Jeep Bikini Tops 101

It’s the best of two worlds. It gives you great protection from the sun that’s too harsh and occasional rain showers. But it’s so close to not having a top at all, you get all the outdoor treats; the great views, the smells, and ambiance of the woods and terrain.

Jeep Bikini Tops are some of the most popular tops that we carry here at XT 4×4 center. For many great reasons. A Bikini top lets you enjoy your Jeep and the great outdoors better than other soft-top options. It’s the best of two worlds. It gives you great protection from the sun that’s too harsh and occasional rain showers. But it’s so close to not having a top at all, you get all the outdoor treats; the great views, the smells, and ambiance of the woods and terrain. They are also some of the easiest tops to remove, install, and store.

Jeep Bikini Tops come in several designs and styles.

Traditional Bikini Tops – These typically cover just front drive and passenger. The rear straps pull the top tight over the front sports bar and then tie down in the rear area.

Header Bikini Tops – A Header Bikini top attaches to the windshield with a special windshield channel (sold separately). The straps go around the sports bar for a fitted, clean look. A Header Bikini top covers the driver and passenger, similar to a Traditional Bikini top.

Strapless Bikini Tops – These cover the front driver and passenger. But rather than the rear straps of the top being tied down to the rear part of your Jeep, they tie and wrap around the front sports bar just behind the seats. This gives it a super clean look and keeps the straps out of the way of rear passengers and gear.

Safari Bikini Tops – These tops cover both the front driver and passenger, as well as the rear passengers and gear. You still get the great views and comfort of the traditional Bikini tops, just extra coverage, and protection.

Mesh / Spiderweb Tops – Jeep mesh tops are a similar top to the Traditional Bikini, but they feature a mesh material. This still keeps the sun’s harsh rays off you but allows for air to pass through it to give you some breeze and more comfort.

It can be a little daunting to have so many top choices on a Jeep sometimes. The goal here is that to enjoy your Jeep to the max, in the grand outdoors, a Bikini top is the way to go. In real world conditions, especially during the summer, it’s going to be hot, the sun's going to be out, and rain is inevitable. But that doesn’t mean you can’t take a ride outside and enjoy it. Even if it’s just taking in a country road ride or stopping by the beach or lake.

I want to mention that some Jeep owners sometimes get skittish about the windshield channel. A channel of some kind is required to attach the front of a Bikini top to your Jeep windshield. But it’s not really a big deal.

Most of it depends on what kind of Jeep you have. On some older Jeeps, it’s true, you may have to drill some holes to mount the channel for your Bikini top. However, if you have a newer Jeep, say a Jeep Wrangler JK 2007-2014, adding the windshield channel requires NO DRILLING at all. So it’s an easy installation, and easy to remove later anytime.

Just above at the very top is a helpful video from Bestop that shows the various Windshield Channels and how they easily install.

Having a Bikini top is the best way to enjoy your Jeep outdoors. With summer right around the corner, now is the time to check out all the deals and products we have on tops here at XT 4×4 Center. And really, they are not that much money. Compared to the countless hours of enjoyment you’re going to get driving without doors or an enclosed driver compartment, it’ll be like a breath of fresh air. Big time.