If you own a Jeep Wrangler or are looking to buy one, you must consider what kind of top you will have for your vehicle. With hardtop and soft top options to choose from, it can be overwhelming, to say the least on what you should choose. But, do not sweat the small stuff. You too can be knowledgeable in the world of Jeep covers for your vehicle, when it comes to Jeep Hardtops vs Soft Tops.
There are factors to consider like installation, price, and durability. So, without further ado, let us hop into the nitty-gritty, shall we? You certainly will not be disappointed.
Jeep Hardtop vs Softop: Every Jeep Owner Should Know
Picking the right Jeep Wrangler is an important decision, but the cover alternative may be just as important a choice. With the plethora of pros and cons, let us investigate together hardtops and soft tops. This way, you can get the best perspective possible for you and your Jeep Wrangler.
Hardtop Pros
If you are interested in the hardtop variety, here is what you should know. First, hardtops make for a very quiet ride. Especially when you are on the highway, a hard shell will allow you to have the best soundproofing around. This will minimize the noise from the road.
Additionally, you will have a better seal to take in the tunes in your vehicle as well. There is nothing worse than wanting to hear your favorite song on the radio, but you cannot hear it because the noise from the road is completely distracting you. This will not happen with a hardtop.
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Securing Your Life
You may be looking for a top that helps secure your things inside the vehicle. This way, you can help limit or eliminate theft. Well, a hardtop is your friend here. Of course, you should always keep your belongings out of view from outsiders. However, if this is not humanly possible, just lock up your hardtop and you will have a better chance of dealing with theft than with a soft top.
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Combating Winter
Looking to stay warm and away from the elements? A hardtop is best for this situation. You will get the best insulation when the temperature starts to drop. Do not be those people in a soft top when you should have had a hardtop to cover all your bases.
However, if you live in a warm climate, then you may not need a hardtop. A soft-top cover may be more your jam, so you can take in the rays and the cool breeze by taking the soft top down.
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A Durable Nature
A hardtop shell is certainly the best option if you are looking for something that will be the most durable for you. Just imagine that you are buying your brand new Jeep Wrangler. With the help of a hard shell, your vehicle and shell should last about the same time together. You will not have to deal with as much wear and tear as a soft top will experience.
Hardtop Cons
Some cons come with hardtop shells. Maybe the most prevalent factor is the expense of a hardtop. A hardtop cover for your Jeep Wrangler will cost you a lot more than a soft top. Especially if your hardtop gets damaged, you have to replace the whole thing. In the end, this may cost you an arm and a leg.
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Difficulty Removing
Imagine the best spring day where it is not too cold or too hot. With this in mind, you are about to drive your Jeep Wrangler across town, but you want to remove your hardtop. Well, it will not just come off easily. A hardtop is not a single-person job. So, if you do not have another person to help you pop the top, then your dreams will not be a reality.
Additionally, a hardtop does not fold up very well either. You will have to place the entire piece in the garage. In turn, the hardtop is going to take up a lot of space. Lastly, if it starts to rain, you will not have your top available to you if you are out and about. That would end up being a very soggy drive.
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Added Space
As stated earlier, when you are dealing with a hardtop, you are going to need a solid space to store it. Some invest in a hardtop hoist, but as you would expect, this is going to cost you more money. Jeep Wranglers can start to get expensive, huh?
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Limited Varieties
When you are in the market for a quality hardtop, know that you will not have a lot of options at your fingertips. You can check online to further your selections. But, know that dealers will have even less for you to offer.
Soft Top Pros
Know first and foremost that soft tops are great for the warmest of weather. This makes them very versatile for you and your lifestyle. How great will your Jeep Wrangler look topless? However, if you do need to go with a top, let us check out the soft top.
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Ease of Removal
Soft tops are very light compared to its counterpart. So, if rain starts to happen inside your Jeep Wrangler, you can pull over and put it on by yourself. Imagine the kind of lifesaver this product could be for you. This will certainly save you and your seats.
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Simplistic Storage
With a soft top, you will be able to pop it up and tear it down with ease. There is no need to place it in your garage. You can just fold it up and keep the soft top in your Jeep Wrangler.
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Good On A Budget
If you are looking to save some money after you have to spend a pretty penny on your Jeep Wrangler, a soft top is the way to go. Also, you can replace a soft-top much easier than a hardtop if it gets damaged. Think of it this way. You could buy a multitude of soft tops before you would even get close to the cost of a hardtop. This way, you will have some extra money to spend to put elsewhere in your life.
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Aftermarket Possibilities
There are an exorbitant amount of aftermarket soft top options for you to plow through. Some of the best soft top options come from the brand Pavement Ends, so check them out for yourself.
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Wanting The Versatility
If you are looking for more options for what a soft top can be, then you have come to the right place. Wanting sunroofs, half tops, or full tops? Soft tops can make this happen for you in the world of customization.
Soft Top Cons
Security is one of the main cons of soft tops. Since they can be opened with zippers, theft happens a lot more often. You could get a lockbox for under your seat, but this will cost you.
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Too Much Noise
When driving, you may not be able to hear people in your vehicle. Without a seal, you will hear a whole lot of road noise. This will limit your music playing as well.
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Ice Cold
If you do have 4 seasons, steer clear from a soft top. The zippers could get stuck because of ice or salt on the roads as a de-icer. You can imagine this would not be a very fun time.
Conclusions
Now that we have come to the end, it is time for you to make the right decision. But, do not fret. You have all the tools in your toolbag to be successful. Whether you choose the hardtop or soft top, know what value and frustration each side can bring you. This way, you will not be blindsided if something goes wrong that you did not expect in the first place. Best of luck as you find the right top for your Jeep Wrangler.