quiet cars anyways. I've heard people say that hard tops are best for cold climates, but I've had my TJ with a soft top through several winters here in MN and never had an issue. The cabin of Wranglers (at least TJs and older) are just so small that staying warm has more to do with your heater vents blowing heat than actually holding heat in the cabin.
Personally, I have a Rampage Frameless soft top and I love how you can take off the windows and store them in the top while on the go. It makes for a pretty easy open-air ride without too much hassle.
1) I think they just look better
2) Easier to take the top down on the go
3) Allows you to just take off some windows for a pseudo-top down experience
4) Cheaper to repair/replace
As others have said, the wind noise can be an issue, but Jeeps are never really quiet cars anyways. I've heard people say that hard tops are best for cold climates, but I've had my TJ with a soft top through several winters here in MN and never had an issue. The cabin of Wranglers (at least TJs and older) are just so small that staying warm has more to do with your heater vents blowing heat than actually holding heat in the cabin.
Personally, I have a Rampage Frameless soft top and I love how you can take off the windows and store them in the top while on the go. It makes for a pretty easy open-air ride without too much hassle.
This is cool, Not an option with Bestop. Might look into this if I ever have to replace mine. How do you like the Rampage top as a whole? Is it snug and seem quality? Because that is a really cool ass feature!
I installed a hoist and removed my hardtop to store hung up in the ceiling of our garage.
I purchased the Bestop Trektop NX for the same reasons you described and although it was a little bit of a PITA to install the first time I love it. It is much less noisy than I imagined it would be and taking the windows off and running it as a safari top is pretty easy.
It is a super nice and high quality top. I love the roll bar hugging looks of it too.
AtlWrangler99
TJ Enthusiast
Why was I sitting here trying to figure out what PITA meant? LOL My brain is in slow motion today. I figured it out. :risas3:
AtlWrangler99
TJ Enthusiast
Blank
TJ Enthusiast
I have a Qtop but im not a fan of it i only need mine for winter though. summer is for my spider shade and no doors
Overall, I like it! I did have an issue a few months back during negative degree temperatures when I was brushing snow off my car in a hurry that resulted in my rear window getting a hole in it. However, since it was under the 2 year warranty, the manufacturer sent me out a new set of windows for free (including the side windows, even though I didn't need them). I would just warn anyone else going through a similar situation to be very careful of getting the right part though since they have a lot slight variations of window replacements that might not fit, even if they look right from a picture on the web.
From a day to day use perspective, it's a good top and I like being able to drop and store the windows easily. The two drawbacks to your standard top are that you can't just slide the whole thing back and take it with you if you want to go fully topless (you can just leave the thing in the back, but since it's not attached like a framed top, someone could steal it easily if they were spiteful). The other drawback is that it does get a bit of water that pools on the top when it rains. It's not much and doesn't really cause any major issues though. I have also seen some products on the market for various types of soft tops that provides an extra support to prevent water pooling if that's a concern.
Finally, for overall quality, I'd say that it's good if not amazing. I've had mine for just over two years now and I only see very slight fading on some parts, such as the straps on the outside. I don't really fault the window break that I had since it was a pretty unusually severe cold during the morning (I live in Minnesota) and I should have been more gentle getting rid of the snow. Also, I think the actual window panes are pressed rather than rolled, so there is some slight distortion when looking through them. I don't think it's a big deal, but apparently you can get "rolled" windows from some "premium" tops at Quadratec that supposedly don't have this.
If I were to do it all over, I'd still buy the same top, but I can understand why some people wouldn't make the same choice. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Make sure you leave it out in the sun. It is a very nice and tight fit which I love but when it is brand new it is hard to get on unless you let it out in the sun to soften it up
jeepXcore
TJ Enthusiast
Mine came with a hardtop, which I love for the winters up here. I bought a bikini top and run that or no top at all from May 1st until Labor Day. If you have a hardtop, it's a seasonal commitment in my opinion. Once it's on, its on for at least 6 months, once its off, it's off until it's too cold to enjoy it.
AtlWrangler99
TJ Enthusiast
AtlWrangler99
TJ Enthusiast
AtlWrangler99
TJ Enthusiast
Not the full top, no. Just the front half folds back .
I am getting a Replace a top in black twill for OEM Hardware. I chose this because of the reviews and my Jeep won't really see any big time trails. I am not sure if I need anything other than the top itself? I might need to contact them. I am replacing my OEM original top that is completely shot. I am hoping I have all the hardware when I remove it. lol
This is the top.
https://www.bestop.com/jeep/2004/wr...ck-twill-for-oem-hardware/sub-model/standard/
This is the top.
https://www.bestop.com/jeep/2004/wr...ck-twill-for-oem-hardware/sub-model/standard/
If you have an OEM top on your Jeep now then you have all of the hardware. I think this is a smart option. I on the other hand, had all the original hardware but wanted the NX version for the Sunrider feature. Therefore I had to get the hardware with the NX that added over $400 to the cost. What I found is that the original hardware was beefier with more metal where the new is plastic. If I had to do it all over again I would have done what you are doing.
Similar threads
