Considering a Bestop Sunrider

[Just Mark]

Warm weather is here and the Sunrider looks like a good compromise between just hanging with the hardtop and hassling with taking the panels off for some sunshine and fresh air or getting a full soft top (and having to store the hardtop).

For those of you that have one, what are the pros and cons? Can you run them through a car wash? Are they significantly louder? Leaks? Any good deals on them right now?

I appreciate any inputs.

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[JTBurns]

I have it and love mine. It is much more convenient and worth it. Check bestop's website or posts to see if they have their rebate right now. Also if you're a veteran they have a military discount.

I've only had it through a carwash once because I usually wash the Jeep by hand. I've had no leaks. To me, it's only significantly louder at high speeds on the freeway, like 75+. Maybe a little lower but I bought mine six months ago and haven't taken it off yet, so I don't remember.

The only con I see is it'll be a little more work to take the whole roof off, but that really won't be that bad, just inconvenient. I kept the packaging it shipped in so I have something for storage when I do.

 

[Nebulocity]

I love mine, I pop mine open anytime it's not raining. I have had zero issues. No leaks, wind noise has not been majorly noticeable and I was switching from Hothead installed freedom panels to this. But I drive with it open most of the time anyway.
As far as the man bun factor? I don't care, I don't have look at it.
Probably the most used, most appreciated mod I've done so far. Get the twill!

 

[jludave]

For those of you that have one, what are the pros and cons?

No cons for me. Biggest pro is getting rid of the pain in the butt freedom panels.

Can you run them through a car wash?

Yes.

Are they significantly louder?

I find my Sunrider (closed) to be quieter than my freedom panels were. Open, obviously the noise is the same.

Leaks?

Installed properly, a Sunrider should never leak. I had one on my JK for 5 years and one now on my JL without leaks.

Any good deals on them right now?

Bestop runs promos every now and then. Perhaps for Memorial Day. Have to keep checking the web site.

 

[tbaker]

The Bestop sunrider is the best purchase I have made for my gladiator you will love it

 

[Just Mark]

Thank you all for the input. Now I need to find a deal on one. Or.... I'll just get to impatient and order at retail. 5 local shops are listed at Bestop resellers, maybe I can find one in stock and pick it up this afternoon if I hurry.

 

[DeezJT]

The biggest difference for me was driving on the freeway with high winds with the sunrider.
Passing near a truck with high winds 20-30+ will increase that tone, and perhaps cause sunrider flutter which elevates noise levels. I drove to a 300 mile highway destination with high winds one day and calm winds on the way home at the same highway speeds. The noise variance was significant, however with no winds, the sunrider was acceptable.

 

[Nitroexpress]

I'd give up my suspension lift before my Sunrider!! I open it all the time.

 

[TxRed208]

I've only had it quite briefly but put mine through a handheld carwash last night (thinking from the angles and such I'd be sure to get a few drops inside) and the interior was bone dry. It does take a moment to spray the soap out of the cloth - and the angles I had to hit to get the soap out of the channels and such made me sure I'd have some water inside... nothing.

I have had it open with windows up and had an easy conversation at 73 MPH.

Yes you do hear more but I reckon anyone here knows enough about it being a jeep that it's gonna have road noise... especially with the cloth part. My wife and I absolutely love the quick and easy open/close as desired. I'm a ginger so I really like to open it at night ;-)

I will be taking it on a trip to central Florida from here in Central Texas in a week and will update if I come across anything. I was just very happy that spraying the car wash from the sides and top and all else did not let a drop in to my interior.

 

[DeanW66]

New related questions:
1) How is the sunrider in colder weather compared to the freedom panels?
2) How difficult to swap back and forth between sunrider and freedom?

 

[AverageDad]

The Bestop sunrider is the best purchase I have made for my gladiator you will love it

Nice truck. What are your wheels? They look great!

 

[Just Mark]

New related questions:
1) How is the sunrider in colder weather compared to the freedom panels?
2) How difficult to swap back and forth between sunrider and freedom?

I can't answer the first question yet. The Sunrider only took about 15 minutes to install after watching the latest Bestop video on installation. Changing it back will take even less time.

 

[DoAWheelie]

Strongly considering picking one up.

Once it’s on, how much longer/more difficult is it to remove the full roof? The freedom panels are maybe a little inconvenient due to size, but they come off in less than a min and the roof can come off in another 10. How much convenience do you give up for full topless?

 

[Just Mark]

It will take longer than the freedom panels to remove. Freedom panels are tool less removal. The removal of the Sunrider does require a tool. Once you find the T40 driver that you can't remember where you left, the Sunrider can be off in 5 minutes.

 

[Sleighman]

Best mod I have made. I live in Florida and open it just about everyday. Super easy to install. Should be a factory option.

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