Soft top vs hard top and why wouldn’t we all prefer to have just a soft top with metal doors?

[ttn333]

Just to reitterate what others have said. Get what you like. I don't have an image problem so soft top for me, especially being socal. I'm not particularly worried about getting broken into since it's probably easier to smash the window with a rock than to cut the soft top. There are definitely cons to the soft top, I can't get a rack over the cab but I can make due with the bedrack.

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[Motoarch]

I'm reading your post and thinking "Ahh, this guy must be in CA. Then I see CT. Right near me. How does it do in wintertime?"

I haven't had the Gladiator through the winter yet so I cant say.

The 2 Wranglers I owned (and LJ and a TJ) were both terrible. They also sucked with the hardtops on. Everyone says insulation better but that wasn't my experience. I still froze my ass off. I suppose on newer Jeeps maybe they improved the insulation on the hardtops but I didn't buy a Jeep to be coddled by it.

Someone mentioned snow load was an issue where they live and that seems legitimate but I've always lived closer to the coast in CT and its less of an issue here so I never really found that to be a problem myself.

At least with the newer vehicles you get remote start so you can get it warmer before you get inside. I didn't even bother with heated seats or steering wheel. I have a 2016 Cherokee with that and always turn it off because it just makes me sweaty. I may regret that decision this winter. We'll find out.

I know I sound a bit flippant but I guess we all know what we like, want and are willing to deal/live with. I suppose a good solution is to just get the hardtop and add the soft top aftermarket so you can always go hardtop in winter or incase you regret going soft top only. I didn't cause I knew what I wanted and have lived with both before so I felt comfortable with my decision.

Edit: As far as break-ins. If someone wants in they're not going to let some glass stop them.

 

[Ankh]

why wouldn’t we all prefer to have just a soft top with metal doors?

why don't we all prefer blondes?

why don't we all prefer larger tires?

why don't we all prefer the same haircut?

why don't we all ask loaded questions on here?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I’m in the process of ordering a Mojave after driving one with a 3 piece hard top for a couple days. The hard top removable panels are great, but I can’t help but to think that the Standard soft top that appears super sturdy and transformable into a pull back convertible style or bikini style just looks like a darn nice design. I realize that a hard top will be more secure and a sunrider looks like a great nearly $1k accessory to keep out the rain and such if you’re on the move and don’t want to carry the hard panels. However, I still can’t figure out why I don’t see Gladiator owners knocking down the doors for just a soft top.

Oh, and by the way, my back story is that I started out with a ‘71 CJ-5 with a soft fastback top some 30+ years ago for my first driver. I can still remember the rattles of what was a new fastback top way back then. I also remember wanting something of a metal half doors with a soft top way back then. And I still remember the frustration that I couldn’t leave anything of value in a soft top for fear it would be taken when my back was turned. However, who of us would leave anything of value in a vehicle today anyways?
I really can’t self justify the option of ordering both soft and hard together, but no judgement if that worked for you.

So, I welcome your pro’s and con’s as I decide to order one with just a soft top or spring for both a hard with a sunrider.

Btw, I did search the forum for such a topic, but didn’t see anything with quite this slant, but I’d welcome a link if I missed such a thread.

Because there are as many reasons to buy a JT as there are people, and why aren't they all black with manual windows?

Not everyone thinks like you or is as old or young as you, the reasons go on and on and on.
I also use mine for long trips - in the wind. There IS a difference in noise levels.
If all there was was a soft top - Jeep would likely sell only about 2/3 of what they currently sell. Some will buy these and not take the top off - and you'd think of them as not REAL Jeep people?
Heat in the summer is one reason - cold in the winter. I have raynauds - I need the cabin warmed up in the winter. You live in Omaha - you know what the weather can be like - high winds and low temperatures. MY wife is also with me quite a bit.
If my truck is outside, I also get concerned about heavy snow on it - we've had several inches of very wet snow that snapped trees like toothpicks.

>> However, who of us would leave anything of value in a vehicle today anyways?<<

Kidding, right? How about when my wife and I go to church and leave our phones in the truck.........I'd also rather not lose all the stuff that's under the back seat, or maybe we've been shopping and don't want to move stuff into the bed of the truck.
Sometimes trucks and cars get broken into just because - for spare change, etc. It doesn't have to be something of value sitting where it can be seen - sometimes things get broken into just because.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

A) Already had a convertible.
2) Ragtop looks funny
III) I often park where stuff could fall from height, and didn’t want holes in the top.

Kevin

Bird crap easier to wash off a hard top.
I can easily take the top off in minutes if I want it off, but with the dew point right up against the actual air temperature so much this year - naw. I don't like 120+ "feels like" temperatures.

 

[dfwxjer]

I never considered the hard top and have had zero issues with the soft top. My 63 Impala takes up my garage so the Jeep is parked outside 100% of the time here in Texas. The AC has no problem cooling the Jeep down before I leave the alley, and I have no doubt the heat will be just fine.

That said, why would they limit the option to exactly what I ordered? That's the best part about open top Jeeps. Customizable to meet everyone's needs. I know people that only run the hard top and have never considered a soft top. Good for them.

 

[Rocksalt]

premium soft top only. Going on year 3. No garage. Been in -30 temps and dnow. Not A SINGLE ISSUE.

 

[dcmdon]

I haven't had the Gladiator through the winter yet so I cant say.

The 2 Wranglers I owned (and LJ and a TJ) were both terrible. They also sucked with the hardtops on. Everyone says insulation better but that wasn't my experience. I still froze my ass off. I suppose on newer Jeeps maybe they improved the insulation on the hardtops but I didn't buy a Jeep to be coddled by it.

Someone mentioned snow load was an issue where they live and that seems legitimate but I've always lived closer to the coast in CT and its less of an issue here so I never really found that to be a problem myself.

At least with the newer vehicles you get remote start so you can get it warmer before you get inside. I didn't even bother with heated seats or steering wheel. I have a 2016 Cherokee with that and always turn it off because it just makes me sweaty. I may regret that decision this winter. We'll find out.

I know I sound a bit flippant but I guess we all know what we like, want and are willing to deal/live with. I suppose a good solution is to just get the hardtop and add the soft top aftermarket so you can always go hardtop in winter or incase you regret going soft top only. I didn't cause I knew what I wanted and have lived with both before so I felt comfortable with my decision.

Edit: As far as break-ins. If someone wants in they're not going to let some glass stop them.

Flippant is fine. I think the soft top works well enough in cold weather so if you really want the soft top it works.

When I moved from CT to Boston 9 years ago we bought the first house I've ever owned with an attached garage. Its great to get in the car on a 20 deg morning and the thermometer reads 45 deg. And like you said, remote start takes a lot of the sting away from the cold.

 

[Cavitt]

My Rubicon came with the hard top and I ordered a twill soft top within two weeks of removing and stowing the Freedom Panels. I love the soft top for the summer (I'm in Minnesota), and plan to put the hard top back on in the winter. I honestly would not have bought it with a soft top going into it, but wouldn't give it a second thought if I lived in a warmer climate with less weather. I personally don't think the soft top is overly loud compared to the hard top, but I'm a little hard of hearing and really don't care much for conversation so it works for me. I think the Sunrider might be a decent option, but I like having the option to remove the back window and a clear view in the rear view. It's also easy to take the Man Bun off completely if you there are a few clear days in the forecast.

I'm very glad I have both, and for a little more than twice the price of a Sunrider you can have the soft top. PM me and I'll share price and location I purchased mine.

 

[NachoRuby]

premium soft top only. Going on year 3. No garage. Been in -30 temps and dnow. Not A SINGLE ISSUE.

3 years isn't very long... I have nothing against a soft top jeep (I'm actively seeking out a soft top, and have owned a soft top jeep before). But they don't really start falling apart that quickly... I'd say at about 7 years is when you start having problems with a soft top that sees winter snow and extreme temperature swings. Good news is you just have to replace the fabric, and maybe the rear window at that point, so much cheaper than with the bows and hardware. With mine, the back window started becoming stiff and brittle first, followed by the fabric around the doors. Not a big deal to replace, but a soft top will not last forever.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

How do the soft tops hold up to raccoons, mice, chipmunks and squirrels?
I've got a car out here I'm parting and the floor rotted enough there was about a 1/2" gap about 12" long along the floor's sill - the coons pulled hard and pulled the floor steel down and got in and ripped things up.

 

[stil2low]

I am the opposite. I prefer the hard top on the JL and soft on the JT.

The rear window gets covered in crap on the JL and I use the washer/wiper a lot.
The vinyl one on the JT stays pretty clean.

The soft top on the JL was notably louder than the hard top.
I did not find it as big a difference on the JT.

The rear hatch feature on the JL hard top is a real convenience over dealing with the window and we open/close it all the time loading stuff.
The tops makes no difference in convenience in loading stuff on the JT.

I personally find the freedom tops a bit of a pain, and don't remove them on the JL anywhere near as often as I open the JT (which is almost EVERY time its not raining). I also find the freedom tops removed on the JL a lot more noisy/blustery than the top back on the JT. One of a few reason I have been hesitant to spend for a sunrider.
The addition of the sunrider also adds another layer of stuff to deal with should you want to go completely topless.

I am surprised to hear the soft top weighs more on the JT, I would not have guessed that.

I do wish the JT top went all the way back down onto the bed, but I am not offended by it as others seem to be. If it didn't work as well as it does, guess it might bother me more.

Funny thing is I really dont care for the looks of the JL in "safari mode" with the long overhang "diving platform".
I think the JT looks really good in safari mode.

I always liked the look on my JL in safari mode. The JT does look better tho

 

[IAGLADI8R]

I had a soft top Wrangler, for me it was too noisy on the highway. As for the Gladiator I like the look better with the hard top

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I had a soft top Wrangler, for me it was too noisy on the highway. As for the Gladiator I like the look better with the hard top

For me, the blue especially just looks better. The dealer sales guy - and others on staff there, agreed. It was the first blue one they'd seen with the hard top and the hard top color matched. The guy said the other sales people came out and stared at it when it arrived.

 

[Rocksalt]

3 years isn't very long... I have nothing against a soft top jeep (I'm actively seeking out a soft top, and have owned a soft top jeep before). But they don't really start falling apart that quickly... I'd say at about 7 years is when you start having problems with a soft top that sees winter snow and extreme temperature swings. Good news is you just have to replace the fabric, and maybe the rear window at that point, so much cheaper than with the bows and hardware. With mine, the back window started becoming stiff and brittle first, followed by the fabric around the doors. Not a big deal to replace, but a soft top will not last forever.

never said 3 years was a long time. my post was more tofolks who say it is not good in cold weather. also rear wundiw has bever leaked.. yes getting just the fabric when it needs it is alright by me... I dont need a hard top

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