Winter: hard top versus soft top

[OHFIVETJ]

QUESTION ? I have both a hard top & soft top. Does winter really kill the soft top ? Long Island doesn' get a lot of snow but it gets a decent amount & ice too. What's the huge difference in leaving the soft top on for the winter VS putting the hard top back on ( which is such a pain in the ass to take on & off ) !!!
CURIOUS / THOUGHTS ?

 

[Steel City 06]

If you treat the soft top right, it won’t damage it. But there are a few things you have to keep in mind.

1st, the soft top windows are fragile during very cold weather. They don’t flex and can break if bent too far. This includes opening the back window to get to cargo.

2nd, you can’t scrape ice from the soft top windows for obvious reasons. It will take a while to melt.

3rd, don’t let the snow load get too high. Anything past 6” and I would clear it for sure. As with any car and any top, always clear the roof before driving.

If those actions don’t bother you, then you should be okay with the soft top.

It is not as well insulated and does not have a defroster in the rear window. This is more of a personal preference rather than a problem.

Personally, I put on the hardtop because there’s less work I have to do to get snow and ice off it. Insulating the hardtop makes a big difference on warmth and silence of the ride.

 

[glowell222]

I am in VA and we probably get even less snow & ice than you do in LI. I like the hardtop in the winter for the rear defroster and the rear wiper/washer. It's not so much the snow and ice, it's all of the salty dirty spray for the following week, and the wiper/washer really helps. I like the increased visibility of the glass windows-no scratches or clouding, easy to clear from ice and frost, and no issues with soft top windows getting crunchy or brittle when the temps get way down low.

 

[Chris]

Winter where you are will kill anything, especially the frame

 

[rasband]

I’ve not used my hard top in Colorado since two years ago and don’t plan to again. Hoping to sell it this winter to fund a new bestop soft top.

 

[jeepguy03]

The heaters in the TJ (provided your heater core isn't plugged) are pretty good. I've never been cold with the soft top, and my Jeep doesn't see salty snowy days, but the advantage to the hard top for me is the noise reduction. I'm planning a cross country trip to Moab at some point with the Jeep, and would like the hard top for the added security and highway noise reduction.

 

[cliffish]

I have had only a soft top and half doors and have left it outside for a couple of winters with a trail cover with no adverse effects. If I did have a hard top I would probably be throwing it on about Thanksgiving here on LI. I just don't drive it on the roads once the salt starts getting spread.

 

[Apparition]

If I drove mine in the winter the hardtop and full doors would be on.

I’d find an easier way to change tops. I use the garage smart top lifter so it’s a one man barely any work job.

 

[rasband]

The heaters in the TJ (provided your heater core isn't plugged) are pretty good. I've never been cold with the soft top, and my Jeep doesn't see salty snowy days, but the advantage to the hard top for me is the noise reduction. I'm planning a cross country trip to Moab at some point with the Jeep, and would like the hard top for the added security and highway noise reduction.

Are you getting a garaged place when you’re there? I’m glad I didn’t have all that weight up there last time I was out (and we didn’t do anything crazy yet!).

 

[jeepguy03]

Are you getting a garaged place when you’re there? I’m glad I didn’t have all that weight up there last time I was out (and we didn’t do anything crazy yet!).

No idea, I had a trip planned right before Covid hit with an XJ buddy, but then everything got locked down. I also work in the IT field, and everything has been so crazy at work I've had zero vacation days since March.

 

[tworley]

Ive been running a soft top during the winter for the last 5 years. Its held up just fine. I did have one season with a hardtop and honestly didn't notice much of a difference other than the weight of the hardtop.

 

[Jim King]

I always use the hard top in winter, if only for scraping the ice and snow... we get that in Jersey.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

I appreciate being able to clear the windows.

I like having a hardtop enough that I wouln't sell mine, and if I was looking to purchase 2 otherwise comparable Jeeps, I would go for the one with the hardtop.

However, if ended up without a hardtop, would I buy one? Not sure.

 

[Steel City 06]

For those of you who have a hardtop, get the Boom Mat headliner. Also consider insulating the rest of it with melamine foam. Makes a huge difference on temperature and noise

 

[IAmTodd]

I swap on the hard top and full doors. I daily the LJ during the winter and enjoy the added security and noise reduction.

 

[qslim]

I’ve not used my hard top in Colorado since two years ago and don’t plan to again. Hoping to sell it this winter to fund a new bestop soft top.

That's what I did last year. My hard top was in great shape but it was such a pain in the ass. I sold it, bought a new Bestop & had money left over. I keep the fabric treated during the winter & I use rain-x on the plastic. Keeps crap from sticking to the rear window.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

I swap on the hard top and full doors. I daily the LJ during the winter and enjoy the added security and noise reduction.

Security is another added benefit. I wouldn't even consider parking mine at an airport for example, with a soft top on it. Somebody could still get in and steal it, sure, but at least it's at that point equivalent to every other car in the lot instead of an easy target.

 

[LakeBeard]

I’ve not used my hard top in Colorado since two years ago and don’t plan to again. Hoping to sell it this winter to fund a new bestop soft top.

How much? I'm thinking about getting one...