There are other options you should be considering: After-market tops in various configurations. I have a hardtop and a Mopar sunbonnet. Still have the storage for the hardtop, but the sunbonnet is like driving without a top. but gives protection from sun (duh!) and rain. Besides, no matter which top you get, you still have a storage problem: The Jeep is most fun when naked. Where are you gonna put the doors?!?

 

Well, just view any post by "seer1" and you'll get great advice... take your top off, you're in a jeep.

But honestly, for me, I got the duals... that was a requirement. I had helped my brother in his TJ, and it was such a pain, I figured I'd just not have to deal with it.

I just put my hard top back on a week ago, and just in time. Its finally getting cool in Northern VA.

As for storage, I kept mine in the basement, though it wasn't easy. Even with double doors, I had to flip it over to the side. The extra couple inches in width over the previous models meant that it wouldn't fit through the doors. Add in the steps to the basement, it was definitely a 2-3 person task.

This winter, I'll be building a pully system for the top in the garage, so it'll be a one person job again. (hopefully without putting more dings in the top... I just dont like white showing on the hard top)

 

I have had the dual top group on both of my JK's and think it is well worth it. But, I do have a garage to store the hard top in during the spring/summer/early fall. I personally prefer the hard top though due to the fact that it is more secure, 100 times quiter, and I still has the sunroof effect in about 3 minutes or less. My wife prefers the soft top and that is why we have both.

 

I went soft only for the kids. you never know when they'll really want the top off, or decide its too much and need it back up. I live in a very rural area , but when security is a problem we take the VW. and with the hard doors, i think if somebody is going to get into my jeep, they're going to be breaking glass. Unless they want into the back, then i can see slashing... but that's pretty easily (and cheaply really) fixed with any of the trunk options. cheaper than a hardtop, if security is the main concern.

Yes, in the mornings is sucks backing into the street with dew or frost on the windows, but it is a small price to pay for the freedom to choose if i want topless action or not.

And the wind noise? are you kidding? The softies are not loud. not compared to any older jeep, soft or hard. not compared to a lot of cars either. it's not like our car, but quieter than a lot of cars we've had in the past.

 

I say go soft top! I have owned 6 CJ's and 1 JK all with soft tops and have never looked back. Cheapest way to go.....if you hate it you can always buy a hard top at a later date (and once there are more JK's around you'll see hardtops popping up for sale for cheap locally).

Nothing says stupid tough guy more than driving around in freezing weather in a soft top jeep.......and the heater in the JK kick ass....give it a try...you can always buy a hard top later. A lot of people buy a hard top and never even use it.

Just my worthless opinion.

 

I vote for the soft top. I had a soft top on my '95 YJ. It worked fine in the winter. No problem with frost and the heater keeps it really warm. This new soft top is even better. It's so much quieter and I love the sunrider option.
With the hard top you lose the flexibility of being able to take the top down on the spur of the moment.

 

Soft top all the way, and safe your money for other mods =). This is my first jeep, and it went through a New England winter just find last year. The heater works great too.

 

I just went through this decision myself last week.

I am in Michigan and know that I want the hardtop for winter. I also drive about an hour each way to my office so the quietness of the hard top is appealing.

I had intention of using the bimini top, windjammer and deck cover from Bestop when I did not need the hardtop, until i started looking around on here. The cost for these pieces plus the piece you need for the rear to stay down, is over $500. Even then, the windjammer on the 4 door does not come close to sealing off. Unless you are moving, the rain would pour into the vehicle. The extra $890 for the dual tops only makes sense.

The other issue I have with only having the hardtop is the lack of options you have. If it is raining in the morning and becomes nice in the afternoon, I can only use the "sunroof" part of it on my way home. I could not simply remove the hardtop and leave it at work.

I will use he hardtop for travel in the warm month and winter driving and just use the soft top for the summer.

I had a TJ previously and the JK soft top is much quieter. It is a major improvement.

One final thought... I looked at the cost of all of the pieces from Bestop being about $500. I would have to pay for that out of pocket. The dual tops goes into the financing and I pay some every month. This gives me an extra $500 for mods I want.

 

Well, I have had my TJ for several years, I went Soft Top on that one & Glad I did, I too am here in So-Cal, & Haven't had any problems with theft. But considering we tend to like to cruise PCH ( Pacific Coast Hwy, For you Easterners.

One can leave in the morning & it be nice & Warm & when you get down to the Beach it drops 25 degrees & when Evening sets in it can get rather cool. So I like the instant versatility of the Soft Top,

I too don't have a lot of space for a Hard top, nor do I really have space for the Doors either. So I ordered my 4door JK with Soft Top & Half Doors

Great Thread

 

I live in the North East and went with the soft top as well for the following reasons:

1) It's a covertible! With the hard top you can't put the top down on a spur-of-the moment.
2) The hard top is NOT significantly quieter or warmer than the soft top.
3) Storing the hard top is a pain in the ass and a 2 man job.
4) If they're going to brake into my Jeep a hard top is not going to stop them and I'd rather replace a plastic window than a glass one.
5) It's a Jeep! And it's all part of the experience.


It was actually hard for me to think of a good reason to get the hard top.
The JK is my third Jeep. I had a CJ and a YJ previously.

After 2 years when your soft top windows get all scratched up you can buy a new set from Bestop for $200.