LJ Soft Top Recommendations

kameronkales

TJ Enthusiast
Supporting Member
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Jun 19, 2021
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Hey everyone. I can’t seem to find a good recommendation so starting a new thread.

I have an 04 LJ. Looking for a soft top that is easy to put down. Ideally something that stays on the Jeep when down, and can be put up in a pinch when raining.

I will be running mostly half doors with the setup (if that matters).

Only intend on using during sprint/summer. Rest of year I’ll use my hard top.

Price isn’t really a concern. Cheaper the better but I want the best option

Priority:

Easy to put up/down
Reliability
Price

In that order. I drive LJ 2k miles a year and it’s in garage rest of time. So not big deal if a top isn’t the most reliable 24/7

Thanks!
 
The Best Top seems to get the best reviews for fit / longevity and you would expect them to given the price plus they also made the originals. I opted for a bowless because I cant see myself in Perth Australian summer weather ever running topless without a safari top even though I also have an Alien shade but its not enough, I would expect the same is for some parts of US I have visited where you would get burned to crisp topless during the day in Summer.

If you are going to put your hard top back on every winter I think its pointless paying big bucks for a soft top that's going to be down a lot in Summer and off in winter especially as its garaged overnight

Lucky for you guys! It cost me $700 odd for a Sailcloth Rampage and Rampage is the cheapest.
 
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Looking at the bestop sailcloth it’s $1k without the hardware? I could do that but seems a bit absurd for something I basically only want in case it rains randomly

bowless could work. Any recommended brands there?
 
Looking at the bestop sailcloth it’s $1k without the hardware? I could do that but seems a bit absurd for something I basically only want in case it rains randomly

bowless could work. Any recommended brands there?

Bestop makes a good bowless, but for an LJ it's still gonna run you $1k. I don't have a need or desire to run with the top completely down and I run it all year so the expense wasn't as big of an issue for me. If you're really gonna run top down nearly always and don't care if it's flappy and noisy on the highway then maybe a less quality, less pricey manufacturer would be a better choice.
 
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You could grab a sun/rain cover for $100

https://www.extremeterrain.com/bestop-no-drill-header-top-tj-5253235.html
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Thought about this more and probably am going to buy the sailcloth. I’m intending on keeping LJ for 10+ years so I’d rather buy one/cry once.

Unless someone comes with a better recommendation in the next 2 weeks (ordering after get back from honeymoon)
 
Agree that Bestop is the best quality. You will get what you pay for and they have great customer support.

I bought a RAT a few years ago. The rear zipper broke about a year after the warranty expired. They still sent me a brand new top. So keep track of your receipt. If there is an issue, contact them even after the warranty expires.