Jeep Soft Tops - What You Need to Know

Since its inception, the Jeep Wrangler has come with a soft top option. Some Wranglers come stock with only the soft top, while others come with a hard top and then a soft top along with it so you can have the best of both worlds.

For a long time, the Wrangler was the only Jeep vehicle with a soft top, but now the Jeep Gladiator pickup (which is based on the Wrangler) also comes with a soft top option.

Which Jeeps Have Soft Tops?

As mentioned above, the Jeep Wrangler beginning with the YJ generation in 1986 has come with soft tops and still comes with soft tops. The Jeep Gladiator pickup became the second Jeep vehicle to come with a soft top when it debuted for the 2020 model year.

As with all things Jeep, stock soft tops are not your only options. There are many aftermarket Jeep soft tops as well.

If your Jeep Wrangler or Gladiator didn't come with a soft top, you can still get a soft top for it. Jeep soft tops will still be compatible with a Wrangler or Gladiator that didn't originally come with a soft top. You can also get Jeep 4-door soft tops. It's not just two-door Jeeps that come with soft tops.

How To Clean Jeep Soft Tops and Soft Top Windows

Most Jeep soft tops can be cleaned in a normal way with warm soapy water and a soft brush. It's not recommended to leave mud or debris on the top for any length of time as it can stain. It's also important not to use any petroleum products on your soft top as it will degrade the fabric. After cleaning your soft top, you should apply a fabric protectant to help reduce future staining.

Soft top windows are made from vinyl and need regular care to improve durability. The soft top's plastic windows can be wiped down with a soft towel and water. You can also use a vinyl cleaner to remove light scratches and provide a layer of protectant.

How To Take a Soft Top Off a Jeep

The method may vary somewhat depending on the type of soft top and the Jeep model you have. Generally, you start by unlatching the header latches at the front of the Jeep above the windshield. As you fold it back, you'll have one more set of latches to remove in a two-door, and two more latches if the Jeep is a four-door.

You will also need to pull the back corner flaps down and secure them. The soft top should then roll back and fold like an accordion. When the top is down and in line with the tailgate, you can use Velcro straps to secure it.

How To Keep Jeep Soft Tops From Flapping

Unless you have a Sailcloth Soft Top that works very well to stop flapping and deaden highway noise, your Jeep soft top is probably prone to flapping. Stopping your soft top from flapping isn't always an easy task. You can start by investigating seals, bows, and zippers to make sure that everything is tightly in place. Sometimes a loose fastening is all it takes for the top to start flapping.

You can also get creative and get a top prop that supports the top over the seats and keep it tight. Another method is to turn your HVAC fan up to at least the second notch and set it to recirculate. This helps balloon out the top from the inside and may reduce noise.

How Much Is a Jeep Soft Top?

It's no secret that Jeep soft tops don't last forever. Fortunately, there are plenty of replacement Jeep soft tops on the market. In fact, there is a wide variety of different types of Jeep tops available if yours becomes damaged or unusable. If your soft top has cracks, signs of wear, or flaps way more than it did before, it's probably time to replace it. As a rule, Jeep soft tops only last about three to five years.

How much a Jeep soft top costs depends on your model and the type you get. On average, a basic soft top for the Wrangler JK is likely to cost around $450. However, some top-tier aftermarket Jeep soft tops can cost over $1,000 and even over $2,000.

On the other hand, a stock replacement soft top for the Jeep Wrangler TJ might only cost around $200. It very much depends on your Jeep and what you want.

What Types of Jeep Soft Tops Are Available?

So, what are your options if you want to replace, upgrade, or add a soft top to your Jeep? No matter which Jeep Wrangler or Gladiator model you own, you will have several options for soft tops. Let's take a look at some of them.

Replacement Tops

If you see Jeep soft tops labeled as replacement tops or factory-style tops, these are basic soft tops meant to replace your factory or stock soft tops. They may not have any extra features, but they are usually made from higher quality fabric than your stock soft top, and they will generally be the most economical option for replacing your Jeep soft top.

Halftops

These are sometimes also called bikini tops or windjammers. Essentially, they provide part of the open-air freedom with more protection than going completely topless. These tops typically also come with a variety of options like mesh screens, zip-out windows, and a folding roof to give you the freedom to choose how much open-air driving you want.

Sailcloth Tops

As mentioned earlier, Jeep soft tops have a tendency to be very noisy and flap in the wind. Sailcloth Jeep tops are soft tops made of 4-ply fabric instead of the standard 2-ply. The higher-grade fabric makes these tops more durable, resistant to tearing, and far less noisy at normal road speeds.

Sunriders/Flip Tops

The idea behind a Sunrider or flip top is to make your Jeep soft top mimic a car with a sunroof. It only takes a few seconds to flip or fold back parts of this top to become a sort of sunroof. It doesn't come with an electronic gadget, but it's still easy to do in short order.

Bikini Top

The Bikini soft top covers the front two seats of your Jeep and has two tie-down straps that hook up to the rear footman loops on each corner of the rear tub. This style allows air to flow through the vehicle and offers a little protection from the elements.

Extended Bikini / Safari Style

The safari-style soft top gives you the wind in your hair but the sun off your interior. As opposed to the bikini style above, this style of soft top protects all occupants from sun exposure. The safari style can come as a solid canvas or a see-through mesh material.

Slantback / Slant Top / Fastback

Basically your traditional Jeep soft top with a slanted section in the back. This style gives your Jeep a less boxy look and is slightly more aerodynamic than a typical soft top.

These aren't even all the types of soft tops available, so you'll want to enter your make and model on the H&H shopping portal to see what fits before you narrow it down.

Top Brands of Jeep Soft Tops

Just like there are many types of Jeep soft tops, there are also quite a lot of brands that make Jeep soft tops. Let's take a look at a few top ones.

Bestop

Bestop makes Jeep soft tops that fit just about every version of the Jeep Wrangler. Types of tops made by Bestop include targa-style tops, safari tops, replacement OEM tops, windjammers, classic soft tops, and much more. To find out what fits your Jeep, simply enter the model and model year. Prices for Bestop tops vary widely depending on the style.

Rampage

Rampage makes premium replacement soft tops for Jeeps as well as some different styles like tonneau tops and shade tops. Prices depend on the style and fitment. Enter your Jeep model and model year to find out what fits your rig.

Pavement Ends

Pavement Ends makes some very economical Jeep soft tops. The styles found here usually range from cabin curtains to cargo covers, and sun caps. These tops are designed to give you a nearly open-air experience while providing some protection from the elements. To find your fitment, you'll need to enter your Jeep Wrangler model year. These soft tops are in the range of $100 for most styles.

Again, there are many other brands that make Jeep soft tops, including popular names like Rugged Ridge, Rough County, Smittybilt, and many more. We feature several additional brands at H&H Trucks.

You can get any of our Jeep soft tops for sale professionally installed at any H&H Trucks location. We sell a wide variety of Jeep soft tops, including sun shades, replacement tops, slant back tops, windjammers, and much more.

Simply enter your Jeep's model and model year to find out what fits. We also sell replacement bow and frame hardware kits for your Jeep soft top.