The Jeep CJ7 is an iconic vehicle that continued to be a favorite among Jeep aficionados, despite going out of production decades ago. The CJ series of Jeeps are the direct descendants of the WWII-era military Jeeps (CJ stands for Civilian Jeep).
Even though the final iteration, the CJ7 (there was a CJ8 and CJ10, but they are a long wheelbase and one-ton truck variant, respectively), the vehicles continued to look almost exactly like their military counterparts.
Many people love the CJ series but want to do their vehicles up a little with some upgrades and accessories. Whether they grab some Rough Country suspension or a new set of headlights, a few changes can have a big impact. One of the most popular upgrades is a new soft top roof.
Best Soft Top Materials & Styles
There are plenty of great CJ7 soft tops on the market. Some of the most popular include Best Top Jeep tops and Rampage Products soft tops. When you are selecting a replacement roof, you will want to think about the material and style. These are some of the options for material:
- Twill: This is the most premium option for most soft tops. Twill offers excellent quality, good protection against the elements and a nice look. It also tends to be the most expensive option.
- Canvas: Canvas was the original soft top material used with CJ7 jeeps. It is rugged and gets the job done well.
- Vinyl: For a less expensive option, consider vinyl. It is a very popular material for soft tops and provides very good protection from rain and other weather.
- Denim: Buy a new pair of jeans for your Jeep. With a denim soft top, you will have a rugged material that will protect your vehicle well.
- Sailcloth: As the name suggests, this is the fabric used in sails. It tends to be a relatively quiet option and is more premium than all the above other than twill.
There are a few styles of soft tops too. For a CJ7, you can typically find a full soft top roof, a brief soft top (covers the cab but not the cargo area) and windbreakers (door covers designed to prevent too much wind in the cab area).
Are Soft Tops Appropriate When Off-Roading?
Lots of people use soft tops when off-roading. However, you will want to think about branches and other hazards. If you are concerned about ripping your roof, you can always take the soft top off.
Nonetheless, many people find that having a little shade when on the trail is more than worth the relatively small risk. If you plan on doing a lot of off-roading in your CJ7, consider investing in a relatively tough soft top material.
Get Your Jeep CJ7 Parts Today
Check out some of the CJ7 parts and accessories you can find online today. Despite being long out of production, the CJ7 still garners plenty of interest and has a healthy aftermarket community. People love these vehicles and want to be able to modify and upgrade them. Join in the fun.