Yesterday I bought a 20 Unlimited Willys with a hardtop V6 and said no to a soft-top V4.

Was that a mistake for Wisconsin? Salesgirl wasn't very outgoing and I understand that the soft-top was either open or closed.
Did I miss something? Now knowing that they're accessories for the tops?

 

I'll just speak generally about tops.....

Everyone requires something different out of a top, so what is good for some is not for others. If you have a garage, hard tops are pretty convenient. With a good hoist you can have a hard top on/off in just a few minutes; however, once they are off and you roll out to wherever you are going, you're obviously exposed for the duration. I find soft tops, especially for the 4drs, very cumbersome and often impractical to put down and take the windows off; however they flexibility they offer you is obviously the upside. Even for a hard top lover, soft tops are a better idea for going on long trips where weather might be nice at your destination. I'd look at it this way.....I think you are better off having bought a hard top as you did, and you can always keep your eye out for a used soft top along the way. Soft tops come and go.

 

Hard tops also seem to retain value through the years where the soft top depreciates with time and use. I've had almost exclusively soft tops and enjoy them, but I don't see where a hard top would be a "mistake".

 

Oddly enough, I found a pristine, unused, premium soft top this week! Guy around me didn't know what he had. Listed it for $325. Was part of a dual top package off their '14 and they just never removed the hard top and didn't use this. I was careful to ask for pictures of the fabric underside without using terms like "premium". He was firm on price so I went ahead and gave it to him. Around me, used premium tops in good condition fetch $7-800. Score! The windows were still in the original box. not even a scratch on them! I needed to spend $325 like I need another hole in the head, much less venturing out in Covid-19 environments, but dang I keep finding deals I can't pass up!

 

Could I assume that if I had the hard-top completely off that I could buy those soft-tops that are thought to use in place of the hardtop to block sun or possible weather etc.?

 

Any JL soft top you purchase, new or used factory or even an aftermarket top, is going to be a direct fit on your jeep. In climates like mine in Texas, we get a lot of use out of screens as well (Spiderweb Shade, Alien Shade, etc) which help block a ton of UV rays. Might not be as useful where you are. You might also find just some sort of bikini top useful. There are a lot of options.

The best advice I can give you as far as soft tops, topless, doorless etc, is act as though nothing inside the jeep is secure. Do not leave anything in there you would be pissed off if it got stolen. Some of this mentality really is part of the jeep life. You might look at an underseat lockbox for things you want to secure in the jeep. Soft tops will protect you from weather, but that's nothing more than some saran wrap for a thief.

 

Could I assume that if the hardtop is completely off? I'd be able to still utilize one or many of the below products?

https://www.carid.com/2020-jeep-wran...652530640.html

https://www.carid.com/2020-jeep-wran...652532637.html

https://www.carid.com/2020-jeep-wran...586313973.html

https://www.carid.com/2020-jeep-wran...652530640.html

 

The first and last links are the same and appear to be a 2-dr, but for the most part yes, you are getting the idea. I would look at reviews of products on youtube or other sides before settling on one. With the JL being out a couple years now I'd think there are a good number of options.

 

That's the kind of deals I've run across. Where you call the guy and tell him you'll be there in 58 minutes with cash, no further questions. I've got two premiums in the garage for when I need replacement.