What to plan for... keeping back hard top off extended period.

[Professor_Chaos]

So I'm thinking about rolling "back-topless" and back doorless all summer with my freedom panels on or off depending on whatever.

just for a little more context.

Got the jeep naked the other day for the first time and dug it.

I've already deleted 60% of the backseat and cut out the rear carpet up to the front seat.

If I remove the other backseat, pull the rest of the carpet and the drain plugs... how much water etc.. can I expect?

Plan on looking for problems areas myself later but just thinking right now. First time jeep guy here so hoping for others experience.

Also I do plan on getting this soon for bad storms

https://www.raingearcovers.com/product-page/4-door-gladiator-cab-cover

(Or something like that if you have a suggestion)

But would like to not have to worry about it for little/medium weather events that just happen when I'm out and about.

If I keep the front panels on and front doors on, i figured unless the wind is against me it should stay pretty dry up front? Maybe push the front seats all the way forward, full opposite recline, when parked?

I dunno any thoughts appreciated. Like I said, newb here.

Pic for fun

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[ALVagabond]

You're already aware of the problems you'll have leaving the top off for extended periods. Also be advised that some parts of the interior might start to fade after a few years of top off summers.

I like to go topless, but I put on a safari top that keeps most of the sun and rain off.

 

[BlamBlamTheMonkey]

I was topless/doorless all last summer in my Overland. No issues except that I had to spent a while cleaning out the pollen and dust when the weather cooled down. I did put it in the garage if it was going to rain more than a sprinkling, but drove thru a few downpours no issue. Having any kind of sun shade helps a lot too.

 

[mellendic]

So I'm thinking about rolling "back-topless" and back doorless all summer with my freedom panels on or off depending on whatever.

just for a little more context.

Got the jeep naked the other day for the first time and dug it.

I've already deleted 60% of the backseat and cut out the rear carpet up to the front seat.

If I remove the other backseat, pull the rest of the carpet and the drain plugs... how much water etc.. can I expect?

Plan on looking for problems areas myself later but just thinking right now. First time jeep guy here so hoping for others experience.

Also I do plan on getting this soon for bad storms

https://www.raingearcovers.com/product-page/4-door-gladiator-cab-cover

But would like to not have to worry about it for little weather events that just happen.

If I keep the front panels on and front doors on, i figured unless the wind is against me it should stay pretty dry up front? Maybe push the front seats all the way forward.

I dunno any thoughts appreciated. Like I said, newb here.

Pic for fun

Look at the @Bestop cover, I love it and it appears to cover a bit better and the mirrors stay inside... it also works great for me with the top off/down and overnight in the rain!

 

[A 2]

So I'm thinking about rolling "back-topless" and back doorless all summer with my freedom panels on or off depending on whatever.

just for a little more context.

Got the jeep naked the other day for the first time and dug it.

I've already deleted 60% of the backseat and cut out the rear carpet up to the front seat.

If I remove the other backseat, pull the rest of the carpet and the drain plugs... how much water etc.. can I expect?

Plan on looking for problems areas myself later but just thinking right now. First time jeep guy here so hoping for others experience.

Also I do plan on getting this soon for bad storms

https://www.raingearcovers.com/product-page/4-door-gladiator-cab-cover

But would like to not have to worry about it for little weather events that just happen.

If I keep the front panels on and front doors on, i figured unless the wind is against me it should stay pretty dry up front? Maybe push the front seats all the way forward.

I dunno any thoughts appreciated. Like I said, newb here.

Pic for fun

We did most of last year open but I park it in the garage at night and it doesn’t rain in Southern California. Biggest thing we felt with was dust/dirt everywhere.

BTW, might look cool if you added color matching rear 1/2 doors and another small tonoue cover just for the back seats. Your JT would look like a long bed with a roll bar.?

 

[Professor_Chaos]

Look at the @Bestop cover, I love it and it appears to cover a bit better and the mirrors stay inside... it also works great for me with the top off/down and overnight in the rain!

Thanks for that suggestion, hadn't seen that one. The main reason I was planning the other is I've seen a few mention no leaks and ofcourse, it covers over with the doors on.

So... leak experience? Zero water, little water? Does it pool up anywhere during the downpour? Get wet inside removing it?

Sorry for the steamroll of questions

 

[Sazabi19]

Also be aware you're going to have to clean your windows more often too.

 

[Professor_Chaos]

BTW, might look cool if you added color matching rear 1/2 doors and another small tonoue cover just for the back seats. Your JT would look like a long bed with a roll bar.?

Sweet idea. I like it.

 

[Professor_Chaos]

I was topless/doorless all last summer in my Overland. No issues except that I had to spent a while cleaning out the pollen and dust when the weather cooled down. I did put it in the garage if it was going to rain more than a sprinkling, but drove thru a few downpours no issue. Having any kind of sun shade helps a lot too.

Cool. Did you keep in your carpet? Plugs?

Just sprinkles? Never got caught in a bad one?

 

[A 2]

Sweet idea. I like it.

Here you go. No charge....

 

[mellendic]

Thanks for that suggestion, hadn't seen that one. The main reason I was planning the other is I've seen a few mention no leaks and ofcourse, it covers over with the doors on.

So... leak experience? Zero water, little water? Does it pool up anywhere during the downpour? Get wet inside removing it?

Sorry for the steamroll of questions

been through a few small storms, with tube doors on, and no pooling, i could see water possibly leaking in the bottom front of the front doors, but haven't seen it yet. The @Bestop looks to be tighter than the other one you posted, but your mileage may vary.

 

[TomH]

I would run my TJ with a bikini top from April to October. No carpet and I had neoprene seat covers. I never got real wet, but in heavy rain a little would blow in between the seats. I would think the way you are setup it would be about the same. I live in KY and it rains a lot. I am not planning on doing this with the JT, although that may change as it gets older.

 

[Professor_Chaos]

been through a few small storms, with tube doors on, and no pooling, i could see water possibly leaking in the bottom front of the front doors, but haven't seen it yet. The @Bestop looks to be tighter than the other one you posted, but your mileage may vary.

Cool, thanks... haven't really settled on one yet so I appreciate your experience with it. ?

 

[Professor_Chaos]

I would run my TJ with a bikini top from April to October. No carpet and I had neoprene seat covers. I never got real wet, but in heavy rain a little would blow in between the seats. I would think the way you are setup it would be about the same. I live in KY and it rains a lot. I am not planning on doing this with the JT, although that may change as it gets older.

I didn't really know when I asked but thats what I'm looking for I think. What is the day to day driving around like that when rain just happens?

Don't mind getting a lil bit wet. Did you park covered or out in the wild? What did it look like after a night of rain in the morning? Thanks.

 

[TomH]

I didn't really know when I asked but thats what I'm looking for I think. What is the day to day driving around like that when rain just happens?

Don't mind getting a lil bit wet. Did you park covered or out in the wild? What did it look like after a night of rain in the morning? Thanks.

I always left it outside. I had the floor plugs out so not much water where your feet were, but I would have to open the tailgate so water would drain out. The Jeep always faced a little up hill. It is doable and not really that bad. I had a twenty mile one way commute to work and it was my primary transportation. I'd say give it go, you can always put things back together.

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