Sunrider owners - MY mess-up, or theirs?

[JT1]

@ShadowsPapa did you grab a pic of the new part before you swapped it over?

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[WILDHOBO]

Progress!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

@ShadowsPapa did you grab a pic of the new part before you swapped it over?

It's nearly 100% humidity out there and I had trouble holding onto them to compare.
The parts are different front "clamps" which raise the front of the side rails. Not by a lot, I didn't get a measurement (essential tremor, it was tough enough holding the parts and starting screws), but it wasn't really a lot of "lift" at the front end. But certainly enough on the left side to resolve that side of things.

Progress!

Absolutely.

 

[Bestop]

@ShadowsPapa Looks so much better but agreed. Sterling Heights gave me some suggestions for you to try, I private messaged you back those.

Because I'm sure everyone will want to know what that is, after we sent new clamps, Sterling Heights suggested loosening the two right hand screws that tighten the clamps to the sports bar. Apply rolling in upward pressure on the front of the door rail, while tightening the front screw first and then tighten it. Then tighten the rear screw as normal.


~Crystal@Bestop
www.bestop.com

 

[ShadowsPapa]

@ShadowsPapa Looks so much better but agreed. Sterling Heights gave me some suggestions for you to try, I private messaged you back those.

Because I'm sure everyone will want to know what that is, after we sent new clamps, Sterling Heights suggested loosening the two right hand screws that tighten the clamps to the sports bar. Apply rolling in upward pressure on the front of the door rail, while tightening the front screw first and then tighten it. Then tighten the rear screw as normal.


~Crystal@Bestop
www.bestop.com

@Bestop -

I released the front latch on the right side (the one above the right visor) to take pressure off.
I loosened both of the right bolts that hold the unit to the right sports bar.
I pushed up/in, sort of a rolling motion, as hard as I could, and snugged the front, then the rear of those two bolts. It was a bit better, not great, but made "some" difference.
However, once I clamped the right front clamp, it pulled right back down to there it was.

So, it was marginally better, not good, after re-tightening the two right bolts that hold it to the sports bar, then right back to where it was after the clamp was closed again.

 

[Bestop]

I sent your feedback to Sterling Heights, I'll post an update tomorrow, thanks @ShadowsPapa!

~Crystal@Bestop
www.bestop.com

 

[JonMN]

Great work! Thanks! Would love some pics showing what is going on.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Great work! Thanks! Would love some pics showing what is going on.

First pages show the problem.
Sunrider fits too low on the Jeep
Almost hits the top of the door on the right side, horrible slope downward on both sides
The right side it was cutting the seals, the left side it was wearing into the seal.
The right side also looks almost as if the right drip rail portion is made wrong, the notch too small. On the second page of the thread are pictures of how it's notched to clear these seals.
On mine, the notch isn't clearing the seals, it's actually hitting the seals

 

[JonMN]

First pages show the problem.
Sunrider fits too low on the Jeep
Almost hits the top of the door on the right side, horrible slope downward on both sides
The right side it was cutting the seals, the left side it was wearing into the seal.
The right side also looks almost as if the right drip rail portion is made wrong, the notch too small. On the second page of the thread are pictures of how it's notched to clear these seals.
On mine, the notch isn't clearing the seals, it's actually hitting the seals

Sorry for the confusion--I was not very clear. I meant a photo or two of the prototype repair pieces, inserts, whatever. Thanks!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Sorry for the confusion--I was not very clear. I meant a photo or two of the prototype repair pieces, inserts, whatever. Thanks!

This is what they sent - well, this is actually an original. The ones they sent moved that left part upward compared to the rest so that the rail is shifted upward just a little bit.
Close enough on the left, still a problem on the right.

Left is very acceptable. Well within any "margins of error" or specs range, IMO.

Right is still a problem.

There is a very slight difference as to how each rail sits compared to the door and so on - the left rail sticks proud of the door, measuring straight out, maybe 1/8" but with my tremor, I can't hold a tape measure or ruler and take a picture and the heat and humidity is so bad out today, most pictures end up foggy.

I'll try to get @Bestop any other info they might need.
STILL NO WORD FROM DEALER!!!!
Bestop is working with this, so I'll work with them, and hope Bestop collects from Jeep or however this should work as far as their contracts and agreements.

 

[JonMN]

Wow, interesting, thanks for the photos! Wonder if raising the rail might induce any air leakage/wind noise?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Wow, interesting, thanks for the photos! Wonder if raising the rail might induce any air leakage/wind noise?

As deep as this sits in the windshield seal, I bet it could go up higher on BOTH sides and not be a real problem. It still sits quite low in the grand scheme of things
The left still has a lot of "rake" and isn't even along the top of the door by any means, but it's a better fit on that side.

They could probably take out another 1/8" on each side and be ok.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

A little bit more wind noise - but maybe it's just me because these ARE louder than the freedom panels and these 24s and 25s are so much quieter, now you actually notice if there's wind noise, because normally, there's very little.

Anyway, i sure wish JEEP was as responsive as Bestop has been in the last couple of weeks.
Got ANOTHER message today from Bestop - engineers still working on it and will likely call me next week so maybe we can do a video call or whatever. They haven't dropped the ball, it's just taking time with everything else.
And that's what matters - they have let me know where things are - even if it's just to say "we're working on it".

Jeep? Crickets...........

 

[JonMN]

A little bit more wind noise - but maybe it's just me because these ARE louder than the freedom panels and these 24s and 25s are so much quieter, now you actually notice if there's wind noise, because normally, there's very little.

Once you have your fitment sorted out, you might want to try a Hothead Headliner. Just added one myself, and my wife and I both noticed that it's way quieter. (I do wish Hothead offered one with the sun-resistant Marine cloth on both sides, but that's a different subject)

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Once you have your fitment sorted out, you might want to try a Hothead Headliner. Just added one myself, and my wife and I both noticed that it's way quieter. (I do wish Hothead offered one with the sun-resistant Marine cloth on both sides, but that's a different subject)

I'm going to, as well as a sunshade. It just gets too bloody hot in there with that black fabric, it's noisy, and with it open, you fry.
So them's the plans. But I'm not ordering anything until it's sorted out. And I believe Bestop wants it resolved as well..... from the messages I've received from them, they are wanting it resolved as badly as I do.

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