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XT Staff
/ Oct 10 2024
The beauty of driving a Jeep or a Bronco is that you can enjoy them with a soft top that helps you experience everything that nature has to offer. Unfortunately, nature can be harsh sometimes, especially during the winter season, and this can put a damper on your off-roading adventures.
That said, it doesn't have to, and if you properly care for your soft top this winter you shouldn't have any problems.
Your Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco soft top is made to handle the winter elements, even if you have an older model. While salt, snow, and ice aren't the greatest for your soft top, exposure to them a few times annually shouldn't cause too many problems.
Still, you have to be more careful with your soft top in the winter. Cloth, vinyl, and even sailcloth become less flexible in freezing conditions, so you don't want to mess around with them too much. This also applies to the windows and hardware.
Avoid scraping the windows or trying to break off chunks of ice or snow from the soft top. It's better to let snow and ice melt naturally by defrosting the windows and heating the interior.
It's also important to note that you'll have less insulation, so in the event of an emergency or if you’re in very cold climates we recommend bringing a blanket and emergency first aid kit with you just in case.
Having a winch, tow hooks, and other off-road accessories with you will also make driving through the snow and ice safer.
We've established that you can keep your soft top on in the winter, but simply leaving the top on won't do you any favors. If you want your soft top to last for several years without tears, rips, or other problems, you need to protect it this winter.
Learn more about how to protect your soft top in the winter below.
Trail covers are essential if you're sporting a soft top this winter. There are covers you place over the top of your off-road vehicle to keep it safe from the elements. What's more, trail covers are tight and keep everything secure so you don't have to worry about hearing your soft top flapping in the wind or the windows being exposed to frost, salt, and ice.
If you need a trail cover, we recommend going with something like the Bestop All-Weather Trail Cover for Hard Top or Soft Top. This is a great example of a cover that works well for hard tops and soft tops, so you don't have to stress about getting the right fit.
Trail covers are a great choice if you’re hitting the trails or having some fun in the snow, but what about when it's time to store your vehicle? If you don't have access to a garage, or even if you want to be extra careful in your garage, it never hurts to cover your vehicle when it's not in use. We recommend going with a weather-proof cover for the best results.
Cleaning the fabric is important when you have your soft top out in the winter. Salt, ice, and water will damage the top over time, which will reduce its lifespan. The good news is that fabric cleaners like the Bestop Soft Top Cleaner and Protectant Package are perfect for keeping your top clean and protected during the winter.
Whether you’re getting back from the trail, or having some fun doing donuts in the snow, make sure you clean your soft top before you store or cover it.
All soft tops come with some type of hardware to help you remove portions or the top, and while you'll want to keep the entire top on when it's below freezing, some components may freeze, get stuck, or begin to fail in cold conditions.
This is where products like Bestop Soft Top Zipper Cleaner and Lubricant come into play. By lubricating and protecting your hardware you won't have any problems keeping your soft top safe and secure this winter.
Don't let a crisp winter day ruin your next off-road adventure, even if you only have a soft top. You'll be surprised by what your soft top can handle with proper care and maintenance. As long as you follow the tips we covered in this article you shouldn't have any issues with your Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco soft top this winter.
And if you need any soft top cleaners or covers, order online through ExtremeTerrain for hassle-free shopping with help from our sales team when you need it, along with great shipping choices.