Long-term solution for a leaking soft-top Jeep Wrangler?
December 26, 2015 4:29 PM Subscribe
Rainy Pacific Northwest winter woes! I got my 2006 2-door Jeep Wrangler 4 x 4 soft-top convertible last year from a used-car place...it was completely water-tight & cozy all winter, then a dream with top down in the summer sunshine. This year, different story. All the taking the top off/on means some seams have frayed, and the bits that tuck in don't fit as well into their little grooves, and there are physical gaps where water is coming in. What's worse is the huge puddle that gathers on the fabric roof when it rains. The water sinks through, beads up all along the inside ceiling (not just weak zones...the whole thing) and then *rains down* on hapless passengers within.
I can try for a quick bandaid (currently clearing out my garage so I can store it there when at home, for one)...but using a tarp/cover for work or errands seems generally sucky and not something I want to do (plus you know, I don't want to get wet while traveling from Point A to B). Open to treating it with a waterproofing spray, but I have low hopes for effectiveness.
I'm reluctant to buy another soft top (~$250 on eBay) if it's going to wear out quickly.
Hard tops look to be VERY expensive (~2K on eBay).
Thoughts?
I can try for a quick bandaid (currently clearing out my garage so I can store it there when at home, for one)...but using a tarp/cover for work or errands seems generally sucky and not something I want to do (plus you know, I don't want to get wet while traveling from Point A to B). Open to treating it with a waterproofing spray, but I have low hopes for effectiveness.
I'm reluctant to buy another soft top (~$250 on eBay) if it's going to wear out quickly.
Hard tops look to be VERY expensive (~2K on eBay).
Thoughts?
If it were me, I'd find a Jeep forum and ask them for soft top suggestions. I'd imagine that you've just got a worn out one, and a good quality replacement will take care of you. Keep in mind that last winter, while not especially dry was rather warm and clement, while this winter is wet as hell.
You might also keep your eye out for somebody parting a TJ out on Craigslist, and see if they'll give you a good price on a hard top. Prices seem to still be quite high for TJs, but you might get lucky there.
posted by wotsac at 5:44 PM on December 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
You might also keep your eye out for somebody parting a TJ out on Craigslist, and see if they'll give you a good price on a hard top. Prices seem to still be quite high for TJs, but you might get lucky there.
posted by wotsac at 5:44 PM on December 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Before you buy a new top, have someone with more experience with Jeep tops make sure you have it set up right. The big puddle on the top sounds wrong to me, like it is not being stretched correctly -- when I had a soft top Jeep it did not puddle water on top, but I only had the soft top for a short time.
If you do need a new one, you will probably have the best luck watching the for sale sections of the forums. People are always getting rid of soft tops in good condition, and even better would be to find a hard top cheap -- they are much easier to live with in bad weather.
posted by Dip Flash at 5:50 PM on December 26, 2015
If you do need a new one, you will probably have the best luck watching the for sale sections of the forums. People are always getting rid of soft tops in good condition, and even better would be to find a hard top cheap -- they are much easier to live with in bad weather.
posted by Dip Flash at 5:50 PM on December 26, 2015
I have a 2007 Wrangler with a soft top and now live in a tropical area where the car is in its second monsoon season (holy crap can it rain here) and I agree it's not normal to have a massive puddle of water on top, or for it to be leaking through. A bit coming in a corner or a poor user-managed seal here and there, sure, but not through the fabric right over your heads, jeez. I really think you do need to replace it, and given the lifetime of ours (on and off, high UV area, lots of rain) I think you won't be wasting your time/money... but I'd also ask, any chance you've been taking it (with the top on obviously) through automatic car washes? We were explicitly told when we bought ours not to do that, because the chemicals used in those soaps can harm the soft top material.
posted by olinerd at 6:08 PM on December 26, 2015
posted by olinerd at 6:08 PM on December 26, 2015
In my jeep owning days, I had good luck with a Bestop soft top from the Quadratec catalog.
posted by 4ster at 6:58 PM on December 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by 4ster at 6:58 PM on December 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thx all. Wotsac, what's a TJ?
posted by red_rabbit at 7:47 PM on December 26, 2015
posted by red_rabbit at 7:47 PM on December 26, 2015
Response by poster: Don't know how old it is (but may ask dealer). Good call on Jeep forums & on ensuring seals/set up are done properly to begin with. I've never taken it thru a car wash (and now I know that I shouldn't!).
posted by red_rabbit at 7:50 PM on December 26, 2015
posted by red_rabbit at 7:50 PM on December 26, 2015
TJ is your Wrangler generation's model designation. From wikipedia:
In addition to the model name Wrangler, each model received a designation corresponding to its generation: YJ (1986–1995), TJ (1996–2006), TJU's (commonly known as LJ's- 2004–2006 Unlimited models, or YJL, in the Egyptian owners manual.), JKU (2007–present Unlimited models) and JK (2007–present).
So when you look for Wrangler parts like the hard top, it appears you can use the top from model years 1996 to 2006, which are all TJs.
posted by Sunburnt at 9:12 PM on December 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
In addition to the model name Wrangler, each model received a designation corresponding to its generation: YJ (1986–1995), TJ (1996–2006), TJU's (commonly known as LJ's- 2004–2006 Unlimited models, or YJL, in the Egyptian owners manual.), JKU (2007–present Unlimited models) and JK (2007–present).
So when you look for Wrangler parts like the hard top, it appears you can use the top from model years 1996 to 2006, which are all TJs.
posted by Sunburnt at 9:12 PM on December 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
First of all, the answer to this question is: IT'S A JEEP.
I post sometimes about my relationship with my Jeep. It's the best/worst car in the universe. Welcome to Jeep Ownership!!
The advice to visit forums is sound. Someone has been through this and if you read enough, you will narrow down your options to something that is affordable and works. As a Jeep Owner, Jeep owner forums are your best friend.
You will inexplicably love this vehicle like no other you have ever owned. Mechanics and vendors know this, so find vendors that are honest and fair. And read forums to educate yourself on what does and does not work. Eventually, you will pass on this tar baby to someone else to deal with. In the meantime you will fix your issue and enjoy your Jeep. I still have mine. She's about to go back into (a new, better) shop to have the radiator that was replaced 5 times in the last 2 years replaced, again. Since the water pump was just done (again) I'm hoping this is the last time for this system to have an overhaul. If it doesn't work, it's time for me to quit.
We had a problem with water leaking in the beginning. Make sure you don't get mold. We had a detail and left the car in bright SoCal sun and heat to cure that issue. You can buy moisture beads to soak up excess water at Home Depot. My advice is to dry out your interior. MOLD SUCKS IN YOUR JEEP.
Camping grade tent sealer (duct tape? Sealant?) will keep your cover water-tight in the short-term. Go to a Marine store or expedition type camping store or search Amazon for similar.
Hi. Welcome to the club. My name is jbenben and I'm a Jeep Owner.
posted by jbenben at 2:27 AM on December 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
I post sometimes about my relationship with my Jeep. It's the best/worst car in the universe. Welcome to Jeep Ownership!!
The advice to visit forums is sound. Someone has been through this and if you read enough, you will narrow down your options to something that is affordable and works. As a Jeep Owner, Jeep owner forums are your best friend.
You will inexplicably love this vehicle like no other you have ever owned. Mechanics and vendors know this, so find vendors that are honest and fair. And read forums to educate yourself on what does and does not work. Eventually, you will pass on this tar baby to someone else to deal with. In the meantime you will fix your issue and enjoy your Jeep. I still have mine. She's about to go back into (a new, better) shop to have the radiator that was replaced 5 times in the last 2 years replaced, again. Since the water pump was just done (again) I'm hoping this is the last time for this system to have an overhaul. If it doesn't work, it's time for me to quit.
We had a problem with water leaking in the beginning. Make sure you don't get mold. We had a detail and left the car in bright SoCal sun and heat to cure that issue. You can buy moisture beads to soak up excess water at Home Depot. My advice is to dry out your interior. MOLD SUCKS IN YOUR JEEP.
Camping grade tent sealer (duct tape? Sealant?) will keep your cover water-tight in the short-term. Go to a Marine store or expedition type camping store or search Amazon for similar.
Hi. Welcome to the club. My name is jbenben and I'm a Jeep Owner.
posted by jbenben at 2:27 AM on December 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I'm on my 5th Jeep Wrangler. Presently drive a 2007 Rubicon. See this advice below?
In my jeep owning days, I had good luck with a Bestop soft top from the Quadratec catalog.
posted by 4ster at 9:58 PM on December 26 [1 favorite +] [!]
Follow it.
You can spend a lot of time looking at little fixes, or you can simply suck up the fact that Jeep soft tops are fundamentally unnatural things and buy a new top. In my experience, they're generally good for about 8-10 years, depending on how much sunshine you get.
The BestTop is actually a better design than what the factory gave you - the cloth is heavier, the zipper pulls are sturdier, and if you get one with the Sunrider option, you now have a half-top capability. Splurge and get new windows while you're at it.
It's not cheap, but it will last twice as long as anything else you buy at half the price.
Final bit of advice - if/when you decide to install a new top, it takes some work and some patience. And warm temperatures. Do not attempt this below about 70 degrees ambient. Seriously. Don't.
posted by Thistledown at 6:30 AM on December 29, 2015
In my jeep owning days, I had good luck with a Bestop soft top from the Quadratec catalog.
posted by 4ster at 9:58 PM on December 26 [1 favorite +] [!]
Follow it.
You can spend a lot of time looking at little fixes, or you can simply suck up the fact that Jeep soft tops are fundamentally unnatural things and buy a new top. In my experience, they're generally good for about 8-10 years, depending on how much sunshine you get.
The BestTop is actually a better design than what the factory gave you - the cloth is heavier, the zipper pulls are sturdier, and if you get one with the Sunrider option, you now have a half-top capability. Splurge and get new windows while you're at it.
It's not cheap, but it will last twice as long as anything else you buy at half the price.
Final bit of advice - if/when you decide to install a new top, it takes some work and some patience. And warm temperatures. Do not attempt this below about 70 degrees ambient. Seriously. Don't.
posted by Thistledown at 6:30 AM on December 29, 2015
Response by poster: Hey all, thank you so much for this! I actually got more thorough advice here, from more people, than by posting on the Wrangler Forums. Though sorting through old replies on the forums may also be useful.
We had a sunny day, so I took the top off and re-jiggered it a little. Realized that the center pole in the inside wasn't standing up properly, so the roof wasn't slanting properly, so I think that's what accounted for the puddle and raining on the inside. I spent some time and got super detailed on perfecting the seals around each last little seam and zipper and slot. Realizing that's pointless for quick summer drizzles but super necessary when putting up the top one last time for the winter. It seems way tighter now. Borrowed a shop vac from a friend and wet-vac'd out the puddles, took up the mats and dried them by the furnace. We'll see how it holds in the next rainstorm.
The Quadratec website is actually really detailed and helpful. I'm going to see if the little adjustments I made will carry me through this winter...but then I think a replacement top like a BeStop may be in order. I wouldn't mind something a little bit easier to get on and off, especially with cold fingers!
Appreciate the advice! To jbenben's point - man I LOVE this Jeep! Even though it sure is a pain sometimes.
posted by red_rabbit at 3:15 PM on January 2, 2016
We had a sunny day, so I took the top off and re-jiggered it a little. Realized that the center pole in the inside wasn't standing up properly, so the roof wasn't slanting properly, so I think that's what accounted for the puddle and raining on the inside. I spent some time and got super detailed on perfecting the seals around each last little seam and zipper and slot. Realizing that's pointless for quick summer drizzles but super necessary when putting up the top one last time for the winter. It seems way tighter now. Borrowed a shop vac from a friend and wet-vac'd out the puddles, took up the mats and dried them by the furnace. We'll see how it holds in the next rainstorm.
The Quadratec website is actually really detailed and helpful. I'm going to see if the little adjustments I made will carry me through this winter...but then I think a replacement top like a BeStop may be in order. I wouldn't mind something a little bit easier to get on and off, especially with cold fingers!
Appreciate the advice! To jbenben's point - man I LOVE this Jeep! Even though it sure is a pain sometimes.
posted by red_rabbit at 3:15 PM on January 2, 2016
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posted by quince at 5:25 PM on December 26, 2015 [1 favorite]