Hard top, soft top, or both ???
04-30-2007 | 06:51 PM
#11
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 346
Likes: 2
From: Baltimore, MD
If you have to struggle to get the hard top in the house you wont change it that often and you'll defeat the purpose of the whole convertble thing. Just go with the soft top and don't sweat it, they are quiet, the heater is a furnace.
I like having the hard top if you can drive it in the garage hook some straps to it and drive out from under it. If I had to carry it through the front door down the hall and into the back bedroom, I wouldn't bother with it. You won't want to do that very often.
Then again............
The other option is you could get the dual top option, try it for a while, if you find you love it, keep it. If you are not using it, sell it on this site. Someone that wanted one and couldn't get it on the lot, will snatch it up. You probably wouldn't even take that big of a hit on it. Use it for the wintery months, throw it in the bedroom(you could make a bed canopy out of it), use the soft top for the spring, summer, and fall. Then change back when the weather changes.
I have to say, when I have my hard top on, the vehicle is as secure as an SUV at least. And it drives and feels as nice as one too. It is alot nicer when going to Costco, Sams Club, or the grocery store etc. It makes it nice to flip up the glass and not have to duck under or unzip a back window to load.
Sorry for rambling, I changed my thought and think you should get it now.
I like having the hard top if you can drive it in the garage hook some straps to it and drive out from under it. If I had to carry it through the front door down the hall and into the back bedroom, I wouldn't bother with it. You won't want to do that very often.
Then again............
The other option is you could get the dual top option, try it for a while, if you find you love it, keep it. If you are not using it, sell it on this site. Someone that wanted one and couldn't get it on the lot, will snatch it up. You probably wouldn't even take that big of a hit on it. Use it for the wintery months, throw it in the bedroom(you could make a bed canopy out of it), use the soft top for the spring, summer, and fall. Then change back when the weather changes.
I have to say, when I have my hard top on, the vehicle is as secure as an SUV at least. And it drives and feels as nice as one too. It is alot nicer when going to Costco, Sams Club, or the grocery store etc. It makes it nice to flip up the glass and not have to duck under or unzip a back window to load.
Sorry for rambling, I changed my thought and think you should get it now.
Out of curiousity, anybody know the dimensions of the hard top or where I could find that info? If it won't fit through the front door then my decision just got a lot easier.
04-30-2007 | 07:06 PM
#12
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
Love my Sunrider top (soft top)! 
It only taks a couple of minutes to make Sunrider mode (and take out the back window). It only takes several minutes to take the whole top down (or up)... you can do that all by yourself (no need to find someone to help you) anywhere, anytime! It's not that noisy either... even on freeway. I don't miss hard top at all.
Personally, like the soft top look better. Freedom top (hard top) gives JK a kind of "boxy" and heavy look... that's just my opinion.
This afternoon, it was kind of warm and nice out. So, I had in Sunrider mode with back window off. On the way home (just now), it started to rain, I just pull over to a shopping center and put the top back on in about 3 minutes!
It only taks a couple of minutes to make Sunrider mode (and take out the back window). It only takes several minutes to take the whole top down (or up)... you can do that all by yourself (no need to find someone to help you) anywhere, anytime! It's not that noisy either... even on freeway. I don't miss hard top at all.Personally, like the soft top look better. Freedom top (hard top) gives JK a kind of "boxy" and heavy look... that's just my opinion.
This afternoon, it was kind of warm and nice out. So, I had in Sunrider mode with back window off. On the way home (just now), it started to rain, I just pull over to a shopping center and put the top back on in about 3 minutes!
Last edited by moun10eer; 05-01-2007 at 05:08 AM.
04-30-2007 | 07:20 PM
#13
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
For security, Tuffy Security Products make some secure storage:
http://project-jk.com/jeep-jk-access...security-cover
http://www.tuffyproducts.com
I don't usually leave anything valuable and never got break into (slashed) - even when I had TJ - so I don't have one of those though. Those security storage looks very secure.
http://project-jk.com/jeep-jk-access...security-cover
http://www.tuffyproducts.com
I don't usually leave anything valuable and never got break into (slashed) - even when I had TJ - so I don't have one of those though. Those security storage looks very secure.
04-30-2007 | 08:40 PM
#14
JK Freak
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 566
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, OR
I think you should go soft top. I went dual tops, but the hard top just sits in the garage. It'll go on next winter, but if I didn't have it, I wouldn't miss it. I think it would get beat up being moved in and out of your house. The $ you saved could be spent on some tuffy security stuff like moun10eer said, and you'd still have some cash left over. Now go buy a jeep dammit! 
04-30-2007 | 08:50 PM
#15
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: Bakersfield Ca
I have the soft top only and am happy. My friend has the soft top only and cries because he wants a freedom top. If anyone has one for sale he will probably buy it. He said he hates the wind on him. I love it. I took doors off and even more wind, love it more.
04-30-2007 | 08:51 PM
#16
JK Jedi
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,567
Likes: 1
From: So. Cal.
Just when you had me near convinced on going soft top-only you throw in a pretty strong point in favor of the hard top. I can see plusses and minuses to both, so this is obviously going to take some more thought.
Out of curiousity, anybody know the dimensions of the hard top or where I could find that info? If it won't fit through the front door then my decision just got a lot easier.
Out of curiousity, anybody know the dimensions of the hard top or where I could find that info? If it won't fit through the front door then my decision just got a lot easier.
26"h x 62"wide x 53"long (approx 2 door dimensions)
04-30-2007 | 09:02 PM
#17
JK Jedi
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,567
Likes: 1
From: So. Cal.
Thats what I mean, easy to sell if you change your mind.
04-30-2007 | 09:27 PM
#18
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
Wind = Jeep (I mean JK, TJ, YJ etc.), Sun = Jeep, Mud = Jeep, Dirt = Jeep... No? It's all about being outside...JK is not a good vehicle if someone doesn't like the wind, dust and sometimes rain on your face.
By the way, if he/she close the soft top, the wind is not going to blow on his/her face...
Last edited by moun10eer; 04-30-2007 at 09:31 PM.
05-01-2007 | 04:43 AM
#19
JK Freak
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 693
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Being in the same Maryland area and getting both tops I would say it is the right choice (for me at least). I was happy I had it during Feb/Mar (purchased in Feb). I think for daily commuting and having to park in a garage at work I at least felt it was safer, a hair warmer, and a little quieter. Of course I couldn't wait to get the think off in April so I could put the top down!
Regarding storage, I have a townhouse and have one of those plastic sheds in our small backyard. I ended up (and it wasn't easy) putting the hard top there - on a couple home made saw horses so I could still use space underneath. I almost just purchased one of those hard top covers and opted to leave it outside to save space in the shed. My main concern was something knocking it over or the kids jumping on it.
But I will say one thing - I agree with a previous post - given the pain of getting it in the shed I don't look forward to getting it out and I did think twice about if it was worth dealing with it each year. But, I think when Nov / Dec hits I will be happy to get it back on. If I did it again I would get both tops.
Regarding storage, I have a townhouse and have one of those plastic sheds in our small backyard. I ended up (and it wasn't easy) putting the hard top there - on a couple home made saw horses so I could still use space underneath. I almost just purchased one of those hard top covers and opted to leave it outside to save space in the shed. My main concern was something knocking it over or the kids jumping on it.
But I will say one thing - I agree with a previous post - given the pain of getting it in the shed I don't look forward to getting it out and I did think twice about if it was worth dealing with it each year. But, I think when Nov / Dec hits I will be happy to get it back on. If I did it again I would get both tops.
