😮 Finally another soft top! Rugged Ridge

[Sazabi19]

Reading through the install directions, I think the @cafecito is largely correct (the plastic tab and zippers match up exactly). The install directions differ a little with respect to when to install the window (it reads as if it is an extension of the top and then you simply secure the corners with the zippers and tabs).

The good news is that from the picture and description ... it appears to not be a man bun design and to cleanly fully tuck away ... whether there is a clean way to use as a bikini is what is unclear to me

This is the 7th picture from the product page. It looks like it folds up and is self contained above the sound bar. This also matches with the descriptio, " Once removed, the windows store conveniently inside the built-in overhead panel".

I've seen that pic, I just feel like the folded up portion will have a larger profile than that. If not, great, but I wonder how it sounds and what it does to mileage.

Sponsored

 

[Trailman]

There's another thread with these same pictures, and there is feedback from the manufacturer that technically you aren't supposed to use it this way (folded to middle). But, they unofficially give some hints on how to do it, although they won't guarantee or certify that it is designed to drive in that configuration.

 

[Garemlin]

Ok I was just reading through some of the questions asked on the RR site. According to RR in several responses the rear DOES NOT fold forward like the picture would imply. Only the front fold back.

I'm still interested given the price point is below what the Bestop Sunrider is. I'm just not as excited as I was previously thinking the rear folded forward.

 

[NJgarageman]

I I wish they had a demo video. It looks like the rear window doesn‘t fit well. I have the factory remind soft top and the for and finish is spot on. Works really well.

 

[Garemlin]

Ok saw someone on a Gladiator FB group with the Voyager top. They posted some pics and answered questions. Here are the pics and pertinent information.

 

[GHWillys]

Ok saw someone on a Gladiator FB group with the Voyager top. They posted some pics and answered questions. Here are the pics and pertinent information.

All of this information is in this thread which has 16 pages of discussion on this top. I have been going back and forth about ordering this as a summer top. Everything I have read I feel there would be enough small annoying things that would make me regret spending $960 on it.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/anybody-heard-anything-about-this.53882/

 

[ResurrectionManNH]

Sorry for the delay all! Finally a warm day today. Here are several pics of the front and back all rolled up. Also a couple of just the back window and corners out like a safari too. You’ll see the last pic I used a flex cord to tie everything down around the sound bar. Worked great. Really liking this top.

 

[ResurrectionManNH]

After helping my wife install her Trektop on her JL, and having removed the windows more than once, I can almost see from the picture how this might work similarly.

The green lined area would have the plastic tabs that tuck under the lip edges of the surround. The red lined area is most likely zippers (as evidenced by the bulge underneath the seam). The corner piece would hook around or connect to a cross bar up near where the blue circle is.

Then, you'd slide the rear window in and tuck the top down onto the velcro around the corners.

However, again just going on what I know of the Trektop design, I think this can only go bikini mode, not fully retracted like a JL factory soft top. The front will open like a convertible, but I don't think the rear section would. You could remove the rear window and the corners, and flip back the front, but...

If I'm correct, this is another man-bun design. I hope I'm not correct.

Looks good I think with the back folded up under the front portion. Secured the whole thing around the sound bar with a strap. Definitely feels fully open and lies flat.

 

[ResurrectionManNH]

I will say besides a few minor engineering gripes (too many straps vs Velcro) my biggest issue is the damn road noise. Up to about 50 mph it’s not bad but as soon as you hit 70+ it is like being in a wind tunnel. It’s honestly louder than having no top on or the front open because of the poor wind channeling across the top. I’ve optimized a few things with the header and tried some different things across the top to channel better but it’s the fact that it stretches right across the sound bar which sticks up a bit so the wind noise is mostly between the header and the sound bar which is directly over your head when driving. Luckily I don’t have to drive highway too much but fair warning if you do.

 

[robotmilkman]

Looks good I think with the back folded up under the front portion. Secured the whole thing around the sound bar with a strap. Definitely feels fully open and lies flat.

Did you tuck the rear window and corner pieces on top as well, or stow them somewhere in the Jeep, or leave them in the garage? I haven't folded mine up yet since installation, just wondering what I can do with those pieces if I decide to go topless while out and about.

 

[ResurrectionManNH]

Took off the corner pieces and rear window and just folded the rest up under the front.

Did you tuck the rear window and corner pieces on top as well, or stow them somewhere in the Jeep, or leave them in the garage? I haven't folded mine up yet since installation, just wondering what I can do with those pieces if I decide to go topless while out and about.

 

[Emad Al balushi]

Took off the corner pieces and rear window and just folded the rest up under the front.

How much time it took to do this??
and how much time it takes to put it back on??
Is it easy to this??

 

[MacJTCanada]

I've had mine for about 2 weeks, and thought I'd chine in on the waterproofness of these! Daily showers and thunderstorms for about 2/3 of that time, and not a single drop inside! That was my biggest fear for having this, as I want to run it as a bikini top most of the summer!

 

[Jeepin' John]

It's a little flat for my taste, but an OK looking top

Sponsored