What’s the big deal with the Bestop Sunrider?

[Yellow1098]

I want one...but one thing I do a lot and have a question about is when you take the rear roof off does the sunrider stay in place? Or do you have to take it off? I take the entire roof off regularly....anyone have a pic of the sunrider on with the rear off?

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[noside85]

can't run it without the rear in place, from what i've read. Less than 10 minutes is what it should take to remove it before going for the rear top though

 

[MCATDT]

Sunrider has to come off to remove rear section. Taking the entire roof off does take longer because of the sunrider. If you go full topless often then the stock panels may be best. For me due to work scheduling taking the full top off is usually just special occasions. The sunrider has really allowed me to be open air every day and the few times a year I go completely topless to make this happen still pretty easily.

 

[Shackleton]

I’m a first time Jeep owner. I wanted one my whole life but always bought a truck. I took my hard top off completely the first day I brought Sandy home which was simple but I did put it on at the end of the day(loved open air feel). I took the freedom panels off a couple times after that. As simple as all of the above is I do feel like the little inconvenience absolutely is preventing me from enjoying open air a lot more frequently. To solve this I went out and bought an unused premium soft top ($700) that I intend to install every Spring. I’m now seeing this and hoping I did not make a bad decision. My 7 year old occupies the back seat and I figured the full soft top would be a better open air experience for her. For me, my laziness may dictate the soft top staying on some winters as I don’t know how much of a job it is to swap them.

 

[JTBurns]

ride on the highway with the top down into a storm WITHOUT the bestop....you're gonna have a bad time. Imagine pulling over, running out back, rolling tonneau cover, getting correct side of freedom panel located, installing it, doing the other side, closing the bed up and getting back in. Guess what? All your shit is soaked so you shoulda just kept going and be soaked, but not late.

It's great for quick trips otw to work or around town. Just pop the top off and go. You will ride with top down more with the sunrider than with freedom panels, I guarantee that. I use it more than any other mod I can think of

In the winter I just put the panels back on and run hardtop til spring. Keeps it warmer, I guess.

That said, it is not worth over $800 to me. Get it used or on sale for under $700 and walk away happy.

This happened to me. Coming home from a day trip to Rehoboth beach, my wife and I could see a pop up storm up Rt 12, pulled over, and by the time we got outta the truck, it started downpouring. By the time we raced to the bed to dig out the panels and through them back on, the interior was soaked. This would have never been an issue with the Sunrider, as it literally takes 2 seconds to flip closed.

Another real world example: I drop my kids off at daycare often in the morning. It's starting to get colder in the northeast, so top is on on my way to drop them off. After I drop them off and get back in the truck, I flip the top back for my ride back home even on the days down into the 30's, especially if it's sunny.

The convenience is amazing, and quality materials. A little more work to go full top off, but when I throw it back on, I can always use the panels until I feel like installing the Sunrider which is super simple and maybe a 15 minute job. Also, this way I have a backup if one of these two front roofs get damaged. A little pricey? Yes, but I got mine for 10% off back at prime day, and I'd say it's worth every penny.

 

[AustinL911]

Im assuming the chances are roughly 0% of getting one of these in a colored twill? Plan is to get a Sarge green JTR with a color matched hardtop when they are released. The thought of a black Sunrider on a green roof seems goofy to me. However, the thought of an olive greenish top sounds appealing, even though it obviously wouldn't be an exact match.

@Bestop, you hearing this? Make it happen!

 

[aj8544]

I've had hard top only, then Bestop Sunrider, and now hardtop and full factory soft top. The sunrider is certainly convenient, but imo not worth the cost. I found the noise level with the sunrider to be worse than the full factory soft top- felt like I was inside a drum at highway speeds. Seemed like this was due to the rest of the top being the hard top- maybe more air tight/ sound proof. I ended up buying a new in box full premium soft top for less than I paid for the sunrider. Jeep did a great job with the full soft top (even if you don't like the look)- removing the rear corners and window is a 30 second task, makes even my wife's Wrangler JL Soft top seem like a chore. The sunrider would make good sense at the $4-500 price point, but after owning one I'd never pay $800 again.

 

[Johnnyblender]

For me it is about not having to store the tops when my bed is full.

 

[jenkij]

Not trying to crap on it. It’s a serious question. It’s not that hard to remove the freedom tops. Only takes a minute. So what makes the Sunrider so great? The one advantage I can see is that you do it from anywhere without having to worry about storing the panels, but it seems like a tonneau cover would solve the same problem and provide extra utility for the same price or (much) less.

Am I missing something? I’m new to Jeeps and this product gets rave reviews so I feel like I’m missing something. Thanks

I had one on my Wrangler and just got one for my Gladiator, I live where it can be sunny for half the drive home and then start raining or snowing, so I have the top open more than I do with the freedom panels. I love the soft top, but don't like the way it looks on 4 doors so to me it's the best of both worlds, although ridiculously priced.

 

[Yellow1098]

Sounds like it’s a nice option if you don’t go full naked often like I do

 

[Empty Pockets]

Yeah, the panels come off quick. Then you have to wrestle them into the bag to protect then and keep them nice. Then what do you do with that? Put it in the bed with all your other gear, lawn supplies, dirt bike, whatever. Then it starts to rain, or it’s cooler than you thought.
The Sunrider is just pure awesomeness. Through and through. I can’t say enough good things to express how much I really like this thing.

 

[Willys2Gladiator]

My best mods to date! It was my Birthday gift to myself.
Panels are either on or off. Your pretty committed.
Sunrider it's your option at anytime.

Yes it's expensive but damn the ability to open at a whim and close back up at will is priceless!!!

 

[fun2drum]

For me it is about not having to store the tops when my bed is full.

That’s a great point. Getting rid of the freedom panels frees up not only the bed while they’re off, but also all that space under the rear seat where the panel storage bag was stowed.

 

[Ravenron]

Im assuming the chances are roughly 0% of getting one of these in a colored twill? Plan is to get a Sarge green JTR with a color matched hardtop when they are released. The thought of a black Sunrider on a green roof seems goofy to me. However, the thought of an olive greenish top sounds appealing, even though it obviously wouldn't be an exact match.

@Bestop, you hearing this? Make it happen!

I wondered about the color contrast also (Gobi hardtop with black Sunrider). Hasn't been an issue...looks fine to me. I wouldn't let the color issue stop you from enjoying the freedom of the soft top.

 

[AustinL911]

I wondered about the color contrast also (Gobi hardtop with black Sunrider). Hasn't been an issue...looks fine to me. I wouldn't let the color issue stop you from enjoying the freedom of the soft top.

I won't. I'll buy one regardless.

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