Sunrider owners - MY mess-up, or theirs?

[ShadowsPapa]

I don't think this is any help but I noticed that alot of part numbers on my jeep built in 9/20 that many of the part #'s end with AA and not AB could it just be the generational iterations if the Jeep Gladiator years . For instance the TPMS in the pre-6/21 models has a seperate TPMS unit and does not have an RFI hub.

That's called a minor revision when the suffix changes like that. It can mean all sorts of things like a changed vendor in one of the parts, a change to a clamp, or something else that doesn't normally impact fit or function.
You will see that on almost everything given enough time. It's not associated with years, such as 2020-2023 vs 2024-2025. If it was a change due to something that meant a different fit or similar, it would be a different part number entirely.
AA vs AB only means some minor bit, maybe it's the S hook vs. the non-S hook cable attachment. Same function, and most might never notice it, but it's a revision.
Such changes, no matter how minor, have to be tracked by ISO companies.

For the tpms parts, it's a whole different part number, not a minor suffix revision.

Sponsored

 

[Charles 236]

I don't think this is any help but I noticed that alot of part numbers on my jeep built in 9/20 that many of the part #'s end with AA and not AB could it just be the generational iterations if the Jeep Gladiator years . For instance the TPMS in the pre-6/21 models has a seperate TPMS unit and does not have an RFI hub.

There was an engineering change in the TPMS sensors that year, hence the pre mode year '22 and model year '22 and later commonly used for these sensors. They don't interchange. But Bill's explanation of the suffix changes is correct, anything and everything can lead to a revised part number.

Back when our catalogs were paper, Chrysler Corp. wasn't fast about changing a p/n, but Stellantis apparently has a huge department that changes p/n s and fouls up things. I ordered a Battery Pack Control Module for Wagoneer, months ago, and the day I retired Stellantis still had not found it. Lost in the system, and a Wagoneer is SUPPOSED to be a high priority vehicle, and I even brought STAR in to expedite things.

I have usually been able to work through the system(s) to get what I had to have, but it has gotten really slow. I have no wonder that people get fed up and angry with service, but the truth is there are so many inputs into getting things done that the only way companies survive is that ALL, ALL of their competitors are in the same leaky boats. When a customer reaches the point of "This is the last ____ I will ever buy" someone else has reached that point with a competitor's product.

 

[MPMB]

Sorry, the laugh is not about your problem, but I LOVE that t-rex trying to tread water!

You broke an S-hook? Wow. I can't say I've ever broken any that were under about 3/16" wire size - those can be tough to bend! There should be quite a bit of give to a typical S-hook before it lets go. Ouch.

lol. The only thing I can do is laugh. Throwing tools is so my parent's generation. :D :D

I'd say cheap pop metal?

At any rate, it sounds like a wonderful experience dealing with 3 organizations, none of which want the blame.

It was my understanding, maybe incorrectly, that Bestop had eliminated that S hook on the cable and switched to a cable anchored by an eyelet with a fasteners through the rail. I know that in my Sunrider the cable anchors are S hooks, but mine was made in spring of '22, same as my Gladiator.

My top is from '21. I put it on maybe 2 months after I got the JT in April of '21.

IIRC, since my JT's build date is pre-6/21, so I have the old TPMS (which hasn't been a problem, they're also cheaper), and I also have the desirable ECU for tuning (last I checked, I'm not hip with the skibidi kids these days).

 

[ShadowsPapa]

lol. The only thing I can do is laugh. Throwing tools is so my parent's generation. :D :D

I'd say cheap pop metal?

At any rate, it sounds like a wonderful experience dealing with 3 organizations, none of which want the blame.



My top is from '21. I put it on maybe 2 months after I got the JT in April of '21.

IIRC, since my JT's build date is pre-6/21, so I have the old TPMS (which hasn't been a problem, they're also cheaper), and I also have the desirable ECU for tuning (last I checked, I'm not hip with the skibidi kids these days).

Sorry, had to laugh again - your GIFs are clever, and funny at the right time.

Well, another week, another set of "isn't this fun" types of things, and waiting, and so on.
Today, try to get directions for how the heck to get to my Wednesday appointment half a state away, trying to find a water well company that's licensed in Iowa to deal with our well issues (bacteria counts, etc.) - they are few and far between because it's just not called for much these days, and I can't get any call-backs.
Tuesday am at least will be a more relaxed fun AM as it's the GoodGuys and other street rodders coffee meet where we solve all problems automotive.
Wednesday - the trek to Iowa City............
And all the while, dealing with dealers, Jeep, Bestop, well drillers, and so on.

 

[MPMB]

Sorry, had to laugh again - your GIFs are clever, and funny at the right time.

I tell that to my wife all the time.

:D

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Well now things get REALLY goofy!

I was contacted by Bestop today - through the warranty process, they obtained the first top that was swapped out on mine - the original I went in with that didn't fit correctly.
And guess what - they sent me pictures of that same top mounted on their test rigs and it was an absolutely PERFECT fit - could not be better! If it had fit my Jeep like it's fitting their test rig, I'd have been soooo happy. Not just around the door seals and mucket area, but where the front edge rode in the windshield seal area - PERFECT. Not too deep, and didn't sit too high, either. Just about right for no leaks and minimal wind noise, IMO.

So Jeep says my JT is perfect, nothing wrong with it at all, in specs and as such, Jeep says it's all on Bestop now.

This is what Bestop said -
we were able to acquire one of your tops from the dealer. I installed it on one of our nominal bucks (a full-scale physical model that represents the vehicle's design intent) in the shop, and it appears to fit correctly and looks normal.

I looked at the pictures and agree. Good fit.

Now - don't take that to mean they are also done with it. No, they are determined to make one fit on my Jeep.

If I ever make it to their area in MI, I think I'll stop by and let them take a personal look at my JT.

 

[Trollboogie]

Well now things get REALLY goofy!

I was contacted by Bestop today - through the warranty process, they obtained the first top that was swapped out on mine - the original I went in with that didn't fit correctly.
And guess what - they sent me pictures of that same top mounted on their test rigs and it was an absolutely PERFECT fit - could not be better! If it had fit my Jeep like it's fitting their test rig, I'd have been soooo happy. Not just around the door seals and mucket area, but where the front edge rode in the windshield seal area - PERFECT. Not too deep, and didn't sit too high, either. Just about right for no leaks and minimal wind noise, IMO.

So Jeep says my JT is perfect, nothing wrong with it at all, in specs and as such, Jeep says it's all on Bestop now.

This is what Bestop said -
we were able to acquire one of your tops from the dealer. I installed it on one of our nominal bucks (a full-scale physical model that represents the vehicle's design intent) in the shop, and it appears to fit correctly and looks normal.

I looked at the pictures and agree. Good fit.

Now - don't take that to mean they are also done with it. No, they are determined to make one fit on my Jeep.

If I ever make it to their area in MI, I think I'll stop by and let them take a personal look at my JT.

Time for a road trip I think.

 

[Stan H]

Well now things get REALLY goofy!

I was contacted by Bestop today - through the warranty process, they obtained the first top that was swapped out on mine - the original I went in with that didn't fit correctly.
And guess what - they sent me pictures of that same top mounted on their test rigs and it was an absolutely PERFECT fit - could not be better! If it had fit my Jeep like it's fitting their test rig, I'd have been soooo happy. Not just around the door seals and mucket area, but where the front edge rode in the windshield seal area - PERFECT. Not too deep, and didn't sit too high, either. Just about right for no leaks and minimal wind noise, IMO.

So Jeep says my JT is perfect, nothing wrong with it at all, in specs and as such, Jeep says it's all on Bestop now.

This is what Bestop said -
we were able to acquire one of your tops from the dealer. I installed it on one of our nominal bucks (a full-scale physical model that represents the vehicle's design intent) in the shop, and it appears to fit correctly and looks normal.

I looked at the pictures and agree. Good fit.

Now - don't take that to mean they are also done with it. No, they are determined to make one fit on my Jeep.

If I ever make it to their area in MI, I think I'll stop by and let them take a personal look at my JT.

You may have covered it , but has it been determined that the roof area where the sunrider fits was indeed the same on pre-2025 models as it is on yours???

 

[D_JT]

The dealer should have done that to begin with. Installed your top on another JL/JT on the lot. Maybe even a few others. Not just one.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

The dealer should have done that to begin with. Installed your top on another JL/JT on the lot. Maybe even a few others. Not just one.

I asked them about that - the response "we aren't allowed to do that with new vehicles".
Why, I have no idea, but I suppose if they do any damage or whatever, maybe, but sounds like an excuse.
In any case, they refused to do it.

You may have covered it , but has it been determined that the roof area where the sunrider fits was indeed the same on pre-2025 models as it is on yours???

No change. And as I've mentioned with others that aren't fitting correctly, it doesn't seem to follow any model year in particular. Pre-24 models have shown similar (although mine appears to remain the worst)

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Now I'm really beginning to feel sorry for the folks at Bestop............ (no, not kidding, no punchline)

I took off the one that's sort of been ok with modified clamps, shims and so on (but sits too deep and the clamps pull up hard on the jeep's freedom panel clamp area) and tried a test unit.

What a contradiction - I'm standing there (sweating, it's hot in that garage and not enough space to unpack and deal with two tops off ay once in the cooler shop).............. and scratching my head after putting on the experimental top (I'll call it that for now) and wondering, how in the world is that even POSSIBLE!

Top with very different configuration - likely some things only a direct comparison in great detail would show, different mounting points up front and so on. Sat it on with no shims at first - hmmm, sits way too deep at the front corners. I expected that.
So I used two 1/8" shims on each side, set it in place, looking good, left side maybe a bit TOO high, but let's see. At this point, it's not bolted down, just sitting there.
So I figured it was sitting better along the front edge of the doors and the door seals, let's put the bolts in and snug them.......
As I did, the front corners RAISED UP! Not only that, but the entire front edge raised way up. I could see light from the inside out to the garage lights.
Removed the bolts, hand settled the thing in place - looked not too bad. Front edge was a little bit high maybe. Bolts back in, front raised way up again. So much, I was not able to clamp those two front clamps. And you could see between the Jeep's seals and the front of the sunrider.
So I took a shim out of the left side, and tried it with just one. I figured if it was going to life when bolted in place, it might be ok.
It didn't matter what I did, no shims it was sitting way too low although putting the bolts in did lift it some, but the clamps were difficult to use.
It was if there was some angle to the mounting points that was forcing a twist on the rails that raised them up - but it also forced up the front edge and it wasn't possible to clamp it without really pushing down hard and using both hands. Even then, once I did get one clamp set, I had to unbolt it and relax tension to be able to unhook the clamp.
So, sadly, back into the box for now............

I tried to name the photos to be descriptive of what is seen in each picture.
For example -
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/attachments/bolted-it-lifted-front-edge-up-really-high-jpg.440586/?hash=383d1df35f888502174442bbbc988829


Correct way to unbox - open top, lay on its side so the sunrider sits right side up, and simply slide out the tray. Makes for a nice way to store it if you remove it for any reason.

Bolts in and snugged, it actually lifted the front edge up, making clamping difficult, taking some pressure ->

I had the left side sitting nicely above the door, just a slight downward tilt, (maybe good for rain drainage) and the seals fit perfectly on the rails of the sunrider - perfectly even - until I put in the bolts and snugged them, then it lifted the front corner up a lot->

Bolted in place it really raised up the front - no bolts, just installed by hand set nicely in place, this gap or area was about right.......... until the bolts were installed ->

Bolts in and snugged, it lifted the top, twisting the rails. Ok for the seals, but not so ok for the front edge.

With no bolts, looked a tad low, but acceptable........with shims ->

 

[Gatorized]

What if you clamped the front first , then installed the bolts?
might give a different perspective on what is wrong with it.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

What if you clamped the front first , then installed the bolts?
might give a different perspective on what is wrong with it.

When I try again, that's what I'll do.
When I had the front latched, I couldn't unlatch it with the bolts in and had to take the bolts out and press hard on the top to get it unhooked.
i was hot and exhausted, so stopped for the day.

 

[Stan H]

When I try again, that's what I'll do.
When I had the front latched, I couldn't unlatch it with the bolts in and had to take the bolts out and press hard on the top to get it unhooked.
i was hot and exhausted, so stopped for the day.

What if ths test mule/rig they have and are pattern making from is incorrect?

 

[Stan H]

Also @ShadowsPapa Am wondering if Bestop can custom fit one for you.

Sponsored