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General Forums => The Mess Hall => Topic started by: jfrabat on April 10, 2015, 11:46:39 AM

Title: Which soft top to get?
Post by: jfrabat on April 10, 2015, 11:46:39 AM
This is for a '94 YJ...

I have a Pavement Ends Targa top, and it is a nice top for city driving, but honestly, it is too heavy to wheel with it, and the windows are too small to wheel with no AC.  So I am now considering a soft top (again!  Sold mine in 2008~2009).  Now, unlike the original top, I am looking more for something different.  One of the alternatives I was looking at was the bowless tops, but I need upper doors for them, and not everyone sells these...  The other option is a regular top but that I can fold down without having to leave the top at home.  What are goodoptions in your opinion and where is the best place to get one?

Felip
Title: Re: Which soft top to get?
Post by: Jeffy on April 10, 2015, 12:03:47 PM
Pavement Ends is BesTop.  It's their OEM line.  Pretty basic.  The Bestop line is the fancier, more features.  The replace-a-top will use stock hardware.  Their bowless tops are the Trextop's which aren't available for YJ's.

Sadly 'California Tops'/Offroad Hero's doesn't make a top for YJ's anymore either.  They don't even make a TJ top.  They were the first to make a bowless soft top.

I think you're really stuck with Bestop as your best bet.  If it's year around, I'd probably consider a sailcloth top as they are thicker so there is less noice and better insulation.
Title: Re: Which soft top to get?
Post by: jfrabat on April 10, 2015, 01:55:12 PM
I think you're really stuck with Bestop as your best bet.  If it's year around, I'd probably consider a sailcloth top as they are thicker so there is less noice and better insulation.

It IS for year round, but bare in mind that it is Costa Rica, so no real cold weather (coldest is probably in the 50's at night in the mountains).  Is there something I can put down without having to take the whole thing off like the replace a top?  I know TJ's can just roll the top back; if you need a top, simply pull it back and you have a top. Is there something like that for YJ's?
Title: Re: Which soft top to get?
Post by: Jeffy on April 10, 2015, 03:58:42 PM
It IS for year round, but bare in mind that it is Costa Rica, so no real cold weather (coldest is probably in the 50's at night in the mountains).  Is there something I can put down without having to take the whole thing off like the replace a top?  I know TJ's can just roll the top back; if you need a top, simply pull it back and you have a top. Is there something like that for YJ's?
You don't fold the hardware down on your YJ?
Title: Re: Which soft top to get?
Post by: jfrabat on April 10, 2015, 04:13:08 PM
You don't fold the hardware down on your YJ?

The old one would not fold down...  It would fold, but it would not fit behind the rear seat.
Title: Re: Which soft top to get?
Post by: Jeffy on April 10, 2015, 04:25:05 PM
The old one would not fold down...  It would fold, but it would not fit behind the rear seat.
The stock top should fold down then it gets bunched up and should tuck behind the rear seat.  It should look like this.  You need to take the side windows out though.  They originally were supposed to slip into these long bags that were then strapped to the cleats below the drivers and passenger doors.

(http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee491/tuckertighe1/IMG_5705.jpg)

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/yokomura/4BangerJP/manuals/548b5227.jpg)
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/yokomura/4BangerJP/manuals/c505f863.jpg)
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/yokomura/4BangerJP/manuals/f7cc4fa4.jpg)
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/yokomura/4BangerJP/manuals/1729ee57.jpg)
Title: Re: Which soft top to get?
Post by: jfrabat on April 10, 2015, 04:39:01 PM
Hmm...  I never manage to get them to bend properly. Mybe the hardware was just to messed up...  Good to know, though!
Title: Re: Which soft top to get?
Post by: grumpygy on April 12, 2015, 10:46:39 AM
Still have the stock hardware and mine too folds behind the seat.