Hard top vs soft top

[gg1]

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.

Thanks for the confirmation. To be honest, I was getting a bit confused about it all. The damn to is on backorder for a month so they say. The price I got was $900, but I got a connection. I think the list is $999 right now. Damn thing when up a bit, but what the heck! Thanks again.

 

[Equilibrium31]

Pic Please

Well, I'm a bit late replying to this, but here's some pics of my Jeep with this top. I don't have any with the windows removed, but removing the windows takes away everything but the very top layer and the thin straps that you see connected to the back.

 

[Starrs]

Well, I'm a bit late replying to this, but here's some pics of my Jeep with this top. I don't have any with the windows removed, but removing the windows takes away everything but the very top layer and the thin straps that you see connected to the back.

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What brand top is that? Figured those straps would be on the inside and not the outside like the best top trek top. Interesting

 

[Equilibrium31]

What brand top is that? Figured those straps would be on the inside and not the outside like the best top trek top. Interesting

Rampage Frameless top:
https://www.extremeterrain.com/rampage-frameless-soft-top-kit-tj-109535.html
(there's good pics of it without the windows on that page)

 

[piratemonkey]

Soft top all the way.
I've had several soft top cars and one with a hard top. I sold the hard top and bought a soft top for it.

Summer/Winter? it really makes no difference.
Security? I don't bother locking the car, but can lock items in the center console and glove box.

I love driving in a soft top when it rains. I guess it's a similar feeling to rain on a tin roof.

And half doors for the win!

 

[mgroeger]

Don't dismiss the Supertop NX, it has the sunrider feature, and comes with the hardware to install...

I have the hardware but I see Best Top also has the frame less version. It would appear the way to go since it has a cleaner look and can be left as a safari top once windows are unzipped. BUT is it better with a frame? Quieter? more secure on the Jeep? Not security... secure.

I'm thinking of this one...
https://www.extremeterrain.com/bestop-trektop-nx-tj-5682135.html

 

[glwood]

I have the hardware but I see Best Top also has the frame less version. It would appear the way to go since it has a cleaner look and can be left as a safari top once windows are unzipped. BUT is it better with a frame? Quieter? more secure on the Jeep? Not security... secure.

I'm thinking of this one...
https://www.extremeterrain.com/bestop-trektop-nx-tj-5682135.html

Definitely a good top. I'm personally not a fan of the trektop look, but a lot of TJ owners run those and are happy. Does save putting on a frame. Makes removing the top completely harder.

I like how the frame style folds back if you want topless.

 

[mgroeger]

Definitely a good top. I'm personally not a fan of the trektop look, but a lot of TJ owners run those and are happy. Does save putting on a frame. Makes removing the top completely harder.

I like how the frame style folds back if you want topless.

My understanding is that this easily becomes a safari top by simply removing all three rear windows. That is the mode I am most interested in. Doors off, all open but don't have the NC sun roasting my head. BUT there will be times I want to go full on topless and if I understand correctly, since there is no frame you are literally removing the top from the Jeep, correct? I can see where that would be a pain.
I don't believe there is a frame version of a fastback made by best top, I couldn't find one. I'm not a fan of the look of the regular tops on the LJ, looks like a big funny shoe box but you can easily flip the front part back or easily fold the whole thing down like a traditional soft top.

 

[ac_]

I have a trek top I like it because there is no frame. It isn't any noisier than a frame top in my opinion because it is pretty tight against the roll bar. Mine might be a bit noisier because I pulled all of my roll bar padding so it might slap the top center roll bar on the freeway if I don't have the front windows in.

You are definitely right it is a safari top if you pull the three windows and then there are 4 clips to unsnap and a slide pull to undo then the two clip in the front to pull the top off. No tools necessary and no frame to pull off or leave rattling. BTW my original top when folded down made more noise than my trektop. I kind of do like the look of the traditional top better, but I am way more happy with the ease of the trek top. I also do like the fact that the front flips over.

Here is mine because it is a pretty cool picture and because I am a picture whore:

 

[mgroeger]

I have a trek top I like it because there is no frame. It isn't any noisier than a frame top in my opinion because it is pretty tight against the roll bar. Mine might be a bit noisier because I pulled all of my roll bar padding so it might slap the top center roll bar on the freeway if I don't have the front windows in.

You are definitely right it is a safari top if you pull the three windows and then there are 4 clips to unsnap and a slide pull to undo then the two clip in the front to pull the top off. No tools necessary and no frame to pull off or leave rattling. BTW my original top when folded down made more noise than my trektop. I kind of do like the look of the traditional top better, but I am way more happy with the ease of the trek top. I also do like the fact that the front flips over.

Here is mine because it is a pretty cool picture and because I am a picture whore:
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Niccccce. So when the doors are off you will always have the door trim permanently in place if you have the safaris top on. I didn't think of that but it doesn't seem to obtrusive.
I assume that flipping the front part up to have only the top open over the front seats is simple.

BTW... how do you have your tire mounted on the rear? My 33" wouldn't fit on the orig holder so I bought a heavy duty Rugged Ridge which is very robust but it sticks far off the gate which I don't like.

 

[ac_]

I have a Dirtworx rear bumper with a swingout tire carrier and Hilift mount.
http://www.thedirtworx.com/

Flipping the top over is as easy as pulling the slides on the sides out of the stripping and undoing the front clips on the windshield. It is kind of like pull and turn. It is a bit tough the first couple of times, but after about the third time super easy. In all less than 10 seconds

Here is a video on installing the trek top. It really is a good short video:

I think you are talking about the upper door frames those are easily removed too. No tools necessary. I usually leave them on if I have the safari top on, but remove them if I am removing the whole top. They do serve a purpose in holding the safari top on in that the side slides I mentioned earlier go there, but i don't think they are mandatory for the safari top. Sometimes if I flip my top up and down a lot. I don't even hook them up on the sides.

 

[mgroeger]

Thanks! Great info!

 

[glwood]

I have a trek top I like it because there is no frame. It isn't any noisier than a frame top in my opinion because it is pretty tight against the roll bar. Mine might be a bit noisier because I pulled all of my roll bar padding so it might slap the top center roll bar on the freeway if I don't have the front windows in.

You are definitely right it is a safari top if you pull the three windows and then there are 4 clips to unsnap and a slide pull to undo then the two clip in the front to pull the top off. No tools necessary and no frame to pull off or leave rattling. BTW my original top when folded down made more noise than my trektop. I kind of do like the look of the traditional top better, but I am way more happy with the ease of the trek top. I also do like the fact that the front flips over.

Here is mine because it is a pretty cool picture and because I am a picture whore:
View attachment 61269 View attachment 61270

View attachment 61272

I'm curious on the Trektop...say you're going out on an iffy weather day with the windows out...where do you store them in case you might need them later if a storm rolls through?

 

[mgroeger]

I'm curious on the Trektop...say you're going out on an iffy weather day with the windows out...where do you store them in case you might need them later if a storm rolls through?

I wondered that too. I have an LJ so there is room in the rear to accommodate them laying flat so I figured I'd get a cargo net or something to keep them from flying out but I'd like to know how others do it.

 

[glwood]

My understanding is that this easily becomes a safari top by simply removing all three rear windows. That is the mode I am most interested in. Doors off, all open but don't have the NC sun roasting my head. BUT there will be times I want to go full on topless and if I understand correctly, since there is no frame you are literally removing the top from the Jeep, correct? I can see where that would be a pain.
I don't believe there is a frame version of a fastback made by best top, I couldn't find one. I'm not a fan of the look of the regular tops on the LJ, looks like a big funny shoe box but you can easily flip the front part back or easily fold the whole thing down like a traditional soft top.

I missed the part about you owning an LJ, sorry. Actually on those, the Trektop looks better than the factory style bow soft top.

 

[mgroeger]

I missed the part about you owning an LJ, sorry. Actually on those, the Trektop looks better than the factory style bow soft top.

Amen to that!! The original soft tops almost look comical on the LJs.

 

[ac_]

Ok so on the Bestop one you are limited on options. You can put them in a bag in your back or leave them in your garage. If you get an off-brand. I don't remember the one exactly but they make a trek top with a slot in the roof to store your windows.

I opted to go with the name brand top, so I mostly leave my stuff at home, and being in Arizona I rarely get stuck in a storm. Usually we are pretty good about knowing about rain before it gets here because it is so rare that it actually rains. I have not been caught yet not to say I never will, so somewhere else you may have to be more vigilant with the removing of windows.

Mostly if I am worried about the weather, I leave the windows on and just flip the top back.

You don't really have any where to put your windows on a traditional top either. but on the traditional top you can roll up your back window. Not an option on the trek top, but still I never rolled up my window on my traditional top anyway.

 

[Equilibrium31]

Ok so on the Bestop one you are limited on options. You can put them in a bag in your back or leave them in your garage. If you get an off-brand. I don't remember the one exactly but they make a trek top with a slot in the roof to store your windows.

I opted to go with the name brand top, so I mostly leave my stuff at home, and being in Arizona I rarely get stuck in a storm. Usually we are pretty good about knowing about rain before it gets here because it is so rare that it actually rains. I have not been caught yet not to say I never will, so somewhere else you may have to be more vigilant with the removing of windows.

Mostly if I am worried about the weather, I leave the windows on and just flip the top back.

You don't really have any where to put your windows on a traditional top either. but on the traditional top you can roll up your back window. Not an option on the trek top, but still I never rolled up my window on my traditional top anyway.

Yea, I have the Rampage frameless top and it has a pocket in the top that you can store the windows in. It's a zipper-closed bag inside the top section that opens from the back. I still want to get a bag or something so that I can store the entire top when I'm on the go, but so far it hasn't been a big deal.

 

[mgroeger]

Yea, I have the Rampage frameless top and it has a pocket in the top that you can store the windows in. It's a zipper-closed bag inside the top section that opens from the back. I still want to get a bag or something so that I can store the entire top when I'm on the go, but so far it hasn't been a big deal.

Hmmm... I would think that over time the top would sag from that pocket having the weight of the windows in it.

 

[ac_]

Hmmm... I would think that over time the top would sag from that pocket having the weight of the windows in it.

Maybe? I don't have one to know. Kind of interested, but the this Bestop seems to be pretty good quality that it would really have to be awesome for me to give it a try.