Full recline soft top

[HenrytheDestroyer]

Has any manufacturer or industrious forum member attempted to create a soft top for the gladiator that reclines completely to the rear behind the seats akin to a wrangler ?

I had a TJ way back when and the soft top was a breeze to open and close. I’m not a fan of the soft top currently opening but staying above the rear roll cage. I’m surprised Jeep didn’t create a soft top from the get-go that reclines all the way to the bed without uninstalling.

Just wondering if this mod has been attempted at all, even if major fabrication was needed modifying a Jk soft top or something.

thanks.

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[AmosMoses]

Not to my knowledge. Bestop and Jeep did a study on new jeep owners and came to the conclusion that they had weak arms and poor motor skills and could not handle the responsibility of a fully fold down top. So they came up with their new version on the current JL/JT, and while hideous looking when you retract it(Especially on JL's), they are very nice fully erect.

 

[Stormtroopin]

At SEMA a couple years ago some Australian company made a really nice one, I have the sticker somewhere I’ll try to find out more information it was about 4K however and I couldn’t fathom hat for a top.

 

[Stormtroopin]

My top USA, the ozzy company makes a supercharger sorry for the confusion

 

[NachoRuby]

Not to my knowledge. Bestop and Jeep did a study on new jeep owners and came to the conclusion that they had weak arms and poor motor skills and could not handle the responsibility of a fully fold down top. So they came up with their new version on the current JL/JT, and while hideous looking when you retract it(Especially on JL's), they are very nice fully erect.

The JLU one can go all the way back. We hardly ever do it on ours, but it does. Just take the windows out and fold it back and then lock it in place with the straps. If it were mine, and not my wife's, our JLU one would go back more often. She just folds it back to the c pillar, though, like you said. It can, however, fold back to the tire just like previous generations. most people just don't though. It's easier not to. Since the option is there.

 

[AmosMoses]

The JLU one can go all the way back. We hardly ever do it on ours, but it does. Just take the windows out and fold it back and then lock it in place with the straps. If it were mine, and not my wife's, our JLU one would go back more often. She just folds it back to the c pillar, though, like you said. It can, however, fold back to the tire just like previous generations. most people just don't though. It's easier not to. Since the option is there.

Can you show me a picture of this either yours or from the internet?

 

[NachoRuby]

Can you show me a picture of this either yours or from the internet?

Here's one on YouTube. I know there are two different soft tops, and I don't know if the non-premium one folds differently. But this one looks like ours does.

 

[AmosMoses]

I watched it and this is what I was referring to. This top was designed for retirees and overweight women. Looks horrible down on the JL. I wouldn't be seen in public with the factory top down a d would immediately replace.it with a trektop.

The JK softtop was so much better looking in the down position.

 

[NachoRuby]

I watched it and this is what I was referring to. This top was designed for retirees and overweight women. Looks horrible down on the JL. I wouldn't be seen in public with the factory top down a d would immediately replace.it with a trektop.

The JK softtop was so much better looking in the down position.

Ok. Yes, I agree, not as flat as previous generations, but I thought you were referring to the retracted but not down position that I see often now, and the only option we get on gladiators. I think part of the JLU design was to give the option of many more modes to put the top down (front only, front and back only, all the way back, or safari). Part of it is also definitely ease of use. But I'd prefer the JLU style to what we were given on the gladiator. But then, I have a hard top, so this time of year I'm jealous of even that. My full hard top is off now only because it's not supposed to rain for a week. That's rare here. Otherwise, I usually just take the freedom panels or doors off. Much easier.

 

[HenrytheDestroyer]

I miss my TJ complete down as I posted. Best look and easy up/down.

 

[NachoRuby]

I miss my TJ complete down as I posted. Best look and easy up/down.

When new, yes. But when it gets old and the vinyl shrinks and the zippers break, no fun. I do like that the new ones are zipperless. I also miss our TJ. My favorite jeep, other than the lack of AC.

 

[DesertDog]

My Son’s JL retracts nicely behind the roll bar. Obviously, the JT is a total Man Bun. My two biggest complaints:

1. You better not forget before driving into a standard garage which is weird when considering that a garage is usually so awesome because you shouldn’t need to put the top up.
2. When looking at the design and brackets on my son’s JL I can’t, for the life of me figure out why Bestop doesn’t offer a similar bracket soyou can have the option.

 

[DesertDog]

Disclaimer to the above:

I knew this going in and decided the dual top group was the better alternative. I still prefer the soft top.

Anyone want to make an offer on an unused hardtop?

I would rather have the s

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