Hardtop options

[Rango_offroad]

I’m looking into hardtops as the winter is approaching. With that being said I’m torn between a Patriot fastbacks hard top and the Bulldawg manufactured hardtop with rear sliding windows. I really don’t want an OEM top. Outside of the virtual fitted pictures they show online, does anyone have actual experience/ review for either or the tops? I’d like to get some real owner opinions before I make a decision just based off the looks of them. Thank you all!

 

[AdalinesDad]

Subbed, looking for opinions also. Just found out I am moving to Alabama January 6th so I have a 6 day road trip ahead of me and honestly thinking about trading in the TJ on a XJ if I can't find a good hard top in time for the sanity of my wife and child and 2 dogs.

 

[LakeBeard]

I had a patriot fastback top. it was very nice, had the liner in the inside fit well and was quite. I sold it b/c Im just not a hard top guy. here's a pic from when I had it.

 

[AdalinesDad]

LakeBeard is that their “Sentry” model? I wish they could add wiper and defrost to that one, but only on the JK styled one.

 

[LakeBeard]

I think, but I really don't remember

 

[BlueC]

I really don’t want an OEM top.

I have to ask, why not?

 

[Fouledplugs]

I have to ask, why not?

It's kind of hard to ignore the quality, fit, and finish of the OEM hardtop. Not a single aftermarket hardtop seems to even get close to the OEM fit and finish from all the reading I have done.

 

[AdalinesDad]

I would love to find an OEM top for my rig, but it just never works out.

 

[Rango_offroad]

I have to ask, why not?

Really just because that’s how I am LOL. No other reason really. I hate doing what everybody else does/ has. Want to give it a more unique look preferably. But they all do the same thing

 

[Rango_offroad]

I would love to find an OEM top for my rig, but it just never works out.

What exactly to you mean by this?

 

[Rango_offroad]

It's kind of hard to ignore the quality, fit, and finish of the OEM hardtop. Not a single aftermarket hardtop seems to even get close to the OEM fit and finish from all the reading I have done.

Interesting. I haven’t done too much digging but I haven’t read anywhere of people having trouble with fitment with bulldawg and Patriot fastbacks. Definitely something I’ll look into

 

[AdalinesDad]

What exactly to you mean by this?

Over here in Oregon they go within hours on Facebooks marketplace (I don’t have one but try and use my wife’s) or Craigslist. I am in the process of selling my house and whatnot so I have a hard time just dropping everything for the day and driving 3-4 hours to pick one up that day so it just hasn’t worked out for me yet. I am moving to Alabama in January so hopefully I can find one over there.

 

[Rango_offroad]

Over here in Oregon they go within hours on Facebooks marketplace (I don’t have one but try and use my wife’s) or Craigslist. I am in the process of selling my house and whatnot so I have a hard time just dropping everything for the day and driving 3-4 hours to pick one up that day so it just hasn’t worked out for me yet. I am moving to Alabama in January so hopefully I can find one over there.

Ahhhh gotcha, that’s tough. I can’t necessarily speak for Alabamas market but I think you’ll have way more luck down here as they’re not as big of a necessity. I’m in Georgia and I see plenty of OEM hardtops usually in the price range of 500-1500.

 

[AdalinesDad]

Yeah they are asking $2-3k here for them since it’s getting to be rainy season. I will be driving back and forth to visit my folks so I’d like to get one with the rear wiper and defroster so that’s why I am leaning towards OEM but open to other options.

 

[BlueC]

I haven’t done too much digging

I am no fan of aftermarket parts like body panels. As @Fouledplugs said, the quality, fit and finish just isn't there. I suggest you look at one in person before jumping on it. Maybe you'll be happy with one. I've seen a few, including Bestop, and I continue my search for a reasonably priced OEM.

 

[Rango_offroad]

I am no fan of aftermarket parts like body panels. As @Fouledplugs said, the quality, fit and finish just isn't there. I suggest you look at one in person before jumping on it. Maybe you'll be happy with one. I've seen a few, including Bestop, and I continue my search for a reasonably priced OEM.

Interesting. I’ve never seen one in person but now I think I might like to before I jump in. Online they look great but maybe that’s a different story in person. I like how bulldawg has a pop out window option and rear sliding window option. Maybe I’ll look into doing something like that on my own idk

 

[Rango_offroad]

I had a patriot fastback top. it was very nice, had the liner in the inside fit well and was quite. I sold it b/c Im just not a hard top guy. here's a pic from when I had it.
View attachment 370868

That thing looks great man. How has it held up and did it meet your expectations of what you were looking for? I really like their boxed jk styled top.

 

[LakeBeard]

That thing looks great man. How has it held up and did it meet your expectations of what you were looking for? I really like their boxed jk styled top.

it definitely met my expectations. held up very nice, but I only had it for about 2 years.