Bikini top for just driving around home?

[JAsh1967]

Looking at getting a BesTop extended safari style bikini top (mesh) for my Gladiator. The intent behind it will be to put on when the weather's nice so we don't get quite as cooked by the sun with the hard top off. Longer drives the hard tops will be put back on, just because one never knows what the weather will do...

So, am I heading in the right direction? And if I'm reading the description right, it can be left on even when the hard top is put back on?

I saw in one of the other discussions about these that @Bestop is a rep here for them, so...

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[ShawnwFL]

If it’s just you, or just front seat passengers, you can run the front freedom panels only. Doesn’t help backseat passengers but provides great coverage for front seats.

 

[CluelessRufus]

If it’s just you, or just front seat passengers, you can run the front freedom panels only. Doesn’t help backseat passengers but provides great coverage for front seats.

Really? Is this “officially” approved?

I don’t have my JT yet, but there’s no way my JK could’ve done this. At least not safely. I’m very interested to hear more about this option.

So, am I heading in the right direction? And if I'm reading the description right, it can be left on even when the hard top is put back on?

I’m also researching bikini tops. The biggest problem I can see with the hard top fitting on top of the bikini is access to the freedom panel latches. Particularly the latches in the middle front and middle back. I'm revising my comment. I didn't realize you were looking at the mesh top, not the canvas bikini top. The mesh top appears to have a zipper for hard top latch access and doesn't use the windshield channel. And the BestTop site says specifically it can stay in place with the hard top installed.

 

[Uparms]

I spend 9 months of the year with no back window/sides in. So much easier and better rain protection then the aftermarket I have seen.

 

[ShawnwFL]

Really? Is this “officially” approved?

I don’t have my JT yet, but there’s no way my JK could’ve done this. At least not safely. I’m very interested to hear more about this option.

I dunno what officially approved means but I do it all the time and so do others here. Three of the four latches on each panel still lock down and it’s pretty damn solid, no vibration and no way it’s coming off.

 

[CluelessRufus]

I dunno what officially approved means but I do it all the time and so do others here. Three of the four latches on each panel still lock down and it’s pretty damn solid, no vibration and no way it’s coming off.

By officially approved I meant, does Jeep say this is ok.

I found some pictures of the latches and see what you mean. It looks like the rear latches attach to the sport bar. It's only the outboard latches that use the rear portion of the hard top. That's very different from the JK hard top I had. Interesting.

 

[ShawnwFL]

Found a pic (not a great one) of me running this setup.

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