TJ hard tops

Are the TJ hard tops all the same from 97-06? The jeep I just got only has a soft top and I would like to look for a hard top.

They are all the same. The only difference is that the 97-02 models have a vertical vent on the rear, whereas the 03-06 does not. Other than that, they are 100% interchangeable.
 
X3. I have an 05 TJ and a hard top from 97-02 with the vents. Fits perfect!
 
If you have a 97-02 TJ I would insist you get a 97-02 TJ. The vents are in the hard top for a reason for that generation and prevents a really annoying whistling when the AC is on. If you have an 03-06 TJ then you can use any hard top 97-06.
 
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If you have a 97-02 TJ I would insist you get a 97-02 TJ. The vents are in the hard top for a reason for that generation and prevents a really annoying whistling when the AC is on. If you have an 03-06 TJ then you can use any hard top 97-06.

Oh really? I didn’t know that. I thought the whole vent thing was just a myth, but it makes sense. I know in 03-06 they added the vents on the tailgate instead of the hard top.
 
I had a '05 hard top on my '00 TJ and it never whistled.
Do you drive with the windows down/cracked? Do you use the AC with the windows up? Are the floor plugs removed? I have not seen one 97-92 TJ with an older model hard top that did not whistle. I have however experienced 3 different 97-02 Jeeps that did whistle with the later generation hard top.
 
Do you drive with the windows down/cracked? Do you use the AC with the windows up? Are the floor plugs removed? I have not seen one 97-92 TJ with an older model hard top that did not whistle. I have however experienced 3 different 97-02 Jeeps that did whistle with the later generation hard top.

Nope, no whistles and everything was sealed tight. Maybe it was just a fluke.
 
That's really interesting. I wish there was a definite answer why or why not it would happen then.

Well, how does a whistle work? It seems to me that a very small air leak would create a whistle as internal pressure is built .. a large air leak or vent would equalize pressure resulting in no whistle at all.. a tight cab would just build pressure until it has a chance to equalize and a whistle may or may not start once the pressure starts to equalize depending on where it equalizes at.
 
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Well, how does a whistle work? It seems to me that a very small air leak would create a whistle as internal pressure is built .. a large air leak or vent would equalize pressure resulting in no whistle at all.. a tight cab would just build pressure until it has a chance to equalize and a whistle may or may not start once the pressure starts to equalize depending on where it equalizes at.
This is a working Jeep Forum post link that goes into detail about it:
https://goo.gl/zv4L9q
 
My 03 has a 03 top. No whistles, but my doors are hard to close when the windows are up. Maybe a 97-02 top would work better for that?
 
My 03 has a 03 top. No whistles, but my doors are hard to close when the windows are up. Maybe a 97-02 top would work better for that?
Every hard top I've had (and I have had a few) created the same issue with the doors closing. I think they just force too much air in at one time for any vents to really help.
 
My 05 does it as well, door hard to shut with the windows up.
Catches the seat belt quite often also :)
 
Well, how does a whistle work? It seems to me that a very small air leak would create a whistle as internal pressure is built .. a large air leak or vent would equalize pressure resulting in no whistle at all.. a tight cab would just build pressure until it has a chance to equalize and a whistle may or may not start once the pressure starts to equalize depending on where it equalizes at.
I liked your explanation.... :-)
 
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