Sunrider owners - MY mess-up, or theirs?

[WILDHOBO]

The dealership said "what are we supposed to do? If we order another top it won't fit either."

Weird response - if it doesn't fit, they should open a case! DUH

It’s a cop out for sure.

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[ShadowsPapa]

It’s a cop out for sure.

I just reminded their sales manager that since November of 2019, we've bought 3 Gladiators and a 4xe JLU. Isn't that just under 6 years?
I suggested THEY contact Jeep and "advocate for me".

 

[ecidiego]

I feel like a tape measure can solve this.... did they do any measuring of the rollbar structure and windshield/trim angle components?

 

[ecidiego]

worth a hail mary, I had GPT read the thread.


What the thread is saying

• A member (OP) reported serious fit-and-finish problems installing the Bestop Sunrider hardtop on his 2025 Jeep Gladiator. He says the top sits too low on the roll cage, the rear is badly bowed, there’s near zero clearance for factory door seals, the doors rub, and the rear clamp installation was a major struggle. (See his original post) jeepgladiatorforum.com
• Other forum users responded, some saying they have no issues with theirs (sometimes on earlier years, e.g., 2020 model) and suggesting that maybe the changes to door seals or the vehicle itself over model years means the Sunrider may no longer be a perfect fit as‐originally designed. One quote:
  

  “Something is not right. I just installed mine on my 24 a few weeks ago and everything fit perfectly. … Jeep made some large changes to door sealing ... yet Bestop made no changes …” jeepgladiatorforum.com

• The OP and others are questioning whether they messed up the install or if there's a design/manufacture mismatch with the accessory (Sunrider) vs. the vehicle’s evolving factory tolerances/seals.
• The overall tone: cooperative but frustrated. People are trying to troubleshoot but there’s concern about potential damage (to door seals, finish) and dissatisfaction with how the accessory fits.

My opinion

Here are my thoughts, based on what I read:

• Likely design/fitment issue, not user error. The OP appears experienced (retired auto mechanic, etc) and describes basic installation problems (fitment, clearance) not advanced mistakes. The fact that others report no issues (on earlier model years) + the OP’s observation that “Jeep made some large changes … yet Bestop made no changes” indicates a mismatch between the accessory and the vehicle’s evolving geometry/seals.
• Accessory vendors may not be keeping up with vehicle changes. It’s common in the aftermarket/hardshell top world that a vehicle refresh (new door seal geometry, revised roof/roll‐bar, trim changes) means older accessories don’t fit perfectly anymore. The OP is pointing to changes in “door sealing and rain diversion” and the dated instruction manual (Aug 2020) for a 2025 vehicle. That suggests Bestop may not have updated the instructions or possibly the tooling.
• Risk of collateral damage. The OP’s concern about door seals being squeezed/deflected is valid: if the top forces the seal out of place, leaving it under pressure or misaligned, that could lead to water intrusion, wind noise, or accelerated wear of the seals. The fact the top is “shoving the factory seal down so far the door hits it” is a red flag for potential long‐term consequences.
• Installation check needed. Even when design issues exist, sometimes minor shims, adjustments, or aligning bolts in a certain order make a big difference. Other users mention they needed to “slightly manipulate the driver’s side seal” and had no issues. So while I lean towards a design/fit problem, I also recommend checking installation steps carefully (torque, sequence, whether roll cage mounting height is correct, whether the clamp at the back is seated as intended).
• Recommendation: contact the vendor and document. If this is a newly installed accessory, the OP should contact Bestop (if they haven’t) with photos, highlight fitment issues, ask if there is a newer revision or known issue for 2024-2025 Gladiator models. It might be covered under warranty or there may be a known “kit revision” or “service bulletin.”
• If unresolved: remove or hold off. If the top is causing damage or stress to factory parts (seals, doors) then the OP’s idea of removing it until a fix is available makes sense. Better to wait than to risk rust, leaks, or finish damage.

Things I’d want to check or ask

• What exact model year is the OP’s Gladiator? He says ’25 JTMX. It might have different trim, roll cage height, door seal geometry vs earlier years.
• Compare the door seal/upper frame geometry of the 2025 vs older model years (2020-2023) to see what changed (height, flange shape, rail gap).
• Check whether Bestop lists this Sunrider kit as “2020-25” or “up to 2023” or similar. If the kit is labeled for 2020-2023 only but being used on 2025, that’s a big clue.
• Ask if other owners of 2024/25 Gladiators have the same problem (the thread has some but maybe more sample size needed).
• Examine whether the installation instructions should include positioning of the rear clamp (tension adjustment), or whether the roll cage mounting “height” (bolts) should be set differently for the ’25 model.
• Consider whether the dealer/vehicle assembly changed something (roll cage welding height, door top flange) that is out of spec vs the accessory’s assumptions.

Short summary and verdict — Jeep Gladiator Sunrider thread


Across 36 pages, the discussion confirms the OP’s issue isn’t an isolated mistake but a fitment mismatch between the Bestop Sunrider and newer 2024–2025 Gladiator models.
Many owners of earlier models report perfect installs, while those with 2024–2025 trucks describe tight door interference, seal distortion, and bowed tops, matching the OP’s complaints.


A few users improved fit slightly with seal manipulation or careful clamp adjustment, but overall consensus points to Bestop not updating design tolerances for the refreshed door and roof geometry.


Verdict:
Not user error — it’s a manufacturer design lag. The Sunrider was engineered around 2020–2023 body specs, and Jeep’s revised door seals and frame alignment now cause contact and compression. The prudent move is to remove it and contact Bestop, as persistent installation could damage door seals and paint.


END


Obviously Papa has already contacted Bestop and Jeep and they ran away. This validates Papa's complaints though, and enforces "not user error".

 

[ecidiego]

@WILDHOBO thank you for the tag!

@ShadowsPapa We have a DM going and you are going to let me know what the dealership says when you talk to the salesman again.
Bestop is aware of the change made by Mopar and we are working on correcting the 2025 version of both the factory Sunrider as well as ours. I appreciate you bringing this to our attention, please know our Engineering and Quality Teams are working diligently on a resolution!


~Crystal@Bestop
www.bestop.com

@ShadowsPapa what ever happened with this? They admit a change - was there a revision?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

@ShadowsPapa what ever happened with this?

Nothing.
Bestop got the original top the dealership took off when they tried another top on my truck.
Bestop put it on their jig - it fit. They put the top on a later Wrangler - it fit.
So they have my first top.
I have the second top - the one the dealership ordered and put on it (and it basically fit the same)
A third top was tried, but it had been dropped and was damaged so I went back and had the dealership take it back off and put my second one back on. A bent top that's been dropped - can't believe they even tried it, but they did.
So Bestop has the first one, I have the second one in my garage, the third got sent back, I assume, damaged as it was.
I have one that Bestop sent back in August, or September, but it fit so poorly it couldn't be latched and the front stuck up a LOT. So actually I have two here - the second top - the one the dealer installed their first attempt at a fix, and one from Bestop which I think they actually went the wrong way with as it doesn't fit at all.

 

[ecidiego]

Nothing.
Bestop got the original top the dealership took off when they tried another top on my truck.
Bestop put it on their jig - it fit. They put the top on a later Wrangler - it fit.
So they have my first top.
I have the second top - the one the dealership ordered and put on it (and it basically fit the same)
A third top was tried, but it had been dropped and was damaged so I went back and had the dealership take it back off and put my second one back on. A bent top that's been dropped - can't believe they even tried it, but they did.
So Bestop has the first one, I have the second one in my garage, the third got sent back, I assume, damaged as it was.
I have one that Bestop sent back in August, or September, but it fit so poorly it couldn't be latched and the front stuck up a LOT. So actually I have two here - the second top - the one the dealer installed their first attempt at a fix, and one from Bestop which I think they actually went the wrong way with as it doesn't fit at all.

Are your replacements Jeep or Bestop branded? There will be a "Jeep" tag on the passenger side exterior, at least there is on mine.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Are your replacements Jeep or Bestop branded? There will be a "Jeep" tag on the passenger side exterior, at least there is on mine.

The original, or first, of course Jeep.
The second, the one that the dealership ordered and put on is Jeep
The third that got damaged and sent back - Jeep.
The one that Bestop sent, I put back in the box - can't recall what the tag on it said but I believe it was also Jeep.

 

[ecidiego]

No revisions since that one.

Out of ideas.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I just reminded their sales manager that since November of 2019, we've bought 3 Gladiators and a 4xe JLU. Isn't that just under 6 years?
I suggested THEY contact Jeep and "advocate for me".

 

[WILDHOBO]

Nothing.
Bestop got the original top the dealership took off when they tried another top on my truck.
Bestop put it on their jig - it fit. They put the top on a later Wrangler - it fit.
So they have my first top.
I have the second top - the one the dealership ordered and put on it (and it basically fit the same)
A third top was tried, but it had been dropped and was damaged so I went back and had the dealership take it back off and put my second one back on. A bent top that's been dropped - can't believe they even tried it, but they did.
So Bestop has the first one, I have the second one in my garage, the third got sent back, I assume, damaged as it was.
I have one that Bestop sent back in August, or September, but it fit so poorly it couldn't be latched and the front stuck up a LOT. So actually I have two here - the second top - the one the dealer installed their first attempt at a fix, and one from Bestop which I think they actually went the wrong way with as it doesn't fit at all.

It sounds more and more like there’s something wrong/bent/drilled wrong/etc on your Jeep.

 

[WILDHOBO]

No revisions since that one.

Out of ideas.

I agree. The Jeep needs to be measured to compare with other 2024’s.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

It sounds more and more like there’s something wrong/bent/drilled wrong/etc on your Jeep.

That's what Bestop is suggesting.
The dealership body shop said they measured and it's fine - but what did they measure, and where?

I have sent a message to the Iowa AG asking them - who do I turn to, who is supposed to fix this, no matter what that fix is or might be.

 

[ecidiego]

The dealership body shop said they measured and it's fine

 

[WILDHOBO]

That's what Bestop is suggesting.
The dealership body shop said they measured and it's fine - but what did they measure, and where?

I have sent a message to the Iowa AG asking them - who do I turn to, who is supposed to fix this, no matter what that fix is or might be.

It needs to be measured like a frame shop would to inspect for a bent frame. An engineering diagram of the roll bar and windshield would be necessary in my opinion.

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