I did once. It all went back together without any leaks. It was a pain in the butt though.... not sure I'll be doing it again any time soon.

 

Ive done it. I didnt scratch anything, no more leaks than before (it might have actually helped)... I did lose a bolt though, that sucked. Otherwise, it was fun driving around like that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

I can't see me ever putting it down. Don't like bugs in my teeth.

 

My thoughts exactly.

I've swallowed a few bugs and once had a yellow jacket fly down my shirt while I was bicycling.

 

I can't imagine there would be anything fun about driving with no windshield at highway speeds. Without a full face helmet, (which would look dorky), getting smacked in the face by a bug or a rock at 60mph wouldn't feel too good. But OFF road, I could see where this could definitely be fun.

That said...

When you just fold the windshield down, there's nothing to keep it from bouncing on those little rubber desnubbers or even flapping all the way up since it isn't locked down. So if you WERE going to do the half hour of disassembly to fold it down, wouldn't it make more sense to just remove the 4 remaining torx bolts that hold the windshield to the hinge and remove the windshield altogether?

 

That said...

When you just fold the windshield down, there's nothing to keep it from bouncing on those little rubber desnubbers or even flapping all the way up since it isn't locked down. So if you WERE going to do the half hour of disassembly to fold it down, wouldn't it make more sense to just remove the 4 remaining torx bolts that hold the windshield to the hinge and remove the windshield altogether?

That's the reason there is a footman's loop (the squarish U bolt) on the inside top of the windshield and on the hood. You are supposed to use a strap between the two footman loops to tie the windshield down.

Folding was easy on the MB, just lay it down. On the early CJs to the CJ-7 there were two screws with knobs, you unscrewed and laid it down. It got more difficult with the YJ, but could still be done. Much more difficult in the TJ and very difficult in the JK. Supposedly the JL windshield can still be folded down.

 

The main advantage seems to be the ability to fire a rifle out the front. I don't have this need so I think I will skip this.

 

What's the point of even having a machine gun mounted to your jeep if you can't fire it forward while you're driving? :rofl2:

 

I put mine down once because why not. Now with my pillar mounted lights it isn't going to happen again.

 

Seems like one of the biggest arguments against folding a windshield down is bugs. I wonder how motorcyclist do it!? I see a lot with nothing more than brain buckets and shades.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

I've ridden motorcycles for the last 30 years, it's easy, just keep your mouth closed

 

Used to do it occasionally with my CJ7............much, much easier back then. Now I wouldn't even consider it, given the design of the JK.

 

I was hit in the chest once on the interstate by a bolt that came off a semi trailer. That felt great. Nekkid bikes are the best.

 

Was easy on my old CJ7 and did it several times, especially liked it while beach driving. I wouldn't even attempt it on my JKU, just to difficult

 

Plus, the JK windshield is slightly curved, so it won't lay flat like Jeeps of old.

Sent from my SM-T550 using Tapatalk

 

Did it for awhile in my TJ with the windshield down just for fun, and man was it! I don't know how I'd feel driving it like that for a longer trip than around the block or down the street and most of my wheeling adventures are through some woods so the windshield is nice to protect from branches and brush, but I love it. Would I do it in my JKU, probably not as even folding the TJ was somewhat tedius, I can't imagine what it is like in the JK. I do fully plan to do it more in the TJ though.

I worried about bugs and rocks before, but then thought motorcycles don't have that much of a problem.

@NaptownLarry there's a bar right in the middle of the hood to strap the windshield down so it doesn't bounce around.

 

Ran windshield down now and then, way back in my CJ-7 days. No different than riding a motorcycle so a good pair of glasses or goggles is important. Seems like waaaaay to much work for my JK. Definitely not worth the effort.

 

They may also have different trim inside that would make it easier. I have never folded the windshield down on any of my Wrangers and don't plan to. I did take the windshield off my first TR-4A once (new '66 TR-4A was about a month old when I did it) Undo two nuts under the dash and lift it off. Why - just to see how it was done. I did look up how to do it on my YJ and decided it too much of a PITA.

 

I used to ride motorcycles many miles, eye protection only except in helmet law states. Thousands of miles. I drove my Jeep CJs in summer, mostly with windshield folded down. I intend to do same with my JK I just bought used.
I am addicted to the wind in my face, faster the better, lol. Yes highway speeds. I like the freedom feeling of wind in my face, feeling the speed of the vehicle moreso, and, for me, it cleans my sinuses out, lol- added bonus. With chronic sinusitis, I have fewer headaches with the wind. The rain sucks, stings n hurts. Insects n rocks suck, too. Part of the experience. Don't plan on JK naked in the rain, too many electrics.
My dogs love the windshield down, too. Maybe Im part dog.
Ya either like it or ya dont.

 

Btw- my dogs wear eye protection, too. Takes em a lil gettin used to. Doggles- they sell em online, work well.
Windshield down r not--
Happy Jeepin everybody.

 

I'm not even sure it's legal in some states to drive with the window down. The only place I've ever gone window down was the Rubicon and Sierra Trek and that was in my CJ5. That's two handle screws, lay down and strap. (I replaced the clips) It's great for low speed rock crawling/offroading and having a full unobstructed view. Also, there was far less dust sucked into the side of the Jeep with the window down, provided you are not following the guy in front of you too close. I won't be doing it on my JKU. Just not worth all the effort. Besides, wheeling in Las Vegas is an exercise in dust eating.

 

I’ve helped friends outfit UTV’s with expensive windshields, and they are much much more enjoyable without the cold air, dust, bugs, etc. I can’t imagine folding down a windshield, especially the goofy JK windshields. I think it’s more of a gimmick or fear of change.

 

Even with the JL, I don't think I will ever see a wrangler with the windshield down. The easier JL will have a few people drop the windshield just out of curiosity, but not to actually drive on roads or even off road. The windshield is curved and kind of blocks your view.

Just the mere fact that I might have a leak, squeak, etc, after reinstalling, makes it less appealing to me on my JKU. I already have enough of these, LOL!

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

Don't know if it`s because I`ve been a carpenter for almost 40 yrs or what, but seeing that big beautiful hinge sitting at the bottom of the windshield, makes me want to use it!

 

I did years ago on my 81 CJ-7 when it was just 2 large knobbed bolts that were turned by hand. It was fun, easy and different. With my "16 Rubi JKU there is no way I would even think of doing it. Too complicated and too many possible bad out comes and really no good reason to.

Can't imagine why they still continue to make it possible other than homage to the vehicle's history. The real reason the original jeeps folded down was to save space when transporting despite the previous posts as to be able to shoot guns forward. They would fit in planes, trains and boats better for deployment.

 

used to drop on the CJ5, rather cool but not on JK, heck a few times in the winter wish I had a windshield on my ATV.

 

I'm often amused at how many people don't understand the concept that the folding windshield is designed for off-road use and not pavement speeds...perhaps because their Jeeps don't venture off pavement. I modified my TJ so I could drop the windshield in less than a minute at the trailhead. I sold my JK largely because of the virtually non-foldable windshield. I drop the windshield on my CJ-8 at almost every trailhead...in a matter of seconds.

The only time I've ever gotten plastered by a bug was with the windshield up at about 60 mph. It ricocheted off the side mirror and hard into my face. Perhaps Jeeps should come with a warning about not rolling down your windows at highway speeds.

The easier folding windshield on the JL is a step in the right direction.

 

Great thought out response. I agree 100%

 

I have a RZR for when I need that wind in the face feeling. Reminds me of a CJ3A I once owned.

 

"Im often amused at how many people dont understand the concept..."

Everyone's different, different likes, dislikes, and uses for things. Doesnt necessarily reflect intelligence, comprehension, ability, or risk assessment.
Windshield down on- road is not an indicator of amount off- road.