Owning a Jeep Wrangler is an exciting adventure, with endless possibilities for customizing this legendary vehicle. These options include installing a top on your Wrangler for off-roading or open-air driving.
Jeep Wrangler tops are available as soft tops and hardtops. Although the classic soft top has caught the attention of many drivers, others have picked the hardtop for their trusty Wrangler models.
If you’re wondering what makes a hardtop an excellent choice for your Jeep Wrangler, here’s a closer look at the advantages of installing one.
A More Durable Option for Your Vehicle
First, Jeep hardtops are made from firm fiberglass, making them sturdier than soft tops. These tremendously durable accessories take significant hits wherever your Wrangler travels, especially while off-roading and from unexpected collisions on the road.
Conversely, soft tops constructed from fabric only last for a while, even if you take good care of them. These tops need thin material to become flexible, which the extra weight from pooling water or frozen precipitation can damage. As a result, the material stretches and breaks.
A hardtop’s durability also prolongs its lifespan to your Jeep’s lifetime, and the accessory requires less maintenance. For example, cleaning snow and ice off a hardtop is easier than a soft top.
Finally, hardtops have tougher-to-scratch windows. Soft tops feature vinyl windows that can be scraped or get foggy when cleaned. But if you’re cleaning hardtop windows, you’ll only need glass cleaner and car wash soap for the task. The glass windows on Jeep hardtops also help you see your surroundings clearly, and use hatch glass for swifter and easier access to the trunk.
Hardtops Improve Your Interior Insulation
Your Wrangler’s heater is powerful enough to keep you cool or warm. But heat may enter your cabin in the winter if you use top-grade soft tops. Jeep Wrangler hardtops offer more insulation to ensure colder air and scorching heat stay out of your cabin. Also, this feature blocks fumes and unpleasant odors while reducing leaks, particularly from wind-driven rain or power washes.
Another benefit of using a hardtop is considerably reduced road noise. Fiberglass muffles the sounds your Wrangler and other cars make when passing through highways. In turn, you can hear conversations or listen to music comfortably. Reduced insulation from soft tops means a noisier but tolerable ride during off-road trips but annoying while driving on city streets.
Your Wrangler Gets Extra Ventilation
If you’re spending your summer outdoors, most modern hardtops feature removable panels to make your Wrangler well-ventilated. These panels give you the open-air experience synonymous with owning a Jeep.
More Space for Your Other Items
Sometimes, you may need more space for your belongings. Jeep hardtops are essential to using roof racks on your Wrangler, with heavy items like kayaks, skis, and luggage not fitting your vehicle. And if you’re overlanding (going to a remote or undiscovered destination by bike, 4×4, motorcycle, van, or horseback and staying there for longer), racks on hardtops let you load tents and other camping equipment.
Specifically, a hardtop simplifies installing and removing roof rack systems on your car. Most hardtops even have rain gutters that work well with racks from top brands. Of course, you can find roof racks compatible with Jeep soft tops, but they take more time to add and remove.
Hardtops Help Prevent Theft
Lastly, soft tops can make Wrangler models easy targets for cunning thieves. Many drivers have switched to hardtops since the thick fiberglass is difficult to cut, and their windows can’t be slashed or unzipped.
Moreover, those using soft tops or driving topless either install additional storage options under their seating or cargo area or reinforce the center console and glovebox to prevent theft and vandalism. Installing a hardtop eliminates the need for these added precautions.
What are Your Options for Jeep Wrangler Hardtops?
Hardtops come in three types, with each having different advantages. Let’s look closer at these options.
One-Piece Hardtops
As the simplest type of hardtop, a one-piece top has a single configuration. Jeep’s factory hardtops fall under this category.
One-piece hardtops have no seams, providing better protection from changing weather conditions. Removing these tops can be tricky since you have to remove the entire assembly.
Two-Piece Hardtops
These Jeep hardtops include front and rear sections. The front part covers the driver and passenger seats, plus it’s removable for open-air driving. Meanwhile, the rear part looks the same as the Wrangler’s production hardtop and is placed over your vehicle’s back, covering some of the back-row seating.
Compared to one-piece hardtops, two-piece hardtops are easier to remove and customize. However, they feature more seams, and you’ll hear the wind rushing past your vehicle. Additionally, water can leak into your cabin whenever two-piece hardtops are used.
Three-Piece Hardtops
The last type of Jeep Wrangler hardtop features one rear piece and two front parts. Like two-piece hardtops, a three-piece hardtop’s rear resembles a factory hardtop, and the two front panels are removable. This configuration makes three-piece hardtops the simplest to remove and store.
Despite its advantages, three-piece hardtops have many seams, raising the chances of water leaking into your cabin. These hardtops may even be unable to keep heat or cool wind out of your Wrangler well.
How Should You Store a Hardtop?
Once you’re done using a hardtop, you should remove and store it properly to prevent potential damage. In this case, you’d want the accessory in the air so it stays undamaged and it’s easier to reinstall at any time. Consider using a hoist when storing a Jeep hardtop, as it’ll help remove the accessory and keep it off the ground until it’s reinstalled.
Alternatively, you can hire a professional to remove, store, and reinstall a hardtop. It’s perfect for driving your Wrangler without a top in fair weather or switching to a soft top.
Get the Best Hardtop for Your Jeep Wrangler
Choosing the right top to install on your Wrangler can be overwhelming, as soft tops and hardtops offer different advantages. Ultimately, a hardtop is great if you’re after a durable, weather-resistant, secure, and versatile Wrangler top.