Hey guys, is it worth it to spend the extra $1K for a hardtop from the factory? I would rather save cash and stick with the soft top, but I have visions of some punk slashing the windows to get in...Are the hard tops much harder to break into?
Well sure compared to a soft top. It all depends where you live. Sometimes it's better to leave access without valuables sitting around therefore the thief goes in fines nothing but at least they didn't tear the crap out of your soft top.
Yeah, I'm more concerned about having to repeatedly pay for repairs on a soft top...I plan to have an alarm system and not leave any valuables in the vehicle.
Isn't it only ('only' he says) $500 extra to replace the softie with the hard top?
I was in the same frame of mind as you - wanted the soft top but was concerned about security and called the dealer the day after I ordered to tell them I wanted the hard top instead of the soft top. Very happy I did...but on the lookout for a reasonably priced soft top.
Get the hard top and build a winch in your garage to remove it.
With the hardtop, the Wrangler is on par with most other vehicles, security wise.
The soft top begs someone to slash it. I never bothered locking my doors when I had a soft top. I kept nothing of value in the Wrangler. I was more worried about someone damaging the top than stealing items. It never happened though.
But when it came time to buy a new Wrangler, a hardtop was mandatory. I miss the fun of the soft top.
Lots of people live in fear. If you let the "what ifs" get you, you will never be happy. Get a soft top if that is what you want. Thieves can break glass just as easily as they can slash a soft top. If they want it they will get it. If your mind won't rest then get a Tuffy security enclosure and don't leave expensive stuff laying in plain sight. Check your insurance policy and you'll be fine.
I agree with all of the above in regards to a hard top being more secure. I have the dual top, and while it's a pain, i'll swap tops depending on what level of security i'll need for the next few days.
My rule of thumb is, if the soft top is on, there's nothing inside, and i leave the doors unlocked. Most thieves go doors first, as it draws the least suspicion. Not all thieves are vandals, and vandals will gladly mess up any car regardless of top.
My first convertible was a new '66 Triumph TR-4A that I purchased while in flight training. I had not formally begun the process (waiting for all the class to arrive) and the first monrning I had it, I locked the vehicle, went into the admin building reported in. Was released for the rest of the day and reached into my pocket for the keys to unlock the door only to find my pocket empty. I looked in the TR-4A and there were the keys in the ignition. I unsnapped the top right behind the drivers door, reached in and unlocked the door. I never locked the vehicle again. I figured it was so easy to get into, whey bother. I never considered someone cutting it.
My first YJ was a soft top and I never locked it either. My TJ has never been locked in the two years I have owned it.
Basic rule of convertibles - never lock a convertible - never leave anything of value in a convertible either.
Hardtops are not immune - smash and grab refers to smash a window, open the door and grab what you can. No vehicle is totally secure, not even locked in your garage. My JKU hardtop is always locked though except at home.
I've owned several Jeeps in my life. I have never had a soft top slashed. Unzipped? Yes. I used a center console security inside from Tuffy and left CC's and cash inside all the time and never even an attempt. Another measure that I did was run Safari Straps under the soft top. Just an extra layer of security and they look cool.
I think the best policy is to just leave nothing visible. Most thefts from vehicles are just opportunists and if they see something they'll grab it. If there is nothing in view most will just walk on by.
My only disappointment with my JKU is that the rear windows aren't dark tinted, and that makes the cargo area very open and vulnerable. It was my own fault in that I assumed it was standard and it was actually an option. It wouldn't have killed Jeep to have some kind of cargo load cover back there though.
If someone is determined to get in your Jeep a hard-top will only slow them down. I don't leave any valuables in my Sport and leave the doors un-locked most of the time. With a hard-top, your Jeeps is no more likely to be broken into than any other vehicle.
My comprehensive coverage has a 0 deductible. I don't worry about my soft top getting slashed. In fact, I guess the vandal would be doing me a favor.
Personally? I think the convenience of soft top opening/closing and open air access outweighs the security of a hard-to-remove hard top. I've had 4 Jeeps, three were hard top. I finally wised up and got a soft top!
I was talking about my '87 YJ, and at least back then, they did. And the small-ish Velcro pads used some really poor adhesive to attached to the body/tub. That's why the carpeting drooping, didn't immediately alarm me.
Not a Jeep, but my last car was a victim of smash and grab through the window since I was dumb enough to leave my GPS on the dash - lessons learned. Middle of the day in a crowded parking lot. Was not very fun driving home in 20 degree weather that day... If they want it, they will get it.
When I run my soft top on the Jeep I leave the doors unlocked. Tuffy Security Deck was just delivered and I hope to install it today.
3 weeks ago, someone was more interested in stealing my actual Jeep
Only thing they stole were my sunglasses. I wish that's all they would have done. Instead they caused $3,500, including my $1,000 deductible, worth of damage. Only lesson I learned was to lower my deductible.
I prefer to leave my soft top Jeep unlocked and I don't leave much of anything inside. Some cheap sunglasses, a towel and a bag that holds my flares, ice scraper and a couple of other cheap things.
I found that bag on the front seat one morning instead of behind the seat where it lives. I also found my passenger door not completely latched a couple of times. While irritating, nothing was stolen.
But when I checked with my insurance agent I found that, had something been stolen from an unlocked vehicle or if it was vandalized, it would not be covered. There have to be signs of forced entry for theft to be covered. So, as distasteful as it is to me, I now lock my Jeep, just in case.
Hard top takes more effort to break into and is also louder if they do. I have a hard top and alarm system, that way if someone breaks a window and opens a door the alarm will sound. I keep my hunting and camping gear in my rig when it is parked in the woods during hunting season. I have never had anything stolen yet but it would make it a lot more tempting for someone if i had a soft top and they could just walk up, unzip the window and reach in and grab my stuff.
I don't leave my soft top Jeep unlocked, because I want my security deck to be locked up. I guess I could change it so that the tailgate is opened by key only, but meh...
None of my soft top Jeeps have been disturbed while I owned them, but I don't have anything of value on display. That may have something to do with it, but I also think that a majority of people aren't going to deal with break-in issues. If someone is going to take the time to break-in to a vehicle in NOVA, they will probably pick the Lexus next to me.
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