1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Storing a soft top

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Steamer, Jun 7, 2005.

  1. Jun 7, 2005
    Steamer

    Steamer Thick and gritty!

    SW OR
    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2004
    Messages:
    389
    I see a lot of folks talking about taking their tops off for the summer. That was a biggie for me when I was a kid, but Dad wasn't so keen on it. Too hot, sun in his eyes, where to store it and when to put it back on.....
    Later on I took it off when I could, but it was usually a storage issue when I didn't.

    Do you store it flat? Where? Under the bed worked well until I got a waterbed. I've seen folks roll them and stand them against the wall, but that seems a little harsh. Then putting it back on, it always felt like it needed to stretch more than I was comfortable with. Always seemed to wait a little too long and wound up putting it on in cool weather......

    I don't even have a top now, but this fall I likely will. Where to store isn't so much an issue anymore, unless the heat in the shop rafters is going to be a problem....... Definitely no room in the house. A lot of money not to take care of..... Curious.
     
    Steamer, Jun 7, 2005
    #1
  2. Jun 7, 2005
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    6,197
    For me..the ideal was as flat as possible, as clean as possible, and whatever it took to prevent windows from rubbing on each other.

    When I had my SuperTop...I would take out the doors and windows and clip them to my garage wall - I had lag screwed some of those big spring clips with the rubber coated ends there. Then the vinyl part of the top was folded up and stored in the Jeep in case of unexpected rain.

    Now with the CJ6 I don't have the SuperTop anymore. I still store the doors on the wall, you can see them behind the Jeep in this pic:

    [​IMG]

    Right now the rest of the top is folded up down here in the basement on a shelf, I should have rags inbetween the layers to prevent the windows from rubbing on anything...but don't.... :rofl:
     
    Boyink, Jun 7, 2005
    #2
  3. Jun 7, 2005
    Kodiak12060

    Kodiak12060 Sponsor

    Beacon NY
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2002
    Messages:
    465
    Watch where you store it as I bought a CJ2A w/ a brand new Bestop soft top. The top was still in the box but mice had eaten holes in every single panel.
    It smells real nice too!
     
    Kodiak12060, Jun 7, 2005
    #3
  4. Jun 7, 2005
    Roboter

    Roboter Klaatu Barada Jeepto

    Loomis California
    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2005
    Messages:
    316

    ACK! :(
     
    Roboter, Jun 7, 2005
    #4
  5. Jun 7, 2005
    Roboter

    Roboter Klaatu Barada Jeepto

    Loomis California
    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2005
    Messages:
    316
    Hmmm... I just folded the top and stuck it in a box. Put it along with the doors in my shed. Don't know if heat will affect it but it's gonna get up to 125 degrees in that shed this summer. :shock:

    Someone please chime in...
     
    Roboter, Jun 7, 2005
    #5
  6. Jun 7, 2005
    Ducks-Bass-n-Jeeps

    Ducks-Bass-n-Jeeps A Parade of One

    Brentwood, Tennessee
    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2003
    Messages:
    120
    I bought some 1 x 6 lumber and a piece of cheap paneling and made a box basically the same size as the box your top is shipped in. I left the top end of and I slide every thing in as needed. I stand up in a corner of my crawlspace and is out of the way.
     
    Ducks-Bass-n-Jeeps, Jun 7, 2005
    #6
  7. Jun 7, 2005
    BlueFlu

    BlueFlu past owner of some ecj5's

    Hermitage, TN
    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2004
    Messages:
    1,552
    As stated make sure its clean.
    I store mine rolled up.
    If its a tad tough to put on in the cooler part of the year, I crank the heater all the way up for about 15 mins with top on as much as get it on. Then it goes on with almost no trouble.
     
    BlueFlu, Jun 7, 2005
    #7
  8. Jun 7, 2005
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2003
    Messages:
    8,525
    what Boyink said
    X2

    Roboter, I think I would find a cooler spot
    I think the windows are the main problem when storing any top
    I have seen them yellow from too much heat AND humidity
     
    jpflat2a, Jun 7, 2005
    #8
  9. Jun 7, 2005
    Roboter

    Roboter Klaatu Barada Jeepto

    Loomis California
    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2005
    Messages:
    316
    Thanks Jim. I gonna stick it in the garage.
     
    Roboter, Jun 7, 2005
    #9
  10. Jun 7, 2005
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    8,360
    In the summer (and spring) My Supertop might go on and off several times a week, dpending on weather.... I unzip the windows, and clean them (if need be) and stack them flat with towels between them, then I fold he top in half or thirds and lay it on the windows..... This time of year, the door uppers are not on at all, but they lay in the back seat in case of rain....
     
    Patrick, Jun 7, 2005
    #10
  11. Jun 8, 2005
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2003
    Messages:
    8,525
    I wash my top before removal, then fold it up making sure the windows have no crease or folds in them
    takes up more room this way, but i think the windows will last longer
     
    jpflat2a, Jun 8, 2005
    #11
  12. Jun 8, 2005
    panzer

    panzer Super Mod Staff Member

    Columbus, OH
    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2003
    Messages:
    1,245
    Same here. I roll an old soft blanket up w/ it, and store
    it in the garage. It gets pretty warm in the summer in
    there but w/ the blanket I haven't had any problems
    w/ it.
     
    panzer, Jun 8, 2005
    #12
New Posts