Am trying to buy a soft top off Craig's list for 200-300$ and would like to know what to watch out for or to make sure what parts I need.

Obviously there is the top, windows and tailgate retainer. I
Am guessing bows and door surrounds and front window retainer.

I have never owned a soft top other than a trek top, so a little help is good.

 

That should be all you need...the frame, the door surrounds, the top itself, zip-in side windows, and rear window with the tailgate bar that attaches at the bottom.

One thing I'd definitely do on a used top is seal all the seams when I first got it on the rig. My factory soft top leaked through the seams at the rear frame above the window, and also at the b-pillar right where the seam ends where the door/roof meet.

 

I'd buy a Quadratec soft top. It's like $350-400 and has a 3 year warranty.

And I only say buy new because I've never had luck with used anything used.

 

If you are putting a softtop on a hardtop JK - you'll also need the brackets that bolt to the roll bar and which the soft top mounts to. (At least that's the case on the two-doors.)

 

Unless I'm wrong these tops don't come with any of the hardware I need to install the top.

 

Dealership "gave" me a used soft top to sweeten the deal. Said they needed some time to clean it up, to come back and get it. It was missing the brackets for instal, the door surrounds and bolts to screw those in. Door surrounds are necessary to seal her up tight. There's a few things to look for.

 

I have a Complete JK soft-top for sale on the forum ...not too far from you in PA.

soft top from 4-Door JK (Southeast PA)

 

I might take you up on the offer.

 

So I am getting a top this Saturday, yay!

Does it need to be warm to put it on?

 

I believe it needs to be 60+ degrees to put it on. I let mine sit out in the sun for a while before i put it back on in the spring and its still tight. The warmer, the easier installation will go.