Hardtop recommendations?

Dixonsnc

New Member
Original poster
Joined
May 8, 2020
Messages
9
Location
Georgia
Hey y’all new to the forum. Recently purchased a 2002 Sahara. It has a soft top on it right now but I’m getting a hard tip put on soon. Do y’all have any recommendations on brand of hard top? Thanks.
 
Mine is a O.E.M.- Always go with OEM on things like this if you can. You can usually find used ones in good shape in the ball park of around $750 on CL or FB for sale-- I got a good deal on mine for $500 last fall. OEM ones have the orig. vehicle vin # in the lower left hatch glass

Good luck
 
The only hardtop I would ever run would be an OE Mopar hardtop.

You can find them all the time on eBay, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and https://car-part.com
 
Expect anywhere from $500 to 1200 for an OE hardtop .
 
I recently sold my unmolested factory hard top for $1200 the same day I posted it if that data point helps you. That’s about what they go for out here if they don’t need any repairs or refurbishment.
 
Thanks everyone! I did more research for OEM near me and found a couple. They were around $1500 but looked great.
 
Thanks everyone! I did more research for OEM near me and found a couple. They were around $1500 but looked great.
Yeah I’ve only ever had the factory hard top, but from what I’ve read that’s really your best bet. I had zero complaints with mine, I just didn’t have a need for it so I decided to free up some cash for more parts because it just sat in my garage. Be patient & keep looking!
 
The best fitting hard tops I have seen are all factory hard tops.

The worst I have have all been aftermarket.

I'm sure there are some nice ones out there ...but I like my factory top so much I wouldn't consider otherwise , given the cost.

Also , in my opinion the factory tops are aesthetically perfect with the body lines .
 
Do you know if anyone makes a reputable “freedom top” for the tj. I currently have a soft top but I’m thinking about switching to hard because I live where the hail is regularly the size of baseballs and I am tired of the frantic dash to the nearest parking garage. But ya know, convertible life. I think a hard top where you could remove the front panels would be great, but I don’t want to wind up with more leaks than I already have.
 
From what i have observed over the years about OEM is that anything below $800 is in salvage condition and is living out its last days. Good ones are in $1000 - $1200 range....

BUT, at that price, why not go with something else, after market, for a little bit extra. New and manufacture support if things go bad.
I have no experience with hard tops, simply stating my observation.