Hard Top and Sunrider, one for winter and one for summer

[Raven65]

It is just as easy to take it off as it was to put it on! save the box it came in for storage when you remove it.

Unfortunately, I've already tossed the box... but it won't matter. I'll probably just leave it on year-round. Here in SC, we sometimes have a few mild days in even the middle of winter where I'll be able to open it up and enjoy the fresh air.

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[WILDHOBO]

Unfortunately, I've already tossed the box... but it won't matter. I'll probably just leave it on year-round. Here in SC, we sometimes have a few mild days in even the middle of winter where I'll be able to open it up and enjoy the fresh air.

The box doesn’t fit it if you leave it assembled when removed anyway. It’s super easy to remove it completely assembled, and just put it somewhere safe for the winter.

 

[Raven65]

The box doesn’t fit it if you leave it assembled when removed anyway. It’s super easy to remove it completely assembled, and just put it somewhere safe for the winter.

I was thinking putting it in a big plastic bag - like maybe a contractor/leaf bag - is probably better than the box anyway... because it will not only keep it from getting dusty/dirty, but will also keep moisture away from it. But again... mine will probably never come back off my Jeep.

 

[Jwarrenod]

I’ve had my Sunrider on for about 5 days now, like it very much. Install took far longer than it should have, those F’ing Z clips are such a PITA!

For those who swap it with Freedom panels seasonally, do you take it apart to remove or just take the ”side rails” off and remove the clamp from the back of the Sunrider and take it off in one piece?

JW

 

[WILDHOBO]

I’ve had my Sunrider on for about 5 days now, like it very much. Install took far longer than it should have, those F’ing Z clips are such a PITA!

For those who swap it with Freedom panels seasonally, do you take it apart to remove or just take the ”side rails” off and remove the clamp from the back of the Sunrider and take it off in one piece?

JW

Just remove it from the Jeep fully assembled. Super easy. Exactly as you described in your post. 6 bolts. One piece.

 

[Fungi3]

But that's the whole point of the Sunrider... to replace your Freedom panels. I couldn't care less that the back seat remains covered since I rarely ever have anyone back there. There are MANY times when you won't pull your Freedom panels off and enjoy the open air because they're a clumsy pain to take off, store and put back on - whereas with the Sunrider, you can flip it open in a matter of just a few seconds - and it's just as easy to close it back. The rest of the time, you have all the benefits of a hardtop - and none of the drawbacks of a full soft top. If I'm just running a 15-minute errand around town, I wouldn't even consider spending the time to pull the Freedom panels off, put them in the bag, and then pull them back out and replace them again when I get back home, but I'll easily spend a few seconds to pop the Sunrider open on even the shortest trips. It enables you to enjoy the open air MUCH more often. I'd buy mine again in a heartbeat.

If you don't have the back seats being used, and do not want everything removed some days, then I agree with you. The Sunrider is a great product. I like to open the entire roof easily and fast, and I also like removing the entire soft top on warm Summer days. The soft top only takes 15-20 minutes to remove entirely, it stores easily, and it's far less heavy like the hardtop.

I bought both, the freedom panel hard top and the premium soft top when I bought my 2022. It works out perfect for me. If I hardly ever wanted the rest of the hard top removed, and had no need to have the back seat roof off, then I would have definitely gotten the Sunrider. The full convertible top wasn't available when I bought my 2022. Now you can buy or order with the full length convertible top. Its basically a Sunrider that goes all the way back.

Thx.

 

[WILDHOBO]

After two years of heavy use, the drivers side tension cable broke. @Bestop support was fantastic and they quickly sent a rebuild kit. Very straight forward and includes the upgraded frame rails that use the new bolt/shoulder nut instead of the z clips. Good as new in about an hour.

 

[Raven65]

After two years of heavy use, the drivers side tension cable broke. @Bestop support was fantastic and they quickly sent a rebuild kit. Very straight forward and includes the upgraded frame rails that use the new bolt/shoulder nut instead of the z clips. Good as new in about an hour.

I wasn't aware that they had designed new frame rails that don't use Z-clips! I JUST got my SunRider a couple of months ago and it has the Z-clip rails.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I wasn't aware that they had designed new frame rails that don't use Z-clips! I JUST got my SunRider a couple of months ago and it has the Z-clip rails.

The Z clips are fine. I’d almost have rather they were on mine again. The small bolt requires loctite, and it’s a tight spot to not get it on your fingers with such a small fastener. Either is fine. My cable broke at the spring in the header. No issues near the Z clip.

 

[Maccam26]

I’ve had my Sunrider on for about 5 days now, like it very much. Install took far longer than it should have, those F’ing Z clips are such a PITA!

For those who swap it with Freedom panels seasonally, do you take it apart to remove or just take the ”side rails” off and remove the clamp from the back of the Sunrider and take it off in one piece?

JW

Just take off side rails, that's also how the mopar version comes pre-assembled, no messing with z-clips lol

 

[gunsnrods]

Old thread, still current. I had a 2022 Glad soft top, traded for my current Mojave hardtop with plans from the get go to have a Sunrider. My Jeep is garaged, I may go days without closing my Sunrider. Very hot here in Western Idaho, only reason it’s closed is the heat is overwhelming. Exact opposite in winter, we have some cold spells, occasional trip to the mountains.
I’ll remove my Sunrider about mid November, put it back on about Easter.
My Sunrider was purchased on eBay, box had been damaged and parts kit was gone. I bought the kit from Sunrider, my total cost was under $500.00

 

[DanW]

How reasonable is it to run the Sunrider or similar tops in the summer here in WI and switch back to the hard top panels for winter?

JW

It´s pretty easy. Just takes a few minutes to swap. I ran my JL for a couple years that way....except I did soft top in summer and Sunrider in the winter.

Now with my JT, I run the Sunrider year round.

 

[gunsnrods]

What size is the torx for the Sunrider bolts, need to buy a socket…

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