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Winters coming, and i dont have a good top!

3K views 52 replies 20 participants last post by  WaterDR 
#1 ·
Just bought my 97 TJ last Friday, and the soft top it came with was in poor condition. The worst part is a 12" rip over the passenger door. Most of the zippers are in bad condition.

I have bought some stuff to try and temporarily mend the hole together, but still need input. Thanks to the Morris 4x4, I found that I still have the stock soft top hardware.

So here is my question. After I recently decided that I plan to keep the jeep for the long run, which top should I get? I couldn't find any hard tops with in a decent price range/location. So I'm thinking about going with the sailcloth replace-a-top. The best deal I could find with tinted windows and upper door covers was $660 after 10% off. Does anyone know of a better deal out there?

Thanks!
Rpkittle
 
#42 ·
Man, after all this reading, screw spending $1000+ for a hard top! I would rather spend the extra money on other mods!

For the first summer of Texas, I'll probably just run the soft top with out the windows and upper doors. Probably will look hill Billy but I can see why it's a must to have some coverage! Do you guys run with a/c very often? My jeep did not come with it, but I also didn't think I would really need it in Texas if I had the windows down all the time. Plus that's another grand to get an a/c kit, would go better towards other mods :)
 
#43 ·
BLZ said:
craigslist always seems to have good deals on soft tops.i had my hard top on for last winter but i dont think i am gonna even bother putting it on this winter.i may just sell it if i dont use it this winter.if your going to buy new,i would look into the rampage bowless soft top.
If I'm correct, bowlers does not use any specific frame? Is the main support from the roll bars? If that's the case, I would think that would cause a puddle in the middle of the roof.
 
#44 ·
BLZ said:
craigslist always seems to have good deals on soft tops.i had my hard top on for last winter but i dont think i am gonna even bother putting it on this winter.i may just sell it if i dont use it this winter.if your going to buy new,i would look into the rampage bowless soft top.
Also doesn't come with upper doors, so that would be an additional cost. Is there a low cost option for just the door skins? Looks like rampage has the cheapest at $139
 
#47 ·
After much thought,I decided I only wanted to make this purchase once. I just purchased the Bestop SailCloth Replace-a-top with tinted windows and upper doors for $673 including $3.99 for overnight shipping. Its the best deal I could find for that top. Other places had it for about $815 before shipping.

Seems like the forecast is going to remain in the upper 60's until next week then all down hill from there. I think I'll through a heater in my garage to get it up to 75ish, then it wont be so bad to install the top.

Any tips for newly installed tops? Should I get a waterproofer such as you would for a camping tent? Should I lubricate the zippers before I attach them?
 
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