Sunrider owners - MY mess-up, or theirs?

[ShadowsPapa]

Left side rail, front attachment point, sits on the jeep's structure. there's no adjusting ->

Left side rear attachment, again, it sits on the Jeep's structure. There's no adjusting. And, you can see how the sunrider rail goes downward as it runs to the front of the Jeep.

Right side front - sits flat on the Jeep's structure -

Right side rear attachment - you can see the end of the bolt sticking up through.
You can also see how the sunrider actually sits LOWER on the jeep as it goes forward - this pic shows that perfectly - so it's likely NOT the Jeep.

Look at hos the side rail of the sunrider appears to go downward as it goes forward (to the left in the pic0

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[Eagle22]

Left side rail, front attachment point, sits on the jeep's structure. there's no adjusting ->

Left side rear attachment, again, it sits on the Jeep's structure. There's no adjusting. And, you can see how the sunrider rail goes downward as it runs to the front of the Jeep.

Right side front - sits flat on the Jeep's structure -

Right side rear attachment - you can see the end of the bolt sticking up through.
You can also see how the sunrider actually sits LOWER on the jeep as it goes forward - this pic shows that perfectly - so it's likely NOT the Jeep.

Look at hos the side rail of the sunrider appears to go downward as it goes forward (to the left in the pic0

So…something looks very different on your “Sunrider” as opposed to the Jeep’s rails.

I went out and tried to replicate your photos on both of my Jeeps, on the left (drivers) side:

‘24 Sunrider on a ‘21 Gladiator:

‘21 Sunrider on a ‘24 Wrangler:

To me, both the ‘21 and ‘24 Sunrider look the same…but different from your Sunrider.
I also noted that you have. “Jeep” label on your “Sunrider”. Mine says “Bestop”.
Really looks to me like your top is different.

 

[Eagle22]

So…something looks very different on your “Sunrider” as opposed to the Jeep’s rails.

I went out and tried to replicate your photos on both of my Jeeps, on the left (drivers) side:

‘24 Sunrider on a ‘21 Gladiator:

‘21 Sunrider on a ‘24 Wrangler:

To me, both the ‘21 and ‘24 Sunrider look the same…but different from your Sunrider.
I also noted that you have. “Jeep” label on your “Sunrider”. Mine says “Bestop”.
Really looks to me like your top is different.

Shadow’s Papa: Note that forward attachment point is significantly different than both of mine.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Shadow’s Papa: Note that forward attachment point is significantly different than both of mine.

Wow, they aren't' even close. I see other differences, too!
My JT is a 2025.
The Sunrider came with it - ordered from the factory - I wanted the tonneau cover and the only way to get that was with the sunrider or a $2,000 option I didn't want..
So it came with the Jeep from the factory.

Looks to me like there are some drastic differences between yours and mine

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I wonder how "deep" or "low" the front sits on other sunriders compared to mine - I mean at the windshield frame seal..........

The rubbing and cutting action is getting worse - almost all the way across the top on the right now. It's even happening on the left side.

Tons of photos - and from what I can tell, the sunrider where it attaches to the sunrider's own mounting points make it sit too low. I can pull down and push up on it and change how it sits.

 

[Cwg33]

Yeah, your tolerances seam way different. I have a Bestop Sunrider that has gone from a 2019 JLU Moab to 2022 Gladiator, then to 2024 JL. Sadly, not sure of any changes, but your rail inset looks different.

Sorry, I can‘t provide detail on the tolerances or fault, but it seems both at play unless the 2020 Sunrider I bought is different at the seals than the 2025 you bought.

I run a 6 month rotation in the PNW on my 2022 GTWD, vs the 2024 JLW. Not sure on the seals what plays into the changes, but I‘m glad to measure any differences that you need.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Comparing the wear in the door seal from 9 days ago vs. today.
(It's even cutting into the left one more than before)

Now try to say there's no problem Bestop............

 

[Eagle22]

Comparing the wear in the door seal from 9 days ago vs. today.
(It's even cutting into the left one more than before)

Now try to say there's no problem Bestop............

For comparison:

Same seal on '21 JT after four years of Sunrider:

''24 JL after 18 months of Sunrider:

 

[Verne]

Sorry I'm late to this conversation. Agree on all points. Something is "off" with your Sunrider. Granted I have a '21 but I have experienced the same ease of install as @Eagle22. I wonder if the version that comes directly from Jeep is different. The hardest part for me when installing the first time was putting the damn thing together with the Z clip on the wire. PIA! Other than that, mine pops on and off in no time with no effort. The first time I put mine on, I did have to pull down on the back of the product to get the rear bracket on. But, after that, never again. I wonder if it just conformed to the contours. No leaks. No rubs. No seal damage. Sounds like you got a lemon. Sucks

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I had a horrible experience at the dealership today. When you take vehicles in to drop off for appointments early in the AM - you get whatever "service advisor" is available, not necessarily the one you have dealt with or a favorite. I got a doozy this AM. He asked what I was in for - I explained had appointment and so on. "so it's in for wind noise and leaks" and I said no - in for sunrider fitment issues. "What's a sunrider?" I explained. "I know what it is, just never heard it called that before".
I knew I was in trouble.
I said you have to see it. He wanted me to just explain, I said no, you have to SEE it.
He walked out, glanced as I explained how it fit poorly and rubbed the door seal and so on. He then suggested an install error. I explained it was literally impossible to put them on wrong.
He said "open it for me" I went HUH? Open it? Yeah, open it so I can see how that hits the seals.
I said fine - but it isn't going to matter as those are BOLTED to the truck!
I mentioned I'd been communicating with other sunrider owners - most who have great luck and good fit and there were a lot of threads talking about this. He then laughed at me as if I was getting all of my info from the internet and it was bad and so on. I said no - these guys have these and they FIT - or don't, a few have the same issue I do.

I later complained to the service manager who said another guy was going to be handling it and he would talk to the first one I talked to today. Also told my sales guy about the bad experience.
Scott later called me and said he went to the guy and said - 'don't laugh - if he's coming in with an issue, trust me, there's an issue and he's tried every other possible fix before coming here.'

We'll see - a place where no one there has seen a sunrider, they've never sold any before mine, and some didn't even know what they are called.............. not confident.

This is almost certain to require Bestop and JeepCares to be involved.
They don't even know of another one in the area to try on my Jeep. There's not another one on the lot or in parts.

 

[Verne]

I had a horrible experience at the dealership today. When you take vehicles in to drop off for appointments early in the AM - you get whatever "service advisor" is available, not necessarily the one you have dealt with or a favorite. I got a doozy this AM. He asked what I was in for - I explained had appointment and so on. "so it's in for wind noise and leaks" and I said no - in for sunrider fitment issues. "What's a sunrider?" I explained. "I know what it is, just never heard it called that before".
I knew I was in trouble.
I said you have to see it. He wanted me to just explain, I said no, you have to SEE it.
He walked out, glanced as I explained how it fit poorly and rubbed the door seal and so on. He then suggested an install error. I explained it was literally impossible to put them on wrong.
He said "open it for me" I went HUH? Open it? Yeah, open it so I can see how that hits the seals.
I said fine - but it isn't going to matter as those are BOLTED to the truck!
I mentioned I'd been communicating with other sunrider owners - most who have great luck and good fit and there were a lot of threads talking about this. He then laughed at me as if I was getting all of my info from the internet and it was bad and so on. I said no - these guys have these and they FIT - or don't, a few have the same issue I do.

I later complained to the service manager who said another guy was going to be handling it and he would talk to the first one I talked to today. Also told my sales guy about the bad experience.
Scott later called me and said he went to the guy and said - 'don't laugh - if he's coming in with an issue, trust me, there's an issue and he's tried every other possible fix before coming here.'

We'll see - a place where no one there has seen a sunrider, they've never sold any before mine, and some didn't even know what they are called.............. not confident.

This is almost certain to require Bestop and JeepCares to be involved.
They don't even know of another one in the area to try on my Jeep. There's not another one on the lot or in parts.

I completely agree. I had the same experience when I went to get my AUX battery swapped. It isn't a huge dealership so there are 3 guys in there at any time. 2 of them are great. The one is a complete idiot and I have no clue how he is still employed. Never has any clue and just makes things worse whenever I try to have a conversation.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Goofy thing is - I normally have really good experiences there. Once in a while there's a less than smooth as silk situation, but nothing where I really have no confidence in a resolution.
Since there is nothing that can be adjusted, it's installed correctly (you can't possibly mess up unless you set it down in a way it grabs the seals at the rear or front), this, IMO, really needs to go straight up and out to Jeep and Bestop from the dealership.
You can't adjust it, so no use messing around.
Pictures and the vehicle itself show - it sits wrong on this Jeep, no question there.
So what can they do in-house to fix it? Nothing unless Jeep or Bestop have a solution for them.

I took the side bolts out last night and raised up on the sunrider drip rails and it has to be pushed up a fair amount for those seals to lay properly - quite a bit, really, almost 1/4" - that's a lot, IMO.



Experimenting and looking at how the front edge rides on the front windshield frame seal or header seal - I think it sits too low there, as well.

 

[Eagle22]

I wonder how "deep" or "low" the front sits on other sunriders compared to mine - I mean at the windshield frame seal..........

The rubbing and cutting action is getting worse - almost all the way across the top on the right now. It's even happening on the left side.

Tons of photos - and from what I can tell, the sunrider where it attaches to the sunrider's own mounting points make it sit too low. I can pull down and push up on it and change how it sits.

Tried to replicate your photos in your post:

Windshield frame:

This where I see a big difference from your's

The front edge of the Sunrider sits on that windscreen frame seal. It's the same with my JL as well:

In your picture, the Sunrider sits further back...looks like it falls behind the seal, instead of over it, so it rides lower.

Front attachment point...looks way different than yours: (disregard the straps for the grab handles that run just aft of the attachment point)

and the aft mounting point - this one doesn't look too much different from yours:

This might be the biggest difference:

Where I have a "Bestop" label....I think I saw on one of your earlier photos "Jeep". Was yours made by Bestop for Jeep....did Jeep give Bestop different specs for their Jeep labeled product...is it really made by Bestop, or a knockoff that Jeep had produced somewhere else?

My two Sundriders - one purchased in 2021, the other in 2024, appear to be identical, other than a change made by Bestop that replaced the Z clips on the earlier model, with a screw attachment. And as I've said before, the '21 Sunrider fits perfect on the "24 JL, and the '24 Sunrider fits fine on the '21 JT.

 

[Eagle22]

Goofy thing is - I normally have really good experiences there. Once in a while there's a less than smooth as silk situation, but nothing where I really have no confidence in a resolution.
Since there is nothing that can be adjusted, it's installed correctly (you can't possibly mess up unless you set it down in a way it grabs the seals at the rear or front), this, IMO, really needs to go straight up and out to Jeep and Bestop from the dealership.
You can't adjust it, so no use messing around.
Pictures and the vehicle itself show - it sits wrong on this Jeep, no question there.
So what can they do in-house to fix it? Nothing unless Jeep or Bestop have a solution for them.

I took the side bolts out last night and raised up on the sunrider drip rails and it has to be pushed up a fair amount for those seals to lay properly - quite a bit, really, almost 1/4" - that's a lot, IMO.



Experimenting and looking at how the front edge rides on the front windshield frame seal or header seal - I think it sits too low there, as well.

Another interesting view/photo would be to see how wide the leading edge is where your Sunrider is supposed to overlap the windscreen frame seal. These are photos of both of mine:

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Another interesting view/photo would be to see how wide the leading edge is where your Sunrider is supposed to overlap the windscreen frame seal. These are photos of both of mine:

They are ordering another sunrider and letting me pick up my truck this afternoon. I'll do more comparing when I get it back. They ran out of ideas (no shock there)

Tried to replicate your photos in your post:

Windshield frame:

This where I see a big difference from your's

The front edge of the Sunrider sits on that windscreen frame seal. It's the same with my JL as well:

In your picture, the Sunrider sits further back...looks like it falls behind the seal, instead of over it, so it rides lower.

Front attachment point...looks way different than yours: (disregard the straps for the grab handles that run just aft of the attachment point)

and the aft mounting point - this one doesn't look too much different from yours:

This might be the biggest difference:

Where I have a "Bestop" label....I think I saw on one of your earlier photos "Jeep". Was yours made by Bestop for Jeep....did Jeep give Bestop different specs for their Jeep labeled product...is it really made by Bestop, or a knockoff that Jeep had produced somewhere else?

My two Sundriders - one purchased in 2021, the other in 2024, appear to be identical, other than a change made by Bestop that replaced the Z clips on the earlier model, with a screw attachment. And as I've said before, the '21 Sunrider fits perfect on the "24 JL, and the '24 Sunrider fits fine on the '21 JT.

Our mounting points are very different. Getting the truck back soon, will do more comparing to your pics.

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