Do I want a hardtop?

[Equilibrium31]

Caffeine-induced rant: I wish the hardtop(s) didn't make a Wrangler look so "boxy"! Of course there's no room due to the roll bar to make a "fastback hardtop" - my pipe dream is a hardtop molded in the shape of the convertible top; now THAT might be cool!
I've had a hardtop for the last three Wranglers I've owned - 75% of the time it either hung from the ceiling of the carriage house or sat in my side yard...

That's a good point. I'm actually surprised that there aren't more unique styles of hard tops available from third party companies. I mean, you have a ton of different style options for things like fenders, soft tops, etc., so a more stylish option would be nice. I mean, at least an option that mimics the "Freedom Top" that the JKs/JLs have would be nice.

And I say this now, but I'm sure if they actually did make a different style of a hard top, it would probably have devil horns or something so it could match the angry eyes grills. :risas3:

 

[cliffish]

I don't want one but......it is not my DD and this time I specifically sought out a half door TJ. My JKU had both and it was a PIA to store, remove etc. Now if it was my DD I would probably have everything half/full doors and both tops

 

[UpperMI]

My First TJ had a hard top which was great for protection from thieves and it was more comfortable for commuting every day. My second tj only had a soft top and half doors. This is a third vehicle and not a daily driver.

My preference after owning both is the soft top and half doors. Way more convenient to take the top up and down when I’m out. Plus I don’t need to store the hard top.

 

[JeepZilla380]

Like you, here in the South East I wouldn't give up a soft top for a hard top. I enjoy the ease of dropping the top when I want to, and not storing a hard top. That being said I am keeping my eyes out for a used two piece Rally Top. I'd love to try one of these out. The nice thing about getting a used hard top is if you dont like it, they aren't hard to resell, and hold their value well. In a perfect world where storage wasn't a concern I'd have one of each, and a set of half doors.

 

[JMT]

Nice, thanks for posting. Just curious, I am guessing from what I have read that you can't close the rear window on this one? Not really an issue for me since I have space and it will be up in the air.

You can shut it, and I have. I just don't want to climb up there to do so.

 

[Chris]

I agree with all but the a/c

In Arizona i can cool off my tj soft top much faster then a hard top.
Don't know about the heat. Never have to use it much.

I've never once used the AC on my TJ... But, it's one of those things where if I ever needed it, at least it's there.

 

[Rob5589]

Right after I bought mine I was on the search for a HT. Until I saw the prices. So never bought one and now don't see the need. But mine is not a DD so that may be a deciding factor for some

 

[JMT]

As you can see, this is a subjective mod, not like gears, it just depends on what you prefer. I've seen this thread like 10 times and the same responses. At this point I'll just say I've had both and my soft top is in the burn pile right now. Anyone is welcome to come get it.

 

[mots]

I've never once used the AC on my TJ... But, it's one of those things where if I ever needed it, at least it's there.

Mine is used every day, haha! I have been driving it to work every day for the past couple months. It's been in the 80's and 90's for a month with high humidity. If I didn't run it, I would be soaked in sweat after my commute. The TJ A/C is awesome. And, if it also works well with the soft top too like @Boinked said, this is music to my ears!

 

[Chris]

Mine is used every day, haha! I have been driving it to work every day for the past couple months. It's been in the 80's and 90's for a month with high humidity. If I didn't run it, I would be soaked in sweat after my commute. The TJ A/C is awesome. And, if it also works well with the soft top too like @Boinked said, this is music to my ears!

The humidity is something we don't have to deal with up here in the PNW, otherwise I definitely would be using it!

 

[billiebob]

my pipe dream is a hardtop molded in the shape of the convertible top

Like this ?

 

[AndyG]

Awesome , I'm thinking

 

[cliffish]

The humidity is something we don't have to deal with up here in the PNW, otherwise I definitely would be using it!

MY AC is on high with no top and half doors, just point it to the feet and it does help

 

[glwood]

I agree with all but the a/c

In Arizona i can cool off my tj soft top much faster then a hard top.
Don't know about the heat. Never have to use it much.

If you live in a warm climate, the interior of the TJ is a lot hotter when you enter it from being parked in the sun with a hard top than with a soft top. I agree, the A/C works quicker with a soft top, due to not having to cool off a hotter interior. The heat works great with either top.

 

[AndyG]

I've never once used the AC on my TJ... But, it's one of those things where if I ever needed it, at least it's there.

It won't be if you don't run it regularly.

 

[AndyG]

My Jeep is just a pleasure vehicle , I drive an f-250 daily .

 

[Chris]

MY AC is on high with no top and half doors, just point it to the feet and it does help

Guess I'll have to try that sometime!

 

[cliffish]

My Jeep is just a pleasure vehicle , I drive an f-250 daily .

Then I would probably not waste my time or $$ on a hard top...the real appeal of the TJ is top down driving anyway. That is just my opinion, your's may vary

 

[AndyG]

I do like to have the top off and run the air conditioner on recirculate.

That way I'm cooling just the air that's inside the roll cage.

 

[Boinked]

I do like to have the top off and run the air conditioner on recirculate.

That way I'm cooling just the air that's inside the roll cage.

Thats important. You don't want to cool off the whole city. :roto2lol: