Sunrider question for those who have one

[JCappy]

So I bought a Sunrider a while back and installed it at the end of May. It seems to work properly and does not leak at this point. The problem I have is the back of the Sunrider does not sit flat with the area in which it butts up to the top of the truck on the drivers side. The passenger side is flush. I have sent multiple emails with pics to @Bestop with no solution. In fact it takes days to weeks for them to respond. They keep sending generic emails about calling but when you call they just have a message stating they are not taking calls at this time. Terrible service. In one email they stated that the pinch markings on the cable end need to be facing outward as it was turned over and they thought that was the issue. I took the top off and simply flipped that over which I knew would not make a difference. The cable is not twisted so that's not an issue. I have taken the top off multiple times making sure it was installed properly with the same results. In the last email they said they would forward this to their quality team which was 10 days ago and I have not heard back from them. Has anyone ever had an issue like this? If you look at the pic taken from the rear of the truck, you cam clearly see that the drivers side sits up higher than the passenger side. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks

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[ShadowsPapa]

So I bought a Sunrider a while back and installed it at the end of May. It seems to work properly and does not leak at this point. The problem I have is the back of the Sunrider does not sit flat with the area in which it butts up to the top of the truck on the drivers side. The passenger side is flush. I have sent multiple emails with pics to @Bestop with no solution. In fact it takes days to weeks for them to respond. They keep sending generic emails about calling but when you call they just have a message stating they are not taking calls at this time. Terrible service. In one email they stated that the pinch markings on the cable end need to be facing outward as it was turned over and they thought that was the issue. I took the top off and simply flipped that over which I knew would not make a difference. The cable is not twisted so that's not an issue. I have taken the top off multiple times making sure it was installed properly with the same results. In the last email they said they would forward this to their quality team which was 10 days ago and I have not heard back from them. Has anyone ever had an issue like this? If you look at the pic taken from the rear of the truck, you cam clearly see that the drivers side sits up higher than the passenger side. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks

What about side view - how does the rail sit in relationship to the top of the door on each side?
Is the rear of the left rail even with the front of the roof rail, or does it sit higher?

 

[JCappy]

What about side view - how does the rail sit in relationship to the top of the door on each side?
Is the rear of the left rail even with the front of the roof rail, or does it sit higher?

They seem to fit the same on both sides to me. You?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

They seem to fit the same on both sides to me. You?

Well, loooong story getting the dealership involved, Jeep involved, FCA STAR case opened, and Bestop involved.

Mine fits nice at the rear, but horrible at the front. the side rails slope forward and all but touch the tops of the doors at the front, crushing and damaging the right seal/mucket at the top/front of the right door.
It's bad, it clamps terrible tight, pulling the front of the sunrider down too far.

Bestop is working with me on it, with experimental pieces. The dealership and myself have supplied many dozens of photos, measurements and more.

 

[Caveman]

I have a similar issue. I bought my Sunrider used a couple of years ago, so I didn't have any warranty recourse. As best I can tell, on mine, the issue is due to the way the fabric was positioned when stitched at the factory. But I haven't had any wind or water leaks at all, even using the Sunrider year round, so I just wrote the issue off as cosmetic only.

 

[JCappy]

Well, loooong story getting the dealership involved, Jeep involved, FCA STAR case opened, and Bestop involved.

Mine fits nice at the rear, but horrible at the front. the side rails slope forward and all but touch the tops of the doors at the front, crushing and damaging the right seal/mucket at the top/front of the right door.
It's bad, it clamps terrible tight, pulling the front of the sunrider down too far.

Bestop is working with me on it, with experimental pieces. The dealership and myself have supplied many dozens of photos, measurements and more.

Yea I saw your post earlier about your issues. If I recall its because there was a slight change of design on the 2025 and Bestop has not made any adjustments in order for it to fit properly. Hopefully you get it resolved. I think mine is a slight defect in the top. It appears more like the stitching is off and its pulling the material up at the back. Hopefully I will hear back from them soon.

 

[JCappy]

I have a similar issue. I bought my Sunrider used a couple of years ago, so I didn't have any warranty recourse. As best I can tell, on mine, the issue is due to the way the fabric was positioned when stitched at the factory. But I haven't had any wind or water leaks at all, even using the Sunrider year round, so I just wrote the issue off as cosmetic only.

Yea think that's the main issue. Bought it new on Black Friday so has a warranty and hope they do something about it. It's working on my OCD lol.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Yea I saw your post earlier about your issues. If I recall its because there was a slight change of design on the 2025 and Bestop has not made any adjustments in order for it to fit properly.

No change in the Jeep from what we can tell - think - the freedom panels are the exact same and fit and latch the same way. Seals and gaskets remain the same.

Also, I have found prior model year Jeeps where the fit is similar to mine, maybe not quite as bad, but still not correct.

 

[JCappy]

No change in the Jeep from what we can tell - think - the freedom panels are the exact same and fit and latch the same way. Seals and gaskets remain the same.

Also, I have found prior model year Jeeps where the fit is similar to mine, maybe not quite as bad, but still not correct.

Oh ok. For some reason I thought Jeep had made a slight change where the panels attach. Now that really doesn't make sense why the fit is off. Guess it's just a bad Sunrider. They're not all gonna be perfect. Hopefully we both get this resolved.

 

[pharmfrank]

My Gladiator is a 2020 and the twill Sunrider was installed by my son in 2021, stays on year around
and so far no problems, fit seems good all around and it is as quiet as the panels were when the windows are closed. Sorry for your headaches as the Sunrider is a pricey accessory, I hope this
is resolved to your satisfaction.

 

[JCappy]

My Gladiator is a 2020 and the twill Sunrider was installed by my son in 2021, stays on year around
and so far no problems, fit seems good all around and it is as quiet as the panels were when the windows are closed. Sorry for your headaches as the Sunrider is a pricey accessory, I hope this
is resolved to your satisfaction.

Thanks for the info. Appreciate that. Time will tell.

 

[wolfdog]

I have two Sunrider for HT one on my 2018 JL wished I had one on my previousJK!! Greatest accessory! My 22 JT has one both twill both perfect fits! However had a problem with 2018 and Bestop had no problem taking care of warranty claim, contacted me very soon after my inquiry and took care right away !

mine have no problem like yours and fit as lose to perfect as can be! If no leaks or extra wind noise ok but understand visual, good Luck!

Go Jeep!!!

 

[tmik]

JCappy,
I am late to the party but just installed a sunrider top on my JLU and found your post because I have the exact same issue on the drivers side. My OCD is struggling as well. Was there ever a resolution or do I just live with the slight offset? If you find this a year later, thank you.
Tmik159

 

[antihero23]

FWIW we have a @Bestop Trektop Ultra on our JL and Bestop has been amazing with support and even sent us an extra top and rear window for some slight issues we had right out of the box. Maybe the Sunrider is different, I'm not minimizing your issues, I'm just saying for us Bestop the company had fantastic customer service and problem resolution.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

FWIW we have a @Bestop Trektop Ultra on our JL and Bestop has been amazing with support and even sent us an extra top and rear window for some slight issues we had right out of the box. Maybe the Sunrider is different, I'm not minimizing your issues, I'm just saying for us Bestop the company had fantastic customer service and problem resolution.

Yeah, right - I have about $1000 invested, not to mention several trips to the dealer and hours lost and STILL mine isn't right. And - they totally stopped communicating with me - totally. They ignore all messages, not a peep.
They know damned well there are others with the same issues, they even told me of 2 in CO they took to their shop and resolved. Mine? Nope. Not a peep. Their support is OK, sometimes, if the problem is simple. But once they reach a point it becomes difficult - unless you live right next to them, they drop you like a rock. Those two in CO were damned lucky - Bestop got to SEE the issues and they claim to have resolved them. In my case, the last stuff they sent MADE IT WORSE, not better.

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