Sunrider owners - MY mess-up, or theirs?

[heretic]

No one knows that to be true. You’re leaping quite a bit.

You are 100% correct

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[ShadowsPapa]

If so…why would they make them cheaper, with poor finish, and don’t fit?

Check my latest post - Bestop has at least 2 stories out there, and I've found several Wrangler owners complaining of the fit! (of the Bestop brand!)

 

[Eagle22]

Bill must be reading someplace I haven’t seen if he thinks there are dozens/hundreds of owners who are dissatisfied with their Sunrider.
I did a lot of research four years ago before I bought my first Bestop Sunrider. The overwhelming consensus was a quality product - and most owners said it was their favorite and most useful mod…and I concur. I had three years of use on my first Bestop Sunrider, and my wife insisted on moving it onto her 2024 Wrangler when we bought it. I couldn’t go without the Sunrider on my Gladiator, so I bought another. Consensus in our family - Bestop Sunrider is the best/ most useful mod/investment.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Bestop makes these for Jeep.

I'm getting mixed message on that even - Bestop one time said no, but then said in my case, their engineering people were looking.
Not a single part of the Jeep version has any MOPAR branding other than that clamp - even the small parts they outsource usually have the MOPAR logo and/or part number o them. So this doesn't fit that mold. Go check out some of the lighting parts made by other companies for MOPAR - will still usually have the MOPAR brand or part number - but not the sunrider.

I did a lot of research four years ago before I bought my first Bestop Sunrider. The overwhelming consensus was a quality product - and most owners said it was their favorite and most useful mod…and I concur.

Because most have been told to ignore the fit - do this or do that, and most haven't run into the extremes I have. Check out the photos and quotes I posted - there are even threads and videos on it out there. People still love it, sure, but are doing what Bestop said not to do, or in another message said to do, or that's not a problem, in another yeah, that's a problem. People are living with the fit. It happens. I didn't make up those posts and pictures and it took me seconds to find them!

Want more?
This fellow means WARPED, not wrapped....

See- people love 'em even if they fit wrong!

This is a quote from Bestop - someone asked about the poor fit and seal distortion and Bestop responded - (AND, it's a Bestop branded top)

'No, it should look like this' - that's their words.
But then nothing else. No solution, no fix, just that no, that's not right.

 

[heretic]

Bill must be reading someplace I haven’t seen if he thinks there are dozens/hundreds of owners who are dissatisfied with their Sunrider.
I did a lot of research four years ago before I bought my first Bestop Sunrider. The overwhelming consensus was a quality product - and most owners said it was their favorite and most useful mod…and I concur. I had three years of use on my first Bestop Sunrider, and my wife insisted on moving it onto her 2024 Wrangler when we bought it. I couldn’t go without the Sunrider on my Gladiator, so I bought another. Consensus in our family - Bestop Sunrider is the best/ most useful mod/investment.

Only '24 & newer owners are affected so the # of "it don't fit" are just starting to roll in.
Plus some don't know they have a poor fit, or installed it wrong (flap inside).
Some were done at the dealership and done wrong there as well.
Some know and don't post here or any where for that matter.
Bottom line there is a fitment issue.
1. wait for a new release of there product to address the issue.
2. get a refund.
3. Modify your rail and be on your way.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Bill must be reading someplace I haven’t seen if he thinks there are dozens/hundreds of owners who are dissatisfied with their Sunrider.
I did a lot of research four years ago before I bought my first Bestop Sunrider. The overwhelming consensus was a quality product - and most owners said it was their favorite and most useful mod…and I concur. I had three years of use on my first Bestop Sunrider, and my wife insisted on moving it onto her 2024 Wrangler when we bought it. I couldn’t go without the Sunrider on my Gladiator, so I bought another. Consensus in our family - Bestop Sunrider is the best/ most useful mod/investment.

It's great when it fits and I agree - it's a great idea, invention and so on - and they use quality steel, whatever. But I've also found a mix of results. Some show a perfect fit, some don't. You've had great luck. Some like Kevin in Canada has had at least 2 engines and 2 transmissions, and yet most of us have had no trouble with either.
Similar for these tops - some, maybe most, have great luck.
And I'd love this if it fit right! Once resolved, I can see using it. In fact, that was the point. I didn't leave it sitting in a box in the back of the garage very long. But unlike you, and like others, I've had bad luck.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Only '24 & newer owners are affected so the # of "it don't fit" are just starting to roll in.
Plus some don't know they have a poor fit, or installed it wrong (flap inside).
Some were done at the dealership and done wrong there as well.
Some know and don't post here or any where for that matter.
Bottom line there is a fitment issue.
1. wait for a new release of there product to address the issue.
2. get a refund.
3. Modify your rail and be on your way.

Yes.

There's a thread on the Wrangler side - a 2023 High Tide owner - same issue.
Another Wrangler owner (2023) removed his because of concern it was ruining the seals (like I did)
So there's 2 2023 models.

Bestop said "no, don't grind it!" - not sure why they cared since it was a Jeep brand, but their communications have suggested to me that Bestop IS involved in this.

 

[Eagle22]

No one knows that to be true. You’re leaping quite a bit.

Not true - I’ve compared pictures of Bill’s “Mopar Sunrider” with my two Bestop Sunriders. They are two different products, particularly at the front mounting brackets (where his door rubs). And the bottom line - the Mopar Sunrider doesn’t fit. Also, by Bill’s own admission, there are rough finishes on the edge of the rails. All in all, not the same quality from Mopar that I’ve experienced with Bestop.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

And the bottom line - the Mopar Sunrider doesn’t fit.

Wrong - you didn't see the pictures and posts I posted earlier? Those were BESTOP units, not MOPAR units.
So, sorry - there's pretty much as many saying their Bestop sunrider didn't fit correctly -
And most are also comparing earlier or older Bestop versions - anyone got a 2024 or 2025 made Bestop Sunrider to compare?

Did you miss this one? This and another were Bestop branded - NOT Jeep branded.
That was the point of my other post - to prove it's not the MOPAR version problem alone. Mine is MOPAR, yes, but these other people? Bestop branded.

I want to see the finish and fit of a 2024 or later Bestop brand top.......... instead of comparing those from 23 and earlier.
This is not a MOPAR brand version issue.

 

[heretic]

Not true - I’ve compared pictures of Bill’s “Mopar Sunrider” with my two Bestop Sunriders. They are two different products, particularly at the front mounting brackets (where his door rubs). And the bottom line - the Mopar Sunrider doesn’t fit. Also, by Bill’s own admission, there are rough finishes on the edge of the rails. All in all, not the same quality from Mopar that I’ve experienced with Bestop.

What year was Bill's "Mopar Sunrider" built for? The same as your "Bestop"?

 

[Stan H]

And leave dozens of us, if not hundreds, with no resolution and the companies involved slipping buy and people hacking, grinding, tucking, to make an improperly fitting product fit.
The problem goes on forever and ever - and there is no alternative. I can't later go buy the same thing from a competing company. They have the market cornered

I see what your saying with the monopoly kinda thing . If there isnt another option then your up poop creek without a paddle

 

[Stan H]

What year was Bill's "Mopar Sunrider" built for? The same as your "Bestop"?

I believe He said 5/24 ..

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I believe He said 5/24 ..

The rear header was cast then - who knows when the unit was actually built.

But - back to the fact that there are Bestop units that aren't fitting correctly.

 

[Eagle22]

What year was Bill's "Mopar Sunrider" built for? The same as your "Bestop"?

My most recent Bestop Sunrider is September 2024

 

[Reddout99]

I've got a '21 JT Sport S and now am learey of getting a sunrider for mine especially after following along.

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