by Scott Ammerman
Torque Senior Correspondent
Having a soft top on your Wrangler is a seriously versatile all-weather option.
That ability to remove the side and rear windows for more airflow while keeping the top up is a great way to stay shaded, and add more of an “open-air feeling” when driving on pavement. It is also useful for preventing damage to those plastic windows on trail days and they are the first thing you remove when putting the top down, or removing it entirely.
Here is the issue — when you remove your windows, you have to store them somewhere. Because PVC windows need to remain flexible in all different temperatures, they are very prone to scratching, even while rolled up with the factory-provided loops for the rear window. This is especially true on dirt roads.
I hazed my brand new rear window after one day at Rausch Creek Park in Tremont, Pennsylvania. With repeated abuse, the windows become almost impossible to see through, as you can see here from Project Grey Wolf a few years ago.
One solution for this is to stack up those windows and throw them on the back seat floor, or in the cargo area. We’re guessing you may have done this a few times because it is very convenient. But that could cause the windows to fly out of the vehicle at higher speeds causing the need for a replacement. Even if they don’t leave the vehicle, they will most likely slide around a bit and at the very least scratch against other objects while your Jeep is in motion.
Additionally, piling the windows up while dirty allows dirt or dust stuck to the windows to scratch against another window, causing damage at least twice the normal rate.
I’m just full of good news today, right?
Luckily there are some innovative solutions that will allow you to safely store those windows, and some even allow you to bring them along for the ride just in case of an unforeseen weather event.
Mobile Storage
Quadratec sells several varieties of mobile window storage solutions. These work well to protect your windows while the vehicle is motion, and the best ones out there have cloth dividers to keep windows separated and scratch-free.
The MasterTop Soft Top Window Protection Roll works incredibly well with ‘76-18 CJ/Wrangler removable soft top windows even if you have a longer Unlimited model. The outer layer utilizes a Black Diamond material just like most soft tops for long-lasting durability.
The roll’s soft inner layers protect your detached windows and keep them from damaging each other.
After the windows are snuggled up in their individual layers, you can roll them up and toss right in the trunk or backseat if you would like.
Additionally, with the included straps, the Window Protection Roll can be attached to your top while in the down position which keeps them handy in case of need, but also out of the way of other cargo at the same time.
As I said, this model works with anything back to the ’76 CJ-series with a factory-style top and removable windows.
For those of you with newer JL/JLU Wranglers, Mastertop also provides a window storage solution that is slightly different due to the newer top’s zipperless design. This means those windows can’t quite roll up the same way the earlier Wrangler/CJ windows do. Fret not though — they store tightly against the rear seat, while nestled between layers of soft fabric.
Both the JK and JL versions of this roll up storage unit come in a premium twill fabric if you prefer something that matches the premium edition Mopar soft top material.
At Home Storage
If taking your top off and leaving it at home is more your style, the windows can easily be removed and stored on the same wall-mounted Quadratec Soft Top Storage Hanger I wrote about in this article.
This version is for later model JK spring assist tops, but other editions are available to match your top’s vintage.
Whatever you decide, make sure to take the time and put those windows away when not on the vehicle. A little prevention can keep them clean and clear for years to come.
Other Articles That May Interest You:
Differences Between Factory Style and Frameless Soft Tops
