First year with the jeep. I only have the hardtop and have been debating grabbing a bikini top. Would it be effective to run topless in spring/summer and throw the freedom panels on just for driving in the rain?

 

I have done that, it works, but you do get some blow back in on the inside of the windshield, I’m thinking about getting a soft top or bikini top for spring and summer, something a little easier to take with me if it does rain,

 

Saying that though, it doesn’t stop me from taking off the hard top and keeping the freedom panels either on or in the jeep,
by the time you get the windshield header and bikini top, I’m thinking it would be one of those things that you wished you had gone on and gotten the door surrounds and the rest of a soft top that can be used as a bikini top too

 

Agree with Dat's comment about blowback above, that is the real issue, especially if you're talking higher speeds. I've been caught in my fair share of rain....some outright downpours. My jeep is no longer a DD, so if it's gonna rain it just sits in the garage. Back in the day it was a DD though, and living in Texas my top was off as much as possible throughout the year. If you have a garage, I would submit that a really nice hardtop lift combined with a sharp eye on weather forecasts is the real answer. With a good lift you can have that top on/off in 5 minutes, in nice work clothes if need be. You don't have to put all the bolts in for a short-term thing. I'd always just put the two bolts in up top by the freedom panels, and then one on either side in the rear. My rear wiper and washer fluid lines haven't been hooked to the hardtop since back in 2013. I've got a soft top as well that I use for long trips out of town where I might want the top down at a destination. They are just as much of a hassle IMO, and a bikini top really isn't going to be much better than just using the freedom panels......maybe just a bit more overall coverage.

 

I'll run all day long in the rain with the freedom panels up. My carpet is gone, the tub is bedlined, and I run without a back seat if I expect rain. I do keep rags in the console to wipe the dash because you will get spray, especially if it's raining hard.

 

Yes it does. Sure does suck when the wipers wont take off the dried water spots. lol

 

As soon as the weather breaks I remove the hardtop and leave the freedom tops on until fall. My wife drives the JK and prefers it that way.