Sunrider or Soft Top?

[USMC-SSGT]

I have a granite crystal with a color matched top which (in my opinion) looks awesome. Like most, the freedom tops aren’t exactly useful. Sure they are simple enough, but also just enough trouble where I tend to just leave them on all the time.

Because of this I decided I’m going to get a twill sunrider. It’s cold here so I’d take it off in the winter and put it back on when it’s nice.

Enter the soft top- found a one year old takeoff asking $1200 which is a very fair price. I honestly don’t love the look of the soft top, and the man bun is undesirable, but you can’t deny it’s still a damn good top. I could more or less just unlatch it and throw it back like the sunrider and leave the back window etc in. All this for roughly $400 more than a sunrider.

Pros: much more open air jeep feel

Very decent price to accomplish that

The kids would get open air too, not just me.

Cons: my jeep would be “uglier” half the year

I’d have a man bun

Not quite as simple as just throwing it open at a stop light and closing it at the next.

I’d need to store my hard top

My wife ordered a dual top MY22 JL, so we don’t necessarily NEED two Jeeps with a soft top in the summer.

We would need to store TWO hard tops.

PLOT TWIST-
I could also buy a Clearlidz used for $1200 (asking price) and buy a sunrider.

If you were me (young, short, balding, and handsome) what would you go with?

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[Average-Joe]

Sunrider personally as I like the rear hard top but still having the open air experience.

 

[NewGladdyOWNR]

I'm going soft top for the spring/summer. I, like you, weighed out the pro's and con's of the sunrider vs the soft top and I came to the conclusion, flipping back the entire top is way cooler than flipping open just a portion. Plus, with the removable back window, it'll be a more open feel than just the sunrider. I'll have a lot of friends in the back seat during the summer, so overall soft top seems like a better fit for me.

 

[USMC-SSGT]

Sunrider personally as I like the rear hard top but still having the open air experience.

Certainly hard to argue with the utility and ease of it. Also a quicker changeover.

 

[USMC-SSGT]

I'm going soft top for the spring/summer. I, like you, weighed out the pro's and con's of the sunrider vs the soft top and I came to the conclusion, flipping back the entire top is way cooler than flipping open just a portion. Plus, with the removable back window, it'll be a more open feel than just the sunrider. I'll have a lot of friends in the back seat during the summer, so overall soft top seems like a better fit for me.

Part of the debate for sure. Can even just pull the back window and sides and it’s like a bikini style top also.

I have no issues with the hard top at all, so who knows.

We also tend to drive my wife’s car anytime we go anywhere so I’ll still have a soft top- just on a JL

 

[Pescatoral Pursuit]

Intentionally ordered a soft top after a weekend renting a Sahara with a hard top.
One of the main reasons I bought a Jeep was for the convertible experience.

After 3 months ownership, the soft top has delivered. A little noisier at highway speed is the only criticism I have and it's worth the cost. Don't like the man bun but don't care cause I don't see it.

 

[USMC-SSGT]

Intentionally ordered a soft top after a weekend renting a Sahara with a hard top.
One of the main reasons I bought a Jeep was for the convertible experience.

After 3 months ownership, the soft top has delivered. A little noisier at highway speed is the only criticism I have and it's worth the cost. Don't like the man bun but don't care cause I don't see it.

I think about that more the longer I’ve owned it. The man bun bothers me less and less because 1: I don’t see it and 2: it provides more value than the “trouble” it causes.

 

[IanNubbit]

Soft tops are the answer, I argue it looks better then the Hard top, plus better visibility. And it’s only 4 quick bolts to fully remove the top, about as much effort as removing freedom panels. Also, those no reason to change to a hardtop in the winter. They do have a minor cabin noise difference but that’s about it

 

[sass JT]

I got a sunrider, an absolutely love the quick flip back and forth. (I do have a non painted black top) and I leave it on all year (currently up in North Dakota, it’s freaking cold here… negatives ° constantly). But I still want a soft top. @Bestop isn't making a non safari sunrider style soft top(shame on them). I really hate the safari look but love having a cover over my head when it rains for that 5 minutes while out on the trail with no back window in. @Bestop should know this since they have their company in Colorado within a 50 miles of my house and all the trails I drive.
Personally once I get a premium soft top I’m not looking back from taking the hard top off. Good luck on your decision.

 

[OVERLORD]

Biased, I guess.

Luv it!

 

[Summitsearcher]

If I were you? 1.) Young, I’d have boner. 2.) Short, platform shoes. 3.) Balding, I’d see a wig maker for a head rug. 4.) Handsome, I’d be using that boner.

I have a Sunrider.

 

[stil2low]

Once Jeep rid of the zippers for the JL, I haven’t ordered one with a hard top since. Love the soft top, I flip it back all the time while at a light with ease and run safari mode during the summer to keep the sun off the kids
I live in northern Ontario Canada, and we see -30F temps, zero issues and the top always keeps true Jeep warm

 

[Mdeeter]

I have a sunrider and I find myself looking for a soft top to buy. The sunrider is super easy but fine myself wanting a bit more. My sunrider is a bit annoying at higher speeds too. What to do what to do lol.

 

[Shackleton]

I bought a soft top on Craigslist and used it all spring, summer, and fall. It was great. I did put the hard top back on to get the space back in my garage but I’m not sure I needed it on for the winter. Can’t go wrong with the soft top in my opinion

 

[CJ5w4wdSmokyOnMyTail]

I have a granite crystal with a color matched top which (in my opinion) looks awesome. Like most, the freedom tops aren’t exactly useful. Sure they are simple enough, but also just enough trouble where I tend to just leave them on all the time.

Because of this I decided I’m going to get a twill sunrider. It’s cold here so I’d take it off in the winter and put it back on when it’s nice.

Enter the soft top- found a one year old takeoff asking $1200 which is a very fair price. I honestly don’t love the look of the soft top, and the man bun is undesirable, but you can’t deny it’s still a damn good top. I could more or less just unlatch it and throw it back like the sunrider and leave the back window etc in. All this for roughly $400 more than a sunrider.

Pros: much more open air jeep feel

Very decent price to accomplish that

The kids would get open air too, not just me.

Cons: my jeep would be “uglier” half the year

I’d have a man bun

Not quite as simple as just throwing it open at a stop light and closing it at the next.

I’d need to store my hard top

My wife ordered a dual top MY22 JL, so we don’t necessarily NEED two Jeeps with a soft top in the summer.

We would need to store TWO hard tops.

PLOT TWIST-
I could also buy a Clearlidz used for $1200 (asking price) and buy a sunrider.

If you were me (young, short, balding, and handsome) what would you go with?

The more open the driving experience, the better. Maximize your Jeep experience by getting the full soft top. Halfway options aren't much better than a car with the windows down and a sunroof.

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