Reviews for Smittybilt 617701 Two-Piece Hard Top for 07-18 Jeep Wrangler JK 2-Door

I've had on for two weeks now and so far so good. Was hesitant to get with the negative reviews, but wanted to see for myself.
One thing I was worried about was the safari windows popping out. On my top, these windows have been secured with a sealant as well as screws from the factory. I'm guessing that they've altered the top slightly in the last few months to try to remedy the issue?
Also, mine was shipped with a four foot piece of rubber window channel to put above the front doors to eliminate the drip issue. Lets face it, Jeeps are gonna leak a little bit. I've had a small leak in one door, but I think I need to adjust the door placement on the hinge as i've had my door and hinges off before.
As someone who didn't have a hard top to start, i'm very happy and would recommend. If you're going to spend $2500 on an OEM top, spend a little more and get this. Sure you don't get the freedom panels, but that's why I have the soft top for the nicer months.

I have the top and love it. I went from freedom panels that leaked all the time to having a jeep that remains dry during storms. Added room is a plus with a 6 ft son, and large dogs. Quiet with carpeted interior. One issue is that I gave up my rear windshield wiper, but it's not a big deal since the oversized tire blocks the view. Great purchase and extremely happy with the look and quality of the product.

At 6’4” in height, I did not like the stock hard top. I put this on about a month ago, and am very pleased with the decision. I’ve always had the soft top, so can’t compare the sound level to other hard tops, but my guess is it’s about as quiet as a hard top could be. It also gives the Jeep a distinctive look, as I’ve never seen another in my local area.

I don’t know the exact weight (versus shipping), but my son and I had no trouble lifting it into place. While the fit was perfect and intuitive, there were some learnings in terms of the waterproofing. I can’t speak to the experiences of others (in the reviews), but my first run through the car wash had quite a bit of water leaking at the first four inches of the front doors. I called Smittybilt, and they sent a video over that helped me understand the correct fit. The second run through the car wash had one drip come through on each side. It’s been raining hard now for three days and I haven’t seen any water come through, so I think that challenge is behind me.

While I’ve given five stars, I do agree with another reviewer’s observation that the rear window drops water in the back when opening. I plan to look at what’s making the pools and see if I can do something about it. It’s also relevant to bring up that the packaging scraped a two or three inch spot on the top where the textured surface was essentially sanded flat. I purchased the paint Smittybilt suggested, but it’s not actually a perfect match. Since low flying vehicles are unlikely to notice the imperfection, I’m chalking that up to the challenges that come with any upgrade I get into for the Jeep. Also, the bottom panel on the rear window slides off on one side. Smittybilt is providing their view on the best sealant to use, then I’ll reseal that into place.

Overall, I now have great headroom, a toasty and quiet capsule, and a nice look for the winter months.

We received the Defender hard top earlier this week via a dedicated truck. No shipping damaged experienced. It was missing the actual bolt on hardware (bolts, nuts, washers) but I called Smittybilt and they talked me through the basics that I need from a local hardware store. It was surprisingly easy to install. The instructions call out for only 1 washer per bolt but I would recommend using 2 (one under bolt head and one on top of the nut) since the mounting locations are slotted. I LOVE the look of this on my 2008 Sahara. It is so much quieter than my soft top - even with the doors off!

Lots of room, much quieter than stock and more visibility. The rear glass leaks at the tail gate. My professional assessment is the glass closes on the rubber and leaves the gate exposed. All other hard and soft tops are designed to have a little lip that covers the gate and prevents water exposure to the seam. I love the top, just needs a few improvements. Yes having no drip rail over the doors is difficult when it rains. Oh Well its a Jeep.

I love it, but it leaks. Added 3m refrigerator type sealant tape, but still leaks. Not a deal breaker, but know this before you buy.

Looks great and the extra storage above the roll bars is awesome when I go camping. However, Not all is sunshine and roses with this top. Here are the problems I have with this top:

1. It leaks around the door seals. My JKU is two years old so my door seals are basically new still. The design of the top just allows water to roll strait down into the door. Its like it needs a rain channel just above the door to prevent this in the future.

2. After 5 months of having this top installed, two of the 4 skylight windows have come loose. I have now had to go to Home Depot and get sealant to seal the windows in myself. Poor job installing the windows on their part. They looked cheaply installed to begin with.

All in all, For the price that was paid for this top I am extremely disappointed. The manufacturer really dropped the ball on this top. It feels like they didn't test this thing out at all. Many design flaws. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone until they fix the issues. Not worth the price at all.

One good thing, three bad ones:
Good thing - It makes my JK ride quiet!
Bad - It leaks, carry a towel with you when it rains.
Bad - I contacted Smittybilt two weeks ago with a fitment question, so far, no answer.
Bad - The rear glass hinge covers hold water so when you open it, the stored water dumps into the tie down pockets.

I have the Safari Top & rack for a 2 door JK which was professionally installed. It's looks great and the extra room is beneficial but the roof LEAKS. I replaced all of the seals on my Jeep but top still leaks. I regret the install.

The top looks great and it is a lot quieter than the my factory soft top. However as previously reviewed the top allows to much water inside jeep everytime you open a door or the back hatch. I had to use a shop vac to keep up with the water and now I am worrying about if mold will start growing on the carpet since i can't keep it dry. I get about a cup full or more out of the floorboard. Also it is very annoying trying to rush in and out of the jeep to limit the amount of water inside, but then you have to go through the stream of water that is flowing off the top inside the jeep getting you soaking wet. It also coincidently runs down the door right where the electric door locks are and I am just waiting for those to stop working. Overall a very poor design.