Cold weather and soft top
 

I plan on ordering a basic Wrangler within the next while and would like opinions of just going with the soft top year-round, in Saskatchewan.

I've heard the latest soft top is a bit better than previous models. Is the Wrangler's heater up to the job? I imagine the soft top leaks warm air faster than the hard top, but would the heater still be capable of keeping the windshield clear throughout winter?

I would really like to NOT bother with the hard top, even if I have to replace the soft top every 5 years or so.

Re: Cold weather and soft top
 

The heater in the JK's do crank out the BTU's. I persoanlly have not run just the soft top, a friend of mine with the same JK did just that last winter. Heating is not an issue, nor is keeping the windsheild clean.

Only thing to keep an eye on is snow load. I would worrie that a good dump of heavy weat snow builing up would colapse the top. Not a issue of you drive it daily, or park indoors.

I hear what you are saying, the second Jeep in our family will be of soft top only....don't have to stow th e hard top in the summer.

I say Rock just the soft top!

Re: Cold weather and soft top
 

So your going for a jk, but just for info a friend of mine has a 03 tj rubicon, and he runs his all year round with just the soft top (it has the 6 cy motor) which makes a big difference as I am told the 4 just doesn't produce the power needed to keep it warm without a winter front. He has soft doors (not full metal) and still no problem. He runs it daily to and from work in Mtl and whenever we have an event up north (Laurentians) which can get pretty nasty.

Re: Cold weather and soft top
 

I drive with my window cracked all winter because my 4 puts out too much heat. But that's with a hard top.
In a soft top I wouldn't be worried about heat, I'd be worried about snow buildup and my windows cracking at the slightest touch in subzero temps when I'm trying to clean them.
In winter a hard top is the only way to go for a daily driver if you ask me.

Re: Cold weather and soft top
 

Thanks for the replies everyone. Nice to know the Jeep kicks out heat. I've been reading around other sites and the main concern, as RiponredTJ has mentioned, are the very fragile vinyl windows. The problem on the prairies is the sustained cold the windows must endure, it goes on for months. So, I guess I'll have to order the hard top as well and rig a hoist in the garage to remove and store the HT every spring.

Re: Cold weather and soft top
 

RiponredTJ has a good point, I could see how cold weather could cause issues with the vinyl windows.

Having lifted my top twice now I've made two revisions to my DIY lift. Yes, there is a company called Lang that makes one, you can even get one with a small winch if you so choose.

This link really helped me on my second attempt:

Hardtop hoist/storage write-up - JK-Forum.com - The Ultimate Jeep JK Wrangler Bulletin Board

A few key things to keep in mind when building one your self:
1/ The top is not that heavy, however, centre of gravity and ballence is critical. Have this one wrong, and the top will have a mind of it's own !!!

2/ Don't forget to secure the back window in place when lifting it up, if you don't have the room to keep it open....other wise it will open when you don't want it too.

3/ Hold down straps are a nice way to 'sinch' it up as close to the ceiling as possible, and I put a few extra in because I tend to 'over build' everything.

Good luck with the hoist.

Re: Cold weather and soft top
 

You don't need a hoist for the hard top. Once I unscrew the eyebolts holding it down, it takes two guys about a minute to lift it off and store it. From about mid-May to mid-October my hard top is sitting on a couple of sort of level 2 X 4's in the lawn next to the drive way.

My doors are in the house, and my windowless soft top is on. I cover the Jeep with a tarp every night to keep out the damp.

When I put the hard top back on in the fall it fits perfectly and it shows no signs of having deteriorated in any way. I should however have cleaned interior of the Jeep and the inside of the hard top before slapping it back on.

Re: Cold weather and soft top
 

I ran all last year with the soft top on and it was no problem even with huge snow loads... I do have the hard top on this year and like it a lot better... the rear wiper and fluid sprayer and a big plus in the slush... I build a hoist in my garage for my hard top that cost me $60 in total from princess auto including winch, rope and pullies.... my wife and I can easily lift it with out help but this way I can do it by myself and once lifted off its in its home at the ceiling of my garage not bothering anyone...lol

Re: Cold weather and soft top
 

Thanks again everyone for your helpful replies, its appreciated.

Re: Cold weather and soft top
 

I drove winter 2008 with the soft top, no problem to keep the heat in, with a lot of wet snow on top it sterches the fabric. Also the salt and dirt get into the zipper and makes them hard to operate. In conclusion it will age your soft top early, and after 5 winter you will need to replace it for approx $1000.00.