Soft top question

[bobbyo]

I'm new to Jeeps and just bought my first one, a 2000 Sport, 3 months ago. It has a replacement soft top in very good shape and I've started playing around with the windows to get familiar with them and see how they function. I don't feel like lowering the top itself at this point but I would like to get a bit more open air experience while riding around. I'd like to take the side and rear windows off while leaving the rest of the top in place, including the so-called sail panels in the rear corners. My question is has anyone done this and should I expect any potential wind damage to the soft top, particularly at highway speeds. I did note in the owners manual that you should not ride with just the rear window removed because exhaust fumes could be pulled into the cabin so that's why I'd want to take them all off.

Any advice would be appreciated. Pic of soft top below.

 

[primetime4]

I am primarily a top up but windows off driver and people do this all the time. Never had an issue but I would expect some flapping from the rear corners. Some people velcro strap them to the rear roll bar to minimize this but I would not bother. You can also buckle the rear belts so minimize flapping there but its a Jeep and it's going to be loud no matter what. The top is intended to be run without windows in just about every combination so no worries there I would say including removing just the rear. I think Jeep says that just out of precaution but I see it all the time including with 4Runners and yet to see anyone die from it. The only suggestion is removing the rear window vs rolling. I have always rolled the rear window up and strapped it to the top via the built in straps. Over time, this can cause scratching and creasing so you may want to remove it to keep it nice and flat. Enjoy.

 

[cpwolf]

Yes, you can absolutely do that. It's not that much effort to drop it frankly, the windows are most of the work, ha.

I would always tell new owners of a Jeep, put the top up and down and learn the little tricks that work for you.
I put velcro on the garage wall, two sets one below the other, at an angle, and I pull a side window and use the back velcro and put it on the wall. Then the next one and do the same. I have clips above those that I clip the back window when I pull it out.

Lot of flapping when the windows are out only, but no biggie. I would make sure my straps that go from the bars on the soft top frame, they come undone and I'd make sure, it keeps it as tight as possible.

 

[bobbyo]

Yes, you can absolutely do that. It's not that much effort to drop it frankly, the windows are most of the work, ha.

I would always tell new owners of a Jeep, put the top up and down and learn the little tricks that work for you.
I put velcro on the garage wall, two sets one below the other, at an angle, and I pull a side window and use the back velcro and put it on the wall. Then the next one and do the same. I have clips above those that I clip the back window when I pull it out.

Lot of flapping when the windows are out only, but no biggie. I would make sure my straps that go from the bars on the soft top frame, they come undone and I'd make sure, it keeps it as tight as possible.

Thanks. I didn't know if the windows were providing some sort of support for the rest of the top or not. I'll just start out slow and take it from there. I'll be storing the windows on a spare bed in the basement; just have to make sure the cats don't get to them!

 

[Gilaguy23]

I ran my 99 with no doors or the 1/2 doors, rear down to keep exhaust and dirt out, the sides off and I used velcro along the zipper edge and some angle iron attached to the tub and a bow IIRC the other velcro part. I ran 65mph like this regularly. Without them the corner parts would get stretched and start pulling out of the tub. Lots of air and way quieter than running a top.

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

When I bought my TJ it had what I was told was a "New" Bestop which did look new, especially the windows, but was probably wasn't at the time.

The first time I removed the top I found the start of this crack at the front edge of the drivers side rear corner plastic piece. The picture is current and it has just about tripled in length. I no longer drive on the freeway without the side windows in place to keep it from getting worse.

This picture shows the bent area on the last couple inches at the rear of the passenger side rear window which is quite noticable when installed but hasn't cracked and holds fairly well. The rear corner plastic on this side works like new.

I honestly don't know if either of those are common or if the PO just did a couple different weird things to cause them.