Talk me into a Sunrider

[MoDean]

Is it true that with this installed you can not take the back top off?
I've read that somewhere. I love the idea of this, but not if it means I can't take the full roof off.

6 bolts, and off it comes. Takes about 10 minutes. Then you can take the rest of the hard top off as usual. Not a big deal at all.

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[cafecito]

For me, the factory freedom panels take away a lot of the freedom/fun that you supposedly get with a Jeep. Having to lift awkward panels off and shove them into a flimsy bag works, but it's certainly not ideal. Being able to flip two latches at a stoplight and *actually* enjoy the convertible experience is how things should be by default - freedom panels should be an addon option if you ask me.

Two pieces of advice, after having mine on for several months:

1. IF you get a sunshade (Alien, Shadeidea, Spiderwebshades, etc), just be warned that they interfere with the release latches pretty annoyingly. My wife has a shade in her JL, and it basically turns a job that normally takes 5 seconds and one hand into one that takes at least twice as long with two hands, and is almost impossible to do if you're alone (ie, you can barely open the passenger side one from the driver's seat). Not the end of the world, but just be aware that they don't mesh well (pun intended).
2. If you have the Mopar grab handles, you won't be able to use them with a sunrider installed. They block the part of the roll bar that the grab handle strap would normally wrap around. I found a good set on Amazon that wrap right around the sunrider bracket though:
   
   Amazon.com: Roll Bar Grab Handles Straps Handles with Metal Buckle Compatible with Jeep Wrangler YJ TJ JK JL & Gladiator JT 1985-2020 4Pcs Black with Red Grip Handles : Automotive

Enjoy your sunrider - they're amazing!

 

[injaneer]

Love mine. You will not be disappointed.

 

[cafecito]

Awesome replies thanks....

As far as I can tell Mopar only sells the twill version so I'll end up with that. The Bestop exterior logo just bugs me...want the truck OEM so that's my Mopar fetish.

Also, not that it matters anymore, but you can peel those Bestop logos off pretty easily. They're only held on by adhesive.

Of course, there are 3 other logos on the inside (one on each latch, and one on the rear bracket), but you basically never see them anyway. I'll be curious to see what yours has in place of the Bestop logo.

 

[Jeepbreath]

I've been through the carwash with mine on. No leaks or issues.

Really?, Even with the dryer’s blowing hard on the top?

 

[CT_Gladiator]

Really?, Even with the dryer’s blowing hard on the top?

It's really no different than a soft-top, except there are less areas to leak.

 

[mert34]

i got one, enjoy it, i like it and useful to what it does. also since people were talking about car washes, i go through them and mine does not leak.

 

[Boostnu]

I’ve had mine a couple weeks now and love it. Before I was carrying the freedom panels around in the bed. If there was a pop shower I’d have to pull over and put them back in. This thing you just flip it forward and do the latches. Also leaves my bed open to carry other stuff now instead of the panels.

 

[fun2drum]

Have you been through a car wash?. I’m worried about going through the car wash with the severe blowing of the dryer.

I've been through an automatic car wash once a week on average with it for almost two years. It blows so hard that the windshield wiper blades lift up and dance around when I go past. No problem! - no leaks in there either - at least not with the Sunrider. The door seal on the other hand...

One thing that can be kinda weird at first is that if you get behind a big truck at internet speeds the Sunrider can make a resonant "whop" sound on occasion. It usually only happens behind trucks that have a lot of turbulence behind them like a car hauler or something like that. It doesn't happen often and it doesn't hurt the top, so I just ignore it when it does.

 

[ecidiego]

at internet speeds

We talking Gigabit here?

 

[fun2drum]

We talking Gigabit here?

No. This 3.6 with no max tow can barely reach 100 Mbps.

 

[Dartboy]

I'm in the midst of a similar train of thought. Let me start by saying, for the last 20 years I've had a Miata- which has arguably the easiest top to lower of any car, ever. Flip the latches, drop the top and go, literally takes seconds. When it is that easy to do, you'll do it all the time. Any time I'm driving more than a minute, the top goes down, then flip it back up to keep the leaves and bird poop out and shade the interior. I'll drop the top sooner than roll down the windows

As easy as it is to remove the freedom panels, I already find it a chore and sometimes question if I want to do it for the 15 minute ride home from work. I think I'd like the more open soft top, but watching some videos, even the 5 minutes it takes to remove the rear window seems tedious in comparison.

 

[NewGladdyOWNR]

At half the price of a soft top, with a quarter of the coverage I don’t see the appeal at that price point for the sunrider. You’re better off investing in a cab cover and a sun bikini and going topless.

 

[Gene26]

Tell me how much you love your OEM Sunrider made by Bestop.

I had gotten used to carrying my freedom panel bag....taking them off putting in bag, then bungie cording the bag in the bed. ( 3 kids in rear ).

Also can't imagine just thinking...hey let's take the front top off at this stoplight while we wait.

Seems awesome....do you use it constantly? I live in San Diego so seems like I would but don't wanna spend 800$ on something ill use 2x a month. Advice from an owner of one is much better advice then what I *imagine* I'd do....

I have had mine for 2 years. It stays on year around. I open about 300 days a year. Love that I can open and close it at a stop light. I live in New Mexico so 300 days of sunshine but still get snow. No real heat or cold bleed here. If you can afford it it’s well worth it.

 

[fun2drum]

At half the price of a soft top, with a quarter of the coverage I don’t see the appeal at that price point for the sunrider. You’re better off investing in a cab cover and a sun bikini and going topless.

That's a valid point, and depending on your priorities you may consider those options more bang for the buck.

For me - the Sunrider is way more bang for the buck from getting more open top time while driving, but being able to close it all up securely in seconds while parked. If I didn't use it as a daily driver and lived in a more arrid climate then I might feel more like you do with my priorities.

We actually have a TJ that's definitely not our daily driver, and we like it topless for times when there's no rain in the forecast for a couple of days. That doesn't happen often around here though, but it's fun to have the whole top off completely like that when we can.

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