My 12 JK came with both tops and it's getting to be that time of year to make the swap. As I just purchased the truck a month or so ago I haven't had the opportunity to make this swap yet. What does everyone do with their soft top when it's time to install the hard top? Should I unbolt the whole assembly and completely remove all traces of it or should I just fold it down and leave it in the truck all winter? If it's easy enough to remove that's what I would prefer to save space in the truck. What's your normal procedure for the winter changeover?

Thanks,
~~~Tony~~~

 

I remove my soft top and associated parts completely in the winter and put it in a closet in my basement.

 

^ Agreed. It's not meant to stay in the Jeep as you find it from the factory, it's only under the hardtop for shipping purposes. If you read your owners manual I'm pretty sure they even tell you to remove it.

 

Thanks Fellas. That's what I figured but did wonder why it was attached from the factory even as a 2 year old used purchase. (My soft top had never been out of the bag by previous owner)

 

Tony, Trying to figure out something and seeing how we've never had the hard & soft top option upon purchase.. Let me see if i get this right based on your description.. you have a hard top.. and it's currently on the jeep with the soft top?. The soft top is installed, but in the back in a bag?.. The only place one would need to "disconnect" would the shoulder brackets right behind the front seats.. Thou one may need to removed the velcro from the frame areas around the soft top.. Just so the frame and soft top are two separate sections. Roll the soft top up place or keep in the bag and store in a dry place. (not in the attic) This might even be a good time to clean or condition the soft top for storage.

 

You need to remove the whole soft top, plus the plastic door frame parts, in order to install the hard top. Hopefully you kept your hard top bolts somewhere safe.

 

I remove the soft top with bows attached, the door surrounds, and the tail gate bar. I leave the brackets on the roll bar.

 

Well, the hard top is off the truck at the present time and I'm using the soft top. When I purchased the truck a little over a month ago the hard top was on it (it had never been off) along with the soft top wrapped up in factory black plastic in the back. The framing was attached to the roll bar and there was 2 fairly large brown boxes containing the windows and the plastic door framing.
That was my reason for asking about the soft top removal for winter use as the soft top was already installed (sort of) when I purchased the truck used.
All your info will come in handy in a couple of weeks when I make the swap.
Thanks,

~~~Tony~~~

 

The first part is very simple.. while leaving the shoulders in place, simply remove the four screws (2 per side, Just where the frame connects to the shoulder bracket) or it could have quick release knuckles at the shoulders.. leaving the shoulders intact on the roll cage.. Or you can remove the shoulder, But one would have to unzip and fold up the padding towards the roof in order to gain access to the four screws (2 per side) and remove the shoulders.. again this is not necessary if you don't need to.. we did because we elected to us the wraparound windjammer. (2 door)
After disconnecting or unscrewing the frame hardware.. removing the rear retaining bar.. the soft top should slide up and off the roll cage.. But again, If the soft top is located within the jeep's hard top.. the hard top would have to be removed first.. mainly due to how the frame is shaped.. One would have a hard time of it trying to take the frame out the rear window of the hard top and you will either need someone to help you or create a jerry rig system to hoist the rear position of the hardtop away from the jeep, until one can gain access to the shoulder screws.
Important: Whichever you decide.. make sure you keep the hardware/screws in a location where you can access in the coming spring..

 

Every time you call your Jeep a truck a baby kitten dies