Looking at the long lineup of tops for a Jeep, owners and enthusiasts have a tough job choosing and sticking to a specific top. Each top has its advantages and disadvantages so being aware of them before making a choice is crucial.

In this article, we’ll cover the difference between hard, bikini, and soft tops for Jeep, their pros and cons, and much more. If you’re in the market for a new top for your Jeep, make sure to read this to the end.

 

What are the Types of Soft Tops for Jeep?

There are many soft tops for Jeep owners to choose from, from bikini flip tops, full tops, half tops, and a whole lot of combinations. There’s also a choice between OEM soft tops and aftermarket soft tops from different manufacturers which are made from different materials, have different constructions, and different ways of putting on and off your Jeep. These are all the things you need to consider before buying one. 

The types of soft tops for Jeep include:

  • Bikini Tops

  • Safari Tops

  • Soft Tops with Tinted Windows

  • Sunlighter Tops

  • Flip Tops

A Jeep Wrangler bikini top is a great choice for drivers who enjoy the great outdoors, but still need protection from the Sun’s harmful rays. A bikini top is usually foldable and includes only an overhead construction while leaving the sides open. It’s very simple to install and store, and the bikini top is made for 2-door Jeep models.

A safari top is similar to a bikini top, but it’s meant to cover further back than just the front-row occupants. It offers the same type of protection from harmful UV rays however, it spreads all the way from the windshield to the very back of the car. The safari top is made from a material that will not let you see through the top, but you will still enjoy open driving with your Jeep. Most safari tops are foldable and require a bit more space for storage compared to bikini tops.

Soft tops with tinted windows are exactly as the name suggests - they’re made with soft materials and have tinted windows all around. The soft top with tinted windows is a great addition to any Jeep used for driving around during the summer, but when you also want to enjoy the cool air coming from the AC.

Sunlighter tops are bikini tops with a transparent top that doesn’t completely block out the sun. Although they’re partially transparent, they still block out harmful UV rays, but let light through so the interior of your Jeep is brighter during the day.

A flip top gives you the liberty of enjoying the sun's full glare and blocking it as you wish. With this top, you can flip it up when you want to feel the sun's rays and flip it down when you've had enough of it. Hence the name flip top. This top is excellent for unpredictable weather changes. So when the sun becomes too hot, you can flip down the top without needing an extra hand.

 

Reasons to Use Specific Soft Tops

People love Jeeps because they provide the freedom to connect with the outdoors. This is enhanced by the fact that you can remove doors and tops and replace them with soft tops. Soft tops allow you to enjoy the sunshine while avoiding harsh UV rays.

One of the first reasons why many people use soft tops on their Jeep is the convenience. During the hot summer months, it’s a joy to drive a Jeep without a top. Soft tops are considerably simpler to install or remove from your car, which makes them convenient, especially if you like to change settings on your car often.

Soft tops are more affordable compared to hard tops. The extra cash that you would use on hard tops can be used on other Jeep accessories. Hard tops are made of durable materials, thus making them more expensive than soft tops, however, depending on the climate, you might not even need a hard top on your Jeep if you live in an area with no snow or extreme weather.

Storing soft tops also requires a lot less space compared to hard tops. Soft tops are foldable so you can store several soft tops in the same amount of space one hard top would take.

 

How to Store Your Jeep's Soft Tops

 

There are times, like in the winter, when soft tops need to be replaced with better insulated hard tops. Soft tops are very flexible in terms of installing, removing, and storing, however, when it comes to cold weather, they’re not one of the better choices for your Jeep Wrangler. 

When you get the soft top removed from your Jeep, you should clean it thoroughly and store it as it was intended. Most Jeep Wrangler soft top manufacturers, including OEM manufacturers, provide detailed instructions on how to properly store a Jeep soft top. In most cases, you’ll only need a shelf, hanger, or just a corner where you can put the soft top down. What you need to consider is that storing a soft top requires a dry, and rodent-free place.

And whether you want to buy a new soft top or find replacement parts for yours, Morris 4x4 Center has what you need. Shop confidently knowing you’re getting the best price along with expert service from our knowledgeable team.