Next-Gen Wrangler Could Do Away With Traditional Soft Top
10-07-2015, 12:20 PM
#1
JK-Forum Editor
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Next-Gen Wrangler Could Do Away With Traditional Soft Top
It looks like the roll-back soft top, which has been a longtime staple with Wranglers, will soon become a thing of the past.
Read the rest on the JK Forum homepage. >>
10-07-2015, 12:48 PM
#2
JK Super Freak
Not surprised. I don't know how many times I can say I'm glad I got my '14 when I did. I see more hardtops on the road anyway. Those people well actually open up the new top. I don't think most ever take them off.
10-07-2015, 01:17 PM
#4
JK Super Freak
For everyday practicality, especially if you daily drive, a hardtop makes lots of sense. I've had my hardtop for 3 years and the (quieter) ride, additional security (glass, instead of zippers), better visibility (rear wiper, defroster), are "nice" to have. Not required, but nice. Especially around here where rain can be ominous 9 months out of the year.
My first JK (2009) was a soft top (only). Also didn't have A/C. And I miss it. It's a feeling unto itself being able to drop the top for a trail ride or just a cruise. Now that my new JK isn't a daily driver, I find myself wanting to go back to a soft top.
IF the Jeep doesn't come with a removable top, and by "removable" I mean the whole thing, I think Jeep is dangerously changing their formula for the Wrangler and it will upset a lot of core enthusiasts. But then again, i guess it remains to be identified who the true "core" enthusiasts are anymore. Is it people who love and use Jeeps for their capability, or is the sect out there that is buying Wrangler Unlimited models, only to never drive them offroad or take off the top?
I'm trying to think of what Jeep would do instead if the top becomes integrated with the body, and the 'sport bar' becomes integrated. Some Fiats and I think the new Renegade come with a cloth pull-back top, "rag top". Thanks, but no thanks. It's a glorified sunroof.
Kind of like how GM deep-sixed the infamous t-top due to NHTSA regulations, it looks like Jeep is ditching the Wrangler's "convertible" status. Ouch.
My first JK (2009) was a soft top (only). Also didn't have A/C. And I miss it. It's a feeling unto itself being able to drop the top for a trail ride or just a cruise. Now that my new JK isn't a daily driver, I find myself wanting to go back to a soft top.
IF the Jeep doesn't come with a removable top, and by "removable" I mean the whole thing, I think Jeep is dangerously changing their formula for the Wrangler and it will upset a lot of core enthusiasts. But then again, i guess it remains to be identified who the true "core" enthusiasts are anymore. Is it people who love and use Jeeps for their capability, or is the sect out there that is buying Wrangler Unlimited models, only to never drive them offroad or take off the top?
I'm trying to think of what Jeep would do instead if the top becomes integrated with the body, and the 'sport bar' becomes integrated. Some Fiats and I think the new Renegade come with a cloth pull-back top, "rag top". Thanks, but no thanks. It's a glorified sunroof.
Kind of like how GM deep-sixed the infamous t-top due to NHTSA regulations, it looks like Jeep is ditching the Wrangler's "convertible" status. Ouch.
10-07-2015, 07:07 PM
#6
JK Freak
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Florida Hill Country (Tallahassee)
Posts: 901
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Attachment 626593 That's because that's all Fiat knows how to make.
10-07-2015, 07:09 PM
#7
JK Freak
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Florida Hill Country (Tallahassee)
Posts: 901
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
For everyday practicality, especially if you daily drive, a hardtop makes lots of sense. I've had my hardtop for 3 years and the (quieter) ride, additional security (glass, instead of zippers), better visibility (rear wiper, defroster), are "nice" to have. Not required, but nice. Especially around here where rain can be ominous 9 months out of the year.
My first JK (2009) was a soft top (only). Also didn't have A/C. And I miss it. It's a feeling unto itself being able to drop the top for a trail ride or just a cruise. Now that my new JK isn't a daily driver, I find myself wanting to go back to a soft top.
IF the Jeep doesn't come with a removable top, and by "removable" I mean the whole thing, I think Jeep is dangerously changing their formula for the Wrangler and it will upset a lot of core enthusiasts. But then again, i guess it remains to be identified who the true "core" enthusiasts are anymore. Is it people who love and use Jeeps for their capability, or is the sect out there that is buying Wrangler Unlimited models, only to never drive them offroad or take off the top?
I'm trying to think of what Jeep would do instead if the top becomes integrated with the body, and the 'sport bar' becomes integrated. Some Fiats and I think the new Renegade come with a cloth pull-back top, "rag top". Thanks, but no thanks. It's a glorified sunroof.
Kind of like how GM deep-sixed the infamous t-top due to NHTSA regulations, it looks like Jeep is ditching the Wrangler's "convertible" status. Ouch.
My first JK (2009) was a soft top (only). Also didn't have A/C. And I miss it. It's a feeling unto itself being able to drop the top for a trail ride or just a cruise. Now that my new JK isn't a daily driver, I find myself wanting to go back to a soft top.
IF the Jeep doesn't come with a removable top, and by "removable" I mean the whole thing, I think Jeep is dangerously changing their formula for the Wrangler and it will upset a lot of core enthusiasts. But then again, i guess it remains to be identified who the true "core" enthusiasts are anymore. Is it people who love and use Jeeps for their capability, or is the sect out there that is buying Wrangler Unlimited models, only to never drive them offroad or take off the top?
I'm trying to think of what Jeep would do instead if the top becomes integrated with the body, and the 'sport bar' becomes integrated. Some Fiats and I think the new Renegade come with a cloth pull-back top, "rag top". Thanks, but no thanks. It's a glorified sunroof.
Kind of like how GM deep-sixed the infamous t-top due to NHTSA regulations, it looks like Jeep is ditching the Wrangler's "convertible" status. Ouch.
Trending Topics
10-07-2015, 08:35 PM
#8
JK Super Freak
10-07-2015, 09:11 PM
#9
Pain in the ass to go topless tho.... My buddy has one and it's no longer a quick up and down procedure then finding a place to store the pieces too is a pita..... But easier then removing a hardtop all the time if you don't have a soft top
10-07-2015, 09:18 PM
#10
JK Super Freak
I can break it down quicker than someone with a hardtop. And I hated the shitty scratched plastic windows of the stock top. It really is for the person that wants to flip the front top open but yet not stop and try to figure out where in the hell to put the freedom panels in a 2 door. And it rains to frequently here in Denver to just take the top off and leave it off for my tastes anyways.
Last edited by RoysRig; 10-07-2015 at 09:21 PM.