This Top Is Incredible!
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Our Project Jeep had a factory hard top on it when we purchased it, although it originally shipped from the factory with a dual top configuration. At some point, the previous owner got rid of the soft top. While a hard top is the best thing for anti-theft security and offers a somewhat quieter ride, they offer a couple of drawbacks:
They are heavier than a soft top.
They isolate you from your surroundings.
This is important to keep in mind if you are working in Search & Rescue.
You want to be well connected to the surrounding environment - being able to see and hear. Stop the engine and listen, use the PA to call out.
A soft top offers a couple of drawbacks too:
Long-term durability - a soft top will wear out. The skin can be replaced, but it is a factor to consider.
Noise - you get a lot of additional ambient noise with a soft top from the road, vehicles around you, etc.
Anti-Theft security - A knife can make short work of soft tops, and too many idiot criminals use them to cut the top open.
If they'd just look for the zippers, they would realize how much easier they could get in...
Soft tops weigh less, allow you to be more connected to your surroundings, and can be a heck of a lot of fun. A more modern soft top offering from Bestop - the Sunrider - takes it to a whole new level.
We obtained a Bestop Sunrider Soft Top and tested it from late last summer (2007) through a complete Utah winter over a 1 year period. We wanted to see how the sunroof feature would work and hold up, and how the durable the top itself is. We are pleased to make our report. The particular model we went with was the 51699-15. This is a black denim top for the 97-02 TJ. Other colors are -33 (Dark Tan) and -37 (Spice). We also took the opportunity to replace our seriously aging sport bar covers with a Bestop 80020-15 Sport Bar Covers. These spruced up the interior appearance and made everything match.
The package arrives well secured in a large cardboard box (the sport bar covers come in a separate box). You might be surprised at how large the box is, but remember that the frame components and everything else you need - including the door surrounds - is included. This package is perfect for those of you with hardtops only that need everything for the soft top.
Installing the Sunrider soft top was reasonably simple - as long as the ambient temperature isn't too low. Bestop recommends at least 72 degrees. This allows the fabric to easly stretch during the installation.
Unfortunately, almost all of our photos of the original installation of this product were lost. As a result, we don't have photos of the entire original installation. It was very simple, and we will cover it here.
Once the hard top was off and safely stored, we installed all of the Bestop Sport Bar Covers. These are VERY easy to install, starting with the removal of all of the old covers. Ours were extremely dirty and we were glad to be rid of them.
Remove any existing soft-top bows from their pivot points and remove the door molding/surrounds. We didn't have to do this step.
Cut the adhesive velcro strips into 10" pieces and set into place alongside the front shoulder seat belt adjustment mounts.
Install the foam into the right and left center bar pieces and the piece for the center of the center bar.
Install these pieces. Make sure that you cut out the marked openings for the soft top pivot points if you have a soft top or are installing one.
Make sure that you match up the velcro around the shoulder belt adjustment mount.
Install the foam into the pieces for the read sport bar covers and install those pieces.
If you don't have a sound bar, install the foam into the pieces that cover the sound bar mounting location and install those pieces.
Install the pieces for the forward horizontal bars.
That's all there is to installing these. They look nice, and we have received a lot of compliments on them at shows. The real compliments go to Bestop.
It is a bit different than working on a factory soft top, but the instructions are well written with one exception - we will note that below. There is a link to the installation instructions for the Sunrider at the end of this article.
Here are the basic installation steps.
Remove the hard top and/or any soft top hardware you may already have.
Unzip the cover on the forward upright parts of the sport bar.
Install the pivot brackets with the included screws in the factory holes. You don't have to drill anything to install this top.
Install the right and left rear bow brackets on the rear upright portions of the sport bar - you may have to cut some holes in the sport bar cover to let the ears through. This was very simple, just lay a sharp knife alongside after zipping the sport bar over the ears, make a slit, and let the ears through.
Here is where the instructions can cause you to miss a step. I'm not sure if it's where the instruction is on the page or the way it is worded, but we have spoken with a lot of folks that miss this step.
There are two bumpers in the kit, they go over the parts you screw together.
This part can be a bit difficult, they recommend using pliers to bring the halves together. We did that, then use the screws to bring it tighter, then put on the bumpers.
Install the included door surrounds, making sure to use the included loctite on the self-tapping screws that attach the pieces to the surrounds.
Secure the bottom of the door surrounds into the first bolt hole on the tub where the hard top bolted down.
Install the rear bow into the rear bow brackets you previously installed
Install the left and right forward side bows.
Install the windshield header assembly. Note: Be very careful of this part and test fit the pieces. Make sure everything moves well. We had to use a moto-tool to shave off a hair of metal on the metal hinge pieces.
Install the center bow using the included loctite on the screws.
Install the left and right tailgate retainer mounts.
Install the retaining clip onto the center of the sport bar. It is used to hold the sunroof down when it is flipped back.
After the hardware is installed, it's time to install the fabric.
As you can see, this isn't rocket science. Do it on a warm day when the fabric is warm and can stretch a little easier.
Start with the rear bow, snap it on.
Bring the fabric forward and insert the plastic retainer into the windshield header. You may have more luck with this if you snap the cover onto the center bow, and insert the plastic strips at the rear corners into the belt rails. It gives you some tension to work against which holds the plastic retainer in place.
Our Jeep has Rhino liner on the entire inside, and on the back as well. It did not interfere with the plastic insertion into the channel along the bottom.
The last step is to install the windows. We also installed the 58699-15 Tinted Window Kit.
These are not only great for keeping the sun out, but also make it harder for a potential thief to see what's in your back seat.
These simply zip in and clip into the belt rail channel along the bottom on the tub. There are two side windows and the back window. They go in - or can be removed - in seconds with no tools from outside of the Jeep.
Once done, you have a completely sealed soft top. The side and back windows can be quickly unzipped for very convenient to access any Tuffy boxes or other items in the back.
If you keep those Tuffy boxes locked up, you retain reasonable security.
When it gets hot or when you want extra airflow, you can completely remove the sides and the back window. This also allows you to be very connected to your surroundings. Combined with the suroof you are almost totally open, well connected to the surrounding environment, yet you can button up quickly if needed.
The best feature of the Sunrider is the sunroof feature. We were VERY worried about this working for our Emergency Communications / SAR Project Jeep as we have a Carr Industries Deluxe Jeep Light Bar installed. This is windshield-mounted light bar, and we were afraid that it would totally block the sunroof feature. It DOES rub the front edge of the soft top as it flips back, but it does allow it to pass. Work one side and then the other CAREFULLY and it passes fine. We have a little wear from where this has rubbed, but it has not compromised the seal.
The steps to open the sunroof are simple...
Separate the velcro flaps from the door surrounds on both sides.
Make sure that you slide the sleeves on the pivot points forward so they are free to move.
Unhook the windshield latches.
Flip the sunroof up!
Once that top is flipped back, simply take that little clip that you attached to your roll bar and hook it onto the windshield header to hold it down.
There are two ways you can deal with the fabric when you flip the sunroof open - pull it back as you open it, or roll it up. As long as the plastic is FIRMLY inserted into the windshield header piece, we preferred to pull the fabric back.
Be aware that if that plastic is not firmly into the windshield header, it might pop out. That's not as much of an issue if you roll the fabric - but you should get that header piece snapped right in. Once you do, it stays in place.
Being able to open the sunroof gives you an even greater connection the environment around you. You can easily button up again if the weather necessitates it. This is exactly why we selected the Sunrider. It gives you the greatest flexibility in any top for the Jeep TJ. With out communications gear - some of which is mounted on the dashboard - we have ultimate flexibily and fast protection when we need it.
It is also a lot of fun to have that sunroof back - especially when it's still plenty warm just after the sun goes down.
Some folks have asked us how it works with the Tuffy overhead console. It is fine - even better than the hard top. The only thing it changes is that you need to position that sunroof clip on one side of the console or the other. Not a big deal at all.
We also liked the improved headroom that you gain over the hard top. You get a couple of extra inches due to that center bow, and that's something when you are over 6' tall.
Another plus for this top is that there are no bow sections over the side windows. They are completly unobstructed. It gives any back seat passengers a great view.
You can also fold the entire top back. We have never had a need to do so, but it is possible. 4 screws will also allow you to remove the frame completely.
The only real drawbacks to switching to a soft top full time are
Noise - it is not as quiet as a hard top. But the advantages here far outweigh that little issue.
If you are installing two-way radios, mount your speakers high, such as on the Tuffy Overhead Security Console. They can easily overcome road noise when mounted there.
Durability - they won't last as long as a hard top, but you can replace the fabric skin. We feel the advantages outweigh the disadvantages here too.
Security - if a thief knows what they are doing, they will know that they can simply unzip any of the windows. If they don't, a knife can do some real permanent damage. You can get replacement windows and fabric with relative ease, but you don't really want to have to do that.
An alarm system with a microwave proximity sensor will be your best friend here.
Tuffy boxes are also a REAL plus.
The Sunrider weathered the Utah winter very well, including all of the salt on the local roadways. This winter included some of the worst storms we have had in years and the top didn't leak or present any other problems. We were very impressed. I would expect it to last for a long time under these circumstances. It demonstrated excellent durability and still looked good.
It has also held up well to tree branches and other trail obstacles. Take reasonable precautions with the windows - just like any other soft top and you will be fine.
The Bestop Sunrider Soft Top has proven to be one of the best upgrades performed on our Emegency Communications / SAR Project Jeep. I can't recommend it highly enough. We love it, folks that have seen it in shows love it, and it works.
-- James Bell Jr.