First time Jeep owner and first post -- great site!

Just bought a Mopar soft top for my wife's 2013 JK 4-door.

Started putting the frame together last night and I'm a little concerned about the overall frame quality. The frame's really light weight compared to convertible tops I've had on other vehicles. I was surprised by the number of sheet metal screws holding the frame together. The vinyl top itself seems fine -- nice quality, but I'm a worried about the long-term durability of the top frame.

How do the JK soft-top frames hold up?

Thanks.

Craig

 

I have a 2008 JKU and all I have is a soft top.

It has probably been up and down hundreds of times without much issue. The only problem I ever have is the tension straps popping out of the rivets but I think the 2010 and newer soft tops have a different strap system so it might not even matter now.

I have heard people talking of the 2013's having a "premium" option for the soft top that is supposed to be easier to put down but have not seen it in action yet.

Overall I have been happy with mine.

 

2010 soft top. No issues. It has just the right amount of steel thickness to be able to contend with normal soft top use. With that said, so long as you don't stand on top of your soft top, you should be good to go.

 

if you put it up and down solo and do it like i do , by standing on the driver side to get it " over the hump" so to speak it can move to one side a lil too much and tweak the attachments on the cage . just fyi

 

I learned this the hard way on my 2008 JK. The side method causes the frame to rise and lower unevenly which eventually causes the welds on the center bow (attachment bow for the straps) to break. Currently my second bow assembly is being held together with nuts and JB Weld.

If you raise and lower the soft top from the rear center by opening the tailgate, you should enjoy long life of the factory assembly. That's how I raise and lower the top now and it seems to operate smoother.

 

I raise and lower my top the same way. Open the tail gate and climb in the back. Easy peasy.

 

make sure to leave it somewhere warm for a couple hours before you put it on the first time. It helps it stretch a little easier. I also needed a ratchet strap to pull the bows down a little more the first time to get it where I could latch the front hooks. Don't force the front hooks too hard, they can break. As for your question, the tops are more durable than they appear.

 

Only problem I've had with the frame is a few of the screws coming loose over time. Tightened them up and it's been fine. I worry about the zippers more than the frame - mine are very worn and some of the teeth are out of alignment, which makes zipping and unzipping them difficult. Mine is 6 years old, and I'm figuring on a replacement in the next 2 or 3 years.

 

I have a 2008 soft top still in great shape. Have a 2012 to with soft top. New tops are a lot nicer

 

Exact same way for me.