Sunrider owners - MY mess-up, or theirs?

[Cburd61]

It could be something out of spec in the roll bar, that doesn’t affect anything during production. There were many times, when I worked for BMW, that something in the body was “off”, but didn’t affect anything that mattered. At least, as far as any factory fit/finish issues. We would have inner roof rails bumped by robots, but they were covered by headliner, or trim, so it was sent on. Someone installing an aftermarket item might run into issues later in, though.

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[ShadowsPapa]

@ShadowsPapa have you done any measurements yourself? Attached is the body dimension document for a 2021 that has Figure 4 showing the upper body and sport bar dimensions in MM. It does not give +/- tolerances for the hard fixed point dimensions but does give panel gap dimension tolerance, but seems to be fixated on the hard top panels.

That's more than I had - thanks.

I don't know what the panels weigh, but I'm not supposed to lift anything over my head over 10 pounds so I might not be taking the panels off to measure any time soon. Got a couple of weeks left before I'm to lift.

Since the problem is at the front of the sunrider (it seems to sit ok at the rear), my biggest concern is the red line here -

 

[Cburd61]

That's more than I had - thanks.

I don't know what the panels weigh, but I'm not supposed to lift anything over my head over 10 pounds so I might not be taking the panels off to measure any time soon. Got a couple of weeks left before I'm to lift.

Since the problem is at the front of the sunrider (it seems to sit ok at the rear), my biggest concern is the red line here -

If I lived closer, I’d come try to help you figure it out.

 

[ecidiego]

@Hootbro always in with the goods.

Hootbro.... I have the 2020 USB 'credit cards'.. 2 of them.... is all of this in those?

 

[Hootbro]

Hootbro.... I have the 2020 USB 'credit cards'.. 2 of them.... is all of this in those?

Maybe but I know some manufacturers like to separate out their collision and body repair info.

The info I have is from the thread below. It is a third party repair info for the JT but 99% of it is gleamed from Tech Authority info anyways.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...-service-and-repair-manual-free-online.78333/

 

[jebiruph]

I just reminded their sales manager that since November of 2019, we've bought 3 Gladiators and a 4xe JLU. Isn't that just under 6 years?
I suggested THEY contact Jeep and "advocate for me".

Don't you miss Dan, the best service advisor ever? I'm pretty sure the reason he no longer works there is related his ratio of warranty repairs compared to straight billable hours. That's probably why no one wants to help, there's no billable hours involved.

 

[WILDHOBO]

That's more than I had - thanks.

I don't know what the panels weigh, but I'm not supposed to lift anything over my head over 10 pounds so I might not be taking the panels off to measure any time soon. Got a couple of weeks left before I'm to lift.

Since the problem is at the front of the sunrider (it seems to sit ok at the rear), my biggest concern is the red line here -

I think you can measure all that with the panels and doors on.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Don't you miss Dan, the best service advisor ever? I'm pretty sure the reason he no longer works there is related his ratio of warranty repairs compared to straight billable hours. That's probably why no one wants to help, there's no billable hours involved.

Absolutely. He's the guy who I talked to about my HVAC issues, and the snow plow. He asked if I had the truck with me -with the plow. Yeah, sure do.
He said bring it around inside - and he spent 45 minutes looking up where sensors are, discussing the operations of things with me, and it didn't cost me a dime.
We dug into specs and how things operate together into the FCA documents.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I think you can measure all that with the panels and doors on.

Hope so.

 

[JohnWick]

I know this process has been a pain, and if this has been suggested I missed it, but I would like to see a JT same year model as yours with a proper-fitting sunrider top park next to yours and the top removed and transplanted.
Problem should present itself.

This bears repeating. Has this been tried?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

This bears repeating. Has this been tried?

Bestop says they obtained my original top. They put it on their "stand" and it was fine, then they said they put it on another Jeep - I believe they said tried on a Wrangler and it was fine..

What you are saying - it makes sense and if nothing else, would prove to someone out there where the issue is - unless the OTHER Jeep has the same issue - remember, mine is NOT the only one! Some hide the issue, some ignore it, while two in Colorado reported it and got some help.
So trying it on one could show another one with the same issue - trying it on two might be better.
There are others out there and I've proven that - with pictures and the fact Bestop has found them.

I asked about trying my top on another Jeep on the lot - well, they won't do that, risk of damage, taking panels off, setting a sunrider on it and all.
So, no, it's not been tried - dealers won't mess with new vehicles on the lot swapping parts around.

If someone offered, dealer or otherwise. I'd need to put my current sunrider back to stock - the front mounting points (for the side rails) have been swapped out for experimental parts.
I can do that in 5 or 10 minutes, I have the originals marked and in a box.
Put it this way - I could do it if I had help getting it into the back of my truck after I put the original mounts back on it as for a while, I'm still on lifting restrictions. Possibly because they really had things opened up and stretched and implants sewed to muscles and so on - whatever the reason, I've got about 3 weeks left of lifting restrictions.

So - to make such a thing happen:
* I swap the mounting points back to stock (no biggy, I can certainly do that in minutes)
* I'd need someone with a 2024 or better yet, a 2025, to volunteer for the experiment. Dealer won't - plus they want to get paid besides being averse to the risk messing with a new vehicle.
* I'd need to find some help getting it into the back of my truck if such a vehicle (or better yet, TWO) were found. - Doable, but not by my neighbors. (most are elderly and unable to walk far, let alone lift) But a solution could be found to get it there I'm sure!

The second point is the sticky one.

I had to laugh at this message from Jeepcares -

They don't get it! It was never about leaks, and the dealer will not set up an appointment without some direction as to what's being done and so on.
Dealer will say "what's the appointment for" and laugh if I tell them.
JEEP needs to contact the dealer and say something.
Last time I tried this - nothing happened. Dealer never heard from Jeep and Jeep closed the case
JC is running in circles, and worthless.

 

[Jteakus]

How about a couple of members that have Sunriders and are near him step up and help Bill out?

 

[WILDHOBO]

How about a couple of members that have Sunriders and are near him step up and help Bill out?

If I was there I would do that. I’m guessing there just aren’t that many in his area.

 

[NC_Overland]

Bestop says they obtained my original top. They put it on their "stand" and it was fine, then they said they put it on another Jeep - I believe they said tried on a Wrangler and it was fine..

What you are saying - it makes sense and if nothing else, would prove to someone out there where the issue is - unless the OTHER Jeep has the same issue - remember, mine is NOT the only one! Some hide the issue, some ignore it, while two in Colorado reported it and got some help.
So trying it on one could show another one with the same issue - trying it on two might be better.
There are others out there and I've proven that - with pictures and the fact Bestop has found them.

I asked about trying my top on another Jeep on the lot - well, they won't do that, risk of damage, taking panels off, setting a sunrider on it and all.
So, no, it's not been tried - dealers won't mess with new vehicles on the lot swapping parts around.

If someone offered, dealer or otherwise. I'd need to put my current sunrider back to stock - the front mounting points (for the side rails) have been swapped out for experimental parts.
I can do that in 5 or 10 minutes, I have the originals marked and in a box.
Put it this way - I could do it if I had help getting it into the back of my truck after I put the original mounts back on it as for a while, I'm still on lifting restrictions. Possibly because they really had things opened up and stretched and implants sewed to muscles and so on - whatever the reason, I've got about 3 weeks left of lifting restrictions.

So - to make such a thing happen:
* I swap the mounting points back to stock (no biggy, I can certainly do that in minutes)
* I'd need someone with a 2024 or better yet, a 2025, to volunteer for the experiment. Dealer won't - plus they want to get paid besides being averse to the risk messing with a new vehicle.
* I'd need to find some help getting it into the back of my truck if such a vehicle (or better yet, TWO) were found. - Doable, but not by my neighbors. (most are elderly and unable to walk far, let alone lift) But a solution could be found to get it there I'm sure!

The second point is the sticky one.

I had to laugh at this message from Jeepcares -

They don't get it! It was never about leaks, and the dealer will not set up an appointment without some direction as to what's being done and so on.
Dealer will say "what's the appointment for" and laugh if I tell them.
JEEP needs to contact the dealer and say something.
Last time I tried this - nothing happened. Dealer never heard from Jeep and Jeep closed the case
JC is running in circles, and worthless.

It’s within the dealership’s rights to refuse to try it out on a new car in inventory, but I assure you that it’s a common practice. I’ve seen it a lot at different dealerships. They borrow parts from new cars too in order to get a service customer back on the road quicker.

 

[Stan H]

If I was there I would do that. I’m guessing there just aren’t that many in his area.

Well, and as @ShadowsPapa said late 24' or 2025 preferred for a match up.

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