Soft top vs. Hard top

[d k]

Hello

Looking for some feedback as to why or why not?

My first inclination was to get a hard top, but the small rear window opening really bugs me. I like the fact that you can install roof racks and carry a load on the roof as opposed to the bed.
Plus the added security.

But....

I really like the modularity of the soft top, and I like the fact that you can take the rear window out and have a way to communicate with the bed if you have a cap or a camper.


Wondering what everyone elses feedback is?

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[Moe_Fugga]

I like my hardtop because it looks better (IMO), it’s a bit more secure than a soft top, and It is quiet(er)......as compared to the soft top I had on my JK. Convenience of taking down (off) the hard top is nowhere near the convenience of the soft top. I can carry the freedom panels with me, but the time it takes to put them on vs pulling the soft top down if I get caught in rain is a no brainer. Looking back I would have purchased the dual top group to get both. Hard top in the colder weather and soft top for the nicer weather. One day I’ll probably pull the trigger on a soft top for Summer.

 

[d k]

I can never figure out the pricing on the dual top....

Says $1100, when you add it, it goes up by $3000 lol

Looking back I would have purchased the dual top group to get both.

 

[Moe_Fugga]

I can never figure out the pricing on the dual top....

Says $1100, when you add it, it goes up by $3000 lol

A quick look on Jeep’s Gladiator builder says it’s $1100 for both, but you have to pick a tonneau cover as well. That is BS in my opinion, but it’s still cheaper than buying after the fact. The soft top is at $2000 and the hard top is at $2500 on Quadratec. You may find cheaper, but not as cheap as buying with the Gladiator.

 

[Jeeperjamie]

Mine came with both but I'll never use my soft top because it looks stupid on the JT. Can't figure out why they didn't make it retract all the way to the bed instead of sitting up top. If I had the soft top installed I would have to remove it completely to not feel stupid riding around in the JT so I just keep the hard top installed and remove it completely when I want to go topless, takes about 10 minutes for me to get it off the truck.

 

[d k]

Right, but it adds 3k to the price...??

A quick look on Jeep’s Gladiator builder says it’s $1100 for both, but you have to pick a tonneau cover as well. That is BS in my opinion, but it’s still cheaper than buying after the fact. The soft top is at $2000 and the hard top is at $2500 on Quadratec. You may find cheaper, but not as cheap as buying with the Gladiator.

 

[d k]

So what you're saying is you want to get rid of your soft top real cheap?? lol

Mine came with both but I'll never use my soft top because it looks stupid on the JT. Can't figure out why they didn't make it retract all the way to the bed instead of sitting up top. If I had the soft top installed I would have to remove it completely to not feel stupid riding around in the JT so I just keep the hard top installed and remove it completely when I want to go topless, takes about 10 minutes for me to get it off the truck.

 

[MrFahrenheit]

Can't figure out why they didn't make it retract all the way to the bed instead of sitting up top. If I had the soft top installed I would have to remove it completely to not feel stupid riding around in the JT

I thought this too, but the soft top look has honestly grown on me and I wish I had one now. Plus there are only 4 screws that hold the entire soft top on and people have swapped them out with ‘knobby’ hand screws for easy removal.

I find I mostly just take off the freedom panels on my hardtop because even though I have a garage, I don't Have an easy way to hoist the whole top off and someone isn’t always around to help.

 

[Moe_Fugga]

Right, but it adds 3k to the price...??

I played with the builder a little more and it looks like it’s a little over $4000.

It INITIALLY shows dual top as $1100, but then adds more on the back end PLUS the price of the freedom top. Not to mention the tonneau cover you HAVE to choose. FCA’s subtle way of sticking it to you haha

Only selections I made were the dual top and the mandatory tonneau. The Freedom top was automatically selected....

 

[Jeeperjamie]

I thought this too, but the soft top look has honestly grown on me and I wish I had one now. Plus there are only 4 screws that hold the entire soft top on and people have swapped them out with ‘knobby’ hand screws for easy removal.

I find I mostly just take off the freedom panels on my hardtop because even though I have a garage, I don't Have an easy way l

I can remove mine by myself, I found a good technique for doing it. I'm going to invest in some of the rain gear for the JT.

 

[Jeeperjamie]

So what you're saying is you want to get rid of your soft top real cheap?? lol

Yeah, my wife want let me sell it. She said as soon as I do I'll want one, a trend that went on far to many times with my JKU.

 

[LostWoods]

Is the hard top on these actually lighter than the soft top + frame? I was looking on Quadratec and the hard top is like 86lbs shipped while the soft top is like 125lbs... seems a bit light on the hard top but I haven't actually had it removed.

If so that's another point for me in addition to looks and noise. Definitely scratches easier though... no stripes on the truck (yet) but the top definitely has a few on top and along the c-pillar.

 

[TeamHemi]

I can remove mine by myself, I found a good technique for doing it. I'm going to invest in some of the rain gear for the JT.

I have both also .. flip them with the seasons.

Like you stated back window off and roof retracted in 3 minutes or less or remove 4 bolts and whole thing off and stored in less than 10 minutes ... no comparison to JKU (had one too).

Good luck with the Rain Gear Gladiator Cab Cover ... I am waiting also and it is never in stock when I look.

 

[eaglerugby04]

I would say soft top only, but noticed where you are, you get this dangerous thing called snow... lol

This summer if I didn't have the soft top I would probably hate my JT. been constant pop up storms this summer. Having the ability to flip it back to drive it, but then close it back up when I go somewhere has been huge. Still have the doors and back window out, but in "safari" mode like that it has kept most of the rain out. this is something you just can't do with a hard top sadly.

 

[Jeeperjamie]

I have both also .. flip them with the seasons.

Like you stated back window off and roof retracted in 3 minutes or less or remove 4 bolts and whole thing off and stored in less than 10 minutes ... no comparison to JKU (had one too).

Good luck with the Rain Gear Gladiator Cab Cover ... I am waiting also and it is never in stock when I look.

I'm running into the same thing on the rain gear. Pretty much everything I need to buy to almost get my build complete. I guess this Covid crap has got everything tight on what vendors are keeping stocked.

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