Jeep JK Wrangler & Unlimited
Freedom Top Removal

50 Comments

1. Excellent write up – thanks for all the detailed information.

   I’ve heard that you can store the front panels in the cargo area – any idea how much space they take up? Is there any room left?

2. Thanks Jim,
   Yes, I’m sure there is more than enough room to store them in the rear cargo area of either the 2-door or 4-door. If I get a chance, I will try to take specific measurements and/or photos to show how it works.

   Eddie

3. Do you know how much the large back piece of the top weighs?

4. Hi Mark,
   From what I understand, the large back piece of a 4-door hard top weighs about 95 lbs. and the two front panels weigh about 15 lbs. a piece.

   Eddie

5. Any idea if the new Freedom Top for the 2 doors will be compatible with a 2005 Wrangler Sport? Thanks.

6. Unfortunately, no. The 2007 JK Wranglers are phyiscally 5″ wider than the current 97-06 TJ Wranglers and top would be too wide and actually too long as well.

   Eddie

7. Thanks for all of the good info on the new Jeep. I have ordered one through jeep (Unlimited Rubicon) and can’t wait to start the project. This is a really great how-to on the freedom top.
   I think that an aftemarket rack (to be place behind the back seat)will be one of the first things produced for the front two panels once removed

   Thanks again,

   Mike

8. Hey I just bought a new 07 Wrangler X…I want the new freedom top but cant seem to find where or how to buy it…my dealership only has the hard top one piece…any info on how or where to buy it or if or when its available? Thanks Ron

9. Hi Ron,
   So far as I know, the Freedom top is the only hard top that is offered on the new 2007 Jeep JK Wranglers. Are you certain that you have an 07?

   Eddie

10. I just got my 07 unlimeted rubicon, it’s awesome. I’m thinking to paint the Freedom top the same color of the body…What u guys think…joe

11. I have a 4-Door Sahara with the Freedom Top. I’ve noticed that the plastic fixtures on the two front panels where it screws down will flip up. It’s almost like it is designed to raise these panels up an inch in the rear like in a convential sunroof. In order to do this though, I would guess that all latches except the front ones would need to be undone. What’s your understanding on this design?

12. Are there any products available for storing the front panels like the old T-Top bags?

13. Hey Scott, so far as I’m aware of, the front panels do not flip up like a conventional sun roof. But, that doesn’t mean that they don’t. If you find out otherwise, please let us know. As far as storage bags go, I’m pretty sure that both Mopar and Bestop will have some available.

14. Just ordered a 2-dr Wrangler Sahara in Bright Silver Metallic. Like “Joe October 14th, 2006 8:18 pm” 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?

15. Just bought a 2007 2-door Rubicon (black), Freedom top kicks ass!

16. I just removed the two front panels on my 2007 4-dr wrangler sahara today, and got some scratches on the top. Do you have any idea on how to get the scratches out, or at least cover them up? I was surprised they scratched so easily.

17. Scott & Wayoflife, the flip down tabs on the front panels are to be flipped down when using only the front panels without the back portion of the roof. Like a hardtop bikini top. The tabs act as spacers in the absence of the rear portion of the roof.

18. Hi Michael,
    I have used black colored polish to remove scratches off off my TJ hard top and with very good results.

    Hi Ron,
    I think you misunderstood what we were talking about. Scott was asking is the two front panels themselves could be titled up like a lot moon roofs can on many vehicles to let in a little air.

    Eddie

19. Just curious if anyone has ran into any problems with the roof leaking? It looks as if it would be prone to leakage?

    johnny

20. Hi Johnny,
    Yes, there have been some leaking problems with some of the first JK’s but from what I understand, this has been fixed.

    Eddie

21. According to Jeep, the freedom top is not supposed to be used to mount a roof rack. Is this lawyer-speak, or is it really too weak to support even a small roof rack for a couple of bags?

22. Hey Brian, I’m going to have to say it’s lawyer-speak. I have already seen guys mount Yakima gutter racks on them and so far, without any problems.

    Eddie

23. Hey thanks for that Eddie…now another question. On the 4-door, can you actually REMOVE the folding rear seats, to create a decent size cargo area, and if so, what are the approximate measurements on the cargo floor when the back seat is removed. I’m wanting to know if there would be enough room to lay in a small mattress and use the Unlimited as a sleeper/camper. Thanks!

    —Brian

24. Nope, you cannot remove the rear seats in the Unlimited. However, it does collapse and folds down onto the floor creating a relatively flat bed as seen here:

    http://www.project-jk.com/wp-gallery2.php?g2_itemId=362

    Anyway, I’m sure you could easily fit a mattress inside and without any problems 🙂

25. I need cargo space for my four medium-sized dogs, so the rear seats will likely be in the folded position 90% of the time. Since the JK Unlimited is to be the ‘dog mobile’ to be used for longer trips, I also need a useable cargo rack. I’ve only been able to locate one model in my internet search, the Warrior Safari Sport Rack. Any thoughts on this particular device? Any idea if it would be problematic with the Freedom Top? I don’t particularly like the idea of drilling into the body panels either, so any other suggestions would be welcomed. Thanks.

26. Have you checked Mopar or Bestop?

27. Not enough room for a mattress even with the seats down. Sorry.

28. Hi Brian O, I hate to say it but Warrior Products aren’t exactly known for their quality and I would not recommend their rack. I currently have a Kargo Master Congo Cage on my TJ and have to say that it is by far one of the best racks available. Other great rack manufacturers would include Top5 (no drill application) or maybe even Garvin.

    Eddie

29. Any thoughts on having the white inside of the freedom top painted grey to match the interior better?

30. Maybe not painted but rather bedlined with Herculiner. This way, it will be black or grey and it will help to reduce noise as well 🙂

31. Hello, I noticed you mentioned the leaking top was corrected. What’s the production date of the fixed tops. i want to purchase an unlimited sahara but I want to make sure this issue has been dealt with. Thanks

32. Hi Joe,
    From what I understand, a lot of the leaking was caused by the Freedom Top panels being improperly installed after removal. Many people have been able to fix their leaks simply by removing them again and then making sure they are seated properly on the seals when being reinstalled.

    Eddie

33. Okay, for those of you who have been waiting for the Freedom Top TSB to come out, click on the link below:

    TSB 23-001-07 – Modular Hard Top Freedom Panel Waterleaks

34. Maybe because the manual describing how to remove and replace the Freedom Top is worthless.

35. Brian O – The Top 5 rack is fantastic. I had one on my ’99 TJ. I own a 17′ sea kayak, and the rack was perfect. The best part was I could remvoe the soft top without having to remove the kayak.

36. Does ANYONE know of a roof rack that will fit the four-door Wrangler Unlimited? Have kayak, need rack. Preferably one that will allow the top to come off while the rack is on, and without having to drill a lot of holes in the bank’s vehicle ;o)

37. Can the soft top assembly that the manufacturer installs inside the dual top wrangler be removed without the removal of the freedom top first?

38. Hi Frank, I seriously doubt it. I just got done removing my soft top and the hard top is the only way I could do it.

    Eddie

39. I purchased mine in November. No leaks. Just for info: mine came with the soft top as well. It was mounted in the back for shipping under the hardtop. Owners manual stated to remove it or it would void the soft top warranty. At first I wanted to leave it, but found it really did obstruct my hauling abilities. I was always having to toss cargo over or under it. I took it to the dealer and the gave me a loaner while they removed the hardtop, took the soft top off, and replaced the hardtop(no charge). Hubby is having a 3 inch lift installed tomorrow, big tires the day after. Only problem is… now we both wnat to drive it!

40. I just purchased a Wrangler Unlimited X (4dr) with the dual top group. Do you have to remove the Freedom top completely in order to get out the soft top canopy/hardware that Jeep stresses could be damaged while driving if not removed?

    Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

    Thx
    Gary

    P.S. Does this leakage problem involve the Unlimited X (4dr) Freedom Top as well?

41. For all of you looking for a roof rack for the hardtop just for luggage I have a suggestion. Get a trailer hitch and a hitch hauler. For anyone who does not know this is the cargo tray that slides into the hitch mount. We just got back from a trip to Florida and with the two dogs, kids and assorted luggage we traveled just fine. We even had room to bring back a cage with finches in it my nephew gave to us. I feel it is a lot easier than having to remove a roof rack everytime you want to pull the front panels or even rear off.

42. Watch when you take the door’s off, make sure you don’t undo the strap that keeps it from flying open, i undid the strap and when taking the pins out, removed the pins went to put them down and the door swang into the hood….Big Bad Dent….FYI

43. Gary, or anyone else with the Dual Top group…if you haven’t done it by now the easiest and quickest way to remove the soft top from under the hard top is to take the hard top off. A buddy and I removed the hard top in a matter of 15 min. and had everything put back together in no time. Another reason for doing it this way is the practice. It will give you an idea of what it takes to go topless, especially for you first time Jeep owners ou there.

44. I just purchased but have not received a hard top for my 2007 – 4 door . It originally came with the soft top. Other than removing the soft top itself. What else do you have to remove to install the hard top and how hard is it to install the wirring harness for the hard top?

45. I have 2007 4dr Wrangler and I bought some storage bags for the two front pieces at the link below. I like it alot and they only take up as much room as the width of the two tops standing on their side.

    http://www.autotrucktoys.com/jeep/Mopar-Jeep-Wrangler-Freedom-Top-Storage-Bag-07-UP-P14480C3039.aspx

46. Hi Robert V, if you have the soft top on now, you will need to remove the door surrounds as well as the back window clips. But, this is all very easy to do. As far as wiring the hard top goes, it should be as simple as plugging it in 🙂

    Eddie

47. Hello,

    I just bought a 2007 unlimited with the soft top. I noticed online that the hardtops (2 piece) are very expensive (2k and up). It seems that the Freedom top (3 piece) is a completely different top. Does anyone know how much the 3 piece goes for, and where I can find an inexpensive one? Thanks!

48. I just bought the freedon 3 piece top on the Mopar super Center site it is sold for $1839 and the wirring Harness for $116.

49. Has anybody seen a Pilar Gauge Pod for the 2007 Umlimited?

50. Hi, Robert–

    Is that price for the freedom top for a two door or four door?
    I have the four door.

    Thanks!