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way2roll's avatar
way2roll
Navigator III
Aug 15, 2025

Taking the top off your jeep while camping

Looking for a new dinghy. Aside from looking at DWs beloved CRVs, we are looking at Jeeps. We are also prepping to at least part time if not full time within the next year. I have a 1987 wrangler and have a winch set up on the garage celling to remove the top. It's too old, modified and finicky to use as a toad , so we are looking at newer Jeeps. But, part of the appeal of a Jeep is removing the top and doors. How do any of you with Jeeps take the top off at a CG? Is it doable with 2 people? I'll confess I don't much about newer Jeeps, good years, bad years, top mechanics etc. I can take the hard top off my 87 and put on the bimini top in about 15 mins. Are the new ones more complicated? Is a Soft top preferable that can be put up and down quickly?

7 Replies

  • willald's avatar
    willald
    Explorer II
    Sep 12, 2025

    We have a 2018 Wrangler JK.  And yes, we do on occasion remove the top when out camping.  Two people can easily remove the top, me and my wife have done it many times.  We bring along a couple of small wood blocks to sit the top on, to at least keep it off the ground.

    At home, we use a hoist in the carport we built to remove it.

    Jeeps make awesome towed vehicles for camping.  Sooo easy to set up for flat towing, is only vehicle we set up 100% ourselves for flat towing.  So simple procedure to hook up, too.  Just hook it up, shift transfer case to neutral, transmission in park and go.

    • way2roll's avatar
      way2roll
      Navigator III
      Sep 12, 2025

      Thanks. that's kinda what I figured. Haven't ruled out a soft top, because getting caught in the rain with a hard top sitting at CG while we're out sightseeing isn't a ton of fun. Going shopping next weekend to see what he local dealership has to offer. 

      • willald's avatar
        willald
        Explorer II
        Sep 12, 2025

        Yeah, that is the big downside to a hard top.  I've also been looking for a soft top for this reason. 

        Challenge is, I want my cake and eat it, too - I want to be able to use the hard top sometimes when its very hot or cold outside and we want the hard top, but be able to take it off and easily put on a soft top for those times when the climate is a bit more favorable, and just need to be prepared for the pop up rain showers.

  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator II
    Aug 15, 2025

    Rented a Rubicon recently. 
    pulled the top, because we could…lol. 
    came with a tool kit, 6-8 bolts and weighed idk 100-150lbs. 
    They’ve been running the same or similar 3.6 Penstar for a decade at least pretty sure. My mechanic buddies don’t like those engines but they can’t be that bad if they’ve run them this long imo. 

    • way2roll's avatar
      way2roll
      Navigator III
      Aug 15, 2025

      Thanks! My Fiberglas top on my 87 must be about the same but it's awkward since it's all one piece. Don't the new ones have a 3 piece top? Front section is like t tops and then the rear is separate?

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