1998 Wrangler TJ Questions

Agee

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Joined
Sep 4, 2018
Messages
35
Location
Cape Cod
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Just bought this 1998 Wrangler Sport but it has no soft top. It is a Florida Jeep and will be driven only there. What type soft top should I buy and where should I buy it? Or do I need only a water resistant cover and no soft top at all? It will be in a garage for 8 months of the year. Ac is not blowing real cold so that will have to be looked at. Any suggestions ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance
 
Nice clean looking TJ, I had a '97 I bought new that was the same color... that's a great find!

The only brand of soft top I'll ever recommend is Bestop who is also the maker of the soft tops that Jeep installs onto their new Wranglers. Their fit and quality is not matched by any other brand. You will need the frame and door surrounds, you can buy their Supertop NX kit that includes everything needed to convert your hardtop to a soft top.

And a big welcome to WTF! :)
 
Thanks Jerry. Much appreciated
I live on cape cod and spend the winter in Florida where my son lives. We bought this jeep together. I get to use it for 3 1/2 months in the winter and he gets it the rest of the year. I wasn’t sure if we should get a soft top for it because I was hoping to drive it in Florida with top and sides off and get a cover for it at night or when rain is forecast.
I have my own 2005 LJ here on cape with a factory soft top.
Will the soft top be difficult to install?
 
I sold my hard top 15 years ago and never missed it. A soft top will be ideal, you never know when it's gonna rain in Florida. It's easy to install everything for the soft top, it just bolts and screws into place. It's relatively easy to put up and down once you get the knack. It's also pretty quiet inside and it insulates well enough that the a/c and heater can keep the interior real comfortable.
 
A bestop soft top with the windows out can be folded back like a convertible and putting the top up for pop up rains and bad sun can be done at a redlight by some.

A full cover will do do best for the sun protection red and the flares need- do yourself a favor and mark the front the first time you install it- I taped off a spot and used spray paint- keeps you oriented.

Jerry is moving there, get to know him if you can. He will be your Regional Director.

Hard tops are worth money, you may want to see if you prefer A/C vs topless before you sell it- I love the top down so I only run mine in winter.

Trail covers are handy for quick coverage but the soft top is just as fast.

Very nice TJ and welcome to the forum.
 
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I like @Jerry Bransford sold my hard top and never looked back!!! I have the bestop trek top NX with the slant back. It came with door surrounds and all the hardware I needed. Took me 2.5 hours for the first install and now I can pull the windows out in 10 minutes and have them back in, in about the same!!!!

Winters here are somewhat colder than FL, and the summers not quite as bad, I have yet to run the AC because it's a Jeep :ROFLMAO:
 
Just ordered Bartact seat covers. Same one I put in my LJ
Thinking about taking off the Wrangler logo on windshield. Good idea?
Seller said the engine is a converted 6
What do you all think so far?
Thanks again for the help

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Remove the hideous Jeep WRANGLER windshield decal and try to get a WTF decal from Chris. Oops, forgot the J again. ;)
p.s. Sell the hard top for $800-1000 too. It serves no useful purpose. (It doesn't keep the AC or heat in better, It's not more quiet than a quality soft top and it's not more secure when you leave your unregistered handgun on the floor. The rear glass can be popped open faster than unzipping a window (or cutting one to slide through).
 
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