For those considering soft top...

[Kjm18]

Thank you! I actually took delievery of my Rubi over the weekend and figured out that it won't fit in my garage open. Booo. I should have came back and updated this thread.

It's really that much taller? That stinks.

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[WXman]

If you think you are going to get a hardtop later, it's wise to order hardtop from the factory so the wiring is pre-installed. It'll be a breeze to add a softtop later. Go hardtop for now.

I have had every configuration possible on my Jeeps. Soft top, Trektop, Hard top, Hard top + Sunrider. I have found that Hardtop + Sunrider is my favorite. I still have most of the security of the hard top, less noise, defrost for winter, better for foul weather, but I can still throw the top open in seconds and enjoy the open air experience if I want. Very good combo.

 

[Alkali]

I'm wondering how warm it'll stay in the cabin during the winter with the soft top. I've only had hard tops and it was decent (Jeep thing right)? but I now have a daughter and I don't want her to freeze if I just go with the soft top for now. Does having the soft top on now during the summer stay cool? I want to get the hard top but if it'll help save some money now, I'll go with the soft top.

I never had a problem with heat in my TJ with a soft top. If there is one thing that worked on that Jeep it was the heater. That being said I live in the rust belt so I chose the hard top for my JT because the snow definitely weighed down on the top and scraping the ice off the vinyl is not an option.

 

[Chance_P]

So far no regrets ordering a soft top. 110 heat index and I don't even need the AC maxed to keep the cab nice and cool. The interior space isn't any larger than my 2 door JK so I doubt I will have problems with heat either. Especially with my heated seats, steering wheel, and floor boards.

 

[Beardown Jeep]

Would someone mind taking a picture of their soft top looking down into the jeep? I'd like to see a good detailed picture of the hardware on the top. I have seen what it looks like on, down, and off, but I would like to know how hard it is to take off completely.

Thanks!

 

[Papalecki]

You guys are killing me.
I was going to go premium soft top, then I read another post that talked me into hard top, now after reading this, I’m back to soft top only. I know, I could go dual.

 

[BLK HOLE]

Soft top looks weird down, weirder up and is louder.

The hard top is so light an 80yr old woman can remove it.

 

[STEELCITYDJ87]

I got both tops with my JTR. Drove 2 weeks with hardtop and then installed my soft top, been on for a week now.

Hardtop is definitely quieter. Very easy to remove. Light but you need two people to get it over the bed and set it down. I have not settled on a lift yet so sitting in my third garage bay.

Soft-top. Easy to open and fold back. Can drive around 55mph without seeing the back window flapping when it’s open. I personally remove the window and quarters if I am driving hwy speeds. It only takes me about 2 mins to put it back together. For height open, I went thru a parking garage with 7 foot clearance and was verrry close to hitting a sign when turning around the bend of the ramp. If you wanted to remove the top it’s fairly easy, you take out 4 bolts and lift it off. Kind of awkward but I did it by myself from inside the bed.

Water kind of beads on the soft top and washing it is fairly easy. Can dry it with a chamois like the rest of the vehicle.

I love the look of the soft top so much better than hard top. It’s not bad in 85 degree heat. Drove it the other night with back window out top closed in 50 degree weather. Got some cold air coming from behind but nothing the heater blowing on face and feet could not overcome.

 

[Uparms]

Have you heard the drone of the premium soft top with the back window out and most of the windows down at 100 MPH. Wild scary sound. Try it for fun. It's not like any soft top noise you have ever heard......

I love my soft top but will be looking for a hard top also. I have spent most of the time since 8/10 delivery date with the back window out and the windows down ( except when I go in to work for the day or the house for the night. Did you also see Quadratec has the Mopar bikini top out now. Neat unzip feature looks like you can take most all of it off except front mount, to install your HT?

BTW, I will run this way till Mid December, back window out, windows down and the heater on. Fresh air in the fall/winter AM with coffee, is cheap adrenaline !

Have fun folks!!

 

[Rocksalt]

Have you heard the drone of the premium soft top with the back window out and most of the windows down at 100 MPH. Wild scary sound. Try it for fun. It's not like any soft top noise you have ever heard......

I love my soft top but will be looking for a hard top also. I have spent most of the time since 8/10 delivery date with the back window out and the windows down ( except when I go in to work for the day or the house for the night. Did you also see Quadratec has the Mopar bikini top out now. Neat unzip feature looks like you can take most all of it off except front mount, to install your HT?

BTW, I will run this way till Mid December, back window out, windows down and the heater on. Fresh air in the fall/winter AM with coffee, is cheap adrenaline !

Have fun folks!!

Dude, you were going 100mph in your gladiator? Windows down hard or soft top sounds scary to me lol

 

[Papalecki]

You guys are killing me.
I was going to go premium soft top, then I read another post that talked me into hard top, now after reading this, I’m back to soft top only. I know, I could go dual.

I was in the same boat - not sure what top to get. I changed my mind 4 times, every ew days - decided to go dual.

 

[Reeb65]

I was very hesitant about purchasing a soft top on the Gladiator. My last two Jeeps had hard tops but the problem was that I never found myself taking off the top near as much as I did with the soft top (the four Jeeps prior).

I took a chance and ordered the JT with a soft top (knowing full well I might get a hard top later).

Frankly, I have been pretty impressed with the soft top - both on clean appearance and surprisingly low(ish) road noise.

I second you on the soft top. Super convenient to through it back. I also like it in the safari mode with the doors off. Keeps you cover if the sun is beating down.

 

[htremper]

Like some here, I opted for both, immediately took the hard top off to partake in what warm weather is left. That being said, the soft top itself is slightly more complex regarding the frame and such....not a big deal, just when you want to switch there are more parts.

As for it being up...non-JT's I feel look better with the top back, it being tucked at the top still gives the feel of a roof on. You can however take that off (see nude pictures all over here) pretty easy. just 4 bolts and the top is lighter then non JT's...so say...a weekend where you know it wont rain...this is what I would do.

As for the back window stuff...i agree with everyone else here that its WAY easier to take it all off and put back on. The only thing that I am still trying to figure is what to do with the back window and sides when they are off but you still want to travel with them. If anyone has some clever ideas...esp for the window let me know.

 

[Uparms]

Dude, you were going 100mph in your gladiator? Windows down hard or soft top sounds scary to me lol

Rode like a cadillac. Handles great, 10-15 seconds on a 4 lane wide southbound is not bad. i don't drive this thing like that much. Try it funny as hell DROOOOONE! You wan't want to go longer than 10-15 seconds, not because of the speed but because of the impact of the drone, trust me.

 

[Uparms]

Like some here, I opted for both, immediately took the hard top off to partake in what warm weather is left. That being said, the soft top itself is slightly more complex regarding the frame and such....not a big deal, just when you want to switch there are more parts.

As for it being up...non-JT's I feel look better with the top back, it being tucked at the top still gives the feel of a roof on. You can however take that off (see nude pictures all over here) pretty easy. just 4 bolts and the top is lighter then non JT's...so say...a weekend where you know it wont rain...this is what I would do.

As for the back window stuff...i agree with everyone else here that its WAY easier to take it all off and put back on. The only thing that I am still trying to figure is what to do with the back window and sides when they are off but you still want to travel with them. If anyone has some clever ideas...esp for the window let me know.

I leave the back window and two corners at home in the garage. 5th wrangler and never a theft. When you head into the store or office, put 4 door windows up and lock it.

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