Ok so this one is plastic but when you are an enthusiast they all count!

this is a review on my custom lego ww2 willy's jeep .

Most jeep owners are active individuals that enjoy the outdoors and the country. They enjoy camping or taking an off-road drive during the weekend. For those planning to get a gift for a jeep person, it should be noted that most jeep gifts are geared towards people who love the outdoors. Most jeep enthusiasts enjoy owning all kinds of jeep gear and this should be taken into consideration when shopping for a gift. So, here are ideas for gifts to give jeep owners on their birthday or other special occasion. 

Jeep Attire And Jewelry  

For simple gifts, one can get jeep outfits and jewelry that contain the jeep logo. There are t-shirts, jackets and hats for all sizes so one can also get gifts for the kids of jeep owners. One can also get jewelry not only for women but also for men.  For women, there are jeep earrings and charms while for men there are watches and other items such as scissors, knives and light. 

Sound Bar  

Some jeep owners would appreciate a gift for their jeeps as opposed to gifts for themselves. In this case, one can help them make their jeeps stylish by getting them a sound bar especially if they appreciate music. The sound bar allows jeep owners to install six speakers and position them in an out of the way area that is at their ear level. This increases the music quality in the jeep without interfering with one’s storage space or comfort. 

Jeep Bikes 

Bicycles and tricycles are available for the entire family and for all terrains so that they can enjoy a ride without compromising on their outdoor values. They can change from the jeep to the bicycles and save on gas money. 

Seat And Tire Covers  

Covers are an excellent gift to get because they add some art to one’s jeep. The covers can be printed to represent the jeep owner’s personality such as the humorous, the patriotic or the classical covers. 

Jeep Furniture 

An example of jeep furniture is the travel mug which is jeep heated. The 14 oz. stainless steel mug also contains a double wall which acts as an excellent insulator to keep drinks cold or heat them up using the jeep’s 13.5 watt car adapter. It also has a spill proof lid for those rough and bumpy roads. Another example of jeep furniture is a jeep clock. This neon clock is 12” in diameter and has a jeep logo displayed in its centre as well as a trim ring that is made of polished chrome. For the jeep owner’s home, you can get a jeep mug, a jeep comforter or a jeep stein collection for beer lovers. 

Jeep Movies And Radio Lantern  

There are several jeep movies that have become classics including “Four Jills in a Jeep” and “Virtual History of Cars and Jeeps” 

It is evident that there is a wide variety of gifts for jeep owners. However, if none of these gifts is convenient for the jeep owner, it is easier and safer to just get a jeep gift certificate.

Jeep is an all-purpose vehicle that is capable of traversing rough terrain. The first jeep prototype was designed by the Department of Army for purposes of carrying personnel and supplies.

Later on, Ford and Willys-Overland produced two more jeep prototypes. In the end, Ford and Willy's-Overland manufactured the first mass production of jeeps.

The origin of the word jeep is not clear, however people believe that the word came from phonetically slurred pronunciation of "GP" or vehicle for general purpose.

Some people also think that the name for this multi purpose vehicle came from a character in Thimble Theater comic strip Popeye, the character is known as Eugene the Jeep. Eugene the Jeep is a character that could walk through walls and ceilings, climb trees, fly and just go anywhere it wanted.

Early Americans believe that soldiers were so impressed with the versatility of the jeep that they named their prototype from the comic character.

After the production of the first jeep prototype and the second set of jeep prototypes from Ford and Willys-Overland, Willys-Overland Motor Company was designated to produce the first mass production of jeeps in Toledo, Ohio.

However, because of the huge quantity requirement of the United States Government, Ford Motor Company complimented Willys-Overland to help complete the requirements.

In combination, the production of Willys-Overland and Ford reached about 600,000 units of this high mobility multipurpose-wheeled vehicle, which some call hum-vee.

The jeep is widely copied by other countries such as in France and The Netherlands. The french version of the jeep is designed by Hotchkiss and in The Netherlands, Nekaf is the manufacturer of their jeep.

Other versions of the jeep are the railway jeep and the amphibious jeep, which are more useful than any other vehicle of its size.

Part of the war effort brought jeeps to the Red Army during the World War II.

Today, the trademark holder of Jeep is DaimlerChrysler. DaimlerChrysler is the successor of the company Willys-Overland. Jeep aficionados are believed to recognize the distinction of the seven bar grille design of jeep as popular as Mickey Mouse.

DaimlerChrysler also believes that the jeep brand is famous worldwide, second only to the Coke brand. This can be true for those who are lovers of this versatile vehicle.

It is true that jeeps are multipurpose and known worldwide; as in fact, there are also producers of the jeep brand in Beijing, China. This manufacturer did this coming from the joint venture between Beijing Jeep Corporation Ltd., and DaimlerChrysler Corporation located in China.

In addition, other jeep vehicles have different model designation. Some of them are civilian jeep that carries the "xJ" designation although not all are well-known as the classic CJ or Civilian Jeep.

Historical models of the jeep:

Jeep CJ - Civilian Jeep similar to the original Willys' Jeep
Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Honcho - Full-sized pickup truck
Jeep Cherokee - The original SUV
Jeep Dispatcher - A postal truck for the USPS
Jeep Jeepster - Passenger truck
Jeep Forward Control - Light truck
Jeep Wagoner - SUV

Current Jeep models

Jeep Wrangler - small successor of the Jeep CJ (TJ in Canada)
Jeep Grand Cherokee - large family-oriented SUV
Jeep Liberty - Small SUV (called Cherokee outside of North America)
Jeep Commander - Newest model in the Jeep line, it is a seven passenger SUV

Jeep is a multi-purpose vehicle, which you can use even on rough terrain. It is very helpful to have one especially for those who are using their vehicle for their business.

Image taken on 2007-03-26 16:49:30 by bre pettis.

Jeep tops are fairly universal Jeep accessories in that everyone from casual Jeep owners to hardcore off road enthusiasts has some basic knowledge of what they're about.

But Jeep tops can get more complicated that one might think, and while it's hard to go wrong when making a purchase, having an intimate knowledge about them can go a long way in extending the benefits.

For this reason, we've dissected nearly every imaginable Jeep top to take an in-depth look at what makes them must-have Jeep accessories.

Which Jeep Top?

It's an age old question; perhaps one that has been asked since the time of the dinosaurs. Not really, but choosing a Jeep top has always been a decision that requires a fair amount of thought.

At first glance, choosing a top seems pretty simple. The features are all plainly stated, pictures give you an idea of what to expect looks-wise, and your particular environmental situation further dictates which one you need.

But there are also many factors that aren't taken into account when shopping for a Jeep top. Intangibles like installation and frame style are examples of lesser-known aspects, while things like road noise or insulation are factors that can only be experienced firsthand.

With this in mind, I'll do my best to cover aspects that are typically unaccounted for.

Factory versus Aftermarket Jeep Tops

When it really comes down to it, there isn't a huge discrepancy between what both factory and aftermarket tops have to offer.

A factory Jeep top will give you that genuine Jeep look and feel, plus the added security of sticking to true Jeep accessories that follow the same standard of quality as the vehicle itself. Aftermarket tops are for the most part similar to factory units, but with a few exceptions.

Although both versions of Jeep tops are made from the same materials, equivalent quality, and with the same purpose in mind, aftermarket tops offer certain features, benefits, or other Jeep accessories that you might not get out of factory units.

For instance, certain aftermarket tops have been optimized to reduce road noise better than a factory one. Also, in the event that your Jeep top needs replacing, aftermarket replacement options are typically cheaper than factory tops. For these reasons, aftermarket options usually make for favorable Jeep accessories when replacing aging factory tops.

Narrowing It Down

The first and most obvious way to categorize Jeep tops in terms of need is by splitting up hardtops and soft tops. Clearly, the two styles are distinctive enough that each one serves its purpose in different ways.

• Jeep Hardtops

  Hard-style Jeep tops are a never-fail option. They rarely if ever need replacing and provide enhancement and heavy duty protection. In addition, they offer a number of handy Jeep accessories, like power windows, a rear window defroster, and more. Hardtops come in a one-piece model, or a two-piece configuration with a removable sunroof.

  On the flipside, Jeep hardtops are not easily removed and stored for those who enjoy open-air summertime driving. Hardtop hoists and storage-based Jeep accessories are available, but require added purchases.

• Jeep Soft Tops

  For those who love customizability with their Jeep accessories, soft tops are the way to go. Available in a variety of designs, Jeep soft tops offer the kind of versatility, comfort, and style that justify a Jeep purchase in the first place. Plus soft tops are easy to install, remove, or store.

  On the other hand, soft Jeep tops aren't exactly ideal for colder weather. Their thinner material and fabric construction leaves them with poor insulation, and also gives them an average lifespan of only 3 to 5 years before requiring replacement.

Upon Further Review...

On the other hand, soft Jeep tops aren't exactly ideal for colder weather. Their thinner material and fabric construction leaves them with poor insulation, and also gives them an average lifespan of only 3 to 5 years before requiring replacement.

Jeep Hardtops

When it comes to hardtops, making a choice and meeting the requirements for installation is relatively easy, and getting the right Jeep top is usually a simple matter of picking either a one or two-piece top.

• Two-Piece Hardtops

  The two-piece hardtop is the definitive Jeep top for year-round performance in any climate.

  On one hand, you get the protection and insulation of a full-fledged hardtop during the winter. Then for warmer weather conditions, the cockpit features a removable roof piece for open-air driving.

  In addition, hardtop Jeep tops come with a vast assortment of unique features and Jeep accessories like a fiberglass-reinforced plastic composition for durability, an in-mold gel coating for fade resistance, rear window vents, a rear window defroster, tinted tempered glass windows, an overhead dome light, and much more.

• One-Piece Hardtops

  In addition, hardtop Jeep tops come with a vast assortment of unique features and Jeep accessories like a fiberglass-reinforced plastic composition for durability, an in-mold gel coating for fade resistance, rear window vents, a rear window defroster, tinted tempered glass windows, an overhead dome light, and much more.

Jeep Soft Tops

Soft tops are where matters can get a little confusing.

To start, it is necessary to determine whether or not you have a pre-existing frame, and whether it's in usable condition. Remember that the frame is the backbone of your soft top, and therefore a worn, rusted, or misshapen frame can cause your Jeep top to install improperly, or perhaps not perform as expected.

If you do have a frame already in place, you next need to find out if it's a factory or aftermarket frame. This will ultimately help you narrow down which aftermarket Jeep top options are available to you, since certain Jeep tops are only compatible with particular frame styles.

For those without a Jeep top frame altogether, an aftermarket Jeep top kit that includes both the Jeep top and hardware system to set it up is suggested.

Pre-Existing Factory Frame Jeep Tops

These Jeep tops are designed exclusively for use with Jeep vehicles that have a pre-existing factory frame in usable condition.

• Replace-A-Tops

  For a fast, efficient, and inexpensive soft Jeep top solution, Replace-A-Tops make updating your old, worn factory top simpler than ever.

  The Replace-A-Top is a basic Jeep top skin that easily slips on and off your factory frame. Each kit includes only the Jeep top fabric with optional clear or tinted windows, and the Jeep tops themselves are built to factory standards, or better.

  Additionally, the Replace-A-Top includes a host of other fine features, such as premium fabric construction, mildew and UV resistant material, industrial strength thread, heat sealed seams, and much more.

  Trusted Jeep tops manufacturers Bestop, Rugged Ridge, and Smittybilt each offer perfectly reliable and inexpensive Replace-A-Top models.

  Bestop also offers a premium option in their Replace-A-Top Jeep top made out of revolutionary Sailcloth fabric to help improve insulation and drastically reduce road noise over factory Jeep tops.

• Halftops

  For a sporty two-seater look and feel there's nothing quite like a Halftop Jeep top. Combining components of several other styles, the Halftop is the perfect hybrid of unique style and rugged function.

  The Halftop includes all the usual soft top functions and Jeep accessories like mildew and UV resistant-fabric, a convenient fold back sunroof, zip-out windows, and much more, but then also incorporates all of this into an unconventional sporty look.

  The Halftop Jeep Top from Bestop is actually something of an exception when it comes to having the right hardware for installation. It can accommodate those who have a pre-existing factory hard or soft top frame, or for those who have no frame at all.

  Halftop Jeep tops are available exclusively from Bestop.

No Frame or Aftermarket Frame Jeep Tops

These Jeep tops are compatible with Jeeps that have either no soft top frame whatsoever, or a pre-existing aftermarket frame.

• Supertop

  You wouldn't think from the sleek design and intuitive features that the Supertop Jeep top has followed mostly the same formula for decades.

  Sold as a complete package with all necessary mounting hardware and Jeep accessories to get your started, a Supertop is a simple yet dependable solution for adding a soft top to an open-top Jeep. Its "Set-N-Stretch" fabric won't fade or warp regardless of temperature, and the zip-out replaceable windows come in clear or tinted.

  The Supertop also gives you a variety of other premium features like mildew and UV resistant fabric, industrial strength thread, heat sealed seams, heavy duty molded-tooth zippers for easy window installation and removal, and powder-coated rust-resistant frame hardware to ensure long frame life.

  Best of all, using the Supertop framework, you can easily change out your top skin for a bikini top, or remove it altogether for open-air driving.

  The Supertop Jeep top is available exclusively from Bestop, and is available in a complete kit with frame hardware or in replacement skins for those with an aftermarket frame already installed.

• Rollback Sunroof Tops

  These soft top Jeep tops follow the same basic formula of most other soft tops with the exception of a sleek and convenient rollback sunroof for a more open-air feel.

  These Jeep tops also include all the necessary hardware you need to do a complete installation from scratch, and the versatile design also allows for compatibility with a number of soft door options.

  Other features of Rollback Sunroof tops include mildew and UV resistant fabric, industrial strength thread, heat-sealed seams, heavy duty molded-tooth zippers for easy window installation and removal, and powder-coated rust-resistant frame hardware to ensure long frame life.

  Current rollback sunroof-style Jeep tops include the Bestop Sunrider and Pavement Ends Flip Top.

• Tiger Top

  Vintage and classic Jeep owners need not feel left out thanks to the Tiger Top.

  Designed and custom-crafted by Jeep tops leader Bestop, the Tiger Top Jeep top is built specifically for older model Jeeps, and even comes sporting that vintage Jeep look.

  The Bestop Tiger Top includes all necessary hardware for a full installation onto an open top Jeep.

Your Jeep Top Purchase

Choosing a top isn't as complicated of an affair as one might suspect. In the end, Jeep tops are all about getting the style you want at an agreeable price.

Hopefully this article has helped you in that decision-making process in order to minimize the hassle of buying and installing the right one so you can focus on the fun part.

Now go get your Jeep top.

Billy Han is a Web Copywriter at 4 Wheel Drive Hardware, a leading Jeep accessories retailer. 4WD, carries a full line of Jeep tops, doors, winches, tires, rims, and a full selection of Jeep top accessories.

Author: Billy Han
Article Source: EzineArticles.com