Hey guys first winter this year with my rig, wanted to check in as to how you're fairing in the winter with soft tops? Started looking at buying a used hard top, but seeing a lot of pictures of rigs with soft tops and snow.
Curious if it's worth the $800-1k for a used hard top for this upcoming winter (live in Connecticut). Any insight would be awesome!
With renting an apartment, I am having storage problems so I may be soft topping it for awhile.
If you are looking to buy a hardtop I may be selling mine, PM me and maybe we can work something out.
i live in jersey and have had a soft top on my tj for 4 years now. they OEM (bestop) top holds up really well. it does not stretch out if snow and ice is left on top and it holds the heat just as well as a hard top. i like the soft top b/c i feel that it is more versatile. if there is a warm day in march you can put the top down, unlike the hard top that pretty much needs to stay on.
They do well with snow loads.. however that is based on ky snow, which I am sure is less than what you get... I never had an issue though.. Only down side is you can't scrape the plastic windows, thus you have to let the jeep warm up and let it melt, then work on removing it.
a hard top would not be a bad investment with the weather in your area, check local junk yards you may be able to get one in good condition for cheaper than that, no biggie if you'll just be using for winter.. but soft top will be ok.. just be careful when trying to remove snow or ice from the top.
I know alot of people that run the soft top all winter in VT-NH-ME. They hold up just fine. I like my hardtop just becuase it has glass windows and a rear defroster and wiper
I have been running my 2004 soft top w/half doors since new here in NJ. Not one single problem, one thing we cannot do here is run with snow on the roof. It's againast the law so before I start out I clear the complete vehicle. Heat is not an issue, it gets so hot inside I usually crank it down. In fact if it's snowing and I am on the highway I keep the heat/defroster as low as possible. This keeps the ice from building up on the windshield.
I used to be in Watertown NY near lake Ontario, winters were brutal. I had the soft top no problem, no leaks, nothing. I was actually pretty impressed how well contained the heat. Sure the hardtop is easier to clean but personally I don't see me getting one. I am even considering taking the soft top off complete and have a bikini set up year around, since I have a garage now.
I was wondering some of the same items. I purchased a soft top this spring and really like it. Been thinking about getting rid of my hard top. We have hard winters here but my Jeep is garage kept and so snow build up is not an issue. I was also wondering how the stitching holds up over time in the moist environment, etc.
As the hard top hangs in the garage, the less I feel like I need to keep it around.
I live in Colorado and park outside with a soft top all winter with no problems. I usually punch the ceiling a bunch while I'm driving to knock the snow off the roof which is pretty handy.
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