Soft top back, rear window in, OK to drive that way?

[Warbirds]

I saw this post and happened to have a Gladiator as a rental car so I drove with this configuration from Texarkana to Dallas at 75-80mph the whole time. The speed limit is 75 between the two and its about 180 miles or maybe 200.

I had no issues or problems.

Hope that helps.

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[ScottV]

The elastic straps are identical to some I've found for Wranglers -- they can hold the rolled-up rear window in place. That's clearly what they're for on the Gladiator too -- I found the male snaps on the inside rear of the soft top. But I don't think Jeep thought this whole thing through ... the rear window that came with my Gladiator (premium soft top, no hard top) doesn't seem like it should be rolled up -- it bends a little in that dimension, but it seems like rolling it up would destroy the tabs on the side that hold it in the side retainers. Could the elastic bands be designed for a different rear window that rolls up? Or am I just being too careful with my rear window?

Any other ideas? As it stands, I think the elastic straps are useless, though I guess I could put my ski poles in them.

 

[SergioGmz]

The elastic straps are identical to some I've found for Wranglers -- they can hold the rolled-up rear window in place. That's clearly what they're for on the Gladiator too -- I found the male snaps on the inside rear of the soft top. But I don't think Jeep thought this whole thing through ... the rear window that came with my Gladiator (premium soft top, no hard top) doesn't seem like it should be rolled up -- it bends a little in that dimension, but it seems like rolling it up would destroy the tabs on the side that hold it in the side retainers. Could the elastic bands be designed for a different rear window that rolls up? Or am I just being too careful with my rear window?

Any other ideas? As it stands, I think the elastic straps are useless, though I guess I could put my ski poles in them.

The elastic bands are to keep the soft top in place.Just found it by accident on this Mopar Video.

 

[ScottV]

The elastic bands are to keep the soft top in place.Just found it by accident on this Mopar Video.

Thank you for the video link. The video shows the Velcro straps being used, but some of us also got 2 mysterious elastic bands with snaps — those are the ones we’re curious about, as they aren’t mentioned in the owners manual (or in the video).

 

[Godfadr]

The fact of the matter is that Jeep has to cover themselves in some fashion.

Can you drive top-down, window in. Yes. Should you? Maybe...what is the situation? How fast are you going...for how long...are there significant crosswinds....blah blah blah.

I have driven with my top-down and windows in without any problem (up to 75mph). Would I jump on the freeway for hours on end...probably not.

 

[1STJ100]

No problems at 70+

 

[Kjm18]

I also had no problems yesterday driving home with the top down and again this morning to work with the top down and back window in. It moves a little bit, but not a lot.

 

[RRGA]

This question came up in a separate thread, and got a couple useful replies (thanks!), but I think it deserves its own thread:

You can open the Sunrider top without removing the rear window and quarter panels; I've done it and taken it on a few short, low-speed rides, and a couple others (on a different thread in this forum) also say it's OK. I'd like some definitive advice on whether we should drive around with it like that, and if so, are there any maximum speed guidelines. A couple items in favor of doing it:

1) I contacted my dealer, and they got back to me with "we don't see why it would be a problem", so that's encouraging.
2) It doesn't seem like it would generate much (if any) more pressure on the rear window than driving with all 4 windows down, but the top closed, which we're obviously able to do.

A couple points against it:

1) The user guide, under "lowering the soft top", says it includes removing the window and quarter panels first (but it doesn't really describe anything specific that might go wrong if you don't, like damage to the retainers, for example?).

2) The full owners manual (which I found on this forum, still not available online via my Jeep owners account), on p. 104, says: "Do not lower the top with the windows installed. Window and top damage may occur." I suspect this may be a leftover from when they clearly did a "copy & paste" of the Wrangler owners manual and maybe forgot to change this, but still, it's in the manual. (Though I found some other Wrangler "leftovers" in that manual.)

Has anyone heard anything definitive from Jeep on this? Or maybe have a more up-to-date owners manual that says something? I worry about potential damage to the retainers for the rear window/quarter panels.

Thanks!

I have been just pushing it back and not even strapping it. But haven't driven more then 45+ MPH that way...

 

[Kjm18]

I have been just pushing it back and not even strapping it. But haven't driven more then 45+ MPH that way...

I don't see any reason to strap it.

 

[JTguy2020]

Do you have a mopar part number for the soft top storage bag?

i just got confirmation from my contact at MOPAR. the part number is: 68396560AB. this Soft Top Window Storage Bag is on BACK ORDER with NO ETA! I would prob say sometime in the FALL 2019 - But that is DEF the part number

 

[Bekah]

Coming back from Tennessee to Virginia on i-81, I put my soft top back but left the panels and window in. Part of that time I had all the windows down whereas some of the time the windows were up. Figure a good 300 miles plus maintaining over 70 miles per hour speeds and I had no issues.

 

[JTguy2020]

Coming back from Tennessee to Virginia on i-81, I put my soft top back but left the panels and window in. Part of that time I had all the windows down whereas some of the time the windows were up. Figure a good 300 miles plus maintaining over 70 miles per hour speeds and I had no issues.

woot woot! thats great to know! thanks for posting. i've had no issues with anything but have not traveled far yet.

 

[JTguy2020]

I saw this post and happened to have a Gladiator as a rental car so I drove with this configuration from Texarkana to Dallas at 75-80mph the whole time. The speed limit is 75 between the two and its about 180 miles or maybe 200.

I had no issues or problems.

Hope that helps.

i'm shocked they have Glad's available as rentals!

 

[JTguy2020]

I love how the video states IN THE PROVIDED WINDOW STORAGE BAG (that nobody received) this is a big issue with a lot of Glad owners. this bag should of come with all GLADs in my opinion. its on back order with no ETA or a Fall release sometime.

what have you all been doing with the quarter panels and back window?

THE MOPAR WINDOW STORAGE BAG PN# 68396560AB

This was confirmed to me by Mopar this past week.

 

[Mike3506]

Gone on the highway with the rear window in. Did not blow out. Kinda made me wonder though

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