I have a 2012 JKU Hard Top with 16K miles and am interested in the new Premium Soft Top. I would love to trade with someone (in general, not necessarily on here). What kind of cash should I expect to pay forward?

 

You should be expecting to get cash. Soft tops are easily available and cheaper than a hardtop

 

Even the new premium one?

 

I have a year old Premium top that is like new and if I were selling would ask $700 so I think you would get cash on your end unless your top is damaged.

 

Good to know.

So knowing this...

What if I traded tops and labor to put my new soft top on? Fair now? The labor for me is totally worth it as I live in an urban downtown area with no workspace.

 

Labor isn't worth it, you're still looking at around $1000 for your hard top and the soft tops should top out at $700 or so. It's not tough to install, but you'll decide if it's worth $300 for "install".

 

You could probably do even better than $1000 for the hardtop. I'd say post it up as "trade my hardtop for your premium soft top + $500 cash".

I usually see late model JKU tops going for $1300-$1500. Soft tops are a dime a dozen. I don't personally value a "premium" soft top as more than a regular. Some might and some might discount it as it is hard to clean after hitting the trails.

Hard tops are in demand and there's little supply. You're in the drivers seat on this one!

 

like invest said you are in control with the hard top. I had a damaged 2dr hard top pop up(cracks and what not) and he still wanted $900 and he actually got it even though the top was in rough shape. There really isn't "installation" for a soft top/hard top. All you'll do is get the 2 jeeps together, remove the soft top from the roll cage and remove it and set it on the ground, grab hardtop off your jeep put it on other jeep, have them set the soft top on your jeep, they drive away or help you bolt it in to your roll cage. Even though hard tops are in demand they're hot during snow season.