Sponsored

Soft top security problem?

duckyjp

Member
First Name
John
Joined
May 6, 2019
Threads
2
Messages
5
Reaction score
1
Location
Texas
Vehicle(s)
Ford F150
I realize that by definition a soft top is not secure. I was researching exactly how they operated because I am planning to go with a soft top.

I viewed this video and realized that you don’t even have to unlock the Jeep to take off the back window.



Does it bother you guys that you actually can’t fully lock your soft top Jeep?

You would think jeep could have engineered the thing so you had to open the rear doors to take off the rear quarter top panels.

Am I missing something here?
Sponsored

 

Fcmalie

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2018
Threads
20
Messages
584
Reaction score
528
Location
Ripon, California
Vehicle(s)
2018 JLU, 2021 Mojave
Build Thread
Link
I don't plan on locking the jeep because it's a soft top. Someone will just slice the top of they see something they want and the doors are locked. I plan to bike lock the kids car seat down cause that will be the only expensive thing I ever leave in there.
 

homerun

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 30, 2017
Threads
9
Messages
990
Reaction score
1,203
Location
Fort Collins, Colorado
Vehicle(s)
1996 XJ, 2004 Ford Ranger, 2013 Subaru Impreza, 1996 HD Springer Softtail, past jeep 1995 YJ
I followed the same rule in my YJ. Never leave anything of value, never lock the doors. I would rather someone open the door and look around than cut my top and look around.
 

Fcmalie

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2018
Threads
20
Messages
584
Reaction score
528
Location
Ripon, California
Vehicle(s)
2018 JLU, 2021 Mojave
Build Thread
Link
I followed the same rule in my YJ. Never leave anything of value, never lock the doors. I would rather someone open the door and look around than cut my top and look around.
Also made my decision to drop all the way down to a Sport even easier, don't need power/proximity locks if I never lock it. Will be planning on a Gator Sport Max tow in diesel if they'll let me when it's released.
 

DebT

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 27, 2018
Threads
4
Messages
66
Reaction score
154
Location
Wyoming
Vehicle(s)
2020 Gladiator Sport S, 2021 Jeep Wrangler Willys
I owned a TJ with both hard top and soft top. The only time I got broken into was with the hard top. I went through a bad phase where I kept locking my keys in the car (the buzzer warning didn’t work) and the soft top saved me several times. I bet it was a sight to see me in a skirt and high heels climbing through the back zip out window! It had a 2” Rough Country lift and usually covered in mud. Best to not lock it with a soft top.
 

Sponsored

megamucho

Well-Known Member
First Name
mega
Joined
Nov 3, 2018
Threads
0
Messages
157
Reaction score
224
Location
Colorado Springs, CO
Vehicle(s)
'19 Durango R/T, '18 BMW R1200GS
My YJ had soft top and half-doors with the removable sail cloth/frame "windows". I don't even think that thing had door locks - I sure never used them.

For ppl who are nervous about the top being so insecure, don't even begin to think about the engine bay being accessible to anyone who walks by... LOL (yes, locking latches but "Jeep thing", etc.)
 

DanOnTheCob

Well-Known Member
First Name
Danny
Joined
Apr 10, 2019
Threads
9
Messages
264
Reaction score
375
Location
Cincinnati, OH
Vehicle(s)
Jeep Gladiator Rubicon
I never even thought about this. I am sure this will make keeping something in your car
I wish they made a hybrid top with a glass rear window and defroster like the hard top with the fold back soft top
I could get behind that idea
 

Choj

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 8, 2019
Threads
5
Messages
103
Reaction score
112
Location
Wisconsin
Vehicle(s)
2017 JKU Rubicon
I wish they made a hybrid top with a glass rear window and defroster like the hard top with the fold back soft top
Bestop makes one for the JK/JKU. I'm sure they'll eventually have one for the JT.
 

Sponsored

firemedic2714

Well-Known Member
First Name
Scotty P
Joined
Oct 24, 2018
Threads
3
Messages
457
Reaction score
481
Location
St. Louis, Missouri
Vehicle(s)
20 JT Rubicon, 19 Genesis G70, 1972 Ford LTD coupe
Occupation
Firefighter / Paramedic
Vehicle Showcase
1
I realize that by definition a soft top is not secure. I was researching exactly how they operated because I am planning to go with a soft top.

I viewed this video and realized that you don’t even have to unlock the Jeep to take off the back window.



Does it bother you guys that you actually can’t fully lock your soft top Jeep?

You would think jeep could have engineered the thing so you had to open the rear doors to take off the rear quarter top panels.

Am I missing something here?
You've never been able to fully lock a soft top Jeep. My '15 had zip out windows. That's why FCA made the back seats lock you out of the underseat storage. All four years I had it, nothing ever got stolen. You can always buy a truck tool box for the bed or a legit locking tonneau cover. Bestop also makes underseat storage drawers for the driver and front seat passenger that are pretty stout.
 

Bobzdar

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 3, 2019
Threads
7
Messages
523
Reaction score
641
Location
Richmond
Vehicle(s)
2020 Gladiator Rubicon, 1989 grand wagoneer
I realize that by definition a soft top is not secure. I was researching exactly how they operated because I am planning to go with a soft top.

I viewed this video and realized that you don’t even have to unlock the Jeep to take off the back window.



Does it bother you guys that you actually can’t fully lock your soft top Jeep?

You would think jeep could have engineered the thing so you had to open the rear doors to take off the rear quarter top panels.

Am I missing something here?
You don't want it fully locked - I never locked my soft top jeeps. It's WAY better to have someone unzip a window or similar than cut your top to get in. Unfortunately, you'd still get your top cut as not many people know you can just unzip the windows, so I would just leave it unlocked completely. I had the change stolen out of it once, but that was the worst of it. Glove box and center console locks, so put valuables there if you have to leave them and leave the doors unlocked. Lock your doors and you'll end up with your top cut.
 

MadMax

Well-Known Member
First Name
John
Joined
Aug 19, 2019
Threads
15
Messages
75
Reaction score
105
Location
Beaumont, Texas
Vehicle(s)
2020 Gladiator Sport S
Vehicle Showcase
1
Also made my decision to drop all the way down to a Sport even easier, don't need power/proximity locks if I never lock it. Will be planning on a Gator Sport Max tow in diesel if they'll let me when it's released.
There wont be such a thing as diesel with max tow package. The diesel will not be rated to tow as much as the 3.6.
 

Capt. B

Well-Known Member
First Name
Captain B
Joined
Aug 26, 2019
Threads
15
Messages
214
Reaction score
239
Location
Memphis, TN
Vehicle(s)
2020 Jeep Galdiator, 2002 Jeep Wrangler 2DR Gobi Edition
As a former police officer, I recommend you leave all of your cars unlocked. Thieves can get in a locked vehicle in about 5 seconds and a soft top just takes a sharp knife.

Leave it wide open with nothing valuable in it. That way you may not get damage but locking it isn't stopping a thief.

Just my .02 cents.
Sponsored

 
 







Top