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I have a hard top, and a soft top. Whats recommended to use for the winter in NJ???

4K views 23 replies 17 participants last post by  TjTheo 
#1 ·
I have a hard top, and a soft top. Whats recommended to use for the winter in NJ???

I just hate to redo the install of the hard top, and then redo the install of the soft top again. But i also do not want my 800 + to go to waste if the snow ruins and stretches the soft top.

I also have full hard doors, and 1/2 hard doors. Whats better to use as well. I am assuming full doors would be good weight for snow action.

Any ideas, and or knowledge would help. Thanks!
 
#4 ·
See that ss the thing. I want to keep the soft top and soft doors for that matter. The heat is phenomenal.

But say when i am sleeping and it is still non stop snowing, and or im working and the same issue happens. I've heard that the soft tops can become damages and collapse worse case. Or stretch out to where the adjustments won't suffice to fix the problem.

So being that i have the hard top i was going to install it. But then laziness kicks in. Plus the hassle.
 
#5 ·
If you have a garage to park it in then a soft top is not too bad. Your biggest issue is getting a ton of wet snow which can cause damage to your soft top and/or soft top bows.
My recommendation is that if you don't have a garage then use the hard top with hard doors.
 
#6 ·
IMO if you have it use it. What's the point of having it and not using it, change them out seasonally for better longevity for both parts or sell the other set and buy something you will use all the time with the money. The switch isn't that difficult if you have help. I'm in NC and will switch my tops out just bc I have them why take a chance on cracking the soft windows, or damaging the soft top when you have the hard on collecting dust. Just me
 
#12 ·
i live in central NJ and have only a soft top. i have had my 05 for about 5 years now and have had no problems with the soft top and snow sitting on top of it. my cj7 originally came with a hard top, but i sold it and got the soft tops for it. i like the versatility of a soft top. if it is 65* on an early march day, i can put my soft top down, you can't do that with a hard top. maybe your best option is to keep the soft top on and see how you like it. if you decide you don't like how the soft top is performing, you can put the hard top on. it is easier to put a hard top on in the winter than it is to put a soft top (shrinkage).
 
#13 ·
^^ Ahh, but that's the beauty of the freedom tops. You can take them off when the weather is nice. I just switched out my soft top for my hard top this weekend and it took all of 30 minutes to take the soft top off and put the hard top on. I did it a little early because we are going to be taking some long road trips starting this weekend and the hardtop just works better when your on the interstate. I also noticed something else with the hard top and freedom tops. For some reason my kids complained in the back seat with the top down that it was too windy, too sunny, too whatever. The only one I really paid attention to was the 20 month old as she hid her face from the sun and cried. Now that I have the hard top on I can take the freedom panels off and have my topless fun and the kids can sit in the back covered up by the top.

But that's just me.
 
#14 ·
Lol, i actually have 1/2 doors with soft uppers, and full hard doors. Plus i have full soft doors. A hard top and a full soft top.

So i am pretty set in picking and choosing. I am just wondering due to snow and me being out in it all the time due to work if it was a lil more worth setting up the hard top. Also due to add extra weight to push through the snow. If it doesn't matter i might just test out the soft top with the 1/2 doors till i see a diff. If i freeze or worse, then i'll throw the hard top and full doors on i guess.
 
#15 ·
I would think that the hard top and full doors would be more my style. It probably helps keep the heat in and you don't have to worry about snow collapsing the top or anything.
 
#22 ·
Thanks guys and gals. I will end up putting on the hard top. I really do not want to take the chance and rin the soft top. I spent enough on the jeep already and since i have the hard top i mid as well use it.

I will test out w/ 1/2 doors and full doors and see what works better when i guess.



just threw the new winch on so i'll have enough weight to get around with it all on.

here's the winch Thread

http://www.wranglerforum.com/f8/just-put-the-winch-on-61831.html
 
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