Is the dual top worth the extra $$ over the freedom hardtop

[BL5289]

Not sure if the benefit

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[Rahkmalla]

Personally I much prefer a sunrider over dual top. Much, much less to store all the time. Also a much easier install the couple times a year you switch em out. Taking off a sunrider is 6 screws and the panels go back on. Swapping a soft and hard top is a lot more involved.

Always consider the bias of the people you are asking for opinions though. So here's mine: I bought and installed a sunrider yesterday (and i love it).

 

[redriderjf87]

I bought mine with the hard top thinking it would be necessary for sound / heat insulation, but the premium soft top is pretty darn good, to the point that I *may* keep it on year round.

If I had known that up front I probably would've skipped the hard top altogether and saved some money. Or hard top + sunrider, if you're good with having the open air for just the front seats.

 

[Samsons Wig]

I have the body-color hard top and the premium soft top. I've really enjoyed having both. The hard top is on from October through April, and the soft top is on May through September.

I run with tube doors (I have kids and pets to keep inside) and use just the top portion of the soft top all summer (safari style). If I were to take a long road trip (over four hours) in the summer I would probably put the doors back on, but we typically take the other vehicle for such trips.

The soft top in winter is doable, but the hard top is much better for insulation and sound. Switching between tops is really easy after you've done it once or twice. About a fifteen minute job, tops.

TL/DR - having both tops is awesome if you have the budget and storage space.

 

[CluelessRufus]

Highly depends on your use and preferences.

For me, coming from a JK, I never drive with the top completely off. The direct sunlight is too hot and gives me a headache. However, I love having the doors off, which doesn't work well with the hard top. So, I'm either full top or soft top in safari-mode.

I also like the security of the hard top and the ability to use a rain gutter mounted roof rack in a pinch.

On my JK, I had the hard top and an aftermarket soft top because it worked better in safari-mode than the factory soft top. The new JL & JT soft tops work great in safari-mode. Add in the fact that the dual top option costs the same as buying the factory twill soft top alone, and for me the dual top option was a no brainer.

Unfortunately, the dual top option was no longer available when I put my order in. So, I'm going to try a JTops sunshade and an electric hoist to quickly remove the hard top when I want to go doorless. But there's a strong possibility I'll break down and buy the factory soft top at some point.

TL;DR

• If you want to go doorless safari-mode, the soft top is a great choice.
• If you want to go naked quickly, the soft top is the best choice.
• If you want security, the hard top is the way to go.
• If you just want to feel the sun on your bald spot from time to time, either top will work.
• If you want it ALL, go with the dual top.

 

[hjdca]

I also bought both... but, I live in Southern California. The hard top has been off for two years now. We only use the soft top. My gladiator is not garaged... If I did it over again, I would still buy both... I may use the hard top later ... The soft top is great fun where I live !!

 

[joeym7]

The freedom panels coming off are awesome and kick up the jeepy feeling a lot, and meet the open air need very nicely, but they are a pain to store in the jeep. If you are absolutely sure it isn't going to rain you can store them elsewhere, but that makes them less versatile. I'll be putting on my sunrider July 1...So yes, a second top is worth it, I think I paid approx. 7-800$ from the factory. That is a tiny amount per year if you will keep your Jeep 10 years or more.

 

[IanNubbit]

I will say soft only every day, stores completely in the bed rails and all, and I don't have a garage or the desire to fully remove a hard top if I want full open air. There's a massive difference in how much wind circulates and buffers with just a hard top panels off and a full top off. It's much less aggressive full top off. Also I cannot stand how intrusive the hard top rear window is compared to how much larger and open the soft top window is.

 

[Beemer533]

My Mojave came with the soft top and when I picked it up from the dealer I also ordered a hard top. Living in upstate NY I figured I'd be better off with the hard top.

But, it took over 3 months to get the hard top and during that time I realized that the soft top was nowhere near as loud as I expected and I really loved being able to just throw the top back when the weather was nice.

Having had the hard top on for a while now, I do like it but the freedom tops are nowhere near as easy as the soft top..

Since I have an Alu-cab now, I'm probably kind of stuck keeping the hardtop, but I am pretty sure a sun rider is in my future.

 

[Gvsukids]

Problem is that the weight of the second top counts against your payload.

 

[sass JT]

Like others said… depends on you.

After owning some JKU’s and now my gladiator…. Here’s my preferences.

winter… hard top with freedom panels or with my sunrider

spring/fall hardtop with sunrider or premium soft top.

summer… premium soft top

I love being naked but have to have a top over my head. I don’t like the mesh and the soft top in safari mode is perfect. If it rains… just throw the back window in and it’s done.

now when I go to work, I travel and need the noise down… I throw the hard top back on and I configure with either the freedom panels or the premium sunrider.

honestly, jeeps are great because everyone needs are different and will configure their jeeps their way… imo… do the dual top… it’s worth every penny and if you find that you don’t want either top, you can sell them.
Cheers

 

[Dartboy]

I’ve had my HT for about a year and a half, soft top for about a month. If you’re a top-down person, I would say the dual top is worth it, but TBH I don’t know what it costs and it depends on your local climate

Despite having most of the open top behind you, the ST really is a much more open feel than the HT with the panels out, even if you’re not taking out the rear window and corners. Definitely ALOT more open with them gone.

Swapping from the HT to ST took me about 45 minutes (first time, having only watched an instructional video once) going back will likely be quicker.

Yes, HT is more secure. I’ll definitely go back for the winter and pop the freedom panels if we have a nice day early or late in the season. I’d prefer the glass window for snow and ice

 

[NachoRuby]

Definitely depends on you. I don't have the dual top group, and wish I did. I have hard top only. Freedom panels off isn't the same as topless to me, and the whole hard top off is an inconvenience when you get the random rainstorm that wasn't in the forecast. I'm the type that takes my whole top off as much as I can, and that means I've been left out in the rain a few times with no shelter.

On the other hand, my wife has taken her freedom panels off all of twice. And never taken the whole top off of her jeep. Me, top off, doors off, as often as possible.

 

[CluelessRufus]

One last thing to add, on my JK, after 5 years the hard top started leaking where the back of the freedom panels come together with the rest of the hard top. That always seemed like a weak spot to me.

My soft top never leaked. Not once.

If someone sold a one-piece hard top for the JT, I’d be all over it.

 

[UrbanRogue]

When found the Mojave I wanted I t didnt come with the soft top. Which I love to have. last 2 Jeeps had them as well. I was a little upset it didnt have the dual top option. but then I managed to find a Brand new Premium top for $1350 CDN. Feel better now as the dual top option was $2,695. So in the grand scheme of it I saved $1345

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