When most people think of Jeeps, and Jeep Wranglers, in particular, they think of the soft fabric top. That’s certainly the stereotypical image of a Jeep. Yet despite that, Jeep hard tops are also iconic, and they’re a lot more popular than you might think.
Many prospective Jeep buyers find themselves asking whether they should purchase a Jeep with a hard top or a soft top. You can’t go wrong either way, but there are certainly differences between the two styles. Both the hard tops and the soft tops have their strengths, so it’s a matter of taste when deciding what to opt for in your Jeep.
Here’s everything you need to know about Jeep hard tops, so you can determine if one is the right option for you.
What Are Jeep Hard Tops Made Of?
Jeep hard tops are made out of solid fiberglass. This is, quite obviously, a pretty stark difference compared to the fabric that Jeep soft tops use.
The rest of the body of a Jeep is made out of other materials, not fiberglass. But fiberglass looks similar enough to those materials that a Jeep with a hard top simply looks like it has a normal roof.
How to Store Your Hard Top
It’s incredibly important to properly store your Jeep hard top when it’s not on the car. The last thing you want to do is damage your hard top when it’s not even attached to the Jeep.
Ideally, you want to keep your Jeep’s hard top off the ground. This keeps it from getting damaged, but also makes it a lot easier to put the hard top back on your Jeep when the time comes. Because of this, the best way to store a Jeep hard top is with a hoist. A hoist will help lift the hard top off of the Jeep and keep it safely suspended in the air until it’s time to put it back on.
There are lots of different companies that make hoists for Jeep Wranglers. Or, if you’re feeling crafty, you can make one yourself. Once the Jeep hard top is suspended, it’s ideal to store it inside a garage where it’s safe from the elements. However, the hard top will survive if stored outside – after all, these are Jeeps we’re talking about!
Is a Jeep Hard Top Better than Soft?
In many ways, Jeep hard tops are better than soft tops, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It all depends on what you want out of a Jeep.
One clear benefit of a hard top is that it’s more durable. It shouldn’t be a surprise that fiberglass is more durable than fabric, but it’s an element that not everyone thinks of. Jeep hard tops can withstand damage and wear and tear better, and will hold up a lot better if your car is involved in an accident. Many things might ruin a soft top that a hard top would hardly notice. And as a result, maintenance costs for a hard top are usually a bit lower than with a soft top.
Hard tops are also great if you plan on using roof racks. You can’t attach roof racks to a Jeep soft top, but you certainly can with a hard top. So if you like to get a little extra storage on the top of your Jeep, then you’ll definitely want a hard top.
Because hard tops let less air into your Jeep, they offer a lot more insulation than their soft top counterparts. Whether you’re blasting the heater on a cold day, or running the air conditioner what it’s roasting out, a Jeep with a hard top will help you keep the car at a comfortable temperature much more easily.
Finally, hard tops offer a lot more security for your vehicle. Soft tops can easily be cut into, and the windows can be easy to unzip. Hard tops on the other hand are much harder to break into. So if you plan on leaving valuables in your car, a hard top can offer a distinct advantage.
Not everything about hard tops is better though. The biggest con of a hard top is that it’s significantly more expensive than a soft top. And while they are more durable, that cost can come into play a second time if you ever have to replace the hard top.
Hard tops are also less convenient than soft tops. They’re much more difficult to take off, store, and put back on again. It can be a hassle dealing with hard tops, especially if the weather turns, and they can’t fold down into a small size.
What About Retractable Top
There’s a hybrid product that might be the best of both worlds, though. Retractable tops from companies like Bestop and Rampage can add the light and air you want in the cabin on nice days while still letting you close up the cabin when the weather isn’t as good. It’s an added cost, yes, but it offers the functionality of a soft top with the security and comfort of a hard top.
Jeep hard tops aren’t for everyone, but there’s a lot about them to love. There are some downsides relative to soft tops, but there are certainly a lot of benefits. They might not be the right option for you, but then again … they might be.
