I just bought my first Wrangler a couple of weeks ago after researching "stuff" about Wranglers on these boards for several weeks. I must admit that the threads I read nearly steered me away from purchasing one. I rationalized that those with problem "bounce ideas" off other board members, so naturally someone might come to these forums and see more bad points than good points simply by the nature of the discussions.....no one posts about problems/issues they do not have or have not experienced.
If this was "my" Jeep, the leak wouldn't bother me, however it is the primary vehicle for my wife and 2 children, so a leaky top is NOT desirable. A top that leaks like a sieve would be a deal-breaker for me. I ultimately asked two friends who have virtually identical Jeeps (one was a 2013 and the other a 2014) to the one I was looking to purchase (2015 JKUS) and both said they had not experience any leaks, even after removing Freedom panels and entire tops numerous times. I decided to take the plunge.
I'd like to post this poll to hopefully help other folks thinking of buying their first Wrangler. Perhaps in their searches they will find this poll and answer one of the biggest questions us first timers have: Do the hard tops leak? If so, can it be fixed or can it easily be lived with. I have thoroughly enjoyed my Jeep so far, but would hate for people to be steered away from a purchase because issues and problems typically get the most thread hits.
Long story very short, please take the poll and see which option best describes your experience with a Freedom Panel Hard Top. Feel free to elaborate your experiences and specifics about your Jeep in a post below, but please do vote in the poll.
Mine leaks a bit but it doesnt bother me too much. If the point where the two panels meet the windshield are not lined up EXACT then it will drip through a bit. By exact, I mean to the mm. If its off just a bit, I will get some water that drips down onto my radio. Not a big issue and I deal with it.
Similar to what was said except I can't seem to get the driver side to be flush like the passenger side. It's raised very slightly. Regardless, the only time I seem to get water in is if I had it in my driveway with a slight grade. It actually won't leak as is; however, once I pull off the driveway, it will let in a few drops. Find it best to keep it parked level.
Bought my 2014 JKU Sahara new in December 2013. It leaked one time ,water was on the floor mat on the passenger side. This happened about two months after ownership and has not leaked again. I treated all the seals with aerospace 303 and reapply every couple of month. It's parked outside and I've been through some heavy rains.
Guys/Gals, I just bought my first Wrangler a couple of weeks ago after researching "stuff" about Wranglers on these boards for several weeks. I must admit that the threads I read nearly steered me away from purchasing one. I rationalized that those with problem "bounce ideas" off other board members, so naturally someone might come to these forums and see more bad points than good points simply by the nature of the discussions.....no one posts about problems/issues they do not have or have not experienced. If this was "my" Jeep, the leak wouldn't bother me, however it is the primary vehicle for my wife and 2 children, so a leaky top is NOT desirable. A top that leaks like a sieve would be a deal-breaker for me. I ultimately asked two friends who have virtually identical Jeeps (one was a 2013 and the other a 2014) to the one I was looking to purchase (2015 JKUS) and both said they had not experience any leaks, even after removing Freedom panels and entire tops numerous times. I decided to take the plunge. I'd like to post this poll to hopefully help other folks thinking of buying their first Wrangler. Perhaps in their searches they will find this poll and answer one of the biggest questions us first timers have: Do the hard tops leak? If so, can it be fixed or can it easily be lived with. I have thoroughly enjoyed my Jeep so far, but would hate for people to be steered away from a purchase because issues and problems typically get the most thread hits. Long story very short, please take the poll and see which option best describes your experience with a Freedom Panel Hard Top. Feel free to elaborate your experiences and specifics about your Jeep in a post below, but please do vote in the poll. Hopefully this will help others in the future.
Had a couple of different years, not very careful with handling, never a leak with any hardtop. None of my friends have had a leak with the hard top either. All told we're talking 7 Jeeps, 4 different years, no hard top leaks.
Had a soft top leak which was the door frame foam, I fixed it myself. This leak was only with the Bestop soft doors though.
To be honest, my original thought is it was all user error...
every once in a while i had a leak in my 2013. always right at the front center, like a couple drops right onto the radio. re-adjust the top, tighten the screws, and it goes away. i live in the seattle area, so there's not a lot of hard rain, but wet most of the time from oct to july...
I have a small leak somewhere in the back. Maybe the rear window? After washing I find a few drops on the panel where the subwoofer is housed. To be honest its such a small amount I haven't tried to address it.
I had a super tiny leak at the front loop for a week or so, but after reading a couple of threads I realize that I just did not replace the Freedom tops properly and pinched a seal. I took them back off and reseated everything and hasn't been even a tiny drop of water coming through despite several inches of rain and nasty storms over the past month.
looks like the same issue for most of us? mine only leaks after a steady rain. a few drops above the radio. I also keep a small towel in the gc to wipe the few drops off then no more drips during my ride. I also park on an inclined driveway......i can live with that.
Please fix the POLL...I meant to click that I had leaks at one time but that they were "fixed" after repositioning the freedom panels, but somehow ended up with the one that has significant can't be fixed.
Long story short...... only time any of my JEEPS leak it is my fault, I didn't do something correctly and it shows it self. Re-install correctly problem goes away.
Please fix the POLL...I meant to click that I had leaks at one time but that they were "fixed" after repositioning the freedom panels, but somehow ended up with the one that has significant can't be fixed.
2015 JKU WW arrived a month ago but had two really wicked rainstorms and not a drop. Had the driver/passenger tops off twice and entire top off once (to remove soft top after delivery). Fingers crossed!
Not sure. just bought a used hard top last week (from a 2012) and put it on only a couple of days ago. It is supposed to rain tomorrow, so maybe I'll take a spin and see how it does. Other than that, it lives in the garage.
2014 JK - had it 11 months now and no leaks. Have had the freedom panels off and on - hard top off and back on. I do treat the rubber seals with lithium grease every 3 months and I am very careful about not pinching the seals when I install the tops back on.
I am constantly amused by people who buy a convertible (hard top, soft top, no matter because a Wrangler is a convertible, just ask your insurance company) and then they complain because their convertible top is not as water tight as their previous Accord/Camry/Taurus or whatever hardtop. People need to manage their expectations appropriately.
I had a soft top 02 TJ with half doors and it did not leak, I have a 2014 hard top JKU and it does not leak. I don't think it's too much of an expectation to want a not leaky convertible
'15 hard rock, 1800 miles, not a single drop of water.
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