I recently bought my first Jeep. I own a 2006 Rubicon Unlimited with dual tops. I received my Jeep with BOTH tops in place - the soft top was in the folded down position, obviously(neatly packed up). I was reading my owner's manual, like a good owner, and noticed that they instruct the new owner to remove the soft top from the Jeep to avoid "wear" to the soft top, while the hard top is on. However, I would have to remove the hard top to take the soft top and bow out. Question for the more experienced Jeep owners - is it really necessary to remove the (folded down) soft top if the hard top is on? The soft top doesn't seem to move and doesn't bother me in it's current spot. I won't leave the soft top on next fall when I go back to the hard top, but didn't want to have to remove the hard top now to remove the soft top/bow. However, I don't want to screw up my new "baby". ANY thoughts are appreciated. THANKS!!!

I had an '02 Sport with that simular thing in the booklet. I bought it in December of '01 and simply left the soft top in there through the winter and wound up having to take BOTH off in the spring in order to utilize the soft top.

The soft top fabric is attached to the header bar (the part of the soft top's framing that clamps to the top of the winshield) but is more/less wrapped around it. You have to basically re-wrap the fabric over the other way and velcro it to the "2" bar (center bar over the front seat head rests) and the "3" bar (rear bar over the tailgate) before you can use it (<--I know this may not make sense when you read it now but when you have it off the Jeep and you go to set it up, you'll understand).

My guess is the factory folds the fabric this (backwards) way to make it less bulky for shipping.

But in all, you do have to remove both to get the soft top out and it's a helluva easier to set it up for use once it's out.

If you try to take it out while the hard top is on, you risk damaging something inside the vehicle.

I hope this helps.

But then again, if you have the sun-rider top, I've never seen how those are packaged and it could be totally different.

Thank you for the reply. I think I am gong to leave it on until spring. To take the hard top off just to get the soft top out seems unnecessary. I'll just handle the folded down soft top gently until I open it up in the spring. Thanks again for your help.
Jackie

I think they put that information in the manual as somewhat
of a disclaimer. Assuming the owner of the Jeep is going to
remove the hard top to enjoy the benefits of the soft top, and
then likely put the hard top back on at some time. Let's also
assume they will do this several times. When taking the hard
top on or off there is the potential to scuff the material of the
soft top when lowering the hard top on to Jeep. Also, if the
top material is not neatly folded WITHIN the tub of the Jeep
you can crush the soft top by resting the hard top down onto
it. Also (forgive me for even mentioning something so obvious
but) don't try to raise or lower the soft top with the hard top
on. The preceeding was just my opinion, but I do own a
2000 Wrangler Sport. Hope this helps.

The soft top can also be damaged by simply putting packages and other stuff in and out of the back. That could be the reason for the warning – so that you don't damage the soft top before it even gets used. Then Jeep can say, "See, we told you to take it out."

I would leave it in until you take off the hard top, but just be careful what you toss in the back, or keep a blanket in your Jeep so you can protect the soft top if you need to carry something that could rub against the top.