Hi, and what do I do about...

[Throwback]

I finally got a Gladiator. I've wanted a true Jeep for many years. When the Gladiator was announced I was excited, but I could never find one that was just basic. Then the prices kept going up. But the 15% discount brings the price back down -- so I bought one.

I've got the ragtop. Question: what do you ragtop guys do about ice on the rear window? Is there something you spray on it to keep it from icing? I've never had a ragtop.

Anyway, glad to be on the team pun intended.

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[Gvsukids]

I finally got a Gladiator. I've wanted a true Jeep for many years. When the Gladiator was announced I was excited, but I could never find one that was just basic. Then the prices kept going up. But the 15% discount brings the price back down -- so I bought one.

I've got the ragtop. Question: what do you ragtop guys do about ice on the rear window? Is there something you spray on it to keep it from icing? I've never had a ragtop.

Anyway, glad to be on the team pun intended.

How do you get ice on the rear window?
Turning on the heat will warm up the vehicle to melt ice.

 

[Throwback]

We have wind and cold and wet, so you get ice on everything.

Yes, I realize that heat will melt ice -- but it takes time.

 

[AverageJoe]

Hot water works well. No chemicals to possibly mar the window, either.

 

[DylanM]

Talking about a soft top TJ here, but the premise is the same. When the back window is covered in ice I'll either gently knock on the inside of the window to dislodge the ice, or just use the outside mirrors until the rear window clears.

 

[Throwback]

Hot water works well. No chemicals to possibly mar the window, either.

I would heat water if it was a once in a while thing, but this is pretty much every morning at 7 am taking the dog to the park thing. For a large part of the year.

" ...gently knock on the inside of the window to dislodge the ice, or just use the outside mirrors until the rear window clears. "

Nice tip there, I'll try tapping from the inside. I ran the brush over this morning and it did f-all. Didn't want to use the scraper on the plastic.

I was hoping there was some old wives tale thing about smearing something on it. But I guess not lol. I've never had an old school ragtop with plastic roof. My ex wife had a caaabriolet froo froo thing with glass. Even had a defroster in it.

 

[Free2roam]

Get rid of the soft top and get a hard top with rear window defogger. ?

 

[Throwback]

Get rid of the soft top and get a hard top with rear window defogger. ?

I like the hard top with the removable panels but I like this better -- except for that plastic window. I like the MGB simplicity, just throw it back.

 

[AverageJoe]

Had a '79 Triumph Spitfire back in the day...and 3 ragtop Jeeps. A pan full of hot tap water will do the trick. Trust me.

 

[Rocksalt]

soft top owner since 2020. no garage. has seen Illinois and MN winters. never had issues once the cab is warm.

 

[Throwback]

" Had a '79 Triumph Spitfire back in the day...and 3 ragtop Jeeps. A pan full of hot tap water will do the trick. Trust me."

I loved those Spitfires. Of course, Mr Lucas had his say in the quality of life. I had Triumph motorcycles myself. Alabama? Now I see where you're coming from with that suggestion. At 20F or colder that warm tap water will freeze as soon as it hits the plastic. I'll have more ice!

Well, guys, I'm convinced there's no miracle goo for it. Good thing we have these mirrors and that nice backup camera. I am quite sure I won't hit the neighbor's cat (or the neighbor) backing out my driveway. I am not waiting 20 minutes in the driveway running the heater before my 3 minute drive to the park every morning. I'll have to suffer for that man bun fashion ha ha. First world problems as the kids say. Thanks for your comments!

 

[Jteakus]

Granted soft tops now are much better than old CJ tops but if I lived where ice was the norm it would be a hard top for me.
Warm up time with the heater on kill should take care of the ice.

 

[Stuntman Mike]

Congratulations to the Gladiator and with regards to the frozen rear window: just don't look back.

 

[Throwback]

Congratulations to the Gladiator and with regards to the frozen rear window: just don't look back.

I've got a Pentastar and a six-speed -- I don't need to know what's behind me lol. Forward ho!

 

[JsnJcksn]

" Of course, Mr Lucas had his say in the quality of life. I had Triumph motorcycles myself. Alabama? Now I see where you're coming from with that suggestion. At 20F or colder that warm tap water will freeze as soon as it hits the plastic. I'll have more ice!

I had Spitfires as well. Saying about the electronics:
“Why do the British drink warm beer? They have Lucas refrigerators.”
”Lucas switch, OFF, DIM, and FLICKER.”

Thanks for bringing up the memories!

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