[Paratrewpr]

I'm currently shopping for my third Jeep. I've had my 91 Wrangler since I bought it new nearly 20 years ago but I don't think I'll live through another Florida summer with no A/C. That and my old Jeep is gettin pretty rough.

Anyway, I've given serious thought to a hard top this time around and thought why not get the dual top group which of course gets you both tops. But, with only a few key options that I insist on, finding my new Jeep is proving very difficult short of ordering one. I guess there's some hard top supply issue that more than one dealer has told me about so ordering could take months... So I'm considering getting one or the other and getting the top I don't get stock, after market. The question I have is, is either one easier to deal with if you're going to get it after market? I don't mean supply issues or price... I strictly mean fit and ease of installation. I don't mind the installation, but I'm more concerned with how one will fit while keeping the other top viable.


Also.. side question... as I mentioned, my old 91 is getting ragged as much as it pains me to say it. I think I've got a head gasket issue (water sign in oil), need headers, hood paint, and various odds and ends here and there. I'm trying to look at this fairly and not apply sentimental value but... what could I reasonably expect to get for this "handman special"

[JeffinWesternWA]

"order" your new Jeep though contacts w/ various dealers fleet depts, ...lots of threads here but at/below i"nvoice" is very reasonable in this market. Any "safe" vehicle that passes SMOG starts at $1500+ retail$, so price accordingly. Jeeps used sell for top dollar so just clean it up, make it nice, fix easy problems and sell it yourself...g'luck

[RogueSpear2023]

I would agree sell it yourself even with problems you will probably get more than they will give you trade. As far as tops get the hard top, and then buy what every soft top you want later, there are plenty of options when it comes to soft tops, but hard tops are hard to find and expensive after the fact.

[hal2814]

The dual top package requires lots of fluff options you indicate you do not want. Wiring of the hard top is a PITA. On a JK you have to run the wiring harness up through the roll bar and down the casing between the door and windshield. You have to pull apart the dash to mount the little defrost and wiper buttons. Then you have to mount that stupid washer fluid bottle. And I'm not sure about the JK but with my TJ I had to do some windshield and roll bar tweaking to get the hard top to fit just right. Do yourself a favor and get a hardtop from the factory. The soft top is a breeze to install in comparison. The dealer may cry shortage but they will find you one if you're insistent.

[Paratrewpr]

Thanks Hal that's what I was looking for. I would have never thought about running the wiring. Leaning toward the factory top now...