Sunrider owners - MY mess-up, or theirs?

[Cwg33]

Yeah, surprised at the superficial concern from the dealership. Even with the measurements, the visual poor fit & possible leaking on a Jeep branded product from the manufacturer should’ve warranted a refund.

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[Stan H]

Yeah, surprised at the superficial concern from the dealership. Even with the measurements, the visual poor fit & possible leaking on a Jeep branded product from the manufacturer should’ve warranted a refund.

Well, I don't think thats exactly what He is shootin' for think He wants it corrected now I thinking He may be able to force them to make him one .

 

[Cwg33]

Well, I don't think thats exactly what He is shootin' for think He wants it corrected now I thinking He may be able to force them to make him one .

I don’t recall a refund being offered since it was a factory order, but I definitely may have missed it.

 

[ecidiego]

JL 18 to current.... wonder what the heck is different on the Gladiator??? I thought they were indentical front half.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

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?

Bestop engineer said they are all the same.
Like Jeep, they haven't proof-read their web site.

I'm still out of it from surgery today - they opened up my scalp today, flushed nd cleaned and replaced one of the plastic lead caps with a metal one.
Plus, Pickle has lymphoma - cancer and is going downhill - so I'm really really hurting in literal pain and dealing with the eventual death of a second cat in less than a month.
AND - trying to get our well water filtration dealt with and so far, it's a cluster fuk getting any plumber to respond, or know their ass from a hole in the ground or give a complete bid for all of th work.
I'm ready to throw something really big and heavy - but the doc says I start all over again with no lifting, no bending or stooping or straining.
Is there a rubber-padded scream room here????

My attorney said about the sunrider stuff - "take them all to small claims court". (I have no idea what that entails)

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I don’t recall a refund being offered since it was a factory order, but I definitely may have missed it.

Nothing has been offered because Jeep says there's nothing wrong and I can't get them to open a new case.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

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?

Like Jeep's build and price site - their web site is screwed.
The Bestop engineer told me flat out -there's no difference 2018 through 2025
(likely also 2026?)

 

[NC_Overland]

Bestop engineer said they are all the same.
Like Jeep, they haven't proof-read their web site.

I'm still out of it from surgery today - they opened up my scalp today, flushed nd cleaned and replaced one of the plastic lead caps with a metal one.
Plus, Pickle has lymphoma - cancer and is going downhill - so I'm really really hurting in literal pain and dealing with the eventual death of a second cat in less than a month.
AND - trying to get our well water filtration dealt with and so far, it's a cluster fuk getting any plumber to respond, or know their ass from a hole in the ground or give a complete bid for all of th work.
I'm ready to throw something really big and heavy - but the doc says I start all over again with no lifting, no bending or stooping or straining.
Is there a rubber-padded scream room here????

My attorney said about the sunrider stuff - "take them all to small claims court". (I have no idea what that entails)

I’m really sorry to hear about all of that. You’ll be through this soon. Losing a pet. Especially, back to back is brutal. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.

As far as lawyers go, if you went that route you’d want a specialist. My girlfriend’s firm has handled a lemon law case for a client, but it was a slam dunk for a loyal client and they kinda winged it. They typically refer clients to specialists. My girlfriend said she personally wouldn’t touch one. Lawyers, for the most part, are very specific in what they deal with.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I filed complaints with the Iowa AG - included both FCA/Jeep and Bestop.
Let them fight it out.
While I agree it's likely a Jeep issue, I still believe it can be resolved with Bestop's help.
However, they can't work for free, so let them hash it out.
Dealer again says "what do you want us to do, we've tried 3 tops"
and they are correct.
Jeep says "take it to the dealerhsip" for what, exactly? You say it's not your problem, then say take it to a dealership? What bullshit.
Dealer correctly says "Jeep says it's not their problem".
Yes it is, but a dealer can't force Jeep to fix something.
Maybe my complaints filed with the AG involving both companies will work.
I may just respond to my attorney as well, let him know both companies have pretty much stopped all communication and closed all cases, so nothing to lose by taking next steps.

AG asks "what do you seek as a resolution".
That's more than a fair question! No use complaining if you don't actually want an actionable or some resolution from all of it -
* Fix it so it works (Jeep paying bestop to get one that works correctly)
or
* My money back, including my trips, time and the money the thing cost me in interest payments.
So figure the loan rate on the $950 since purchase, and add in my time and trips plus the 950.
or
* maybe lemon law the whole shooting match - but for my troubles, they move all mods over to a new one. Find one that a stock sunrider will fit, right out of the box.
The latter being unlikely, of course. And least preferable. I guess I listed in order of preference.

Everything will likely take time - including the AG handling the issue and with the holidays and all.........
This is a time I wish Tom Miller was still Iowa AG - I bet that guy would go after his own mother if the meat loaf didn't taste good enough.

 

[mphilleo]

I filed complaints with the Iowa AG - included both FCA/Jeep and Bestop.
Let them fight it out.
While I agree it's likely a Jeep issue, I still believe it can be resolved with Bestop's help.
However, they can't work for free, so let them hash it out.
Dealer again says "what do you want us to do, we've tried 3 tops"
and they are correct.
Jeep says "take it to the dealerhsip" for what, exactly? You say it's not your problem, then say take it to a dealership? What bullshit.
Dealer correctly says "Jeep says it's not their problem".
Yes it is, but a dealer can't force Jeep to fix something.
Maybe my complaints filed with the AG involving both companies will work.
I may just respond to my attorney as well, let him know both companies have pretty much stopped all communication and closed all cases, so nothing to lose by taking next steps.

AG asks "what do you seek as a resolution".
That's more than a fair question! No use complaining if you don't actually want an actionable or some resolution from all of it -
* Fix it so it works (Jeep paying bestop to get one that works correctly)
or
* My money back, including my trips, time and the money the thing cost me in interest payments.
So figure the loan rate on the $950 since purchase, and add in my time and trips plus the 950.
or
* maybe lemon law the whole shooting match - but for my troubles, they move all mods over to a new one. Find one that a stock sunrider will fit, right out of the box.
The latter being unlikely, of course. And least preferable. I guess I listed in order of preference.

Everything will likely take time - including the AG handling the issue and with the holidays and all.........
This is a time I wish Tom Miller was still Iowa AG - I bet that guy would go after his own mother if the meat loaf didn't taste good enough.

What a wild ride. I read most of this thread and you have my sympathy, Bill. Not just this struggle, but also the myriad issues you're contending with. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us.

For what it's worth, it was cathartic for me to read someone dealing with the same issue I was. In my case, though, it was with my 2024 Gladiator Sport and not one, but two different Twill Sunriders that wouldn't fit my Jeep. Same issue you had, with the seal getting crushed in the exact same way. In order to use it, I had to use foam and rubber spacers on the driver side to create a more uniform gap for door closure, and also put some T-Rex tape on the seal to protect it.

I had, multiple times, removed and reinstalled the Sunrider, triple and quadruple checked the installation instructions, and ensured everything was installed to the letter. No luck. I then tried a different unit available for sale locally. Same deal. That guy said his wasn't closing properly at the header seal and his was replaced by Bestop. At that point, I reached out to Bestop directly and went through a painful, drawn-out process in which they impugned my installation abilities. That was despite clarifying I bought and installed a Sunrider on my previous JKU with no issue at all. In fact, I've rebuilt engines and transmissions, so I think I can grasp installation of a Jeep accessory. Long story short, I didn't have the same level of gumption you did, and after about 6 weeks of wasting time with Bestop, I opted to return the Sunrider. Anyway, you're not crazy, and you're not alone, if that's any consolation.

At this point, since my Freedom Panels fit perfectly, I'm going to install this product once it's warmer out. Yes, it's not cheap, but it's still cheaper than a Sunrider by a fair margin:

https://www.ez4x4.com/collections/j...x4-2020-up-jeep-jeep-jt-gladiator-ez-flip-top

 

[imaginaryreply]

What a wild ride. I read most of this thread and you have my sympathy, Bill. Not just this struggle, but also the myriad issues you're contending with. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us.

For what it's worth, it was cathartic for me to read someone dealing with the same issue I was. In my case, though, it was with my 2024 Gladiator Sport and not one, but two different Twill Sunriders that wouldn't fit my Jeep. Same issue you had, with the seal getting crushed in the exact same way. In order to use it, I had to use foam and rubber spacers on the driver side to create a more uniform gap for door closure, and also put some T-Rex tape on the seal to protect it.

I had, multiple times, removed and reinstalled the Sunrider, triple and quadruple checked the installation instructions, and ensured everything was installed to the letter. No luck. I then tried a different unit available for sale locally. Same deal. That guy said his wasn't closing properly at the header seal and his was replaced by Bestop. At that point, I reached out to Bestop directly and went through a painful, drawn-out process in which they impugned my installation abilities. That was despite clarifying I bought and installed a Sunrider on my previous JKU with no issue at all. In fact, I've rebuilt engines and transmissions, so I think I can grasp installation of a Jeep accessory. Long story short, I didn't have the same level of gumption you did, and after about 6 weeks of wasting time with Bestop, I opted to return the Sunrider. Anyway, you're not crazy, and you're not alone, if that's any consolation.

At this point, since my Freedom Panels fit perfectly, I'm going to install this product once it's warmer out. Yes, it's not cheap, but it's still cheaper than a Sunrider by a fair margin:

https://www.ez4x4.com/collections/j...x4-2020-up-jeep-jeep-jt-gladiator-ez-flip-top

Thank you for the ez flip top link. Seems to be many good reviews on this. I've purchased one.

I've had the same issue as everyone else in this thread. Bestop said they were working on a fix and would provide it no charge, but its been almost a year. Bestop would not give a refund since it was purchased through Quadratec. Giving that a shot.

 

[jc99]

For anyone with fitment issues with the bestop sunrider check out my post here.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...ixes-if-rails-not-fitting-jt-properly.106657/

I had to make some mods to the sunrider rails to make it fit my 2021. I have the updated windshield header with the rubber wings due to previous leaking issues (warranty repair) and they were getting crushed by the sunrider rails. Now it seals and fits very well.

Same thing for me, bestop was no help at all.

 

[Sweetums]

Thank you for the ez flip top link. Seems to be many good reviews on this. I've purchased one.

I've had the same issue as everyone else in this thread. Bestop said they were working on a fix and would provide it no charge, but its been almost a year. Bestop would not give a refund since it was purchased through Quadratec. Giving that a shot.

Unfortunately Bestop has become the latest example of “Private Equity ruins everything”

 

[flipmcgee]

I have always just held up that flap on the seal and placed it behind the rail. This is the rain deflector normally.It has never caused any problems. Im on my 3rd top now in 3 years straight due to the twill fabric becoming loose in just a couple months from installing new. Starts to flop terribly and forget about rolling down a window at slow speed. Bestop has been fantastic each time and just sent me a new top. I actually just installed top number 3 a couple days ago and noticed it's redesigned a bit in the front. For me it's not really possible to reach up and grab it at a stop light to close it nowbecause the hand grab is very small and flat but it looks much better inside. More importantly the twill on this top is much tighter than the other 2. Hoping the 3rd time is the charm.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I have always just held up that flap on the seal and placed it behind the rail. This is the rain deflector normally.It has never caused any problems. Im on my 3rd top now in 3 years straight due to the twill fabric becoming loose in just a couple months from installing new. Starts to flop terribly and forget about rolling down a window at slow speed. Bestop has been fantastic each time and just sent me a new top. I actually just installed top number 3 a couple days ago and noticed it's redesigned a bit in the front. For me it's not really possible to reach up and grab it at a stop light to close it nowbecause the hand grab is very small and flat but it looks much better inside. More importantly the twill on this top is much tighter than the other 2. Hoping the 3rd time is the charm.

Even Bestop said - no, don't do that, it's not right.
Further, as their engineer said, there were other issues with mine, such as clamping force.
Your acceptance of 3rd rate shit makes it harder for those who like things to fit correct and like things done right to get things fixed. It's a hack, not a solution. Even Bestop said "no, don't do that, you should not have to"
They directly said that when I showed them photos of what people who accept crap quality were doing to get by. No, it's not right, it should not fit that way.
Further - mine fit so shitty you could see the slope, and it rubbed on the top of the door. Tucking a seal because you don't care about shitty fit will not resolve that.

You do not help others at all - you cause issues for the rest of us by accepting a crap product that has little support.
When a company admits the fit is not correct - well, that means you have a product that does not fit right but just don't give a damn.

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