Soft Top Evolution
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
From: Hannibal, MO
Soft Top Evolution
Hey guys. I am on my second JKU and would like to pickup a used soft top this spring to throw on for the summer. I know they have made a few changes in the soft top designs over the years and would like to know what would work best with my current 2011. My previous 2009 have a soft top from a 2008 installed. It was ok, but my understanding is that at some point, Jeep put some type of cable assist system on the tops. What year did they do that? Is it on all tops or is it an option of certain tops? I really liked riding around with doors and windows off during the summer in my 09 and look forward to doing that again in my current Jeep. Thanks for the feedback!
JK Jedi
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 486
From: Knoxville
You'll want a 10+ top. At some point they widened the rear window as well. I sold my 2010 standard top and purchased a 2013 premium soft top- best purchase ever. I bought a second one for when this one wears out. They clean up much better and are a ton quieter.
10+ or you don't want to buy it.
10+ or you don't want to buy it.
JK Jedi
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 11,363
Likes: 2,089
From: Willow Park, TX
I believe that the spring assist was an option on the soft top, and it was several hundred dollars more.....and I'd imagine going to be harder to find used. I have a buddy that has a premium top with spring assist. As Karl mentioned above, the material is considerably nicer. I've seen him pull down the top with the spring assist and it looked simple enough, but I'm not sure if it's something I'd pay several hundred for. Guess a lot of that depends on your budget and use for the soft top. My preference in order is no top, hard top, and the only use I have for a soft top is for extended out of town trips that I might want to have the top off once at the destination.....which is maybe once a year or every other year.
