calling all soft top experts

3059 Views 8 Replies 5 Participants Last post by kbwwolf, Mar 23, 2012

DM6156

Discussion Starter · Mar 23, 2012

I have an 08 JKU with hard top. I'm considering getting a soft top.

I really like the idea of the oem style soft top that folds into an accordion in the cargo area. Seems like it would be very easy and quick to open and close.

I initially looked at the trektop nx. Should i consider others?

I'm looking for something I can open up quickly and easily and not have to worry about where to store when it's off.

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kbwwolf

· #2 · Mar 23, 2012

DM6156 said:
I have an 08 JKU with hard top. I'm considering getting a soft top.

I really like the idea of the oem style soft top that folds into an accordion in the cargo area. Seems like it would be very easy and quick to open and close.

I initially looked at the trektop nx. Should i consider others?

I'm looking for something I can open up quickly and easily and not have to worry about where to store when it's off.

You'll have to address storage, one way or the other, whether you carry the windows with you or leave em at home.

For carrying with you, I use this: Bestop 42810-09 - Bestop HOSS™ Window Storage Duffle in Charcoal For Bestop and Factory Zip Out Vinyl Windows - Quadratec

There's also this: Clover Patch 10-ST-9704 - Clover Patch Window Roll™ for 07-12 Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited JK 4 Door - Quadratec

If you roll em up around a cut swimming pool noodle, it'll keep the windows from sagging or crinkling in the heat. :thumb:

If you're gonna store the windows in your garage, closet, etc, some pants hangers will work. I use some old clips from my darkroom days to hang em up.

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DM6156

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 23, 2012

I have full size doors, no windows needed (not yet anyway), that may change in the future.

In most cases, I will be taking the top with me. That's why I was leaning more towards the oe style where it just folds back quickly easily into the cargo area (one person operation).

Currently, with the hard top,I just take the front row top off and put them in the cargo area wrapped in moving blankets.

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4fit

· #4 · Mar 23, 2012

DM6156 said:
I have full size doors, no windows needed (not yet anyway), that may change in the future.

In most cases, I will be taking the top with me. That's why I was leaning more towards the oe style where it just folds back quickly easily into the cargo area (one person operation).

Currently, with the hard top,I just take the front row top off and put them in the cargo area wrapped in moving blankets.

He is referring to the windows in the soft top. They have to be removed from the top before you can fold it down. So you are still going to need to store them somewhere/somehow.

Sounds like you need to either look into an OEM top from CraigsList or eBay or something like the Bestop SuperTop NX. If you go with an OEM top, make sure you get all the hardware with it. Some parts and pieces are not interchangeable. For instance, the door surrounds from a 2011 will not work with a soft top from a 2008. However, any year soft top will work on your 2008, as long as you have all the parts and pieces that accompany it.

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kbwwolf

· #5 · Mar 23, 2012

4fit said:
He is referring to the windows in the soft top. They have to be removed from the top before you can fold it down. So you are still going to need to store them somewhere/somehow.

Um...what 4fit said.

DM6156 said:
I have full size doors, no windows needed (not yet anyway), that may change in the future.

OPERATING A SOFT TOP UNLIMITED 4 DOOR JEEP WRANGLER - YouTube

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CarJunki

· #6 · Mar 23, 2012

DM6156 said:
I have full size doors, no windows needed (not yet anyway), that may change in the future.

In most cases, I will be taking the top with me. That's why I was leaning more towards the oe style where it just folds back quickly easily into the cargo area (one person operation).

Currently, with the hard top,I just take the front row top off and put them in the cargo area wrapped in moving blankets.

Having just bought a 2dr with the factory soft top, it is not exactly "quick and easy" to fold it down. You have to take the quarter windows and the rear window off first before you fold the top down. Since I'm new at it and the top is new, it took about 10-15 minutes to put the top all the way back on myself. Hubby helped me a little but I wanted to see how long it would take me in case I needed to do it by myself in the rain ;p

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Chrispy

· #7 · Mar 23, 2012

I think I saw that Bestop makes the OEM top that Jeep uses.

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DM6156

Discussion Starter · #8 · Mar 23, 2012

4fit said:
He is referring to the windows in the soft top. They have to be removed from the top before you can fold it down. So you are still going to need to store them somewhere/somehow.

Sounds like you need to either look into an OEM top from CraigsList or eBay or something like the Bestop SuperTop NX. If you go with an OEM top, make sure you get all the hardware with it. Some parts and pieces are not interchangeable. For instance, the door surrounds from a 2011 will not work with a soft top from a 2008. However, any year soft top will work on your 2008, as long as you have all the parts and pieces that accompany it.

i was only thinking about door windows, not the windows in the cargo area. Thanks for pointing that out!

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kbwwolf

· #9 · Mar 23, 2012

Chrispy said:
I think I saw that Bestop makes the OEM top that Jeep uses.

True.

The new ones use a cable-style system that seems to work better than the old tops, from what I've read. You can use em on any JK, as long as you buy the hardware that goes with the top.

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