Jeep Hard Top – Bonus Features You Can’t Get with Other Jeep Tops
If you’re one of the many people who uses your Jeep not just for off-roading but for everyday use as well, you know that the open air construction is not always convenient. The moment the clouds start to creep over the sun, you’re going to wish that you had some kind of extra protection. A Jeep soft top offers a simple, cost-effective option. However (let’s be honest), we are creatures of comfort and a Jeep hard top offers bonus features that you are probably used to enjoying in other vehicles. Here’s a sample of some of those features to give you an idea of what kind of added benefits you can get from a Jeep hard top.
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One vs. Two Piece Jeep Hardtops
If you choose to install a Jeep soft top, it’s generally just one piece. If you’re willing to pay a little bit extra, you can get one that folds back to create a sunroof. However, you can get a Jeep hard top that is either one or two pieces. The benefit of a two-piece Jeep hardtop is that on a really nice day, you can just remove the front half and drive with the fresh breeze on your face. Plus, you can get an optional roof rack to easily stow the front half when you’re not using it. The overall plus is that you get more options than you would with other Jeep tops.
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Temperature Control
Because a Jeep hard top is going to be thicker and made of stronger, more durable material, it’s clearly going to have better insulation than the fabric of a Jeep soft top. Plus, there is generally a washable headliner on the Jeep hardtop, which not only increases insulation but also reduces road noise. This is a definite plus if you do a lot of highway driving, where road noise can overtake the radio or conversation inside the vehicle. The ability to hinder that obnoxious intrusion makes for a much more pleasant drive. And, if you live in a colder climate, the extra insulation could make all the difference.
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Weather Resistance
This one goes hand-in-hand with temperature control, because both can be attributed to the basic construction of a Jeep hard top. Because it’s made of heavier-duty material, it’s going to be able to stand up to much more of whatever the weather throws at you, whether it’s a sudden thunderstorm or a slow and steady week-long snowfall. Most Jeep hard tops have built in gutters that channel water away, so there will be less water damage in the long run. Plus, they’re more watertight, so there’s a smaller chance of leakage than with a Jeep soft top.
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Storage Space
If you find yourself constantly stuffing your Jeep full of cargo, the optional storage options that come with a Jeep hard top can be really beneficial. Overhead mesh pockets are incredibly useful for storing smaller things that can easily get lost somewhere in the corners of your vehicle. They allow you to keep things organized and provide quick and easy access when you need it most. We already mentioned that the optional roof rack can allow you to store the front half of a two-piece Jeep hard top, but it provides more than that. If you’re really into biking or skiing, the roof rack is a great place to safely and simply store your equipment.
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Miscellaneous
There are some items that you probably take for granted in most vehicles, but which don’t come standard with a Jeep because of its open air construction. A Jeep hard top gives you the option of getting these luxuries that would otherwise be standard, including but not limited to: rear window defrosters, side window vents, power windows, dome lights, and tinted windows to give additional UV protection.
With all of these bonus features, you can see that a Jeep hard top is a great investment to make. If you think these are great assets but you’re looking for something much more basic, please check out our Jeep soft top article and discover which type of Jeep top matches your lifestyle.