Does Jeep Wrangler Come With Hard And Soft Tops? (Must Know)
The Jeep Wrangler is a convertible that gives you an amazing off-road experience with nature. However, nature can sometimes get harsh and have you in need of a top.
With the hard and soft tops available, it’s a question of which top the Wrangler offers. Below you’ll learn about both tops and their applications.
The early Jeep Wrangler models came with both the hardtops and soft-tops. The soft-top would go under the hardtop because of customers’ demand for both tops. In addition, customers wanted the advantage of adjusting to different weather conditions, so the Jeep Wranglers came with hard and soft tops.
Do Jeep Wranglers Come With Both Hard And Soft-tops?
Recent Jeep Wrangler models don’t come with both tops installed. However, you can have one installed, and the other is packaged and bought alongside the car.
However, early models of Jeep Wranglers came with both hard and soft-tops. They used to be called dual tops and had the soft-top installed beneath the hardtop.
The Wranglers came with dual tops so that drivers could alternate tops across weather changes.
Hardtops are typically great for winter and rainy seasons. Soft-tops do well during the summer period.
However, having both tops installed has changed in recent Jeep Wrangler models. Since the hardtop is fixed atop the soft top, it can damage the soft top over time.
This damage is due to different reasons. First, people had to remove one to be using them at the appropriate times. That means the hardtop goes off to make way to remove the soft top. Mildew On Jeep Top?
There are three types of hardtops: the one-piece hardtop, the two-piece hardtop, and the three-piece hardtop.
Does Every Jeep Wrangler Come With A Soft-top?
Jeep Wranglers come with either hardtop or soft-top. You’ll get a soft-top Jeep Wrangler if you want a soft-top alone.
This option is the same for hardtops; it depends on your choice. You can pay for the dual option to get both tops.
The soft-top Jeep Wrangler is a good choice.
It is easier to fix and remove and more customizable. In addition, many models arrive with storage pouches, exchangeable materials, reel back sunroofs, and skin colors.
Is It Better To Have A Hardtop Or Soft-top Jeep?
There are times when hardtops are preferred over soft-tops and vice-versa. Some people just opt for the hardtop since it can withstand any weather.
Each top has its advantages and disadvantages; below, we’ll look at them.
Advantages Of Hardtop
#1. Durability
It’s no surprise that hardtops are more durable. They have greater tolerance than soft-tops and would last longer. You won’t need much maintenance when using hardtops.
#2. Insulation
The hard top is thick and has better insulating capability than the soft top. As a result, the hardtop should be the natural option if you like to keep warm during cold weather.
The hardtop will keep the chilly air out and help make the cabin warmer. It is also less noisy when you use hardtops.
#3. Security
Hardtops provide more security than soft tops. For example, valuables in the car are safer under the hardtop than on a soft-top.
In addition, the durability of the hardtop makes it difficult for someone to tear through.
#4. Roof Rack
The hardtop can withstand some load if you need extra space. You can have a roof rack placed on the hardtop to carry additional cargo.
You can carry items like tents and kayaks on your Jeep Wrangler.
Disadvantages Of Hardtop
#1. Hard To Remove
It’s quite a task taking off a hardtop. The job requires two people because of the roof’s size. For example, the three-piece hardtop has three parts and needs extra effort to remove.
It also requires some knowledge and understanding to perform the task. Putting the top back on is also a daunting and stressful task.
#2. Storage Space
It might be challenging to find a space to store a hardtop. Soft-tops are foldable, but hardtops are durable and rigid, making folding impossible.
Advantages Of Soft-top
#1. Versatility
Soft tops are pliable, meaning they can be bent into shape and are more adaptable than hardtops. Soft-tops are easy to remove and simple to fix again.
You don’t need much effort to put it up. A soft-top can also fold, making it easy to keep away in a small space.
Furthermore, you can enjoy nature with your Wrangler when going on off-road adventures.
Since soft-tops are easy to put up, you can remove them for a short time and experience the outdoors.
#2. Reasonably Priced
If you’re worried about the price, you can go for the soft-top. They are generally less priced than their hardtop counterparts.
Disadvantages of Soft-top
#1. Not Durable
Soft-tops can’t withstand the elements like their counterparts. As a result, they can easily get damaged and need more frequent replacing than hardtops.
In addition, one can easily get through the soft-top to steal valuables from the car.
#2. Weather
Soft-tops are not good insulators. As a result, the cold can penetrate through the soft-top Jeep Wrangler during winter, even if it’s warm.
Snowfall can also burden the soft-top and might even cause damage to it.
#3. Noisy
If you like a quiet drive, then, unfortunately, the soft-top won’t be able to provide that. Instead, you get a louder driving experience when using the soft-top.
With the above, one can summarize that soft-top and hardtop are better when used individually at appropriate times. Picking just one of them would be down to personal preference.
Can You Have Both Hard And Soft-top For Jeep?
You can have both a hard-top Jeep Wrangler and a soft-top Jeep Wrangler. You can choose to request both tops from your dealership.
Having both will be good, so you can install any that would serve you at the time.
It is important to care for and maintain both tops to last long. For soft-tops, you can’t go through automatic car washes.
The brushes can graze the soft windows, and even the high-pressure water can weaken the soft top over time.
It would be best if you cleaned the soft-top by hand. Wash with soap and rinse thoroughly so foam won’t dry on the soft top.
Finally, you can wipe the water away with a soft and dry rag. If the soft-top is not in use, you can fold it and wrap it in towels. Then, you can store it by suspending it with supports on the wall.
Hardtops are treated the same way you treat the rest of the car. The only thing to look out for is harsh cleansers.
The cleansers might peel the paint off the hardtop over time. So whenever the hardtop is not in use, it should be removed and kept away.
Can You Put A Hardtop On A Soft-top Jeep Wrangler?
It’s possible to put a hardtop on a soft-top Jeep wrangler. You can change it to a hardtop Jeep Wrangler by removing every hardtop hardware.
There’s some drilling involved to make way for some mounts and brackets.
Once they are off, you’ll replace them with soft-top equipment. It is not advisable installing the hardtop over the soft top. This practice will eventually damage the soft top.
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Soft Top vs Hardtop Pros and Cons
Conclusion
Jeep Wranglers can have either hard or soft-tops installed on them. Hardtops are good for winter or harsh weather, while soft-tops are favored during summer.
Hardtops are durable and can last longer than soft tops.
Jeep Wranglers should have both hard and soft-tops together during purchase and not one or the other.
