Sunrider owners - MY mess-up, or theirs?

[David Jonson]

Honestly, it sounds like your install fitment is way off and you’re not alone; a lot of people report exactly this with newer Sunrider tops. That extreme bow and door-seal compression aren’t normal. The top should sit snug, not under that kind of tension, and your doors definitely shouldn’t be rubbing or forcing the seals inward.
A few things to check before you yank it off:

• Loosen all bolts and re-seat it starting from the windshield header back sometimes tightening from the sides first twists the frame slightly and causes that bow.
• Inspect the brackets — some batches ship with slightly bent or misaligned hinge brackets, which drop the whole assembly lower than it should sit.
• Verify part fitment — make sure you didn’t get one for a 4-door or wrong model year; the mounting geometry changed slightly around 2022–2023.
• If everything lines up but still bows that hard, it’s a manufacturing defect or warped frame, not your install.

Given how much pressure you’re describing, it’s not worth risking your paint or seals. If reseating doesn’t fix the alignment, contact Bestop (or the dealer) hey’ve replaced a number of warped Sunriders under warranty for exactly these symptoms. You didn’t mess up; it sounds like a bad fit or batch issue.

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[ShadowsPapa]

Honestly, it sounds like your install fitment is way off and you’re not alone; a lot of people report exactly this with newer Sunrider tops. That extreme bow and door-seal compression aren’t normal. The top should sit snug, not under that kind of tension, and your doors definitely shouldn’t be rubbing or forcing the seals inward.
A few things to check before you yank it off:

• Loosen all bolts and re-seat it starting from the windshield header back sometimes tightening from the sides first twists the frame slightly and causes that bow.
• Inspect the brackets — some batches ship with slightly bent or misaligned hinge brackets, which drop the whole assembly lower than it should sit.
• Verify part fitment — make sure you didn’t get one for a 4-door or wrong model year; the mounting geometry changed slightly around 2022–2023.
• If everything lines up but still bows that hard, it’s a manufacturing defect or warped frame, not your install.

Given how much pressure you’re describing, it’s not worth risking your paint or seals. If reseating doesn’t fix the alignment, contact Bestop (or the dealer) hey’ve replaced a number of warped Sunriders under warranty for exactly these symptoms. You didn’t mess up; it sounds like a bad fit or batch issue.

Sorry, I guess you came in late and haven't had a chance to see everything that's gone on, and it IS a long read.................

Everything was tried on day one - even before anything was mentioned. Being a mechanic myself, I tried to look at things logically.
I also read and followed their instructions - several times - as far as sequence and watched a couple of youtube videos.
Frankly, there's no wiggle room. these are literally bolt 'em on and use them. Whether you tighten bolts first, last, or in the middle, doesn't matter - there's no play and the bolts ALWAYS bring the mounting pads down tight and flush with the side bar tops..
There are no differences between the years. Verified that with Bestop. ALL sunriders should fit all model year Gladiators - beginning to end. Bestop has made no changes to impact fitment. And from what they say - Jeep hasn't either - however............. there appears to be some Jeeps that aren't the same as others. Not a model year thing or a Jeep model/version thing, but a manufacturing deviation.

And if you are referring to the bow at the rear that I mentioned on page 1 - that disappeared quickly. First time off and back on, it was much better. Now, I don't have to deal with the back end at all -it lays nicely.
The issue is the side fitment and the clamping force at the front edge.

Dealer had the top off and on multiple times, tried 3 different tops (including one from years ago), and I've had it off and on multiple times.
I followed the directions given me by a Bestop engineer - no joy.

 

[Stan H]

Sorry, I guess you came in late and haven't had a chance to see everything that's gone on, and it IS a long read.................

Everything was tried on day one - even before anything was mentioned. Being a mechanic myself, I tried to look at things logically.
I also read and followed their instructions - several times - as far as sequence and watched a couple of youtube videos.
Frankly, there's no wiggle room. these are literally bolt 'em on and use them. Whether you tighten bolts first, last, or in the middle, doesn't matter - there's no play and the bolts ALWAYS bring the mounting pads down tight and flush with the side bar tops..
There are no differences between the years. Verified that with Bestop. ALL sunriders should fit all model year Gladiators - beginning to end. Bestop has made no changes to impact fitment. And from what they say - Jeep hasn't either - however............. there appears to be some Jeeps that aren't the same as others. Not a model year thing or a Jeep model/version thing, but a manufacturing deviation.

And if you are referring to the bow at the rear that I mentioned on page 1 - that disappeared quickly. First time off and back on, it was much better. Now, I don't have to deal with the back end at all -it lays nicely.
The issue is the side fitment and the clamping force at the front edge.

Dealer had the top off and on multiple times, tried 3 different tops (including one from years ago), and I've had it off and on multiple times.
I followed the directions given me by a Bestop engineer - no joy.

I have read 99% of this conundrum that you have went through. I think it is possibly your Jeep that is off as a previous post suggested that showed what the measurements are supposed to be in mm. Then again. If it is a "batch problem " that doesn't seem viable either as a reason because same parts and molds etc. Are being used. The test mule they have may actually be OFF measurement. This would throw it off and those that actually fit correctly are the outliers .

 

[TNMopar]

I ordered a Sunrider for Hardtop yesterday for my 2025 Gladiator. The Bestop website said that it was compatible with 2020-2026 Gladiators when added to the shopping cart. Today when I went back to their website, it now says 2020-2024 Gladiator when adding the same sunrider to my cart. Did they change their official compatibility?

 

[Stan H]

I ordered a Sunrider for Hardtop yesterday for my 2025 Gladiator. The Bestop website said that it was compatible with 2020-2026 Gladiators when added to the shopping cart. Today when I went back to their website, it now says 2020-2024 Gladiator when adding the same sunrider to my cart. Did they change their official compatibility?

Sure sounds like it.

 

[Hootbro]

The plot thickens.

 

[WILDHOBO]

The plot thickens.

No question. There’s no way this isn’t related to @ShadowsPapa ’s issue, and others with the same.

 

[TNMopar]

 

[Stan H]

No question. There’s no way this isn’t related to @ShadowsPapa ’s issue, and others with the same.

Da da duh !!! There is it. !!!! They just admitted it won't fit

 

[WILDHOBO]

Da da duh !!! There is it. !!!! They just admitted it won't fit

I still think Jeep made a change and it wasn’t communicated. And they’ve now confirmed it for sure.

 

[TNMopar]

I don't want to jump to conclusions. It could always just be a website issue. I have seen these fit fine on some 2025s. I am more curious if anyone knew more about if they officially announced a change?

 

[Stan H]

I still think Jeep made a change and it wasn’t communicated. And they’ve now confirmed it for sure.

100% agree @ShadowsPapa Hope you're reading this. I think somebody owes Someone a refund .

 

[WILDHOBO]

100% agree @ShadowsPapa Hope you're reading this. I think somebody owes Someone a refund .

And it’s Jeep that owes him. Since it’s a Jeep branded top.

 

[NC_Overland]

100% agree @ShadowsPapa Hope you're reading this. I think somebody owes Someone a refund .

It’s honestly way beyond that since it’s on the window sticker. It’s literally federal law. That’s why I’m shocked that they’re all blowing him off. It’s a slam dunk lawsuit. As much as he’s been dicked around, I’d hire a lemon law attorney just for vengeance. The vast majority don’t charge any fees to the customer. They just get paid by the manufacturer.

Whoever runs that dealership is such a fool. Although, it’s highly possible that it’s never been escalated to the GM. If it has been. Shame on him/her for being an absolute shortsighted fool. I know several female GMs…

 

[Stan H]

It’s honestly way beyond that since it’s on the window sticker. It’s literally federal law. That’s why I’m shocked that they’re all blowing him off. It’s a slam dunk lawsuit. As much as he’s been dicked around, I’d hire a lemon law attorney just for vengeance. The vast majority don’t charge any fees to the customer. They just get paid by the manufacturer.

Whoever runs that dealership is such a fool. Although, it’s highly possible that it’s never been escalated to the GM. If it has been. Shame on him/her for being an absolute shortsighted fool. I know several female GMs…

Guaranteed slam dunk

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