Can you convert soft top to hardtop?
Since you're converting your ride to a hardtop, it's important to have special tools to remove the soft top structure entirely. If you originally bought a soft top, the roof is connected to a frame. This frame is what keeps you safe in the event of an accident and prevents covers from ripping off while driving.
All Jeep Wranglers have removable tops whether a soft top or a hard top. Changing out your factory top for the right aftermarket top can enhance the experience for drivers and passengers alike.
All TJ hard tops from 97-06 are interchangeable. The only difference is that the 97-02 hard tops have vents on the rear corners, whereas the 03-06 models do not.
In the case of a DIY application, you'll spend roughly $300 in parts to get the job done. A professional will likely charge about $1,000 to perform this service, depending on your vehicle's make and model and whether or not you have a soft-top or hardtop.
In general, convertible conversions cost anywhere from $2,000 to $50,000. Here are some of the biggest price-determining factors: The car's price.
Removing the hard top is a two-person job. Without the help of some equipment, it is not recommended to attempt to take off your Jeep hard top by yourself. Not only can you damage the top, but you can hurt yourself as well.
The hard tops on the front are designed to be removed by one person. The hard top at the back will require two people. To remove the driver's side front hard top, step into the vehicle and unlock the two latches at the front of the hard top.
These Soft Tops are specifically tailored to fit your jeep with specs directly from Jeep. The Soft Tops are usually made of 4 to 2 ply composite made of a PVC outer layer and a polyester/cotton or cotton sateen, drill or lining fabric.
Most Jeep hardtops last around 10 years.
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.
What is the oldest Jeep pickup?
The first Jeep Pickup Truck, manufactured from 1947 to 1965, was the Willys Jeep 4x4 Truck. This truck was a 1-ton, four-wheel drive truck and came available as a pickup truck, platform stake truck, chassis cab or bare chassis. In 1949, a ¾ ton two-wheel drive version was made.
| Jeep Wrangler JK | |
|---|---|
| Body style | 2-door convertible 2-door SUV 4-door convertible 4-door SUV |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel drive Front-engine, four-wheel drive |
| Doors | 2-4 |
| Related | AIL Storm III |
Jeep Wrangler models. The 2023 Jeep Wrangler is an SUV available as a two-door model or as a four-door model called the Unlimited. The two-door Wrangler is available in two main trim levels: Sport and Rubicon. There are also a few subtrims based on the Sport: Willys Sport, Sport S, Willys and Altitude.
Crash Safety
Hardtop convertibles are safer than soft tops due to their construction. They're rigid, harder to break, and offer more protection than fabric. Think of it like a helmet versus a hat — one can protect you from the sun and light breeze, while the other is designed to protect you from a fall.
To make up for the loss of a roof, engineers have to add a lot of weight to strengthen up the car. Hence why convertibles are heavier.
A properly maintained convertible top lasts an average of 5-7 years. 2. Never put a convertible top down when the temperature is below 60 degrees.
The insurance rate for a convertible may be higher for physical damage coverage than an equivalent vehicle with a hard top. The cost of insurance for a convertible car may come down to their higher purchase price, as well as convertibles' greater vulnerability to theft.
Another type of Jeep hard top is the three-piece hard top. This configuration consists of three separate pieces: a rear section and two front sections. The rear section resembles a stock hard top, while the two front panels can be removed.
You can expect to get 3-6 years out of a soft top before it needs to be replaced. This is because holes, mold, sagging, or broken seams are common. A hole in the roof is obviously the most obvious and problematic.
This One Piece Hardtop for Half Doors is a terrific choice to upgrade your Wrangler TJ. Both lightweight and easy to install, it will have your Jeep looking fresh and new and ready to ride. Quality Construction. This 1-piece hard top for half doors is just the upgrade you've been looking for.
Can a Jeep pull another car?
Obviously the towing capacity your vehicle is capable of will vary based on the year it was manufactured and what model of Wrangler you have. For the most part, most modern Wranglers can tow anywhere between 2,000 pounds and 3,500 pounds.
Because of your additional height, cornering at speed is a bit more dangerous. The higher your center of gravity, the greater your rollover risk. If you are someone who loves taking corners at speed, be very careful of lifting your Jeep Wrangler.
Short arm lift kits are one of the most common due to their effectiveness. This lift allows over 2-6 inches of lift. It also gives great off-road capability and increased ground clearance and wheel travel.
The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited models have the best Jeep Wrangler towing capacity. All two-door Jeep Wrangler models can tow up to 2,000 pounds,1 while four-door Wrangler Unlimited models have a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds.
This technology makes the windshield lightweight, durable, and up to 3x more impact resistant versus traditional windshields to chips and cracks from stones and other debris drivers might encounter on roads or trails.
Mopar® Windshield Made with Corning Gorilla Glass
That's precisely why you drive a Jeep® Wrangler or Gladiator. The last thing you want to worry about is a cracked or chipped windshield.
Can you use Windex on Jeep soft top windows? We don't recommend it. Windex is an alcohol-based cleaner, which will dry out the plastic and lead to cracking and discoloration. Avoid cleaners with alcohol or ammonia.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
The Grand Cherokee was built with durability and longevity in mind. Earlier Grand Cherokees have lasted more than 200,000 miles and up to 20 years in service. Some reports indicated that the 2011 Grand Cherokee managed to hit more than 300,000 miles.
If you own a Jeep and experience snow and ice in the winter, you may be worried about your soft top. Don't fret. You and your soft top are fine. You won't freeze while driving your car and your top won't cave in.
First off, if you are wondering, it is perfectly fine to use a soft top in the winter. While some owners have dual tops and choose to throw on a hardtop this time of year, a soft top certainly does keep a Jeep warm enough as Jeep heaters are pretty powerful and will quickly get the interior quite toasty.
Do hard top Jeeps leak?
While jeeps are high-quality and reliable vehicles, their off-roading nature may make them susceptible to leaking. Whether debris builds up in the seals or the bolts on your hardtop loosen over time, leaks can prevail and cause major damage to your wrangler.
There are many benefits of lifting a Jeep. By raising your Jeep, you can fit larger tires and increase the ground clearance, both of which will improve the Jeep's performance off-road. You can also enhance the aesthetics of your Jeep by lifting it higher off the ground.
Prolonged sunlight and extreme weather can fade it, but there are some tips for maintaining your hardtop Jeep to protect it from the elements. And if the top has already undergone some serious fading, there are ways to restore it to its original glory.
Full-size Jeep truck production continued until 1988, when ownership of the brand transferred to Chrysler and the Gladiator-style pickup was discontinued to avoid competition with Chrysler's other line up pickups produced by Dodge.
The "Jeep" brand has gone through many owners, starting with Willys-Overland, which filed the original trademark application for the "Jeep" brand-name in February 1943.
The Jeep Gladiator may refer to: Jeep Gladiator (SJ), a pickup truck made by Jeep from 1962 to 1988, known as the Jeep J-Series after 1971.
Soft tops are generally more affordable in price too. Hardtops require more technology and electrical components to work, therefore the price will often be higher.
Summary. In many cases, repairing a convertible top is relatively simple - if you know what you are doing. Take your time, do your research, and learn as much as you can about your convertible top before engaging in any repairs.
Durability: Hardtops are clearly the more durable option. They're solid and can withstand significant damage that would normally tear through a soft top. That means they'll last longer overall, so you won't have to deal with as much maintenance.
Soft tonneau covers are not only vulnerable to poor weather conditions, but lack security. Plus they can only hold between 15 and 30lbs on top. Another option would be a fiberglass tonneau cover, which can often hold between 80 and 110lbs of weight.
Are hard top convertibles safer than soft top?
The biggest advantage a hard-top convertible has is its safety and security. This applies more to theft than on-road accidents, with soft-top convertibles being easier to break into by slashing the roof. While this is unlikely to happen, an extra layer of peace of mind can be a major advantage.
When you've got a Jeep with a soft top, that doesn't mean you can't install a roof rack. The aftermarket community has created roof racks for soft top Jeeps, enabling you to enjoy the best of both worlds.
As a rule of thumb, the average life of a Jeep soft top is 3-5 years.
Easier to damage – Soft tops are more prone to damage than hard tops. Their soft nature leaves them open to tears and other problems. Less secure – Soft tops are also more prone to breakins, since they are easier to pry loose than hard tops. More road noise – Soft tops allow more road noise to enter the interior cabin.
Leave the top up, but crack the windows to promote ventilation and prevent moisture from building up in your interior. Storing your convertible with the top down is a bad idea. Your convertible top may stretch, crack, or rip when you put it up after a very long period of time folded.
DON'T leave the top down when you vacate your convertible – This is a common mistake made by convertible owners. If you have ever done this and parked under a lampost or tree, you will know where I am going with this. Birds.
The IIHS found that newer convertibles (1 to 5 years old) are no more dangerous than hardtops in terms of accidents and traffic fatalities. The IIHS suggests that while convertibles are not mechanically safer than other vehicles, driver habits and behavior when behind the wheel of a ragtop may account for the numbers.
How much is it to put a hard top on a Jeep? It depends on the type of hard top, the make and model of Jeep, and the installer. A ballpark estimate would be $2000-4000.
The Three-Piece Jeep Hard Top. Another type of Jeep hard top is the three-piece hard top. This configuration consists of three separate pieces: a rear section and two front sections. The rear section resembles a stock hard top, while the two front panels can be removed.
Both hardtops and soft-tops can be prone to leaks. Also, as with anything mechanical, a convertible roof's opening and closing function can deteriorate over time because of wear and tear.
