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Frameless top question

2K views 9 replies 9 participants last post by  boomer_95 
#1 ·
This may have been covered before and if so, I apologize. I'll likely be replacing my factory soft top this spring. It's the original from a '97 Sport and is just pretty beat up. Leaks are minimal but there is a plethora of zipper issues.

I'm contemplating a frameless. However . . . since I bought this back in June, I've had the top up MAYBE a total of 3 weeks. Essentially I only put it up if it's raining (or if my wife wants it up). I like, though, having the option of putting it up where ever I am - especially given some of the sporadic rain patterns we had this summer. So the framed top was perfect for that.

Question is . . . can a frameless be stowed on the Jeep so that it can be put back up if a rain shower pops up? I haven't gotten a clear answer from any of the pictures/descriptions I've read.

Thanks.
 
#2 ·
I'm sure you can fold it up and cram it in the trunk space. I've never tried with mine, and it probably wouldn't be advised. And since getting the frameless, I've actually missed my framed top more and more. The ease of taking it down, that is.

You should probably just get the cloth replaced, there are a dozen+ options. you know it's good for you needs, and It'll probably be cheaper.
 
#3 ·
I have a bestop trektop nx on mine. It has a hard plastic liner that goes in the rear corners that would make it hard to roll up and bring them with you. I just leave the top section on and the windows at the house. I think the rampage top has a way to store the side panels in the top. I have been caught in the rain with mine a few times it ain't that bad!
 
#4 ·
I have the rampage frameless it will fit in the back but not well It does have a spot to store the windows under the top. I run most of the time with all the windows out and the top on. Like so



I have a problem with rampage as the top is 9 months old and I have had to repair loose stitching twice already and will have to get the Velcro on the rear straps relocated soon as they have stretched so much only an inch of Velcro makes contact with the other side of the Velcro.
 
#5 ·
The frameless tops have an appealing look to them. If you have your top up and down often, the frameless top may not be what you're after. While it can be taken on and off entirely, it becomes a safari bikini top with the windows out and has to be tied and strapped to the jeep. Still comes on and off, just a little more time consuming and (in my own opinion) inconvenient. But that is me.
I do know that the rampage top has a pocket in the roof section for the windows as well as a pocket up near the front for trinkets and treasures.
Because you already have all the factory hardware, a great route is to just buy the new skin and new windows.
You see, my jeep came with only a hard top and I have to have a soft top on a jeep for the warmer months...I mean come on!
I researched a lot in this topic. I found a bestop supertop right here on the forums for $200 from another member. This top is by no means an ideal soft top, but because I did not have any of the factory hardware and only use it in the warmer months it works for me. (I also have full doors, if that makes a difference in my soft top advice)
I have never used a factory soft top, but I do feel like the supertop would be a down grade from it. While it works perfectly for me, I know it gets mixed reviews from others.
I will say two things I really like about the supertop is that 1. When down, there are no door surrounds to mess with, just clean jeep lines. And 2. The rear window has 3 zippers. The zipper across the top is separate from the sides (I believe the factory top used one zipper) this not only is smoother because the zipper does not have to go around corners, but it allows you to roll all of your windows into the back widow and strap them to the top whether up or down.
Do some reading and really figure out what you want from your soft top.
Good luck!
 
#7 ·
I think you came to the right conclusion. If you really like top down, factory soft too is the way to go over frameless. I had a trektop nx on my jk, and I loved it but did miss going completely top down conveniently (it has a sunrider position). My brother in law who also has a jk loved the look of my trektop but when he realized it wasn't easy to go completely without the top, he ended up keeping his soft top for his family because they loved top down sun in the face too much.
 
#8 ·
I've taken mine off, and taken it with me several times. I don't have a back seat in the Jeep, so that helps, space wise. No one's ever messed with any of the pieces, but of course, that doesn't mean much.

I can go from the top fully on and all buttoned up, to fully off and stowed, including the door surrounds, in about 8 minutes.

Jeep Softopper. Jeep Wrangler TJ Soft Tops | 1997-2006 Wrangler TJ Top | Softopper
 
#10 ·
This may have been covered before and if so, I apologize. I'll likely be replacing my factory soft top this spring. It's the original from a '97 Sport and is just pretty beat up. Leaks are minimal but there is a plethora of zipper issues.

I'm contemplating a frameless. However . . . since I bought this back in June, I've had the top up MAYBE a total of 3 weeks. Essentially I only put it up if it's raining (or if my wife wants it up). I like, though, having the option of putting it up where ever I am - especially given some of the sporadic rain patterns we had this summer. So the framed top was perfect for that.

Question is . . . can a frameless be stowed on the Jeep so that it can be put back up if a rain shower pops up? I haven't gotten a clear answer from any of the pictures/descriptions I've read.

Thanks.
Im pretty much in the same boat as you. I bough my 03 in June and the top is just showing its age. but my rear window is also split right across it from trying to roll it up in too cold of weather.

I thought about going frameless as well but then started to do my research and found they arnt the nicest to take down and cant really be conveniently stored in the jeep when off. I have a factory soft top now so I will most likely go with a replace-a-top with sailcloth. that and its a little cheaper than the trek top :thumb:
 
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