LJ hardtop opinions wanted

[NYC-TJU]

So as the title states - looking for some advice. I've been looking for a black oem hard top for my 04 LJ, but finding something not a 12 hour drive away has been challenging. There's a 2 piece Rally Top for sale near me that looks to be in decent shape for $1500 - should I just go for that?

I had an oem hard top on my TJ and I loved it, so going aftermarket kind of scares me. Anyone have any thoughts on the 2 piece rally top and/or experience?

Thanks!

 

[Fouledplugs]

I would stay away from any aftermarket top, from my reading here, it seems all the aftermarket tops are prone to leaking and fitment issues.

Go OEM all the way,

 

[MaximusLJR06]

I would agree OEM only if possible. I've only ever heard negatives about most aftermarket tops.

 

[Hog]

I would stay away from any aftermarket top, from my reading here, it seems all the aftermarket tops are prone to leaking and fitment issues.

Go OEM all the way,

Ya cause the OEMs don’t leak
But…I have heard after market ones are alittle more prone to fitment problems

 

[JMT]

The aftermarket Smittybuilt one that my sons have on their Jeep leaks in the back and on both doors. It totally sucks. We stopped the leak in the back but have not fixed the leaks at the doors.

 

[NYC-TJU]

Dang ok, thanks for the feedback y'all. I'm reading more and more and most of it seems no bueno. The search continues i suppose.

 

[JMT]

Dang ok, thanks for the feedback y'all. I'm reading more and more and most of it seems no bueno. The search continues i suppose.

It's a very frustrating search. By the time you finally find one you're willing to spend the $2500 they're asking. I hate it for you. It sucks! I try to buy a Jeep with a hardtop to avoid that. I've been successful 4 times. I should have kept one of them and switched the shittybuilt one over, but now I'm stuck with the shittybuilt. If I see a OEM around here I'm buying it and selling the shitty.

 

[TRE3TOP]

So as the title states - looking for some advice. I've been looking for a black oem hard top for my 04 LJ, but finding something not a 12 hour drive away has been challenging. There's a 2 piece Rally Top for sale near me that looks to be in decent shape for $1500 - should I just go for that?

I had an oem hard top on my TJ and I loved it, so going aftermarket kind of scares me. Anyone have any thoughts on the 2 piece rally top and/or experience?

Thanks!

There’s a factory one that’s tan in Lexington for $1700

 

[camsurfs]

I got an 04 LJ recently and it came a 1-piece black rally top hard top with sliding windows. I haven't fit it up as I live in Jacksonville FL and we probably won't use it with a best top soft top and OEM soft top. I have it for sale on here (maybe I am asking too much w no hits - not going to hijack your thread). I was not aware of the ill fitment issues mentioned on the comments on this thread but am now. I suppose I need to install it, drive it around to see if it leaks. Its pretty crazy to me that something that cost $2500 would have such fitment issues. Anyone else have a rally top that can weigh in?

 

[MountaineerTom]

My jeep came with a 1-piece rally top. It leaked a little at the back window but I fixed that with some foam. I pulled it off within the 1st year and have had a soft top in since.

 

[camsurfs]

My jeep came with a 1-piece rally top. It leaked a little at the back window but I fixed that with some foam. I pulled it off within the 1st year and have had a soft top in since.

Yep, thats the same hard top I have. Thanks for the confirmation

 

[NYC-TJU]

It's a very frustrating search. By the time you finally find one you're willing to spend the $2500 they're asking. I hate it for you. It sucks! I try to buy a Jeep with a hardtop to avoid that. I've been successful 4 times. I should have kept one of them and switched the shittybuilt one over, but now I'm stuck with the shittybuilt. If I see a OEM around here I'm buying it and selling the shitty.

Yeah its a pain for sure. Definitely would've been preferred if mine came with a hard top, but it was too nice to say no to! I have a brand new soft top on it now so I'm not desperate, I just really like the drive more with the hard top.

 

[NYC-TJU]

There’s a factory one that’s tan in Lexington for $1700

Yeah I see that one. I guess I could paint it eventually? Wonder how much of a PITA that would be.

 

[JMT]

Yeah I see that one. I guess I could paint it eventually? Wonder how much of a PITA that would be.

I read that it's not that difficult to paint a hard top. I would certainly be willing to do it.

There is a particular OEM black paint that you want to get to do it.

 

[Hog]

My suggestion is to wait til summer when these people need to store the hardtop for this summer and don’t have the space.. you’ll be able to get one around the 1500 mark..

 

[rasband]

I got an 04 LJ recently and it came a 1-piece black rally top hard top with sliding windows. I haven't fit it up as I live in Jacksonville FL and we probably won't use it with a best top soft top and OEM soft top. I have it for sale on here (maybe I am asking too much w no hits - not going to hijack your thread). I was not aware of the ill fitment issues mentioned on the comments on this thread but am now. I suppose I need to install it, drive it around to see if it leaks. Its pretty crazy to me that something that cost $2500 would have such fitment issues. Anyone else have a rally top that can weigh in?

I had a rally top, but just went soft top and don't regret it at all. Between fitment and style, it just wasn't worth how much I blew on it and getting something out of it was the best I could do.

 

[Fred85]

I can contest even the really expensive safari cab hardtop still leaks. I think it's just a feature of aftermarket tops.

 

[jscherb]

I can contest even the really expensive safari cab hardtop still leaks. I think it's just a feature of aftermarket tops.

My Safari Cab doesn't leak, whether it's got the hard sides installed or the soft sides installed. The soft sides are installed and rolled down in this photo taken atop Mosquito Pass overlooking Leadville, Colorado. My Safari Cab is the first prototype (before I turned it over to Gr8Tops), I made it in my home workshop and garage in 2010 and it's been fine all these years. Perhaps there's something wrong with your particular Safari Cab - where is the leak?

 

[skrelnik]

So as the title states - looking for some advice. I've been looking for a black oem hard top for my 04 LJ, but finding something not a 12 hour drive away has been challenging. There's a 2 piece Rally Top for sale near me that looks to be in decent shape for $1500 - should I just go for that?

I had an oem hard top on my TJ and I loved it, so going aftermarket kind of scares me. Anyone have any thoughts on the 2 piece rally top and/or experience?

Thanks!

Went through this debate five years ago, with myself. I ended up with a Gr8tops, and they are actually local to you.

https://www.wranglerforum.com/threads/lj-hardtop-oem-vs-rally-vs-gr8tops.1926818/

 

[rebelles]

For what it’s worth; don’t be surprised if you get a factory top and still have some sort of leak(s). I have had several TJs with factory hard tops (factory top purchased second hand and put on Jeep) and I have an LJ with the factory top that came on it. Haven’t had any of them not leak in some manner.