Question for the desert dwellers

[AZ_Liberty]

I live in Phoenix Metro.

Even though my Mustang has a powered top, with a button, and it actually stores completely flat like a convertible top is supposed to do...

No way it's opening until at least October.

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[Bronco1971]

Monsoon is coming. Take the top.

AZ is the opposite of the rest of the country, we stay inside during the summer and go out in the winter.

 

[Benzito]

Fourth vote to bring the top b/c of the heavy Summer rains. We moved here from Oregon in 2020 and I swear, a “rain storm” in the Northwest is nothing like the forty minute torrential downpours that can occur in Arizona.

Bring a sturdy umbrella if you plan to be outside in the afternoon / early evening.

 

[wetdog]

You must be pretty hearty to consider no top in July in the desert!
Just went through there and expressed my first dust storm/45 mph winds.
Do you remember that movie the mummy ? thats what I went thru,we pulled into a gas station right after and the lady working there said they frequently close the road and you shelter in place???? I couldn't imagine being without a top thru that.

 

[NC_Pinz]

I think you got your answer from all our Southwest brethren. It has been a long time since I live in a desert country. No way I'd have no top in the summer. No chance of rain, but the sun and the heat were too much to dismiss. You needed the ability to get out of the sun and have access to AC to cool you off.

 

[Ripcurl]

From another angle, the quality and security of the hotel you're staying at would also influence my decision here

 

[RedDawg]

Being a 5+ decade native desert rat I’d love to say jump in the waters fine. This is how I’ve always ran my Jeeps no doors Bimini top and loved it. But the “dry” heat does take some getting used to. It will sap all your energy and leave you a sweaty pile of goo until you do. I really enjoyed driving after the sun was down. Plus if you are here in July you will have to deal with the nightly monsoons and being south of Phoenix the dust will be a big issue. Get ready for pitted windshield and with no top it will get everywhere. So I’d recommend the top and do what you can to get the open air experience while here. Just be ready to feel like someone put you in front of a giant hairdryer on high heat. But hey it’s a dry heat.

This

 

[Patotas]

Like others said bring the top to keep out of the heat. You also need to watch out for monsoons and dust storms this time of year.

 

[805Bronco]

Guys,

I will be traveling to work with my Bronco from the PNW to the desert south of Phoenix for the month of July. Last time I did it I had my Raptor. Since I've never had a convertible, my question is should I drive it down topless (I have a hard top but I also have a Bimini Top which is what I'd use to break up the suns rays)?? I will mostly be working at night, but the Bronco will be parked outside during the day at the hotel. Normally I'd just do it during the summer, but when temps don't get much less than 100 at night where I'm going, I was curious for those that live in that weather if you guys run with your tops down in the heat and just turn the AC on yourself or leave your tops on?

Thanks.

Pray you don't experience a haboob. It's that season in AZ, and even with the top on, it's not a fun experience...

 

[PAWBronco]

Thanks for all the replies. I will be leaving the top on. While I'm not worried about rain since I've worked there for 6 years (15 years ago) and it only rains about once a year by Yuma and Calexico, I had forgotten about the blowing sand getting everywhere. All good points. Thanks!

 

[wetdog]

 

[BoogieBD]

Don’t do it. Even around town it sucks when you get into the triple digits.

 

[Tataman]

Good feedback from the desert rats. I removed my soft top completely about theee months ago and have been running the jtop Bimini since mid may. It gets warm with out the top, but find ac cranked on high does just enough to make it bearable on the hot days. I am definitely thin blooded and I love the heat, but might be too hot if you are not acclimated to the desert. I don’t plan on soft top going back on until the fall for hunts in colder weather. As noted, monsoons are a thing so I may have to install if it’s an active year.

Hope you enjoy your visit

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