Is soft top warm enough?

[at81]

I'm debating between the Premium sunrider soft top and the 3 piece hard top. I live in northern ohio and winters can get cold. Just wondering from anybody with experience.

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[DMoney]

You should get the dual top group.
Soft top for the summer.
Hard top for the winter.

 

[homerun]

I have had a soft top on my YJ in Wisconsin and Colorado winters. I always felt it was warm enough. That said I usually switch to the hard top in winter as it was quieter and more secure than a soft top. Since I knew I won't be going topless for 5-6 months the convenience factors of the hard top are what motivated me, not the warm factor. Then again that was a 95 YJ so things have probably changed a bit.

 

[Hurley82]

Soft top is plenty warm, anything else is personal preference. The heater in the JK/Jl is a beast, with a slightly smaller cabin to heat it will keep you warm no problem, assuming they use the same heater.

 

[BlckJT]

I live in SE Michigan and had a similar debate. My choice is moving with the 3-piece hardtop and waiting for an aftermarket soft top from Bestop or something.

 

[saintpauljeff]

If you order the hard top, that's the only one you get, correct? Sorry for the question, not a current Jeep owner so I'm unsure how the top selection works. I'm similar to OP, northern climate so I'll be driving in winter. Additionally, I don't really want a soft top, I've got a convertible summer car for that purpose.

 

[Iron Wolfpack]

If you order the hard top, that's the only one you get, correct? Sorry for the question, not a current Jeep owner so I'm unsure how the top selection works. I'm similar to OP, northern climate so I'll be driving in winter. Additionally, I don't really want a soft top, I've got a convertible summer car for that purpose.

That is correct. Unless you select the option for the dual top group.

 

[Flamma]

Get the 3 piece hardtop. Order an aftermarket soft-top later, should you desire it.

 

[Sgt Beavis]

Get the 3 piece hardtop. Order an aftermarket soft-top later, should you desire it.

THIS!

Bestop is probably going to have a new soft top within a year for the JT. It will likely cost less than the current top's MSRP. Also, some people will a vehicle off the lot with the dual top group. Many of those won't want to convertible top and put it up for sale. I just got mine this way a couple of weeks ago. I got it, brand new in the box, for $1500. That's $700 under MSRP.

 

[steffen707]

I'm debating between the Premium sunrider soft top and the 3 piece hard top. I live in northern ohio and winters can get cold. Just wondering from anybody with experience.

my pacifica with 3.6 heats up like a MOFO!. I mean blows hot in 5 minutes in Wisconsin winter.

That with heated seat and heated steering wheel will probably be warm enough for Ohio winters.

 

[jeepguy225]

So, I found a pic of steffen707's van he keeps talking about...

 

[Ichthus]

The soft top does a fine job with containing hot or cold air. The compromises you have to make mostly hinge around the windows (brittle in cold weather, easily scratched, etc) and wind noise.

 

[WXman]

The soft top is fine for winter.

However, I always suggest getting the hard top from the factory. Why? Because then you have the electrical wiring for defrost pre-installed (washer fluid plumbing too in the case of Wrangler). It's easy peasy to add a soft top later.

 

[Trickster]

The soft top is fine for winter.

However, I always suggest getting the hard top from the factory. Why? Because then you have the electrical wiring for defrost pre-installed (washer fluid plumbing too in the case of Wrangler). It's easy peasy to add a soft top later.

Maybe fine for a Kentucky winter, not here in Canada.
Buddy of mine had a soft top only on his JK, he had to wear a parka.
Snow and ice load on a soft top is not a good thing.

 

[steffen707]

So, I found a pic of steffen707's van he keeps talking about...

That is not Dory!

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