Way too many attachment points to undo and interior trim pieces to remove to make it a worth while venture, at least for me.
Not my Jeep, but you can see by the pic below that it's pretty funky looking at the dash by the weather stripping you can see wires etc. Not a nice look and if the next generation is anything like the Jk window then they may as well make it fixed.
Way too many attachment points to undo and interior trim pieces to remove to make it a worth while venture, at least for me. Not my Jeep, but you can see by the pic below that it's pretty funky looking at the dash by the weather stripping you can see wires etc. Not a nice look and if the next generation is anything like the Jk window then they may as well make it fixed.
Already been reported by several sources that the next generation Wrangler will have more slope to the windshield and it won't be able to be folded. Have never folded mine and never plan to.
I put my windshield down on my YJ but not yet on the JK.
I hope they keep the fold down windshield. Aside from being part of the iconic look, it's much easier to bolt off and bolt on a new one in case of roll over. It would suck to have to use a body shop to repair a creased windshield frame.
All the time with my CJ...Grin...The CJ will always be the real Jeep in my heart...change is like ... well ... we've seen it for the last 7 years...bigger grin...
Dropped the windshield on my YJ a couple of times amd it was fun. Did it on my TJ once, but it was more work than it was really worth. The M38 had the windshield down all the time when it was still running (badly in need of resto now).
The JK will probably never get folded due to the amount of work and just looking strange.
It looks totally stupid with the curved windshield of the JK, like the glass installer is about to replace your WS and just laid the new one on your hood. Doesn't even look like it's attached to anything. But the older flat windshields with brackets on the side that simply fold down, that's a good look. No idea why it was necessary on the civilian models, but it was a nice quirky tradition, like Porsche ignitions on the left of the wheel. In original form this is why they folded:
It looks totally stupid with the curved windshield of the JK, like the glass installer is about to replace your WS and just laid the new one on your hood. Doesn't even look like it's attached to anything. But the older flat windshields with brackets on the side that simply fold down, that's a good look. No idea why it was necessary on the civilian models, but it was a nice quirky tradition, like Porsche ignitions on the left of the wheel. In original form this is why they folded:
Have you ever pushed on the "grill"? Plastic. I'm still trying to figure that one out. Reduce weight is the only thing I can think of. I'm only referring to the 2016 Rubicon....
These folding windshield threads seem to pop up every few days. Every time, I'm always surprised by how many people say it "looks" weird. So what? They should be more concerned with the experience rather than the looks. The coyotes and rabbits out on the trail aren't sitting there pointing and giggling at you. And if you're on a paved road, you shouldn't be dropping the windshield. It's all about the trail experience. When the JK first came out, I told the Jeep reps at the annual EJS (who didn't even have a clue as to how to fold the windshield that first year) that I would never buy one. I should have listened to myself. The JK was just never as much fun since it took an hour to lower or raise the windshield. I modified my '03 Rubicon so that I could lower the windshield in about a minute. That required a sport cage that was not connected to the windshield and replacing the single bolt that had to be removed on each side of the windshield with a knob from the hardware store. I can't wait for the weather to improve to the point where I can go topless and drop the windshield on the recently re-acquired Scrambler. It's so much more fun than viewing the world through a sheet of glass in a picture frame. That said, all trails don't lend themselves to going windshieldless. If you drive mainly forested trails with lots of low hanging branches, you might want to keep the windshield up. However, I've driven without the windshield many times in the mountains near Moab. I'm always going slow enough that I can hold back the occasional branch with one hand...much like when you're hiking. I'm usually brushing a few pine needles out of my lap afterwards. It's all part of the experience. Sadly, fewer and fewer people even understand that anymore. Chrysler is counting on that.
the salesman I bought the JK from had no idea it went down and sled "why would you do that?"
My answer, "because you can". I bet it's great. Just a pain. That windshield does look funky laid down. While I don't consider the opinion of coyotes and other vermin, someday, I'll get to putting the shield down and will only remember you when the hyena are laughing.
The CJ's had a knob on the screw that held the windshield up so it was easy, and no sport bar connected to it that had to be removed.
I have had 4 Wrangles, 2 YJs, 1 TJ and 1 JKU and have never put the windshield down. I was thinking about it on the 1st YJ that had a soft top, but looked at what I had to do and decided it was not worth it since it was not really off road, just around the Scout Camp.
I think it's awesome that the windshield folds down. I haven't lowered it yet but definitely plan to. I'm surprised so many people don't like this feature, I don't care at all what it 'looks' like, it's all about the experience and open air freedom. If I cared about looks I probably wouldn't be driving a Jeep
Nope...not 'nuff said. It's posts like yours that keep people from attempting to put their windshields down. There is a time and a place for it. Muddy trails are not the place. Heavily forested trails are not the place. High speed trails are not the place. A paved road is not the place. If Jeepers don't have enough common sense to realize when it's appropriate, then they shouldn't be allowed alone in the backcountry in the first place. Come to think of it, maybe it's a good thing that the JK windshield is almost impossible to lower. It's apparently a safety feature that protects people from themselves and their poor judgment. Maybe Chrysler should make the doors harder to remove too.
It's too bad more people haven't enjoyed the windshield-down experience. It used to be an integral part of Jeeping...at least around Moab. For me, it still is and always will be. But then, I also enjoy getting out to engage the hubs.
I had an 85 CJ that was so rusted out...I removed the windshield before it caved in on me. I literally just pulled the whole thing off. IT did look cool since I had a full cage rollbar though. That being said....driving with no windshield SUCKED. All kinds of crap hits you the in the face. Anything over about 10 mph...and you think twice about what a luxury your windshield really is. And as some other posters mentioned...it was really easy to lay a CJ windshield down....I would pack a lunch if you think about laying one down on a JK.
It would also seem like one of those monkey see..monkey do things...since there is really NO advantage at all to dropping windshield. The obstruction of the view from the windshield frame is negligible to nonexistent at best...
Never did one of my Jk's but I did put one of my TJ windshields ONCE.
Never again. What a PIA. Thankfully I was at the OBX so I left it down for a week or so......
"I'm always amazed at the number of people I see out on remote trails around Moab in totally enclosed vehicles...top closed, windows (and windshield) up, etc. Sheltered inside their glass and steel boxes, complete with filtered air, these people are missing out on a large part of the experience..."
Does part of that "experience" include getting swamped in every orifice and cavity in your body if you are wheeling in sand?
I have to do it at least once, gotta experience it at least one time. Planned on putting the windshield down on my TJ, but only had it a year before getting the JK. Probably do it one summer when we're up at our property for a week.
For the windshield-less experience I have a couple of dirt bikes and street bikes. Removable top and doors is plenty for me, and yes I have done the no windshield thing on my old CJ5. Didn't really get the appeal back then and don't really get it now, but like always to each their own.
There is a reason for the name of that automotive part. Of course originally it was to shield the front seat occupants from the wind (hence the name) but it also protects you from debris thrown up by vehicles in front. In my case also two buzzards at last count.
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