Soft top option for 2012 Rubicon?

[Durango]

Well, I did it. Bought my "late middle life crisis" first ever Jeep- a deep cherry red 2012 Rubicon with 4600 miles on the clock. The previous owner had installed Bilsteins, custom bumpers and a never-used Warn 9.5 ti winch. Funny how things work out- I wanted a manual but wound up with the auto and momma likes it better so all is good. (Will post photos when I figger it out.)

I was also looking for a rag top but this little sweetheart had a hard top. Also fine since with the Freedom Top we are almost there anyway. But when the kids are occasionally along we don't want to pack them back in the cubbyhole of the hard top. So I've started looking for a soft top that is more than a bikini top (afternoon monsoon storms here in the San Juans can be brutal) but doesn't need all the hardware of a full soft top.

I naively thought this would be an easy journey- finding something that maybe could use the existing roll bars on the Ruby. So does anyone have any suggestions? So far I've isolated these two- the Bestop for around 600.00 or the Rampage for 400.00. (But what the heck are "factory door surrounds and the tailgate bar" that supposedly are needed?)

Any simple options would be much appreciated. (We'll leave the hard top on most of the time and this will just be for occasional use with the afternoon rains.

Forgive my ignorance and thanks in advance! (This forum has been a wealth of information.)

Steve

 

[redthies]

I had to look hard to find a Rubicon that came WITHOUT a soft top when I bought mine new. We figured in our climate (very similar to Durango, but a bit wetter) we would use the soft top maybe once a year and then have to store it somewhere it wouldn't get ruined by mold or other. It saved us over $1000 on the purchase, I have found factory soft tops on local Craigslist for $250. I would have a look at that source if I were you. You will likely need all the factory hardware (door, windshield and tailgate all have added pieces to hold soft tops).

All this is why in my world I'll run either the hard top or a long bikini.

 

[wADVr]

I ended up going on CL and buying a complete factory top with the surrounds, windshield bar, tailgate bar etc for $500 new never installed. Not sure I understand exactly what you're after but the factory top folds all the way back to the tailgate, the factory door surrounds I usually leave in place but they do easily remove and fold down. I can roll up the back windows and fold the door surrounds up and place them all under the rear seat, if I remember correctly, its been a while.
If less coverage as in no back window and cover for the back behind the rear seats look at a simple Besttop bikini top with the windshield bar, or maybe they have one that doesn't need the bar now.. I have been thinking of one of these but have found running the top on with no doors and sides works well for me. I have been in a couple rain storms and stayed surprisingly dry.

 

[Durango]

Thanks for the input. I was hoping to find something that could serve once in awhile as a back up to a bikini top and with roll down flaps but without the complexity (and expense) of a full blown soft top. Has anyone ever used this Black Emergency Top along with a bikini top? (Reviews are "mixed".)

Steve

PS And finally, is there a group consensus on the "best" bikini top for a 2012 Rubicon?

 

[redthies]

When reading "vehicle is driveable for short distances at lower speeds" in the description of the "emergency top", I start to think $120 is a LOT of money for a glorified tarp!

 

[shays4me]

without the complexity (and expense) of a full blown soft top.

I hear that! This is the best time to buy a factory soft top though. These Jeeps are still new so the soft tops are selling cheap for a new take off. I was going to sell the one that came on my JKU until I checked the prices on CL. The prices were insanely low, so i've decided to wait a few years rather than take that kind of loss on something I paid so much for. My advice is that if you think you'll ever want a factory soft top, buy it now. You won't be able to even score the hardware this cheap later on.

 

[Durango]

My advice is that if you think you'll ever want a factory soft top, buy it now. You won't be able to even score the hardware this cheap later on.

So I took your advice and found a 2011 soft top from a Dual Top Option on Craigslist that supposedly was on for a total of one week and then they put the hard top on permanently. He offered it to me delivered with everything for 350.00 cash.

Unfortunately I'm in Las Vegas, NV on business but a buddy of mine is going to be there tomorrow with my wife to check things over.

Thanks for everyone's help.

 

[redthies]

Glad to hear you took OUR advice! When every response points to the same end, it makes sense! Hope the top is as good as it sounds!

 

[shays4me]

He offered it to me delivered with everything for 350.00 cash.

That's a great buy!

 

[Durango]

That's a great buy!

We'll see. My buddy said it has everything except one bolt and so my wife bought it. Thanks to everyone for the advice.

Steve