Ok, i got offered a trade for my factory soft top with a hard top, as well as a little bit of money involved. now my question to all of you guys is how far would you really go to get one? now its not across the country or anything, but a good 5-8 hr drive away to this guys house (i live in NY he is in PA). i'm willing to do it, but is it worth a hard top? how are the soft tops during the winter? thats what this is all about for me, living where i live, we get some pretty bad winters and i was wondering how these things hold up.
How Far Would You Go?
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I live in SE Michigan (Detroit area) and I am selling my hardtop before the winter. I have had 2 YJ's with only soft tops (one with soft doors) and drove them all winter without any complaints. If I were you, I would look for a really good deal on a hardtop locally, and if you need to, try your soft top for the winter. I think that you will find the heater in your TJ more than up to the task of heating the Jeep comfortably. At least I always did...
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So you are trading a soft top for a hard top? Are you planning on leaving the hardtop on all year 'round? I know that people do this, but I HATE 'wheeling with the hardtop on. I really don't like being on the trail with a top on at all, but sometimes, you just can't help it... A new soft top is going to be in the neighborhood of $400, so make sure you know what your long term plan is. Good luck! 
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i live in tenn and i drove to middle IL to get a full soft top at a killer deal, granted i was on my way to minnesota to see my mom, but that's all beside the point. is he willing to meet you halfway??
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Well is it worth your gas? 8 hrs. is probably what 550 miles each way? So 1100 miles at say a high estimate of 15 mpg. That's like 70 something gallons of gas. And I don't know what your gas it there, but ours is like 2.50 a gallon. So you are blowing like 175 just on gas to get there and back. I agree with Jeeperman that the heater in your TJ will keep you warm with a soft top. Also you need to see what year it is from. I don't know 100% on the Hard Tops, but I know that 03 and up soft tops will not work on an 02 and below TJ.
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1,344 Posts
i say stick with the soft top. even when i had my half top(without tonneau on), the heater kept me warm enough through indiana weather. the gas price is a big thing to consider right now being 2.50+ per gallon. also that's an extra 1000 miles on the Jeep.
I got rid of my hard top for the simple plan that soft tops can be replaced piece by piece. When a hard top brakes it can be expensive to fix to where it looks good again. I cracked a hard top by rubbing against a tree (unplaned). The guy I sold it to, after I replaced the exhauster vent on the drivers side, wanted it for security reasons. He lived in Allentown, high crime area, with full steel doors and a hard top a Jeep is quite a bit more dificult to break into. Since the soft top I have been able to replace windows and top fabric seperately (used parts too). As of now all three Jeeps have soft tops and I don't want a hard top. Just some ideas to consider.
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If my YJ top would fit I would gladly trade with you. But, I live in PA too. I would much rather have a soft top, but I would rather spend my money on stuff that makes it wheel better right now. My top comes off in the spring and sits in the weeds until it snows.
well, its only about 250 miles actually, yes gas is expensive here, about 2.60. but i just got pics last night and its in perfect condition, the guy only wants $700 for it. if i were to go new, it would be $1500-$1800. way outta my price range. its only going to be for winter use, we get some pretty bad winters up here in rochester, ny so i'd like to have it.........i just need to get some money, lol
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prostitution always works.legacy said:
....or so i've heard.
that's a good deal on a hard top in perfect condition, and if that's what you really want for the winters, then drive for it. if not, you'll probly end up regretting not getting it.
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