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Sunrider or Soft Top?

JTBurns

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I have a Twill Bestop Sunrider that I recently purchased and installed. I really like it so far. If it's installed correctly you won't have any water leakage problems. It's snowed on mine with no water at all inside the cab. You do hear slightly more road noise, after install and driving it I thought one of my windows was cracked open at first but it was the only time, you don't notice it for the most part even on the highway with it closed, no flapping etc. It was handy when I installed my light bar made access much easier for a one man install. Personally I don't need the whole top open I actually prefer just to have the front driver passenger cab top open but I usually don't have people in the back where'd I may want the soft top. They do have a power retractable soft top for the JT now where the whole thing opens up and closes at a push of a button, I think it's in the 3K range but it looks worth it.

View attachment 206196
Awesome truck!!
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Awesome truck!!
Thanks, it’s changed a bit since this photo. I added an RSI Smart Cap EVO-A Adventure two days ago which has improved the looks substantially. Appreciate the compliment. ?✌?
 

redriderjf87

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Shadowmaker

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+1 for the Sunrider. The simplicity of opening it makes it amazing.

It is such a stark contrast on the white, I sometimes wish I had the black roof.

My JK version was quieter, so this one does not live installed year round. That part, I am kind of disappointed over.

Jeep Gladiator Sunrider or Soft Top? 2021-10-02 14.40.49
 

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USMC-SSGT

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+1 for the Sunrider. The simplicity of opening it makes it amazing.

It is such a stark contrast on the white, I sometimes wish I had the black roof.

My JK version was quieter, so this one does not live installed year round. That part, I am kind of disappointed over.

2021-10-02 14.40.49.jpg
2 things I could overcome. For now (since it’s winter) I ended up buying the Clearlidz.
1: it’s noisy as hell
2: it’s black and I have a color matched hard top. Fortunately my hard top is dark, granite crystal. Still looks a little off being the entire truck is color matched minus that.
 

Trippin01

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I like both, but for different reasons that are unique to my setup. I have the Premium Soft top, and love it. It is on most of the time, and my favorite configuration is; Doors off, top on. I like the shade. However, the added headroom and Tower storage under the top are amazing. Aesthetics? I see to many complaints about the Hardtop, 1st is the Chop top look, to me its about as ugly as ugly gets. I read about leaks, wind whistles, sloshing water in the top, panel insulation constantly falling down and cabs full of water when its left out in the weather. No thanks. Down side for me, I love hot summer nights with the top down along with being immersed in the woods. I don't like to lock nature out. But if the dust gets bad, I can. Problem? RTT keeps me from using it, so the Sunrider would allow me to use it, since I would have the room to open the front part. I just don't like the Southern Cal "Chop top" urban look, yuck. But this is JMO. A Sunrider is not a bad option for ease of use & functionality and definitely and upgrade to a cheap jeep hardtop.
 

Shadowmaker

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2 things I could overcome. For now (since it’s winter) I ended up buying the Clearlidz.
1: it’s noisy as hell
2: it’s black and I have a color matched hard top. Fortunately my hard top is dark, granite crystal. Still looks a little off being the entire truck is color matched minus that.
Clearlidz is a neat product, but seemed to pricey to not be open air.

I thing on the granite, the black is still a neat blend, especially if you are dressing your Jeep up in Black accents.
 

injaneer

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AZJT

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Question/let me get this straight: IF I choose to order and install the Sunrider, I can't then remove the back half of my hard top? In looking at the Bestop website, they seem to indicate that.
 

JTBurns

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Question/let me get this straight: IF I choose to order and install the Sunrider, I can't then remove the back half of my hard top? In looking at the Bestop website, they seem to indicate that.
Yes once you install it, you have to remove it to take off the back half. You cannot run the Sunrider alone either. It takes 15 minutes maybe to remove, so not all that bad
 

AZJT

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Yes once you install it, you have to remove it to take off the back half. You cannot run the Sunrider alone either. It takes 15 minutes maybe to remove, so not all that bad
Many thanks, sir!
 

Rocksalt

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FWIW... bought mine Augg 2019. Twill soft top only. Man bun? I dont see it when I am driving. Cold weather? I have a cabin in N MN... my soft top hasbeen in -30(actual temps, not wind chill)
never an issue.
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