Bestop Sunrider

[Aleph]

I knew I’d hear more wind noise with the sunrider, but didn’t know how much more.

I got the twill version and it’s a lot more environmental noise and wind noise than I had expected and took a little getting used to, so I’m glad I got the better insulation with the 3-ply twill.

judging from that experience, I’d guess the standard fabric probably sounds like the top is completely off in comparison.

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[IamPro2A]

I knew I’d hear more wind noise with the sunrider, but didn’t know how much more.

I got the twill version and it’s a lot more environmental noise and wind noise than I had expected and took a little getting used to, so I’m glad I got the better insulation with the 3-ply twill.

judging from that experience, I’d guess the standard fabric probably sounds like the top is completely off in comparison.

This is very true, but it's also true of the full soft top. But since up until recently I was driving 650-700 miles a week in the Gladiator, almost all at 65-75mph+, I did not put one one that, and truthfully I rarely even removed the freedom panels because of the noise. Whereas my wife drives about 3000 miles a year, almost all on local roads, so she considers the sunrider a must have.

 

[IamPro2A]

There's my concern, sometimes our snow can be blown away with a leaf blower, or with a broom, other times it's so heavy it breaks trees and plugs all snow removal equipment it's so heavy.

Truthfully, the snow is a far bigger issue with the soft trifold tonneau than it is with the Sunrider top.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Truthfully, the snow is a far bigger issue with the soft trifold tonneau than it is with the Sunrider top.

Not a fan of the thought of all of that ice, snow, salt and sand up there on that thing, needing to be washed thoroughly, the salts getting to it, eating away at things..........
It's one thing to pressure wash the hard top - another to get up there and clean the salt and sand off a soft top.

(I have the roll-up tonneau and it doesn't get the salt and sand and mud on it like the roof and top of the windshield does. I rarely have to clean it)

 

[Bestop]

Looking to purchase at least one of these, I'll start on my JT and if I like it enough might add one to my JL as well. That said, for those that have these (and / or seen them) is there really a significant difference between the top fabrics? I live in New Hampshire so I honestly expect to remove it either way come November and put it back on in April. To much snow/ice to contend with as I don't have a garage.

Also any discount codes are always welcome @Bestop

-Jason

Hey! The main difference between the fabrics is the warranty and the look, its all about preference. As for discount codes, we have quite a few promos going on right now, check em out, www.bestop.com

~Crystal@Bestop
www.bestop.com

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Hey! The main difference between the fabrics is the warranty and the look, its all about preference. As for discount codes, we have quite a few promos going on right now, check em out, www.bestop.com

~Crystal@Bestop
www.bestop.com

Is it correct that when you order from Jeep - with a new Gladiator, you get the twill version? I'd guess so since the pricing matches.
Heck, I haven't even opened the box in the back of my new Gladiator yet - sales guy did to pull out the mounting instructions, but other than that, I've not even see it yet.

 

[IamPro2A]

Hey! The main difference between the fabrics is the warranty and the look, its all about preference. As for discount codes, we have quite a few promos going on right now, check em out, www.bestop.com

~Crystal@Bestop
www.bestop.com

Figures they would be on sale now. When I ordered our new Jeep 2 months ago, it was cheaper to order it right from Jeep at the same time.

 

[OldNo7BoozeBag]

I have the twill sunrider and it is by far more quiet than the freedom panels...I've actually been on the bluetooth phone in the gladiator and people on the other end thought I was in my Tundra

 

[OldNo7BoozeBag]

Not a fan of the thought of all of that ice, snow, salt and sand up there on that thing, needing to be washed thoroughly, the salts getting to it, eating away at things..........
It's one thing to pressure wash the hard top - another to get up there and clean the salt and sand off a soft top.

(I have the roll-up tonneau and it doesn't get the salt and sand and mud on it like the roof and top of the windshield does. I rarely have to clean it)

I bought one used here on the forum. The first time installing it took less than 10mins to take off the freedom panels and install. It's 6 T40 bolts and thats it, weighs maybe 20lbs? I just pop it off when the weather turns and put the panels back on for winter...

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I bought one used here on the forum. The first time installing it took less than 10mins to take off the freedom panels and install. It's 6 T40 bolts and thats it, weighs maybe 20lbs? I just pop it off when the weather turns and put the panels back on for winter...

Box says 30 pounds - I only know it's a bit heavier than a bag of cat food. That's how I just things in that weight range - heavier, or lighter, than a bag of cat food?
Then for heavier things - is it heavier or lighter than a box of Arm & Hammer Slide cat litter? (40 pounds)
Lighter than litter, heavier than cat food. There ya go - really really scientific, accurate!

I watched the video provided by a forum member, he makes it simple. Pad the roof with something, slide it forward over the top and into place, bolt it down.

 

[IamPro2A]

I watched the video provided by a forum member, he makes it simple. Pad the roof with something, slide it forward over the top and into place, bolt it down.

I have not looked at it yet either, but that sounds a lot easier than I remember installing on the JK. I don't remember it being especially difficult (but then, I was almost 10yrs younger too), but I also don't remember it being something I would want to switch back and forth between that and the freedom panels.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I don't remember it being especially difficult (but then, I was almost 10yrs younger too),

Key words in my world - "but then, I was xxxxxxxx younger" LOL
Yeah, the days of lifting a transmission down from a car or taking an engine block off the stand and setting it on the bench - all distant memories.
Still, from his video, it really looks like a piece of cake.

 

[IamPro2A]

I went looking on youtube for videos. The initial install looks easier than I remember on the JK, though I guess taking it back off is a little harder now, since they don't use screw knobs to hold it on like with the JK. I also noticed looking at the JL/JT videos that it seems they made some design changes there, the older videos the mounting is slightly different than the newer ones. The new style looks to add a few minutes to the install, but I assume it's for good reason

 

[ShadowsPapa]

 

[IamPro2A]

Yea, not hard, but not quite that easy. He skipped some stuff.
Here is the full install of the most current version.
There are also some comments about how attaching those cables in the beginning are not as easy as they made it look. We'll see. First decent day I'll put it on, along with the side steps so she can get it. Supposed to snow all weekend.

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