[jacktuttle]

Hot Hard Top

I went a different route. I had my top painted white. It stays much cooler now! But I like the idea of adding some insulation to the inside and may do that also.

 

[jacktuttle]

Second Pic

Where were you in the second pic?

Btw, I am pretty sure I have seen you on the highway a couple times.

I was running Rock Garden in Holcomb Valley, Big Bear. I know it is closed, but a forest ranger gave a group of us an escort thru there. Still a great trail, but so much burned.....

 

[jacktuttle]

such a great idea that I copied it

Last summer I felt a ton of heat coming off the inside of my hard top so I came up with this fast cheap fix.. In Florida we have a ton of heat and sunshine one day I all most burnt my hand on the inside of my roof. As I took down my windshield visor it was cool to the touch that is what gave me this idea!

Start with 3 jumbo windshield deflators.
Next cut them to the size you need two pieces for the tee tops, One piece for the passenger roof, and one piece for the rear.

Lay each piece over the area you would like to cover and cut out to fill the void where the thin roof is.

Than spray them with Rust-Oleum Plastic primer you pick the color! I used white.

Next Clean the surface with rubbing alcohol. I then use 3m two sided tape all around the border then a few small strips down in the middle and then the sides of that. Peel off the other side of the tape and start from one side and lay the cut piece that you painted in and press down to secure!

Repeat to all 4 pieces and your done! I have had them in for about 3 months now and no more heat beaming me in the head and the Jeep cools off fast now!

This looked like such a great idea that I copied it. I purchased the materials showed my wife the thread and let her go at it!

It looks to have come out great! Thanks

Material list:
3 Windshield shades
2 cans of white paint
a few rolls of double sided tape (Some thick and some thin)
and one loving wife willing to help

I'm so glad my wife likes off roading with me! She takes a great interest in the comfort in the jeep too!

 

[jacktuttle]

priceless

...wifes devotion to be involved with her husbands interests...priceless...

Yes it was a happy day when she said I could buy the Rubi!

 

[jacktuttle]

First Issue

I found the first issue with this upgrade... My Satellite radio only works when heading east now..... I guess I'm going to have to figure out where the antenna is at and remove a little of the shielding from that area....

 

[jacktuttle]

Has anyone ever tried using that spray on insulation foam thats used in houses sometimes?

This is a link to what we used for tape.
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ca...nsQListString=&sortType=&brandNValue=~1255774

 

[jacktuttle]

Nice Job

The heat that comes off the Freedom Top is really bad. I saw this thread and it got me thinking.

I was walking through Home Depot and saw these 4X8 foot foam insulation pieces. The foam surface is smooth with a slight texture.The reverse side is plain white - no printing. It has a very thin clear plastic film over both sides of the foam, it will not "flake". These come in a variety of thicknesses - 3/4" seems to work well, bought one piece for under $8. To cut the foam, use a razor knife but heat the blade with a propane torch. This will cut it like butter and heat seal the foam edges - don't want it red hot or you will completely melt the foam. I used 3M rattle can spray adhesive to attach to the roof.

The roof front panels are easy since you can remove them. For the front driver panel have to cut notches so can turn the secruing clips. 3/4" will let the passenger side go over without rubbing. The back is more difficult to do - it is really best to take the top off the vehicle, however, I did mine in place with some re-trimming and test fitting. Cover areas in back with a sheet/newspaper - you're not going to get overspray off! I used some cardboard that I cut and fit to make a template for the corner curves in the two back roof areas. You will have angle your cut foam piece above the speaker part of the roll bar, with the spray adhesive on the roof/foam it is a little tricky because its not going to slide.

I have used this for a month and it is great! My air conditioning works now when temps get towards 100 and I no longer have an oven raditating on top on my head. A sponge or wet rag easily wipes off the trail dust. Foam will dent if something hits it but I have had no difficulties so far. I thought about putting roof liner fabric over the pieces but decided I like it better the way it is.

Very nice Job. To bad we have to do the finish work on our jeeps. You would think they could drive it once in the heat to know it needed this to start with!

 

[jacktuttle]

take the top off

here is a free fix, just take the top off

I told that to my wife...... :devil:

 

[jacktuttle]

Color

another alternative - Omix-Ada (Rugged Ridge) makes a liner/insulation kit for hardtops...not sure how well it works, but it attaches with velcro tape...

http://www.omix-ada.com/jeep-parts/productInfo.asp?itemNo=12109.02

Maybe I just did not read far enough, but to me it's the wrong color!!! I'm trying to cool the inside. I want it white. :bounce: But then my whole jeep is white.

 

[jacktuttle]

plastidip

I am planning on doing my freedom top as well, what about Plasti-dip? Or I also found some neoprene with adhesive backing you can cut to shape. The neoprene is expensive and the paint can add up too. Just wanted to throw that out there for some valued opinions..

http://www.amazon.com/Sponge-Neopre...1343309704&sr=1-52&keywords=Neoprene+Adhesive

http://www.plastidip.com/home_solutions/Plasti_Dip

I'm not seeing it with the plastic dip. I used to use that to coat the handles of my tools years ago. I'm not sure how it would work for the top. But you may have an idea I'm not thinking of. I used the thin sun shield and it's held up good for 4 years now. But then so has the white painted top.

Post pictures.