I was sitting here thinking about how I was going to test a new top. after all it’s just another bikini top right? Then I started wondering about the most "hardcore" way I could make my evaluation and it hit me - on the street! Oh the street? You ask! How dare you! We don’t want no stinking street Jeep here. But wait. Let me explain. I, like many others, drive my trail toy to work every day. I have a twenty mile, one-way commute. Amittedly, I am exceedingly lucky that I don’t have to run on any freeways, nor do I really hit any traffic in the morning, and only get a little on the way home. But I am always perplexed about which top to run; no top, hard top or my Safari Bikini. Right now, the mornings are great; 70 degrees, slight breeze and I always want to run without a top. On the way home, though, it’s more like 98 degrees with 60% humidity and the ground is baking. Oh yeah, and traffic; which means I have to sit in my open Jeep and broil in the sunlight. Yes, I could just put on my bikini top to protect my balding head from the sun, but then the fumes from the exhaust get trapped inside and with the heat from the pavement you have to end up running the A/C just to “clear” the air - so I may as well run the hard top.. Now I have my solution... Since I really don’t like running the hard top or the safari top, the new Breezer top from Direct Effect Enterprises (makers of ComboGrip, which we reviewed earlier this year) offers the solution for me. In the mornings it allows the wind and the cool weather to blow thru my Jeep, while in the afternoon it allows the hot fumes and the pavement heat to escape thru the top while at the same time shading my head and eyes from the direct sunlight.
The top uses a standard header channel like one would use for a BesTop top (I have the BesTop No-Drill Header Channel) and then attaches with 5 straps that have metal clasps (yes, metal - not that cheap plastic stuff that some other manufacturers use) to the center roll bar. It is easy to install and doesn’t flap or make any other noises. The top is made of a very heavy webbing and the quality of the stitching seems very good, as all of the edges are finished off with a wide piece of heavy cloth. Even with the full cage that is installed in my Jeep, I have had no problems with the fit. In fact, I like the way it fits on the sides. It is left loose enough that when rubbing against rocks or trees it simply folds itself over the roll bar so it does not get damaged. This will definitely be one of the tops that I will use on a regular basis – at least until DEE comes out with their “Maxi Breezer” model (covers the rear seats and should be in production by next summer) so I can take the heat off of my daughter’s head too! Currently the “Breezer Top is available for '76-'83 CJ-5, '76-'86 CJ-7, '87-'96 YJ, '97-'02 TJ. Suggested retails pricing is $49.95* up to '91 and $59.95* for 92 and up models. '66-'77 Bronco is currently in prototype (using Kayline-style hardware). 10 additional applications including Samurai and “Maxi Breezer” for '92 and later model Jeeps will be in production be next season.
* Prices accurate at time of writing |
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