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By far, one of the best new design features offered on the 2007 Jeep JK Wrangler is the addition of a 3-piece sectional hard top, also known as the Freedom Top.
Unlike hard tops of the past that gave you only two options, on or off, the new Freedom Top gives you no less than seven different ways for you to open up the cab of your Jeep to elements. Remove both front panels or just one at a time to give sun or shade to the driver or front passenger as desired. Or, leave the front panels in place and just remove the rear half to give your Jeep an instant bikini top. Although the rear half of the Jeep JK Wrangler Freedom Top is still heavy enough to require the help of a strong friend to remove, the front panels are surprisingly light and very easy to remove. Below are the six easy steps you will need to performin order to remove them. |
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I just bought the new four door dual top Sahara yesterday. The Jeep has the hard top on it with the soft top bolted inside the back of the vehicle. My husband and I were considering having the service department the dealership remove this instead of us doing it. (in case of damage). My husband is a mechanic and is very knowledgable about vehicles of course but aren’t sure about removing this soft top ourselves.
Any advise would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance.
hey Jim, that price it for a four door. Let me give you a heads up the wirring harness is not a piece of cake . It will take about four hours to install. I wish i would have let the dealership install it .
Hi Sandra, removing the hard top isn’t hard at all but you will need at least 2 able bodies that can carry a large top off that weighs about 100 lbs. You will also need a torx bit set as that’s the kind of bolts that are holding your top onto your Jeep.
Eddie
After reading through a few message boards, it seems that many people have indicated that the hardtop is 1) often leaky, 2) easily scratched, 3) cumbersome, and 4) easy to damage (tightening screws?) Is it worth it to for me to get a hardtop? I live in New England, and I am only considering the hardtop because the harsh weather.
I would love to see pictures of people removing the back hard top piece. The two front pieces are a cinch to remove, but I have yet to try to remove the back piece.
Hey,
I just got the new 07 KJ with the Freedon Top. Its a great feature but it does not come without flaws. The biggest downfall is removing the back. There are 6 screws you have to remove and 2 of them are just about impossible to reach. I’ve been back and forth to the hardward store trying to find the exact tool to remove these impossibly dug-in bolts. Its very frustrating. Anyway, when I finally get it off I’ll let you know what I used. Later
Hi Guys,
I am planning on buying a 07 4 door Wrangler very soon. How are they for winter driving? Would it get to cold since its not insulated like a regular car or SUV? I live in Canada, it will be mostly for City driving…would you guys recommend it for City driving or no?
I have just purchased a 2 dr JK Sahara in April 2007 with a soft top only. I am having trouble with the plastic left retainer(the little black plastic that holds down the rear window to the rear bottom of the jeep window) when placing back the soft top. It keeps coming off, therefore my left rear window bottom panel would always be open after a days run. The clip of the rear left soft panel is very tight and is the cause of disconnecting the retainer. Is there a way of adjusting this problem or can it be a recall from the manufacturer? Is there anyone having this problem?any suggestion is greatly appreciated.
Hey Manny,
Jeep Wranglers are always great for the winter no matter what the condition of the weather. Just crank up the heat and you’ll be fine. You have to be a Jeep Wrangler enthusiast to expect the unexpected. All I can say is that the new Jeep Wrangler is more FUN!! as always. It’s not really economical on gas, but if you really want it? go for it!! Good Luck!!
Lyndon
Just to share with you all that I finally figured out how to properly place the soft top retainer of the Jeep. If you are having the same problem as I did, it’s simple to adjust. Let me know if I could be any help.
Love my 4 door Wrangler Sahara with a hardtop. I was a little concerned about hearing about hardtop leaks but have had no issues.
Front pieces remove and install easily. Suprisingly quite vehicle with the hardtop on. Plan on removing the preinstalled softtop after I move back to Florida since I have no place to store it. I also own a 98 4.0 Wrangler with Sunrider top and a 2006 Commander that my husband drives. Stuck on Jeeps.
Highly recommend getting the full package with MyGig. Nav system is impressive and touch screen is familiar to Garmin fans.
Hey Steve,
Let me know what you used to get those two extra bolts off. They are impossible to even get to. Who in their right mind would have put them in there upside down like that?! I think I might just run to the dealership and get them to take them off for me.
I got all the bolts off of the hard top oanels that required the torque wrench. I think I found the screws to remove the top of the hard top. They look like small bolts. The manual says that there are torque screws that need to be removed. All I could find are the small bolts. These are next to the big round thing used to secure the freedom top pieces onto, I think. What kind of tool is needed to get this off???
Thanks for a reply in advance.
Patty
Lyndon, I am also having the same problem… What did you do to fix it??? =/
Thanks so much!
I purchased my 4 Door Wrangler back in November 2006 and love it, except that I’ve had continual problems with my hard top leaking. The dealer re-installed it and tried to fix it several times, but it continues to leak even now. Back on January 20th Joe asked Eddie if the hard tops being produced now may have remedied this problem. Any updates on that?
Thanks so much!
Hi Julie, to the best of my knowledge, most people with hard tops being made after Jan of this year is not having a leak problem. For those who are, it’s typically a problem with the panels not being seated properly. Have you tried taking your Jeep into the dealer and have the TSB done on it?
Eddie
Hi Eddie,
Thanks for getting back to me and for the info on the newer tops. I just called the other day to find out if I am part of the recall….yup….so I’ll be scheduling that asap.
Julie
Hello Lupita
I was able to solve the retainer problem by hooking the two front clamps first(unlock)of the soft top and then the two back flaps for the rear window ( leave 1/2 or 3/4″ layway from the rear door opener when you are placing the retainer thats giving you a problem and adjust accordingly). I hope you understand what I am talking about. Let me know.
Lyndon
Hey Eddie,
I have a 2005 Wrangler with the medium grey hardtop. I had some small fiberglass repairs done and I need to find touch-up paint. Jeep Chrysler has nothing in the parts catalog any idea where to find a paint code so I can get some mixed.
Thanks for your help.
Jim
Hi Jim,
Man, I really wish I could help you out but in all honesty, I wouldn’t know what to suggest for the medium grey. Sorry.
Eddie
The leaking hard top on the four door is not fixed. Mine was produced in june of 07 and it leaks even after the TSB was applied.Jeep has a real problem on their hands.
what kind of paint could i use to touch up a couple of small blemishes/scratches on my 05 jeep wrangler unlimited fiberglass hardtop?
My husband and I purchased a 2007 Jeep wrangler Unlimited X, with Freedom Tops. We love the Jeep except for the leaky top it has been to the dealer ship 4 times, and it still leaks. Very disappointed!!!!!
Re: Andrew October 31st, 2006 3:18 pm Post
“Just ordered a 2-dr Wrangler Sahara in Bright Silver Metallic. Like “Joe October 14th, 2006 8:18 pmâ€? above, I too am thinking of painting the freedom top (but only the rear large hardtop portion) the same color as the body. Any expert cautions/advice about this?”
I had my hard top painted to match my Bright Silver Apex. It looked amazing and I got countless compliments. Some even asked it was a permanent “fixed” hard top.
The only thing you should know is this: The hard tops are textured and you must use a High Build Primer to flatten the texture so that it’s smooth. Otherwise even with professional painting it will look like it’s spray painted at home. Build the primer,sand, and repeat. I did 7 coats of primer, 4 coats of paint, and 5 clear. In the end though…it looked and felt like glass. I plan to do the same with my 07 Unlimited soon.
Heres a pic:
http://stagepros.com/Bobby/Jeep_At_Dawn_At_Home.jpg
Is anyone producing clear panels to replace the two forward panels on the freedom top?
Sparky
I just got my 2008 4door wrangler on Tuesday, and the soft top is just sitting in the trunk taking up trunk space. Now that I know how to remove the soft top, and how to remove all the roof panels, how is the large back part (with the rear windshield) removed?
Hey All.. I have an 2dr 08JK and I have a softtop.. Im thinking about ordering a Freedom top from Jeep, I have a friend in the parts Dpt at my local Jeep and she can order one for me but hasnt heard much of the leak problems.. So I am concerned about buying one.. It being Jan of 08 is it safe to order one (leakfree) ??? I live in Canada and we get a lot of rain..lol So yaa Im concerned.. Any insight is appreciated… 😉
I’ve had my 2door 2008 JK for about 2 months now, and it hasn’t leaked yet. If its raining or there is water on the roof water can drip in when the door is open, but thats about it.
I bought a 2008 unlimited Rubicon, and about to embark on my 5th tour with the dealership because of leaking. Is this common have you seen this or do I have manufacturing issue?? Thank you for your advice.
I’ve had my X about 10 months and no leaks. I’ve even drove through a hurricane and no problems. My son, stevie ray, on the forum, had a leak with his X and took it back to the dealer one time and they corrected the problem on the spot.
Woohoo my Mom just got a Wrangler 2 door postal and I am now in love with jeeps
I’ve had a ton of jeeps and could not wait to convert a new 4dr into a practical dry camper. My son and I lived out of our converted 07 Jeep Sahara 4dr for two and one half weeks in New Mexico, Az and Utah.
The back seats were completely removed, the spare tire mount was removed and the spare tire assy went under an interior sleeping plaform. I added a cargo carrier to the 2′ reciver and tied that into a 4X8 roof rack that extends foward to the two removable top sections. The platfor carries gear during the day and provides a second sleep platform at night. Two of the uprights that support the roof platform portion that extends from the end of the jeep roof to the end of the cargo carrier also hold two 14 Gal gas tanks. Up forward the rack is secured by two modified gutter mounts on each side. The rig gives us plenty of room for two motorized mountain bikes, a ton of prospecting gear, fuel, food and water. We call it the Clampet mobile. Just need a rocking chair for the roof. We have over 9000 miles on thing and so far… it works great.
Just a little note! If you plan on using your freedom top pannels
for a SUNBONNET(BIKINI TOP)! MAKE SURE YOU DON’T OVERTIGHTEN THE ROUND KNOB… CAUSE THEY WILL KEEP GOING RIGHT THROUGH THE FIBERGLASS(I’M SPEAKING FROM MY PERSONEL EXPERIENCE). It’s a design flaw,when just using the two pannels there’s nothing stopping them(the ridge of the top that sit’s underneth the pannels when the whole top is on)so the round knob’s don’t get tight.
There is no design flaw in the Freedom panels and IF you lowered the flip tabs on the edge of them as is instructed in the owners manual, you would not have broken them.
Love my freedom top on my 08 Sahara! Has anyone come up with a one person way to remove the rear section? I was thinking about rigging something up in my garage with rope and pulleys. My wife is a weakling and is afraid she’ll drop it.
I’m in the market to buy a JK and was debating on soft or hard top. How hard is it to remove/install the rear section of a hard top on a 2dr version? Is it a one or two person job? Any info would be appreciated.
I would like to trade my hard top for a soft top. Please email me if you’re interested at blueandgoldsurfer@yahoo.com. The hard top’s brand new.
I just got my 2008 Rubicon. Love it. I am a single girl. I removed the Freedom Front panels no problem. I am scared to begin looking at the back, the dealer I bought it from is 3 hours away because he gave me the best deal.
Can someone tell me exactly what I need to do. I know the bolts must be unscrewed..I didn’t get any tools though, am I supposed to do it with my own tools?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I can’t wait to crank up the music and let the wind blow thru my long hair.
Hi Mary-Beth, to remove your hard top, you will need to get a Torx Bit set. Essentially, they are bits that fit on a ratchet that have the shape of a star like what you see on top of the bolts that you see. With that in hand, you will need to unplug your wiring harness from the back that goes to your rear wiper and then remove all the bolts along side the top on the inside as well as the 2 that are at the front corners of the top – these are normally hidden by the freedom top panels. From there, you will need someone to help you take it off.
Eddie
Hello everyone, looks like the hardtop/softop feature is popular with all Jeep owners. I have an 08 Sahara with a hardtop and I am having serious radiant heat problems through the hardtop into the cabin as the black plastic heats up in the sun. Does anyone have any solutions to this and or specifications/measurements for making some sort of liner to reduce heat transfer. Unfortunately where I am in the UAE the summer temperatures get to nearly 50 degrees Celcius (not susre what that is in Farenheit) but its pretty hot I can tell you like getting into an oven until the a/c kicks in..
any advice or info would be greatly appreciated
Thanks Surfer
Hi Eddie
Any idea on where I could order touch up paint for my khaki hard top? Can I just use the paint code and order it through a body shop or paint store?
you should be able to pick up a bottle from your dealership.
I am removing my hard top this weekend for a 2008 JK. Is it difficult to install the soft top (currently rolled up in the trunk) on the car? I will keep the hard doors.
I presently have a soft top but would like use the 2 front panels for a sun bonnet. Is this possible on a 2007 2dr rubicon?
I have the same Problem with Radiant heat
It is so hot when you touch the freedom top from the inside it will scald your hand….Also no m atter how high the Ac is the heat from the roof bakes your head
Robert I went to the Mopar Super Center site and did not find the Freedom Top listed at all???
Anyone know where I can find the freedom top for 4 dr for less than $2200?
Thanks,
Chuck
I have an 08 sahara 2 door. Having a very difficult time removing the doors, specifically the wiring. How do you disconnect it?
Water leaks are not resolved. I bought an 08 rubicon and have had it to the dealer 4 times. They Can not fix the problem. Does anyone know how to get my money back? This is a lemon if I ever saw one. Jeep should have solved this problem by now but it looks like they are not concerned with the consumer after the sell!!!!!!!!!
I have a 2007 Wrangler X- 2 door. My issue for the past 2 weeks is water damage as well. Weather stripping was replaced numerous times and after I was told “we got it” I drove it off the lot on Thursday only to come out to my car Friday en route to work and have 1/4 inch of water in my car after an evening storm. My Ipod/Charger and in dash radio system were ruined. My dealer locally is not concerned in the least. Has anyone been bought out (vehicle wise) from Chrysler-Jeep, I hear that is an option now that has been extended
Hi I just bought a freedom top for my 2007 JK and it came with 8 torx screws. I only see 6 holes in the top. Is there 2 hole in the top that I am not seeing.
Thanks.