Sponsored

Hard Top or Soft

BAT

Well-Known Member
First Name
Blaine
Joined
Nov 11, 2019
Threads
106
Messages
2,295
Reaction score
2,025
Location
Katy, TX
Vehicle(s)
Jeep Gladiator Sport S Max Tow Sting Grey
As it get ever closer to being able to seriously start looking into making some sort of deal on an JT. I have pretty much settled on what I want if I can find it or may have to order one. But I am still so torn on the Top. To go Hard top or Soft top. I really want to go soft top to be able to take the top off during rides with ease and then close it back up. But living in South Texas the heat is on my mind. We are in early June and its already topping above 100 degrees with very little cloud cover. I am just concerned that the soft top will be like an oven during the June/July/August months when its hotter than hell here. The Hard top I could put a headliner in it to beat back the heat some. I don't have room for storage of two tops so its got to be one or the other. I have looked into the Best Top option but so wanted to get the truck to just pop the whole top on and off as quickly as I wanted.

All the other decisions about the truck were easy. I've been reading forum and youtube stuff as much as possible but still just back and forth on it.
Sponsored

 

whiteglad

Well-Known Member
First Name
Joe
Joined
Feb 12, 2020
Threads
13
Messages
1,149
Reaction score
1,003
Location
Vegas
Vehicle(s)
2022 Gladiator Mojave
I have the premium soft top and it doesn't seem any hotter, if as hot, inside when in the Vegas heat as compared to my JKU hard top.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BAT

eaglerugby04

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2019
Threads
12
Messages
1,787
Reaction score
1,265
Location
Northern South Carolina
Vehicle(s)
Gator Rubicon Gladiator, Toyota Prius, Toyota Sienna
Occupation
Network Security
As it get ever closer to being able to seriously start looking into making some sort of deal on an JT. I have pretty much settled on what I want if I can find it or may have to order one. But I am still so torn on the Top. To go Hard top or Soft top. I really want to go soft top to be able to take the top off during rides with ease and then close it back up. But living in South Texas the heat is on my mind. We are in early June and its already topping above 100 degrees with very little cloud cover. I am just concerned that the soft top will be like an oven during the June/July/August months when its hotter than hell here. The Hard top I could put a headliner in it to beat back the heat some. I don't have room for storage of two tops so its got to be one or the other. I have looked into the Best Top option but so wanted to get the truck to just pop the whole top on and off as quickly as I wanted.

All the other decisions about the truck were easy. I've been reading forum and youtube stuff as much as possible but still just back and forth on it.

My advice would be think about the reasons you are getting the JT. If being a convertible is top on the list then go with the soft top. The hard top is just a PIA to deal with taking off and the freedom panels are kind of bulky and akward to store. So easy to take down. With the hard top also being black unless you pay extra for the color matching I can't imagine it staying that much cooler than the soft

Kind of a personal question but do you have kids? if so soft top is the only way so they can enjoy the JT as well!

I can't speak for the top being good in the heat though, because any day about 65 it has been off, lol. Even as it hit 90 today. Come to think of it, I have no clue if my AC even works I have never tried it, lol.
 

Nannook of the north

Well-Known Member
First Name
Chris
Joined
Apr 26, 2020
Threads
14
Messages
202
Reaction score
155
Location
NY
Vehicle(s)
2020 sport
I gotta say the AC works great in these. I'd vote soft top especially since you don't have to deal with much of a winter.
 

Mark Doiron

Well-Known Member
First Name
Mark
Joined
Aug 14, 2019
Threads
7
Messages
602
Reaction score
1,261
Location
Oklahoma City, OK
Vehicle(s)
2007 JKU X, 1979 Tenth Anniversary Trans Am, 2020 Gobi Gladiator Rubicon
Occupation
Retired
I have the original fabric soft top for my Wrangler (although in recent years it has been stored because my overlanding configuration makes swapping the tops a huge chore). Even that less robust fabric worked well to keep me comfortable in winter and summer ...

Stanley Draper Lake near my Midwest City, OK, home ...
Jeep Gladiator Hard Top or Soft Jeep, Mar 10, 7987


Parked in front of my home. One of three times my hood was abused by hail. The soft top did just fine. The hood not so much ...
Jeep Gladiator Hard Top or Soft Hail Storm, May 10, 0004, Jee


Perhaps fortunately, I had the hard top on when we encountered this EF5 beast in Moore, OK ...
Jeep Gladiator Hard Top or Soft May 20th Tornado, May 13, 1842, F5 Tornado in Moore


So, I ordered my Gladiator with the premium soft top. No regrets.

In front of the Arcadia round barn along Rt 6 in Arcadia, OK ...
Jeep Gladiator Hard Top or Soft Gladiator, Nov 19, 5_3612, In Front of Arcadia Round Barn


Crossing Black Gap in Big Bend National Park, TX (a Jeep Badge of Honor trail) ...
Jeep Gladiator Hard Top or Soft Big Bend Explorations, Jan 20, 5_4579, Mark's Gladiator on Black Ga
 

Sponsored

double J

Well-Known Member
First Name
Johnny
Joined
Jul 22, 2018
Threads
8
Messages
91
Reaction score
57
Location
Glen Allen Va
Vehicle(s)
2020 gladiator rubicon
I have both tops. I also have the bestop Sunrider for hardtop. If I had to do it over, I would just do the hardtop with bestop Sunrider for hardtop.
 

whiteglad

Well-Known Member
First Name
Joe
Joined
Feb 12, 2020
Threads
13
Messages
1,149
Reaction score
1,003
Location
Vegas
Vehicle(s)
2022 Gladiator Mojave
There are a lot of videos on youtube from owners, dealerships, and Jeep about installing, removing, and operating the hard and soft tops. Might help you decide. My hard top is in the basement and I agree that the "freedom" panels are quite bulky and heavy to deal with. If you take them off, what next? If you leave them home, you have a problem if it rains, etc. The Sunrider isn't cheap and still only exposes the front seat to sunshine. The premium soft top is about half the price of the hard top.
 

LostWoods

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2020
Threads
15
Messages
1,921
Reaction score
2,171
Location
Gilbert, AZ
Vehicle(s)
2024 4Runner / 1995 YJ
I personally feel less of a desire to put the top down on these than in a Wrangler so I went hard top. Honestly I'd be happier with a 1-piece top that was a bit lighter weight and would still have bought if removing the top wasn't an option at all - I just wanted a small pickup with a solid front axle.

The wife's JL is absolutely going to be red, two doors, with a black soft top that will probably only be on the Jeep during monsoon season when we move to AZ.
 

jrb517

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jake
Joined
Feb 24, 2020
Threads
11
Messages
90
Reaction score
76
Location
NH
Vehicle(s)
2020 Gladiator Sport S Max Tow - Bright White, 2008 BMW 328i e93
Occupation
Software
If I were in TX, it wouldn't have been a question - Soft top for sure.

As soon as the nice weather hit, I regretted only getting the hard top. I like the idea of being able to flip the whole thing back in a few seconds. Having a little one at home means I likely won't be taking the entire hard top off any time soon, since it's our family vehicle. That being said, In the winter I would regret NOT having the hard top with heated rear glass. I definitely foresee a bestop sunrider in my future, or aftermarket soft top if someone ever steps up and makes one...
 

1OffCraz

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2020
Threads
1
Messages
86
Reaction score
164
Location
Upper Burrell, PA
Vehicle(s)
2020 Jeep Gladiator
My JK had the hard top with Freedom panels, which were okay, but a bit of a pain.
I decided to go soft top on my JT for an easier impromptu topless ride.

Very glad I chose the soft top, as it's much more convenient than than the hard top, and the rear passengers can enjoy open air too. Also, the rear corner, and rear window removal is so easy, and optional.
 

Sponsored

Jeeperjamie

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jamie
Joined
Feb 12, 2020
Threads
131
Messages
4,634
Reaction score
5,191
Location
Kannapolis nc
Vehicle(s)
2020 jeep gladiator
Occupation
Weyerhaeuser
Vehicle Showcase
1
I vote hard top, the soft top flipped back looks retarded and I really don't like the look of the soft tops on the JT's, just looks awkward. I can have my hard top off in 10 minutes or less, freedoms panels out 2 minutes or less. With a Bedcover you can store the freedom panels in the rear easily without messing them up, they fit perfect back there. The rear of the hard top only weighs about 20lbs, it's not like the JKU hardtop, it's really light, I am only 5ft 4 and I can pick it up and walk right off the bed of the truck carrying it and I'm lifted 2.5" on 35's. I just set it on the floor in the garage until I'm ready to put it back on. I got a soft top as well but it will never be used and it will never come out of the box it came in.
 

Jeeperjamie

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jamie
Joined
Feb 12, 2020
Threads
131
Messages
4,634
Reaction score
5,191
Location
Kannapolis nc
Vehicle(s)
2020 jeep gladiator
Occupation
Weyerhaeuser
Vehicle Showcase
1
There are a lot of videos on youtube from owners, dealerships, and Jeep about installing, removing, and operating the hard and soft tops. Might help you decide. My hard top is in the basement and I agree that the "freedom" panels are quite bulky and heavy to deal with. If you take them off, what next? If you leave them home, you have a problem if it rains, etc. The Sunrider isn't cheap and still only exposes the front seat to sunshine. The premium soft top is about half the price of the hard top.
They fit in the bed of the truck and won't slide around. I'm not sure what heavy is to some of you. The freedom panels are light and not heavy at all, I can literally remove them with one hand standing on the ground and I'm 5' 4".
 

LostWoods

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2020
Threads
15
Messages
1,921
Reaction score
2,171
Location
Gilbert, AZ
Vehicle(s)
2024 4Runner / 1995 YJ
I vote hard top, the soft top flipped back looks retarded and I really don't like the look of the soft tops on the JT's, just looks awkward. I can have my hard top off in 10 minutes or less, freedoms panels out 2 minutes or less. With a Bedcover you can store the freedom panels in the rear easily without messing them up, they fit perfect back there. The rear of the hard top only weighs about 20lbs, it's not like the JKU hardtop, it's really light, I am only 5ft 4 and I can pick it up and walk right off the bed of the truck carrying it and I'm lifted 2.5" on 35's. I just set it on the floor in the garage until I'm ready to put it back on. I got a soft top as well but it will never be used and it will never come out of the box it came in.
Yeah the man-bun look is really unflattering to these trucks. Looks just as bad on the JLU.
 

DreamedofaJeepSomeday

Well-Known Member
First Name
Martin
Joined
Jan 23, 2020
Threads
10
Messages
1,106
Reaction score
1,128
Location
SW Florida
Vehicle(s)
2020 Jeep Gladiator Overland 6-speed. 2004 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab 4x4, gave to daughter w/350K miles
Occupation
Civil Engineer
I have both tops. I also have the bestop Sunrider for hardtop. If I had to do it over, I would just do the hardtop with bestop Sunrider for hardtop.
That was my choice. Reasoning: 1. Switching between hard and soft top too much of a hassle to do regularly. 2. Limited storage space.

But this is a personal preference. I live in a hot, sunny area, so the body-color HT was an easy decision for me, well worth the extra $. (My JT will be white)
 

brancky3

Well-Known Member
First Name
Brandon
Joined
Aug 12, 2019
Threads
16
Messages
332
Reaction score
218
Location
Greenville, SC
Vehicle(s)
'20 Gladiator Sport S
Yeah the man-bun look is really unflattering to these trucks. Looks just as bad on the JLU.
Luckily we don't have to look at it while driving. I like the flexibility of being topless 95% of the time in the summer and not worry about a random rainstorm.
Sponsored

 
 



Top