Talk me into a Sunrider

[fun2drum]

...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...

That's a great comparison. I had a 91 Miata with the pop up headlights and I could raise or lower the top with one hand from the driver seat at a traffic light in seconds. I think the Sunrider actually has it beat from that standpoint because I can reach it behind me easier and close it faster from behind the wheel while I'm actually driving.

By the way, you're also right about leaves and bird poop. Being able to park under a tree in the shade and cover up the interior while inside a building is priceless. It really does take me longer to roll the windows up or down than to open or close the top. I used to be lazy and leave the latches undone while in a building for a few minutes, but then I'd forget to open it back up until it would open for me (very quickly) when I got up to around 35 mph. I now make sure it's all latched up when closed, even if for just a minute.

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[Volksparts]

Here's my feeling on my Sunrider. I love it when it's open but I find myself wanting to throw my freedom panels back on due to the noise when it's closed. On a normal drive stoplight to stoplight that's where this top shines especially here in San Diego. It's convenient to open and close and at lower speeds is nice and quiet. I feel like a rockstar when open. But on the freeway and crosswinds it can be rather noisy closed and find it flapping at 70+mph. I attempted different custom tricks I've thought up and even though things got quieter still annoys me and after calls and emails to Sunrider they are sending me a new bow apparently to try out. I have also previously adjusted both the front clamping mechanisms and the rear mounting points to press the top down closer to the roofline and that helped minimally and I think it's the stretching of the material that makes the noise. Once I was out in the desert and I was cruising at say 60mph and the way the wind hit the top I could barely hear my conversation I was having over my phone and ham radio with my other drivers. If I ever plan another desert trip I'm definitely planning to throw on the freedom panels since it seems to get windy out there.
As far as leaking goes this one does not leak when it rains like the one I had on my JK. I feel like the design has improved with the JT/JL model.
But yeah so my overall opinion is it's fun to have the sunrider for local cruising. As an accessory to me that's all it really is, an accessory. That being said, spending $800 on an accessory is really up to you. I picked mine up through northridge4x4 on sale, with an additional gift card, and with a rebate so it wasn't $800. If you are in the Clairemont area you can always check mine out before you make your purchase if that may help your decision.

Edit:. I just saw you purchased the sunrider yesterday so I guess my post was not needed. Oh well. Enjoy your new top and see you cruising around town.

 

[The Bean]

Here's my feeling on my Sunrider. I love it when it's open but I find myself wanting to throw my freedom panels back on due to the noise when it's closed. On a normal drive stoplight to stoplight that's where this top shines especially here in San Diego. It's convenient to open and close and at lower speeds is nice and quiet. I feel like a rockstar when open. But on the freeway and crosswinds it can be rather noisy closed and find it flapping at 70+mph. I attempted different custom tricks I've thought up and even though things got quieter still annoys me and after calls and emails to Sunrider they are sending me a new bow apparently to try out. I have also previously adjusted both the front clamping mechanisms and the rear mounting points to press the top down closer to the roofline and that helped minimally and I think it's the stretching of the material that makes the noise. Once I was out in the desert and I was cruising at say 60mph and the way the wind hit the top I could barely hear my conversation I was having over my phone and ham radio with my other drivers. If I ever plan another desert trip I'm definitely planning to throw on the freedom panels since it seems to get windy out there.
As far as leaking goes this one does not leak when it rains like the one I had on my JK. I feel like the design has improved with the JT/JL model.
But yeah so my overall opinion is it's fun to have the sunrider for local cruising. As an accessory to me that's all it really is, an accessory. That being said, spending $800 on an accessory is really up to you. I picked mine up through northridge4x4 on sale, with an additional gift card, and with a rebate so it wasn't $800. If you are in the Clairemont area you can always check mine out before you make your purchase if that may help your decision.

Edit:. I just saw you purchased the sunrider yesterday so I guess my post was not needed. Oh well. Enjoy your new top and see you cruising around town.

It’s interesting that you’re sunrider is that much louder over the hard panels. I haven’t found a noticeable increase in noise with my sunrider over my hard panels. Only time the sunrider is really noticeable is when it’s super windy or catches the air off a semi, and you get that buffeting effect. But otherwise I’d say it’s as quiet as my hard panels. I don’t even find myself needing to adjust the volume or anything either. It’s at the same setting as it was with the hard panels. I’ve had the top up from 15mph to almost 80mph and every situation in between. Still performs flawlessly and the ease of use is unmatched. The hard panels are hit or miss on Florida. It could be sunny one minute, a downpour the next. With the sunrider I don’t have to worry about rain. Just pull it closed when it starts throw it back open when it’s over.

 

[WILDHOBO]

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 use mine constantly. It’s amazing. Truly amazing. I’ll never not have one now.

 

[WILDHOBO]

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.

The logo comes off if you want.

 

[Garemlin]

Mine just arrived today. Can't wait to get it installed. Just have to wait for the weather to break.

I had never really considered the Sunrider. But with the fact that most of the time I just don't want to bother with the freedom panels for a quick ride into town, or the trip home from work. I can guarantee I'll be using it daily as long as it isn't raining. I think I had my panels out a total of ten times at the most last year.

 

[jeepers29]

Let me start by saying I have had the sunrider on my 14 JKUR for several years and love it, but the price point they are at now, just doesn't have the juice to justify the squeeze. I check NR 4x4 once in a while to look for a great sale, nut until then, I will pass.

 

[Deleted member 28696]

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 leave mine on all year round even though snowy weather. I have the twill model which is better insulated I’ve read. Flip the two release levers on driver & passenger side & it’s a One handed operation to fold back the top or pull it forward. It’s great in nice weather for the open air concept. I use it to take photos of raptors flying overhead or in a tree etc. after pulling off the road & stopping of course. No more having to take off & put on those freedom panels which are kind of heavy & bulky. If it rains I just pull the Bestop forward & latch it, takes seconds. It’s the same as the reverse process to open the top. It’s kind of a pain to install, but not overly difficult. If you don’t install it correctly it will leak. Mine doesn’t leak at all. One of my best mods highly recommended. You’ll need one more accessory a hat ? otherwise you’ll get sunburned ?.

 

[Derby]

I bought one last year and love it. There is a winter where I live so I put the panels back in for winter and will put the top back in this weekend. Every time I get in the truck, I flip the top back. If I lived in San Diego, the panels would be permanently stored in my garage.

 

[DBravo]

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....

Bought the Sunrider last June and haven't looked back since. It helps that ther was a 10% BestTop rebate at the time. I store my freedom tops for the summer now and they don't go back on until -late- fall. I was tired of stopping and stashing the tops and then having to ride around with the tops/bag in the bed of the truck.
You can flip it open at a stop light (Unlock the two clips and then start rolling, push it up when you get to 20mph and it will open itself). Very sturdy, no quality concerns and it has never leaked - even in a touchless car wash. There is enough friction in the hinges that it does not bounce around when driving, even on highway; though they do provide velcro straps to secure it open. If it starts to rain, pull over and flip it closed, then latch and -done-..
I have a mesh sunshade - tried the full one piece and there is an unsightly "hump" where it covers the GPS/satellite on top of the roll bar) that I leave on year round. I like it more than the white underside of the hard top and it reduced wind buffeting when on the highway with the sunrider open. I also sometimes keep my windows up on the highway with the sunrider open and just open the rear windows about 2" or open the rear slider a few inches and it will reduce buffeting inside the cab.
Sunshade info: Shadeidea Sun Shade for Jeep Gladiator, JT 4 Door Top Sunshade, Front & Rear (2-Pieces) - Mesh Screen Wrangler Cover, UV Blocker with GrabBag Pouch ( 2018 - Current ) - 10 Year life, 2 pc, front and rear from Amazon

 

[DBravo]

Bought the Sunrider last June and haven't looked back since. It helps that ther was a 10% BestTop rebate at the time. I store my freedom tops for the summer now and they don't go back on until -late- fall. I was tired of stopping and stashing the tops and then having to ride around with the tops/bag in the bed of the truck.
You can flip it open at a stop light (Unlock the two clips and then start rolling, push it up when you get to 20mph and it will open itself). Very sturdy, no quality concerns and it has never leaked - even in a touchless car wash. There is enough friction in the hinges that it does not bounce around when driving, even on highway; though they do provide velcro straps to secure it open. If it starts to rain, pull over and flip it closed, then latch and -done-..
I have a mesh sunshade - tried the full one piece and there is an unsightly "hump" where it covers the GPS/satellite on top of the roll bar) that I leave on year round. I like it more than the white underside of the hard top and it reduced wind buffeting when on the highway with the sunrider open. I also sometimes keep my windows up on the highway with the sunrider open and just open the rear windows about 2" or open the rear slider a few inches and it will reduce buffeting inside the cab.
Sunshade info: Shadeidea Sun Shade for Jeep Gladiator, JT 4 Door Top Sunshade, Front & Rear (2-Pieces) - Mesh Screen Wrangler Cover, UV Blocker with GrabBag Pouch ( 2018 - Current ) - 10 Year life, 2 pc, front and rear from Amazon

Update: This is the heavy twill model. Great quality!

 

[tas7107]

100% on the Sunrider. Wish I had done it sooner. Love the ease of opening and closing it. Had I not not bought a used soft top for the 2dr Wrangler I would have one on there also. The Sunrider is easier to open than the factory soft top front portion.

 

[ecidiego]

Should be here Thursday can't wait! I *hope* it's twill. Everything I could find seemed to indicated that's the only version Mopar sells.

 

[Summitsearcher]

Top off/ Sunrider on.

 

[djthumper]

I have been really debating this being in Vegas. I drive 70 miles round trip every day for work. I am just not too sure about the heat, plus I live in an apartment complex.

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