I think Dependable allows it but I'm not certain of that, hopefully someone else here can answer your question for certain. I need to send Dependable an email this morning to confirm our reservation for next Saturday and I'll ask if the tops can be removed (we're renting a jeep).

What's the difference to the people in the car between having it down, vs. having it off? Is there a benefit to taking it off? I've never noticed one...JMO...

Marty -

For me, it's simply that I am unaware of the difference. So what you are saying is that the thing unzips or something all of the way around making it essentially as "open" as taking it completely off? This may explain why I didn't find much, or found conflicting info on this when I did a search. I did note that at least one person did complain that it seemed "less good" to her that a top was firmly attached. My simple goal is to have an open, airy feeling to enjoy the island atmosphere. If this can be accomplished by an easier method - that would be good.

JeanneB - Thanks for your kind offer to check if you happen to have the time - no worries if not. Have a nice trip yourself!

Oh, yeah, putting it down is the way to go! The only difference is about 6 inches around the top of the rear end of the vehicles sides...negligible...

You can zip down the side and back "windows" and feel the breeze very well, if that's what you're after. It's really open when unzipped, but there is still a roof over your head. You'll probably want to keep it zipped up when you're not driving it, though, because it does tend to rain a little most days...a wet jeep isn't much fun to sit in on the way to dinner at night.

A picture is worth a thousand words...

Unzipped pic:

Top removed pic:

Hey, Jen,

Your second pic is not quite correct, in that the top is "DOWN", not "removed"....this is what was confusing her...great pics, tho!

C C Mom: See that bit of fabric just above the yellow? It's got a fold in it? Yep, that's the top in the "DOWN" position....

I love wranglers....really do, but they're a pain in the butt. I don't think I'll rent one again because trying to get anything or anybody in the back seat is just not worth it.

Getting the window zippered up when you have to is a pain. Even the top can be a pain in the neck. It's all fun, but if it rains, you're in trouble.

I was in the back of a jeep last year and tried to get out. I ended up with a bruise on my leg that was the size of a football because I hit the piece where the door closes.

You can't really hide anything in them, they have no space for luggage and they ride like a truck.

Next time it's a car for me.

Thanks very much to all! The pictures do help considerably. I think I get it now...there are several stages of "openess" and with more open comes more hassle. So the "down" [not off] is that generally allowed by the rental agencies? I'm not sure we'll want to do that even if possible, but just wondering about options.

Connie, I do see your point about the downsides, too. Last time we got a closed SUV since we had more people and stuff. It was fine, even though was not a 4WD. We thought we'd try the highly touted jeep this time around to see for ourselves.

Thanks again for the help!

Yes, rental agencies allow 'down'...all of 'em...

Yes, rental agencies allow 'down'...all of 'em...

Actually, you may have to check on that, but the rental companies I have checked with on StJ do not allow the tops down or off.

On STT they do...besides, how would they know you put it down? It's DESIGNED to go down! Then just make sure you put it up before you return it, or when you are not in it, as you really don't wanna return a 'wet' Jeep...no big deal....

We couldn't put our top down on our jeep in November. It was bolted down and we tried and tried to figure it out, but no way.

I was disappointed because that's one of the reasons that we rented a jeep.

Wow, ain't that a pisser?!?

Maybe you should just rent a Chrysler Sebring Convertible...then you KNOW it's gonna go down and so do they!!! Haha! The roads you'll be on here in STT will not require the 4WD of a Jeep...

StJ is a small island. They will most likely find out. Besides, If they say not to take them down I won't.

We just finished booking ours from Budget. I too, read many conflicting stories. My husband gave them a call and asked all of the questions. You are able to take the top off and take it to St John. They also told him that it is much cheaper to book online. We were undecided if we wanted to rent a vehicle or not, but after we did some number crunching, we went ahead and booked the soft top jeep. We are anxiously counting down the days, especially today since we awoke to 10 inches of snow......

We rented a Wrangler in STJ from L&L, so this may or may not be applicable, but I thought I'd share because I found it a little odd. We were not allowed to take the soft top off, nor were we allowed to unzip the windows. In fact, the windows had been stitched shut around the zipper. What we were allowed to do, however, is take the front windows out completely. I found it a bit confusing, unless mangled/dysfunctional window zippers are more of a hassle than wet jeeps?

Our villa was on an unpaved road and the ride in the passenger seat was quite bumpy, but we managed. For us the 4WD was a necessity. Oddly enough, the only problem we ever had was the entrance to the parking lot at the Starfish Market, but as I understand it, that's not uncommon. 😉

I recall that it's been the norm for quite some time now that the STJ car rental companies have not allowed their Jeep soft tops to be removed and it would seem that many of the STT rental companies are now following suit. I would guess that maybe the reason is that some tourists yank them around and break the parts?

On the subject of Jeeps, in my opinion they're the roughest ride imaginable and I'd take an SUV over one any day. I like my last meal resting comfortably in my belly when I'm on the road. Cheers!

Thanks again to everyone for your thoughts! This info should help me tremendously in knowing about options and asking questions.

Thinking warm and tropical on this 30 degree day...:-)