The zipper for the rear window on my soft top just broke, bad. The thread is destroyed about 2/3 through the zipper. The zipper is completely stuck now. I got some gorilla tape and heavily taped the last 3rd of the window on, but with cold weather and especially winter on it’s way I’m worried. Does it make sense to get a hard top for the winter? Or should I just buy another soft top? Also, is it possible to repair a broken zipper to save some money?
Should I get a hard top for winter?
- Thread starter 4 banger TJ
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A few days ago there was a thread about zipper repair and I had no real answer but IIRC someone said something about awning or tent repair places should be able to do it relatively inexpensive if that's what you need. Considering that I had some material and about a dozen snaps replaced on my CJ5 soft top 25 years ago at one of those kind of places I know where I'm going if I ever have zipper problems.
As for getting a hard top, decent used ones are rarely, if barely, cheaper than the expensive new soft tops.
I got my TJ a year and a half ago with an 8 yr old Bestop. My wife still tries to talk me into a hard top for the winter. I don't really want to have to deal with storing it when it's off and never had anything soft top related happen last winter to make me want the hard top.
As for getting a hard top, decent used ones are rarely, if barely, cheaper than the expensive new soft tops.
I got my TJ a year and a half ago with an 8 yr old Bestop. My wife still tries to talk me into a hard top for the winter. I don't really want to have to deal with storing it when it's off and never had anything soft top related happen last winter to make me want the hard top.
An upholstery shop should be able to fix it. Otherwise try and find a used soft top in your area.
I had a hardtop for one winter. While it was nice and dry, storing it in the summer was going to be a pain and the road noise was no quieter than my soft top. I sold it.
I had a hardtop for one winter. While it was nice and dry, storing it in the summer was going to be a pain and the road noise was no quieter than my soft top. I sold it.
Maybe tworley is right. Maybe someone said upholstery shop. Which made me think about the place i went all those years ago.
Heck, tworley might have been the someone that said it in that other thread. What do I know?
Heck, tworley might have been the someone that said it in that other thread. What do I know?
The damage to the zipper isn’t catastrophic, it’s just bad enough to make the zipper not work. If an upholstery shop will fix it then that’s what I will do. I’ve been on the fence about a hard top ever since I’ve owned it. I will probably stay away if it doesn’t make much difference.
I sold my hardtop a few months ago and am still very happy with the decision. Now, if I lived in the snow and daily drove my jeep I would probably prefer the hardtop with the rear defroster.
Rear window defroster. I knew a guy that had an air cooled Beetle with a glue on rear window defroster on the inside of his windshield. I wonder if they still exist. I'd probably try it on my soft top rear window to see if that was enough to make the wife happy.
Sorry, that's a lie. I wouldn't try that. I have too much other stuff to do to keep her happy.
Sorry, that's a lie. I wouldn't try that. I have too much other stuff to do to keep her happy.
I have had both tops. When I bought this TJ, the next day I went and bought a hard top. Much warmer and drier.
I've never owned a hard top and it's never been an issue for me, even for winters up here. You get better insulation with a hard top, but the cab is so small, most of your heat is directly from your heater vents and recirculated warm air doesn't really matter much.
The one call out I would have for a soft top during cold months, however, is that the windows can be a bit fragile during really cold days, so just be gentle if you need to knock off some snow.
The one call out I would have for a soft top during cold months, however, is that the windows can be a bit fragile during really cold days, so just be gentle if you need to knock off some snow.
I prefer my hardtop in the winter over the soft top any day. Like @Alex01 mentioned you have a rear defroster which is a huge help. For summer storage, I built a cart and store it in the garage without any issues.
derekmac
TJ Addict
I've always ran my hard top in the winter, but I've been thinking about selling it and just keeping the soft top on. It gets parked in our garage when I'm home, and if this winter is like the last, we won't get much snow, and it won't be too cold.
A hard top is Nice but not really needed. Will probably cost your around a grand at least here in SoCal it will. A Bestop soft top would come in around $700 I believe and makes it a lot easier during the summer. Top off and on anytime you choose. I also don’t have space to store or AC that’s why I choose Soft top.
Airjunky
TJ Enthusiast
I bought my TJ last fall with a Rampage soft top. It's not my daily driver but I ended up driving it a lot last winter. I found the small interior warmed up quickly and was very much dry and not drafty. That said I won't bother with a hard top because I don't want to have to store it.
I had more issues learning what the Jeep was capable of than staying warm. It seems to swap ends really quickly on the ice. But handles about any depth of snow easily.
I had more issues learning what the Jeep was capable of than staying warm. It seems to swap ends really quickly on the ice. But handles about any depth of snow easily.
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I like having both. During the summer, I rarely have windows and the rear is almost always rolled up making access to the rear easy. During the winter, I find messing with the soft rear window irritating. The hardtop is much more livable. And I have found it to be both warmer and quieter. The seasonal Jeep transformation is also enjoyable.
Mine has been hanging in the garage a while, I’m considering selling mine but waiting to decide until the winter (right now I’m leaning toward having the cash in my pocket).
Dougj169
Member
Interior or custom tarp shop is where I would look. As far as the hard top, I have mine hanging from the ceiling in the garage. Its very quite. We got a Rally Top. We swap them out for the seasons.
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