Sunrider top year round?

[Camaroboi13]

My wife has a sunrider on her JLU sport. It sounds like you have the windows cracked when driving on the highway, just a little louder than normal. I don't notice any difference in temperatures, but we live in Southern California so we don't exactly see any cooler weather. We're freezing out butts off right now and it's 51 degrees outside lol

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[High Alextude]

My wife has a sunrider on her JLU sport. It sounds like you have the windows cracked when driving on the highway, just a little louder than normal. I don't notice any difference in temperatures, but we live in Southern California so we don't exactly see any cooler weather. We're freezing out butts off right now and it's 51 degrees outside lol

If you were to compare the sunrider to the freedom panels with headliner on the highway, how much quieter would the panels be?

 

[Camaroboi13]

If you were to compare the sunrider to the freedom panels with headliner on the highway, how much quieter would the panels be?

It’s not crazy loud by any means. Imagine someone in the back left a window cracked or someone didn’t close their door all the way. That’s about what it sounds like.

 

[Jimmij]

I leave mine on year round. Best mod everyone

 

[Bestop]

If one was to put freedom panels on for a month or two, does all of the sunrider hardware need to be removed? @Bestop

Sorry for the late response, it looks like you may have already gotten your answer but yes, all the hardware (so the bolts, door rails and rear brackets) need to be removed if you're putting your freedom panels back on.


~ Crystal@Bestop
www.bestop.com

 

[Raven65]

Removing the SunRider is just a matter of a few Torx bolts and can be done in in less than 10 minutes using the ratchet and bit in the little tool kit that came with your Gladiator. Mine stays on year-round, so it's a non-issue for me, but I live in SC where the winters are very mild. It's not unusual for me to open the SunRider on a nice day in February, for example. I freaking LOVE the thing... best mod I've done... hands down. They should come stock with them. I doubt the SunRider would make much of a difference in keeping your interior warm in the winter vs using the Freedom panels, but if I lived in a state where you got a lot of snow/ice all winter long, I'd probably put the Freedom panels back on just to avoid any unnecessary wear/tear on the SunRider (thought it can probably take it).

 

[GobiGuy]

It should handle the snow and ice as well as any soft top does.

 

[KWin]

new hampshire owner here, I swap for winter, but I have a insulated head liner which likely makes more of a difference than anything else. I had it on for our first snow storm and the fabric holds the wet snow a lot more than the hard top, it pushed right off the hard top and stuck to the sun rider. no issues and love the sun rider.

 

[Rahkmalla]

i take my sunrider off for winter. NJ climate gets plenty of snow some years and while the hardtop isn't any quieter, it's definitely better insulated.

 

[jcarbs]

Put it on about a year ago as a Christmas present to myself and see no reason to remove them. Probably one of the best mods I have ever done.

 

[Raven65]

It should handle the snow and ice as well as any soft top does.

I'm sure it does... since BesTop makes the factory soft tops. I was just saying you'd probably prolong the life of the material if you take it back off during the winter if you're in an area that gets a lot of snow/ice and won't be opening it during those months.

 

[HopSlammer]

IMO, the JT’s heating is excellent. My JT is garage kept and mostly a garage queen during “salting” season but I’ve highway traveled many times with temps in the 20’s and 30’s. With Sunrider on, it has absolutely no problem keeping the inside cab plenty warm. Wind noise is no different cold vs warm weather but it IS a soft top, louder yes but very tolerable. I keep it on 24/7/365, so I’m always prepared for an unexpected sunny day. 50 degrees, NP, open the top, set the heat on low, enjoy the sun and fresh air.

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