So in my business class my partner and I need to "create" a small business. We've decided to do something Jeep related and we want your opinions.

First Idea: I've heard complaints that the hardtops available for Jeeps look like turtle shells. Most cases is because where as the softtops angle up from the windshield to the midline then angle down, the hardtops just go straight back.

So the thought was to build a fibgerglass hardtop that followed the basic shape of the softtop, and then cover it with a similar fabric used for the softtops thereby creating a hardtop with the look of the softop but the comfort of the hardtop...ie less windnoise.


Second Idea: Use a softop, but build it with similar construction to higher end convertibles, think five layers thereby making the interior compartment similar in noise levels to the hardtop and holding heat better in the winter while retaining the easier storage of the softtop. this softop could also use polycarbonate windows which would take to ice scrapers much better than the typical plastic.

So the question is this: Would you rather have a hardtop that looks like a softop yet performs like a hardtop....or would you rather have a softtop that retains the easier storage of a softop but offers the comfort of the hardtop?

Additionally, both the simulated softtop and the multilayered softtop would be similar in price to a typical hardtop.

I like the second idea.. but you should also look into security aspects of both tops.

I'd rather see someone build a force field generator that would keep weather and vandals out of the jeep when there is NO TOP. That way, you would never have to have a top, or doors on your jeep!!!

x400

A better soft top would be great, i got the bestop because everybody said it was the best, If Bestop is the best then I'd hate to see the others. I'm not all that impressed.

The stock hardtop is great except for being heavy, I don't see any benefit in making it look like a softtop.

the reason why higher end convertables are quite is cause the fabric has alot of suport by cross beams so a better soft top would have to have more of a frame to it.....I was thinking like puttin flat bars between the material/ layers of the "super sorft top" and that would reduce the flapping and wind sound ....also i get alot of noise from the header of my soft top

id like to see a better soft top over the fake soft top

Yeah I would much rather have a better soft top than a hard top that looks soft.

if we had a better soft top, most of us wouldn't need a hardtop. i would love to have a soft top so nice that i didnt have to store my hard top in th garage.

while you're at it, can you make it so it can be folded sown with the side and rear windows still attached? and be less then $200

Second Idea is best.

But if you could design a hard-top that broke down enough that you could pile all the parts in the back would be great.

~Lev

Okay, here is how I see it. Don't go with either, very small market for custom hardtop/softtop. Your going up vs bestop, jeep, and everyone and their brother who makes that sort of product. Pick a jeep product that no one else has or there is little competition, for example.. a complete kit that replaces all the torx bolts on your jeep with std bolts.

I like the hard top better than the soft top,in my opinion it's easier to take off and put on. The only thing I wish the hard top had some kind insulation on it, just as soon as the air is turned off it's like being in a oven!

Thats a good idea

~Lev

i would buy a kit to change all the torx screws in the heap in a sec.....I HATE THOSE DAM THINGS!

wy are you not so impressed with bestop?

I expected more reinforcement in stress areas. some of the hardware didn't fit right. the windows scratch if you look at em wrong. some simple velcro straps could prevent much of the flapping.
It works and looks decent, but from the praise I've read I expected more.

the soft top idea is great, but if your actually gonna start a business here, it will probabaly fail

and that wouldnt leak

a top kinda like the cover the Chevy avalanche uses for the bed multi pieces and weather proof.

If it was designed well then it wouldn't

~Lev