Sunrider owners - MY mess-up, or theirs?

[jav_eee]

Leave it to this forum to leave me feeling retarded on a daily basis

It happens to the best of us.

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[ShadowsPapa]

After finding out the sunrider was chewing up the seals - it came off today.
The wind noise was absolutely horrible, and can't put headliner in one until there is a resolution to all of this, so off it came, panels back on.
So much quieter, cooler, and driving in the rain - amazingly different, but the wind noise, I didn't realize how horrible the sunrider is for wind noise until I swapped back.
Drove hundreds of miles in the wind and rain both ways so far in the last few days and it's night and day.

Plus - check out the condition of these bits - it's destroying things, so off it came until Bestop and Jeep get some control over this situation.
With the panels back in, the seals/muckets and so on work and fit PERFECTLY and the clearance with the tops of the doors is all back again. (my sunrider was really at times only a few thousandths of an inch from the door edge)

Panels back in until i get a call or message from Jeep.

Above and below - look how deep down the front edge fits into the windshield seal - it's really down there.

 

[Trollboogie]

Thanks for the update.

 

[imaginaryreply]

I escalated and heard back from Bestop. Here is a summary:

• In 2022, Mopar changed the windshield seal used in vehicle assembly.
• Change was not communicated effectively, preventing timely adjustments.
• Initial testing (including water intrusion) showed no issues with Sunrider for Hardtop or OEM hardtop.
• Recent customer reports indicate increased wind noise and fitment concerns.
• User’s feedback has prompted a deeper investigation into compatibility.
• No definitive fix or updated part is available yet; engineering team is working on a solution.
• Issue is not classified as a product defect.
• Updated parts will be provided once a validated solution is ready.
• Offered to walkthrough installation again to ensure all avenues have been explored

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I escalated and heard back from Bestop. Here is a summary:

• In 2022, Mopar changed the windshield seal used in vehicle assembly.
• Change was not communicated effectively, preventing timely adjustments.
• Initial testing (including water intrusion) showed no issues with Sunrider for Hardtop or OEM hardtop.
• Recent customer reports indicate increased wind noise and fitment concerns.
• User’s feedback has prompted a deeper investigation into compatibility.
• No definitive fix or updated part is available yet; engineering team is working on a solution.
• Issue is not classified as a product defect.
• Updated parts will be provided once a validated solution is ready.
• Offered to walkthrough installation again to ensure all avenues have been explored

They are full of it. This is not a seal issue. This thing simply sits too far down when installed. If that's their solution, I'll demand a full refund. What morons. This has NOTHING to do with that seal change. Even with no seal change, this pretty much rubs on the door. This IS a Bestop fuckup!
I'll give them a month for them to make it fit correctly, then all stops are out. People gripe about FCA knowing about things and not fixing them.......Bestop has done the same thing.
What the hell can an install walkthrough do?
Dealership can't make two of them fit!
Bestop needs to COME SEE HOW PISSY mine fits, sitting almost against the doors, and others have the same issue and sit back and accept it.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I escalated and heard back from Bestop. Here is a summary:

• In 2022, Mopar changed the windshield seal used in vehicle assembly.
• Change was not communicated effectively, preventing timely adjustments.
• Initial testing (including water intrusion) showed no issues with Sunrider for Hardtop or OEM hardtop.
• Recent customer reports indicate increased wind noise and fitment concerns.
• User’s feedback has prompted a deeper investigation into compatibility.
• No definitive fix or updated part is available yet; engineering team is working on a solution.
• Issue is not classified as a product defect.
• Updated parts will be provided once a validated solution is ready.
• Offered to walkthrough installation again to ensure all avenues have been explored

PS, it was 2021. 4 freaking years ago! I posted the TSB about the change

 

[Trollboogie]

Makes you wonder what a factory soft top fits like.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Makes you wonder what a factory soft top fits like.

Likely better but who knows.
This is absolutely a matter of the sunrider fitting the top roll structure rails totally wrong. It's not about a seal change. They need to just stop with that. I invite them to come look.

 

[Trollboogie]

Likely better but who knows.
This is absolutely a matter of the sunrider fitting the top roll structure rails totally wrong. It's not about a seal change. They need to just stop with that. I invite them to come look.

That why I wonder if the factory soft top pushes out the muckets on the newer jeeps? They would of had to make changes to it if it doesn't. The factory soft top side rails mount the same way. It also uses the holes on the roll cage. At least that is what it does on my wife's 2018 JL. I have the dual top option on it.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

That why I wonder if the factory soft top pushes out the muckets on the newer jeeps? They would of had to make changes to it if it doesn't. The factory soft top side rails mount the same way. It also uses the holes on the roll cage. At least that is what it does on my wife's 2018 JL. I have the dual top option on it.

If it pushes them down then it was never right to begin with. The panels have not changed since 2018 and yet they sit fine. My keys, seals, or not, the sunrider mounts too low at the front. It should run parallel, not drop at the front to the point of all but rubbing on the doors. Even if I took out the new style seals, it would fit wrong.
The seals are an indicator, not the problem.

 

[Trollboogie]

If it pushes them down then it was never right to begin with. The panels have not changed since 2018 and yet they sit fine. My keys, seals, or not, the sunrider mounts too low at the front. It should run parallel, not drop at the front to the point of all but rubbing on the doors. Even if I took out the new style seals, it would fit wrong.
The seals are an indicator, not the problem.

That is true. Mine does sit evenly from front to back. It just has really bad wind noise. Like air is blowing in under the front seal. I got so tired of it that it is sitting in the spare bedroom.

 

[mjsargent58]

Just installed the Bestop Sunrider and Sunshade on my 2023 Mojave. Looked at several different videos on how to install before starting; they were more informative than the installation instructions that came with the Sunrider.

The Sunrider install went pretty smoothly, although I had difficulty installing some of the flanged screws at first. I backed up and installed the screws; backed them out and reinstalled them with the Sunrider hardware and it went much smoother. Had no issues with the front or back seals and hosed it down to verify no leaks. I will still probably remove the Bestop and put the Freedom Panels back on when the rainy season returns.

The Sunshade went pretty well, although the screw/washer/lock washer/nut assembly was impossible without getting rid of the lock washer. The screws were just too short for the nut to be attached no matter what I tried. Left the lock washer off and it had no problem. Will just have to keep an eye on the attachment points and see that they do not loosen or go to the hardware store for a thinner washer.

A second set of hands is really helpful for the installation of both items.

Happy with the products overall, the ease of opening/closing the top is so much faster/easier than the Freedom Panels.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Just installed the Bestop Sunrider and Sunshade on my 2023 Mojave. Looked at several different videos on how to install before starting; they were more informative than the installation instructions that came with the Sunrider.

The Sunrider install went pretty smoothly, although I had difficulty installing some of the flanged screws at first. I backed up and installed the screws; backed them out and reinstalled them with the Sunrider hardware and it went much smoother. Had no issues with the front or back seals and hosed it down to verify no leaks. I will still probably remove the Bestop and put the Freedom Panels back on when the rainy season returns.

The Sunshade went pretty well, although the screw/washer/lock washer/nut assembly was impossible without getting rid of the lock washer. The screws were just too short for the nut to be attached no matter what I tried. Left the lock washer off and it had no problem. Will just have to keep an eye on the attachment points and see that they do not loosen or go to the hardware store for a thinner washer.

A second set of hands is really helpful for the installation of both items.

Happy with the products overall, the ease of opening/closing the top is so much faster/easier than the Freedom Panels.

You installed it - but didn't address the issues I was asking about.

(the screen issue is very well known going back years - pretty much every person gripes about the screws and ends up leaving off the lock washer - another item Bestop won't address!)

So when you installed the sunrider - did you follow the videos on proper installation, or those who find it doesn't fit worth a crap and tuck the muckets up behind the sunrider rails?
Do the sunrider drip rails follow the tops of the doors nice and parallel, same gap at the front as at the rear, or do the sunrider rails drop going forward and the gap at the front is a whole lot closer than at the rear?
How do the mucket seals end up on yours? Twisted and contorted by the sunrider, or just as nice as when the freedom panels are on?

You said you installed it - but I'm also looking either for pictures, or comments on how it fit - CORRECTLY, or piss-poor like with so many others?
You have a 2023 Gladiator so it's got the seals as outlined in the 2021 Jeep TSB about changes to control rain water running into the cabin when the doors are opened.

Owners of a 2020 may not realize the sunrider isn't fitting correctly and simply accept it, not knowing any better. I'd bet that a good percentage of 2021 and later owners don't realize "no, that is not how it should fit" but see youtube videos about tucking the mucket up - with Bestop says "DO NOT DO THAT" - DUH, you have to in some cases.


In short - does yours fit like this picture, or, does that mucket sit up nice and flat against the sunrider like it does with the freedom panels?
* If it's like this - you have a crappy fitting sunrider.
* If you tucked that seal, that's a hack by youtubers as it's not the correct way, and you have a crappy fitting sunrider.

 

[imaginaryreply]

Just installed the Bestop Sunrider and Sunshade on my 2023 Mojave. Looked at several different videos on how to install before starting; they were more informative than the installation instructions that came with the Sunrider.

The Sunrider install went pretty smoothly, although I had difficulty installing some of the flanged screws at first. I backed up and installed the screws; backed them out and reinstalled them with the Sunrider hardware and it went much smoother. Had no issues with the front or back seals and hosed it down to verify no leaks. I will still probably remove the Bestop and put the Freedom Panels back on when the rainy season returns.

The Sunshade went pretty well, although the screw/washer/lock washer/nut assembly was impossible without getting rid of the lock washer. The screws were just too short for the nut to be attached no matter what I tried. Left the lock washer off and it had no problem. Will just have to keep an eye on the attachment points and see that they do not loosen or go to the hardware store for a thinner washer.

A second set of hands is really helpful for the installation of both items.

Happy with the products overall, the ease of opening/closing the top is so much faster/easier than the Freedom Panels.

That is great to hear your installation went so well, in such contrast to the overwhelming majority in this thread. Perhaps you can post photos of the driver and passenger side mucket seals, as well as a view of the fitment at the top. I think seeing how it is supposed to fit at the top of the windshield, as well as the corner mucket seals would be really helpful.

 

[imaginaryreply]

Owners of a 2020 may not realize the sunrider isn't fitting correctly and simply accept it, not knowing any better. I'd bet that a good percentage of 2021 and later owners don't realize "no, that is not how it should fit" but see youtube videos about tucking the mucket up - with Bestop says "DO NOT DO THAT" - DUH, you have to in some cases.

I think you are on to something here. Having had the Bestop sunrider on a JKU, it was a very different experience. Without that frame of reference, I would have probably thought the whistling and fitment is normal.

The first Bestop sunrider on the JT I tried actually had the whistle at about 25mph!! I had to loosen all the bolts and force the passenger side drip rail down while tightening it, which then resulted in only hearing the whistle at 40mph. That one went back and now the replacement is now whistling, thankfully only at highway speeds. But the crazy thing is, the install process was identical both times, with quite different results.

What I'm not understanding is that if the freedom panels haven't changed over the years, and fit fine, how could it be the seals?

Since you have spent a lot of time on this, and don't believe it is the change in the seals, what do you think the issue is related to? Misalignment in the parts right from the factory?

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