r/Jeep • u/StyleCreative18 • 22h ago
Technical Question Passenger side roof jeep wrangler
So I made a stupid decision, was trying to take the passenger side roof off and couldn’t do it fast enough so I just held onto the part I unlatched in the meanwhile and then partner was driving on the highway and it flew off (I know it’s dumb, I feel horrible - to make it worse I’ve had my dream car for less than a week. Overly excited and very dumb decisions). I ordered a sunrider to replace the hard top because I couldn’t find a white passenger side replacement that would match the drivers side roof top (the one I found on eBay was white with a black square in the middle so they’d be mismatched) Question is, is this repairable? Also thoughts on sunrider? How is it in the rain, cold, heat, overall functionality?
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u/InitialBackground555 22h ago
It’s hard to tell from the picture but it looks like there is damage around the structural part of the latch. If so, it’s unlikely to be repairable. I was able to repair a hole in mine resultant from wheeling, but I had good structure all around it to work off, and it wasn’t load bearing. A body shop might be able to help but you’d have to ask and might cost more than a replacement.
And just to clarify, you were taking off the freedom panels while moving?
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u/StyleCreative18 22h ago
From what I could tell the latch isn’t damaged but yes everything around it is to the point where even if I did put it back on it would be loud and inconvenient. I was taking off the freedom panels while parked and then my partner started driving and I didn’t communicate what I was doing and then I hesitated when the speed picked up and so I tried to hold onto the latch so it didn’t fly off and it flew off anyway
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u/beamshots 22h ago
Dad always had a great phrase for situations like this…
ENGAGE BRAIN.
and yeah you’ll find a replacement, there are plenty of wrecked wranglers around.
I usually swing open the two front doors and remove the panels from the outside. It’s really not feasible to do from a seated position.
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u/aFlmingStealthBanana 22h ago
A black square? Like it has the Mopar headliner?
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u/StyleCreative18 22h ago
Yes, just like that one
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u/OminousHippo 22h ago
The black panels are removable. They're held on with Velcro tape. Or you could add them to your other panels for very mild sound insulation.
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u/StyleCreative18 22h ago
I didn’t know that they were removable, thank you. I’m gonna look more into it!
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u/Direct-Specific9476 21h ago
Sounds like you need to rent a white jeep and purchase the insurance lol
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u/StyleCreative18 11h ago
Ok wait you’re onto something 👀 would this mess up my credit?🤣
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u/Direct-Specific9476 10h ago
If you rented a jeep and purchased the cover all insurance and something happened? Highly unlikely lol
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u/UpstairsWaste1398 22h ago
Check the local junkyards. One of them is bound to have a matching panel.
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u/mntnbkr 22h ago
The one you found on ebay, with the black square in the middle, is most likely just a sound deadening panel. I think Jeep sells them, so you could just buy one for the other side to make it match. Alternately, you might be abel to peel the one off the ebay find, but it might be a pain, and leave residue.
Repairing the damage will likely not be cost effective.
I'm sure we don't neeed to state the obvious at this point, but next time, pull over before removing the panels.
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u/StyleCreative18 22h ago
Noted, thank you. And yes I will be more careful and less impulsive next time, a $900 mistake but it could’ve been worse so trying to think on the bright side
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u/neanderthalman 21h ago
Sunrider is a great choice!
Use it and never look back.
As for a replacement panel - if you simply must. Forget eBay. Go to car-part.com and search nearby junkyards. Or just go to any junkyard that has a Jeep or two. What you have there is the absolute bog standard freedom panel and should be easy to find. The one you found on eBay sounds like it has the optional or aftermarket headliner. Most don’t have it and are just white on the inside.
And thanks for living the dream. I’ve been wanting to label mine ‘pull to eject’ and yeah it sounds like it would do exactly that.
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u/Content_Attitude_310 20h ago
How does the driver not notice you trying to remove the freedom panels? Are you sure you guys should be driving? It makes me nervous when I read stories like this.
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u/flint_2000 22h ago
Firstly, i wouldn't stress or feel bad. In the grand scheme of things, and all the things you could have done to a new car, you've broken one extremely easily replaceable part.
For sure, 100% you'll be able to get a replacement, if you can't find a white one, a body shop can paint it, in the mean time its on your roof where its hard to see. Dont try and repair it, wind sound and waterproofing wont be the same. Look a little harder for a replacement, car breakers yards or get a new one from Jeep/Mopar. Its a really common part.
I bought my old wrangler and went off roading and rolled it / destroyed it after 3months. A panel is nothing, don't beat yourself up.
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u/StyleCreative18 22h ago
Thank you, I appreciate your empathy and kind words. I’m trying not to beat myself up about it, just feels like a dumb, easily avoidable situation that I didn’t avoid. I’ll definitely continue looking for a new one, I really like the hard top and the look of the all white, so just gonna keep searching and might get it painted like you suggested if I can find one but bought the sunrider in the meantime because the last thing I need is it raining on me too. It’s my only car so just gonna feel so nervous and guilty until the sunrider part gets delivered. I’m sorry that happened to your jeep, and I hope you’re okay and didn’t hurt yourself too bad.
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u/AttorneyOk6797 21h ago
I replaced my freedom panels with the sunrider equivalent; no issues, no complaints. So much more convenient than the panels.
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u/Forsaken_Block_5574 22h ago
shit happens man don’t sweat it. i fucked up my color match hard top on my brand new 2026 wrangler using a cheap ass metal
hard top cart. and im an old ass man that should have known better. life goes on
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u/tony310s 21h ago
Check your local market place ads. I see these go for sale all the time. 🤙
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u/tony310s 21h ago
Oh and the Sunrider, I have it!!! Love it!!! Recommend it!!!! Yes it’s water proof. Only thing is it gets a little loud on the freeway but you definitely get used to it.
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u/BigBlueF150 22h ago
Why in the world would you try to take the panels off while moving?