Bestop Development response

[Aastark19]

I reached out to Bestop to inquire about the possibility of a different design for the Gladiator soft top. I know not everything is about looks, but I just can't get on board with the top hanging off the roof when fully retracted. Attached are picture of their response. I was happy to hear from them that they are developing aftermarket tops, we will see if they are a new design completely, or if they are simply a Bestop-branded version of the current offering. I know there are already threads on this topic, but I thought I would share these responses in case anyone was interested.

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[j.o.y.ride]

not into the bed, would require no tonneau cover, otherwise every cover on the market when rolled or folded up would get in the way.

 

[Aastark19]

not into the bed, would require no tonneau cover, otherwise every cover on the market when rolled or folded up would get in the way.

I agree. I would want the top to come down directly in line with the top of the bed as I have a diamondback cover, but I figured I would ask about all options to try to pick their brain.

 

[Ohio JKU]

I don’t like the part “these will not be available for quite a while”

sounds like years to me...

 

[Dqban]

I want a tonneau cover, except for the roof.

 

[tampahoosier]

This isn’t promising at all. The fact that they said “will not be available for quite awhile” is disappointing. They didn’t even bother to lie and say “coming soon” then make us wait a year. I really wish I ordered the dual top on mine and was hoping for an after market solution too so this sucks!

Guess it’s back to looking for a soft top for sale!

 

[Rocksalt]

well, sounds like Bestop is undersome type of exclusive with FCA, since they make the OEM soft tops. That being said, there are other aftermarket soft top companies who make soft tops for the wranglers. Seems like the perfect opportunity for one of them to fill the need.

 

[tampahoosier]

well, sounds like Bestop is undersome type of exclusive with FCA, since they make the OEM soft tops. That being said, there are other aftermarket soft top companies who make soft tops for the wranglers. Seems like the perfect opportunity for one of them to fill the need.

They always are. They have to make a new design when they put one for sale, so it’s back to the drawing board for them. Hopefully that means it will be a better than stock solution though.

 

[j.o.y.ride]

I want someone to make a rear section that is freedom panels separate from the back. May require a deflector to keep air from building on the rear glass

 

[Rocksalt]

I muat say that even though I would prefer not to have the man bun fold back, my premium soft top has been flawless as my only top since August 2019.

 

[Lateralus]

I want a classic style soft top as well.

 

[mmatthie]

This is absolutely THE ONLY reason I won't buy a full soft top with the current offerings. It looks hideous to me that there wasn't a fully-pivoted/retractable softie that would lay all the way to the bed top.

It's funny...when I had my JK...I thought the sunrider was ridiculous looking and a full soft top was the only way to go...well with the JT it's the complete opposite. I'd never invest into that ugly soft top design and am considering a sunrider.

 

[Gren71]

This is absolutely THE ONLY reason I won't buy a full soft top with the current offerings. It looks hideous to me that there wasn't a fully-pivoted/retractable softie that would lay all the way to the bed top.

It's funny...when I had my JK...I thought the sunrider was ridiculous looking and a full soft top was the only way to go...well with the JT it's the complete opposite. I'd never invest into that ugly soft top design and am considering a sunrider.

I didn’t like the bun (its insulting to all of us adding man to that word) look at all either. But after buying one from another forum member its grown on me. Mostly because I don’t see it..i just get to enjoy the wide open world. Or just remove the back for the window down wrangler safari top feel. Or even take the thing completely off and flop it in my truck bed at a whim. Overall im beyond impressed with the oem soft top, despite the bun.

The best part...NO ZIPPERS!

 

[redrider]

IMO, the soft top looks best fully assembled and in place followed by the top on only with tube doors. The open sunrider and folded back top options morphs the rig into "Derpy Jeep". Cartoonish and fugly. I was planning to order the dual top group but the soft top would never be used for those reasons.

 

[cgflyer]

Rampage makes good aftermarket tops for the JK (and I assume the JLs), maybe they will beat Bestop to the market for the JT.

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