Updated at: 16-04-2022 - By: micdot

Jeeps are known for being able to adapt to different landscapes and for having unique customizations. Based on where you want to go and how the weather is going to be, you might want to change the wrangler on your jeep from a hardtop to a soft-top. Your main goal is to learn how to change from a hardtop to a soft top. This is where you come to learn.

Is this a project you can do on your own, or should you leave it to an expert? Do you need any extra parts and can the two tops work together? Today, I’m going to write about things like this and many more.

If you want to make your hardtop soft, you can remove all the parts that hold it in place and put soft tops on. The two don’t go together. Related Article: How to remove the hardtop on a Jeep Wrangler in a hurry. You might also enjoy this. Yes, the soft tops for Jeep Wranglers can be changed.

Can you change a hard top jeep to a soft top?

You can, of course, change your Jeep from a hard top to a soft top. It’s not very difficult to do, but you need to be able to do certain things. If you want to do it on your own, you need to be ready for a lot of work. There are a lot of sections, mounts, and other things that need to be done. In order to help you with the process, we have written a detailed DIY guide that you can use.

During the switch, you need to remove all of the hardtop parts and put them on the soft top mounting frame.

When you want to go back to the hardtop, you have to remove all of the soft top parts first. It’s not a good idea to put the hardtop over the soft top without taking it apart and putting it back together properly.

Watch this video on how to remove the hard and soft tops from your Jeep. How to Install Soft Top/Hard Top and the best tools to use can also be found here.

Is A Hard Top Or Soft Top Jeep Better?

As you can see, there are many different types of casing and tops that you can choose from, including framed or frame-less soft tops, swimsuit tops, flip tops, and more!

There are a few things to think about before you switch from a hard top to a soft top, whether it’s for better airflow, more flexibility, or just because you want to look cool.

You’ll need extra lockable boxes and trunks to keep your valuables safe from thieves if you have a soft-top car.

Advantages of a hard-top?

People will be more safe.

Reduces the amount of noise coming from the outside world.

Better protection from the parts

People won’t make a fuss at high rates.

In what ways is a soft-top better than a hard-top?

The ease of use

Easy to store:

Light

Not a fan of spills.

Choice on the fly: a topless one

When you have a soft top, some things can go wrong.

There is very little safety.

Wind noise and fluttering

Tears

Drive-through car washes are dangerous.

Weaker protection for the parts

Disadvantages of a hard-top

Bulky and heavy:

Requires two people to remove and install.

It takes more time to fit things.

On the fly, you can’t go without tops.

As soon as you take something out, you need extra space.

Seeing how each top works is important, so we should figure out how to go from a hardtop to a soft top.

Hard Top to Soft Top Conversion

In this post, I have told you how to change your jeep from a hardtop to a soft top. I have also told you how to do it.

If you follow the steps below, you should be done with the convention in no time at all.

There are a lot of stores and selling units that come with all the important equipment and parts already included.

The process of changing isn’t too difficult, but it does require a little bit of skill to do it right.

You should know that cheaper fabrics are a little thinner in texture if you want a soft top instead of a hard one. For this reason, you should get a thicker fabric that helps to keep the outside noise down so you can have a smooth and pleasant ride.

Installation Process

The time it takes to do the installation process can range from 4 to 5 hours, depending on how well you do with the technical part of the process.

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You will require the below tools;

Drill

Phillips Bit #2

There is a #2 Phillips Screwdriver in there.

Torx Driver T30

Vise-Grips

An adjustable wrench.

Safety glasses

The whole process has been broken down into steps to make it easier to understand. You can change the hardtop on a Jeep Wrangler JK from 2007-2017 by following the steps below.

Step 1: Put Bow Mount Brackets in.

It’s now time to put in the door rails.

Step 3: Put the top arch in.

Step 4: Mount the Tailgate Bar Mounts.

Step 5: Connect the Side Bows to the Header/Fabric Assembly.

Step 6: Put the Fabric/Header/Side Bow Assembly on the Jeep.

Step 7: Put in the #2 Bow Assembly.

It’s time for Step 8: Attach the Header, Fabric, #2 Bow, and #2 Side Bow to the Door Rails.

It’s time for Step 9: Put together the rear bow and attach it to the bow mount brackets.

Step 10: Connect the Stay Straps to the Rear Bow.

Step 11: Connect the Bow Flap to the #2 Bow. This is the last step.

In Step 12, drape a piece of fabric over the top of the Jeep and attach bow flaps to the back of the bow flaps.

Step 13: Fold back the Header and Fabric together, and connect Cable Springs to the #2 Bow bracket with the Cable Springs.

Step 14: Put Foam Seal and Foam Tape on the inside of the Header.

Step 15: Sew the Rear Corners of the Fabric to the Jeep Belt Rails.

When you’re done with Step 16, close the latches on the front of the windshield.

Step 17: Put in the Rear Window.

This is the last step. You need to put in the left side window.

This is the last step. You need to put in the right-hand side window.

Step 20: Put the Tailgate Bar in.

It’s time for Step 21. Snap the Tailgate Bar into place on the Tailgate Bar Mounts, then tighten the Bottom Corners of the Back Window.

When you finish Step 22, you fold the top down.

So now you know what the fitment cycle is all about.

Are Jeep Wrangler Tops Interchangeable? Soft Top to Hardtop

It’s not a good idea to put a hard top right on top of your soft top cover. For each top, there are specific places where you can attach it to your Jeep. These places are meant to keep the top in place.

When you put a hardtop on top of your soft top cover, it will damage your fabric and all of the other materials that were used.

Would you be able to add a hardtop to a delicate top Jeep?

There are a lot of people who sell hard top cars that are specific to the year and model. The mounting framework ranges from a TJ to a YJ, and there are 2-entryway and 4-entryway models of the Jeep JK.

It is possible to put a hardtop on any Jeep, as long as the hardtop is made for your Jeep model and year.

So you just have to make sure that the hardtop you want to put on your Jeep top is compatible with your model.

What is the cost of a soft-top?

On average, a good soft top costs between $200 and $1500 dollars, but there are cheaper options that can work for you. The better quality soft tops are more pricey. If the item costs a lot, there is usually a good reason for it, and you can be sure that you will get good service.

Decide on a top that comes with a 2-plus-year warranty and choose a brand that has good customer service. It’s always a good idea to talk to someone before you buy anything. These things should be looked up at least once on Amazon, so you should do that.

What if My Jeep Did Not Come with a Soft Top Feature?.

On the off chance that the car you’re working on doesn’t have the option to be a soft or hardtop, you can buy a soft-top pack that comes with all the tools and materials you need to properly top your Jeep.

Keep in mind that you should not just put a soft top on top of your old one. The purpose of any cover on a Jeep is to fit the vehicle.

Making the soft top more durable can also make it tear or stop the equipment from working properly.

A hardtop on top of a soft top’s system can also break the actual edge, which means you’ll have to pay more to have it fixed.

Storage of hardtop and soft top.

They both take up a lot of space when they are not on the car.

Legitimate capacity can not only protect the top of your car, but it can also free up space in your garage.

Hard Top Storage

These cars have hardtops that are big, heavy, and clunky. These characteristics make it hard to store, but it’s not possible to store it that way, either.

The normal hardtop weighs 150 pounds. When you remove your hardtop from your car, it’s a good idea to have a cart ready for easy transportation.

As a result, this step will make moving the hardtop to the right place easier. It will also keep it from getting scratched or getting water damage from being on the ground.

Soft Top Storage

Soft tops are a little easier to store because, even though they are big, they are easy to touch and bend.

Soft tops can be lifted up like a carpet and put away on a rack or in sections on the wall.

To keep the soft top from getting damaged while it is being stored, you can cover the top with other materials like towels or use a plastic bag to keep water out.

Conclusion

Jeep Wranglers have been known for a long time to be some of the most appealing and versatile cars to own.

It has a huge advantage over other brands because you can change your car depending on the weather and what you’re doing.

A 3rd party replacement for your Jeep soft top can make it feel and look a lot better.

You can choose from a lot of different types of accessories, as well as different types of soft tops. The prices range from two or three hundred dollars to more than two thousand dollars.

Check to make sure you choose the right style and material for your tastes and style. Enjoy your trip!