New Hopeful, here.

[brigantine]

Checking in from the Eastern Shore of MD. My Miata is at 199k+ miles and I've decided to replace it with the Unlimited for a variety of reasons.

A. Always loved the wrangler/cj, but could never drive one full time due to short wheelbase and horrific commutes.

B. Commute is Gone, Unlimited w/10" longer wheelbase rides Awesome!

C. Must have a convertible,

D. Must haul the younguns, can't in Miata.

E. Has To be Towable on all 4. Hoping for an RV soon, too.


Anyway, I have a couple of questions, if you don't mind.

After putting a dozen exhaust systems in my Toyota P.U. over 18 yrs, I was absolutely thrilled to own the Miata these past 10 yrs and never replace the stainless exhaust.

I'm thinking about dropping in a banks or Borla SS exhaust system before I drive it off the lot. Recommendations where that is concerned? Nearest Dealers are hundreds of miles away. Will need to do it through Jeep Dealer or do it myself through mail order. If I do it myself, I'd just as soon do it right away so as to avoid working on rusty exhaust parts, thank you...

Secondly, the doors. I hate the full frame doors' look. Working with my dealer, I have determined that I can get the short doors through a side deal. He will order an identical colored SWB TJ and swap out the doors and locks, ,ending up with a door upgrade for the SWB TJ.

My question is, Would it be worth it to me to get the full frame doors for winter use with the hard top, with regards to noise reduction? I understand road noise being in a convertible, but I'm hoping that the Hard Top will reduce noise considerably and am wondering about the road noise through the side curtains on the short doors.

I'd appreciate any thoughts on this.

thanks.

Brigantine.

[tag]

Welcome Me, I have full doors now but I would like to have half doors also. To me it would be worth the exrtra cost.

[04unlimited]

I actually wanted to have the half doors from the offset as well, and I can say that I love, love, love having windows that I don't have to unzip.

There is added security (marginal, but stay with me here), reduced road noise, and easy to clean glass.

Maybe if you were planning on going with the half doors with the besttop top halves that have the sliding window. I just couldn't see myself trading down in this area, after having seen what my Dad'd half windows look like after two years of use, and two break-ins later.

Just my

[wv4x4]

To me the hardtops are a pain in the a$$ and I would never get one for the unlimited. the full doors are nice and you could always trade them for the half doors if you'd like!

[brigantine]

wv4x4 said:

To me the hardtops are a pain in the a$$ and I would never get one for the unlimited. the full doors are nice and you could always trade them for the half doors if you'd like!

What do you mean by Pain? Storage, install/removal? Please tell me more. The good news is, I have an awesome shop where I could suspend it from the ceiling for a drop on / lift off of the HT. I'm thinking of the hard top only because of noise. In winter, when I can't have top down, I'd like to reduce the noise. Ears are very sensitive. My only complaint with the Miata after 10 yrs is road noise.

[moneypit]

If you can afford it get the dual top option. I love both for differant reasons. In the winter it stays warmer and
quieter. Also the full doors ad security with the hardtop on. You also have glass windows for ice scrapping. Plastic windows discolor faster with them in year round. It's a lot easier to get in the way back with a flip up rear window. No fumbling around with zippers when it's below zero. When summer comes hang it in the shop and put on the soft top. You then have the best of both worlds. You can always add half doors if you feel the need. The hardtop comes with the electrical wiring and rear window washer tubing installed. The soft top only does not. Here is a picture of mine hung in my barn. Good luck!

[wv4x4]

brigantine said:

wv4x4 said:

To me the hardtops are a pain in the a$$ and I would never get one for the unlimited. the full doors are nice and you could always trade them for the half doors if you'd like!

What do you mean by Pain? Storage, install/removal? Please tell me more. The good news is, I have an awesome shop where I could suspend it from the ceiling for a drop on / lift off of the HT. I'm thinking of the hard top only because of noise. In winter, when I can't have top down, I'd like to reduce the noise. Ears are very sensitive. My only complaint with the Miata after 10 yrs is road noise.

If your only complaint is the noise than I wouldn't worry about a HT. A hardtop doesn't make that much of a noticable difference. The full doors are what really cut the noise down. Have you driven a new jeep with a HT and one without? Maybe my years of working around military jets have just made me deaf. ;D Besides you could just put a good stereo system in and crank it up!

[treeofliberty]

brigantine said:

I'm thinking about dropping in a banks or Borla SS exhaust system before I drive it off the lot. Recommendations where that is concerned? Nearest Dealers are hundreds of miles away. Will need to do it through Jeep Dealer or do it myself through mail order. If I do it myself, I'd just as soon do it right away so as to avoid working on rusty exhaust parts, thank you...

Brigantine.

Isn't the exhaust on the Wrangler already stainless? If you are looking for performance improvements from a Borla or Banks system, you'll be disappointed. The Jeep forums are littered with stories of people trying to get a better breathing I-6, only to find out the factory as milked that one dry.

[brigantine]

Now that you mention it, I'm not sure. I thought they were and when I asked at the dealership to confirm, I was told, "We can certainly do that for you as an aftermarket accessory." But then, most sales people don't know squat, either...

I just spent 15 min. digging on the jeep web site and couldn't confirm or deny it.

The idea of the banks is just to get SS. I really hate constantly replacing Exhausts here in the salty sea air. It has been most excellent to own that Miata for 10 yrs and never replace the exhaust. From now on, all my vehicles will have SS exhaust.

Right now, I am Just hoping I can get to a place where I can place my order before the new yr.

cheers.