I've had a 97 TJ Sahara as my weekend driver for 3 years and could not do without it. Recently sold my weekday daily driver and hope to get into a 2008 JK Unlimited Sahara but I'm having a tough time deciding if I should get only the hard top or go with the dual top option.

Does the freedom top give enough of the true Jeep experience with the two front panels removed or is the soft top a mandatory option? I have to take into consideration that for around town driving I'll always have the TJ which the soft top has rarely if ever gone up on it.

Thanks in advance & hope to join the JK owners club very soon.

 

Well, I only have the soft top and it works great. It's much quieter than soft tops in previous wranglers. It doesn't get too cold inside or anything. And, you can always get a Mopar factory hardtop from quadratec (http://www.quadratec.com/products/11190_3X_PG.htm or http://www.quadratec.com/products/11190_2X_PG.htm) later if you want.

 

How much is the dual top option as opposed to about $1500.00 for buying a hard top later?

 

The top needs to come completely off just taking the freedom panels of is for a quick fix but if you’re going to cruise around town or hit the beach the whole top needs to come off, I would highly recommend getting dual top option, I totally regret not getting it Taking the hard top off becomes a real pain in the rear especially if you’re doing it by yourself.


If anyone is selling a 4dr black soft top PM me…

 

Just get the soft top, unless you must have the security of a hard top.

My 4 door came with the soft top only and now I've had the JK for a year, I'm impressed how sturdy, tough and insulated the soft top has been over the winter (I see you're also on the East coast). With the heater on, the soft top keeps the interior plenty warm in freezing weather.

I initially planned to also buy a hardtop, but now know there is no need for one IMO.

 

Get the hardtop because the Jeep will come from the factory with the wiring for it. You can always find a used soft top for a few hundred dollars.

 

x2. If you don't get the dual top. I would get the dual top though.

 

I was about to agree with this... get the dual top. However, if money is an issue at this moment, consider this one ....

My brother got the soft top on his TJ, and bought a hard top afterwards... it was definitely more of a pain than we thought it would be.

I got the dual top for that reason, didn't want to deal with the headache of rewiring, etc.

Only problem I see as of now, summer is coming, and people will soon realize they like the soft top, fewer people would be willing to part with them.

(I know, I didn't answer any questions, but its just some thoughts to think about).

 

Looks like the dual top is the only way to go. Hard top for the snowy winter months here in NH and the soft top for the summer.

Thanks again for all the biased input. I'll let you know if I pull the trigger on the Unlimited Sahara....

 

We get about 5-7 feet of snow a year up here (that's considered a DRY climate) and the hard top has been fantastic.

On another note, has anyone carried gear on the top? How is it for bearing a load?

Cheers.