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Convertible Soft Top Options

SeanD

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What's people's experience with various soft tops? Looking for something to easily swap out the hard top seasonally that allows a quick shift to full open air (no Freedom Panels or hardtop).
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jcarbs

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I just installed the Besttop Sunrider and as my wife put it - I don't think we'll be putting the freedom tops back on. It as a 30 minute install and it's been great being able to put the roof back on a sunny day.
 

fishburger

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Master top makes a bimini style top with a rear wind cover, but it’s not completely waterproof
 

zuki_dan

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I ended up buying a used factory soft top from the classifieds. I just didn't like the other offerings and bestop seems to not support us with a full soft top.
 

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BAT

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I had hard top and bought a still in box premium soft top from anther JT owner at a great price. My hard top never went back on and I actually sold it since I don't ever see it going back on the truck.
 

cafecito

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I’ve been thinking about this soft top but would love to hear others’ experiences. One day I think it would be a great mod and the next day I don’t think so.

https://www.bestop.com/sunrider/
This thing is widely regarded as one of the most important first mods for every single Jeep, regardless of trim level. The only complaint I've ever seen is that the tiny clips that hold the spring cable onto the rails is really thin, and can break, which renders the entire top useless.

But, if you put it together as the instructions say and don't beat the hell out of it, it'll last for years.
 

geneinhouston

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I’ve been thinking about this soft top but would love to hear others’ experiences. One day I think it would be a great mod and the next day I don’t think so.

https://www.bestop.com/sunrider/
haha i am right there with you...especially at that price point...
if it was half the cost i probably would have already had it on my gladiator!
 

chesafreak

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Not much out there. Have the Suntop personally and I like it. Install isnt just throw the frame up there and ready to go but doesnt seem the factory one really is either. There is one other i have seen by rugged ridge which is a neat design that folds in the middle instead of flopping to the back.

Only thing I really dont care for is the suntop is a little loose and floppy in the middle at higher speeds with a poor designed removable support bar. I do like its half the price of the factory one and came in tan.
 

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MPMB

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Bestop Sunrider. I took it off November-ish '21 and put it back on in April '22. Haven't put the Freedom panels on since. And we've been to Yellowstone in wet snow (a couple weeks before the bad floods), and just spent 4 days in snowy cold Jackson.

It's a little bit louder than the panels.

It's a great option for all-season without having to store the hardtop.
 

Dartboy

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Another vote for a lightly used/NIB factory soft top. I found one at the beginning of last Summer, and it is a huge difference in open air feel over having the front half of the hard top off. Yes the "Man bun" is ugly, but you don't see it when you're driving :) Full removal is only a few bolts away and you can drop the whole thing in the bed in just a few minutes. Top up with rear window and quarter panels out is great for airflow and sunshade as well.

Changing from Hard to Soft top is reasonably easy (helps to have another person to lift the HT, or a properly places lift system) Takes a 1/2 hour at most once it's all set up
 

DBravo

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I just installed the Besttop Sunrider and as my wife put it - I don't think we'll be putting the freedom tops back on. It as a 30 minute install and it's been great being able to put the roof back on a sunny day.
This ^ My Best Top Sunrider stays on May - October. I have a storage rack that I built to back under and offload the hard top when I want full open air (weekends) - but most days, the Best Top Sunrider is all i need. Tip: Open the sliding rear window or lower the rear passenger windows slightly when on the highway with the Sunrider open and it helps with annoying wind noise (+65mph). The Wife has a '21 JL with the Skytouch roof (very nice) because she didn't want to have to mess with removing the roof.
 

DBravo

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This thing is widely regarded as one of the most important first mods for every single Jeep, regardless of trim level. The only complaint I've ever seen is that the tiny clips that hold the spring cable onto the rails is really thin, and can break, which renders the entire top useless.

But, if you put it together as the instructions say and don't beat the hell out of it, it'll last for years.
No issues at all with mine (2 summers in).
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