[Wrangler JL News]

Could this picture published on AutoGuide be the rumored ‘true three-piece hardtop’ that was first mentioned back in May last year?

Spy photographers were hard at work again and they’ve recently taken a few close shots of the Wrangler prototype with what looks to be removable roof panels. We’re expecting to see a trio of new tops available for the Wrangler JL including a power soft top, hardtop glass panel similar to a panoramic sunroof and a true 3-piece steel roof hardtop. The latest photos could confirm the existence of a 3-piece roof option.

Looking closely at the prototype’s roof, you can clearly see three distinct panels with two panes covering the driver and passengers seats along with a larger one overlaying the rear passenger seats and trunk. The top also appears to be framed a few inches from the edge of the roof, which could be an indication that the roof won’t be entirely removable like the Wrangler JK. At least it’ll owners that open-air feeling whilst retaining some roll-over protection.

We still don’t know if the Wrangler JL will get a fully removable hardtop on top of the three new roof options or if it’ll simply do away with it. Perhaps Jeep will let us know before the Wrangler JL’s expected debut at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

 

[Gina]

Maybe the full top is still removable since it's not sitting flush against the frame. That's be great, to have the option of removing just the panels or the whole top for a more open feel. But that's not going to be a cheap option.

 

[Johnson]

I think it will be fully removable. Just looking at the overhang shows it's a latching type of situation. I really hope it will be at least.

 

[gladiator]

All we have to do is look at the Renegades panel roof and behold... our answers

 

[Jeepernator]

I think the Renegade's roof sits flush against the body frame with no overhang. Assuming that's a good indicator of what's to come, then the Wrangler JL's roof is actually very versatile; fully removable or in panels.
I think that small black tab in the upper right corner of the windshield is a latch, or it could be the camouflage and shadows playing with my perception.

 

[Johnson]

It is a good way to look at it but I doubt it'll be the same. Looking at the Wrangler, it'll probably be different.

 

[Mangler]

It will be different. Just look at the roof edges and that alone should tell you. The Renegade has too much "framing" going on for me though... I think it's kind of odd.

 

[gladiator]

The overall concept looks similar to me except here we have more of a gap from the outside moving in, which for an upsegment vehicle like this is expected for rigidity, mounting, and so on.

 

[Gina]

A similar overhang can be found on hardtop JK Wranglers too and the full panel was removable on those. So the same should apply to the new Wrangler JL too.

 

[Jeepernator]

The new JL is working out to be a model that sticks close to the Jeep roots; a removable top, potential fold-down windscreen and hopefully we'll get the removable doors too.

 

[Johnson]

Didn't they say at some point that the fold-down windscreen was scratched off for sure? The doors I can't imagine them scratching that off... that's way too iconic and cool.

 

[gladiator]

Yes, that information came out along with everything else related to the JL's overall structure, I think AllPar was the original source to it.

Doors are much more likely to say just because of how easy its to mount/dismount them. The only thing changing it is a complete redesign with much more complex doors, hinges, etc. then we can kiss our removeable doors good-bye

 

[Gina]

Don't recall if Jeep outright said that they're axing the fold-down windscreen or not. If this was the older body being used as a mule, then I would be skeptical about the windscreen making it into the JL, but this is the production prototype (I assume) and a picture's worth a thousand words.

 

[Johnson]

I feel like the doors mean more to me than the windshield does to be honest.. But it's definitely going to be a long time before they make it complex enough that you won't be able to remove it. There really is no need for them to do it on the Wrangler. I don't even know what they would implement to get it to that point either

 

[gladiator]

I feel like the doors mean more to me than the windshield does to be honest.. But it's definitely going to be a long time before they make it complex enough that you won't be able to remove it. There really is no need for them to do it on the Wrangler. I don't even know what they would implement to get it to that point either

Well for one its what most owners get rid of, its what most look forward to when doing this sort of thing. Just go down to any beach down south and you'll see it for yourself.

Most owners could care less if that's the only thing we can remove, it's the small percent of owners that go all the way.

 

[Mangler]

You rarely ever see anyone even take off the doors on a Wrangler. It really doesn't happen as much as people would expect UNLESS your down in the south area. Even there though, it's not like people drive around like that daily lol.

 

[Johnson]

To be completely honest I don't think I've seen more than 2 wranglers driving around without the doors on. It's really a rare sighting where I am

 

[Gina]

Maybe it's the same few I keep seeing, but doorless Wranglers driving around is what got me interested in the first place. There's plenty more with doors on, but the ones with doors removed aren't a rare sight either. But of course the most common is with the roof removed or tops down.

 

[Mangler]

I guess just different areas perhaps. But the roof removed is a more than regular thing haha. It's weird to see one sealed up in the summer time as that's the way it should be!

 

[Gina]

Definitely most common sight is with the roof removed in the summer time; why buy a Wrangler if you're not going to take advantage of it's body versatility? We'll just have to wait and see if the whole roof can be removed or just the panels.

Admittedly, I'll be a bit disappointed if it's just the panels as seeing the body pillars out in the open is an iconic Wrangler look.