Talk me into a Sunrider

[The Illustrated Jeeper]

Put me in the "I'll never have another Jeep without one" category. Worth the wind noise on the highway.

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[Snazzberrymojave21]

I absolutely love my sunrider for hardtop yes there is more wind noise but it’s by far the best mod I’ve done so far. No more fooling with the freedom panels. Plus when winter come I can take it off in a couple of minutes and put the panels back on.

 

[HopSlammer]

Take her top off peekaboo quick. Oh yeah, trust me, you’re gonna dig it!

 

[Little_Feller]

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!

Is this true about the grab handles? I actually have Mopar grab handles on order (with a never never ending out of stock) and was going to pull the trigger on the Sunrider top, but hate to hear they are incompatible...

 

[WILDHOBO]

Is this true about the grab handles? I actually have Mopar grab handles on order (with a never never ending out of stock) and was going to pull the trigger on the Sunrider top, but hate to hear they are incompatible...

The mopar handles are not compatible with the sunrider. I run the mopar handles in the back, and I think JK handles in front. They work perfectly. Don’t let that stop you.

 

[SpeedNeed]

For me the SunRider would be obsolete the moment the MyTop comes out. Game changer.

 

[WILDHOBO]

For me the SunRider would be obsolete the moment the MyTop comes out. Game changer.

What’s the mytop?

 

[ecidiego]

What’s the mytop?

Oh, just a mere $4700 more....

https://mytop.us/products/gladiator-jeep-top?variant=39410162630690

 

[WILDHOBO]

Oh, just a mere $4700 more....

https://mytop.us/products/gladiator-jeep-top?variant=39410162630690

Lots of cash for a top that looks terrible in my opinion.

 

[BaliMawr]

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....

OMG. It's great. I'd definitely say that if you ever take off or want to take off the freedom. Panels, you Will LOVE it.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I flip it back in the neighborhood sometimes for only a mile. It’s that good, and that easy. I must have used it 6 times yesterday.

 

[ecidiego]

You guys spray anything on the top? Some scotch brite like concept?

 

[BaliMawr]

I bought and installed one about a month ago. I open it every chance I get...

I only have two complaints: now my hair is always a mess when I get to work, and the weather seems to know I installed it because it’s been mostly cold and rainy since I did.

Definitely need a good hat with a chin strap.

 

[BaliMawr]

If you have the space to remove the hardtop why not just go soft top?

i got one off the forum and use it most of the year. The hardtop is only on for a couple months a year.

It's a lot easier to open and close than the full soft top.

 

[cafecito]

Is this true about the grab handles? I actually have Mopar grab handles on order (with a never never ending out of stock) and was going to pull the trigger on the Sunrider top, but hate to hear they are incompatible...

I mean, I had the Mopar handles installed before. I went to put my Sunrider on, and the Sunrider bracket sits right on the roll bar where the Mopar handle would normally sit. It's possible I'm missing something, but I can't see what it would be.

FWIW, I'd take the Sunrider and some third-party handles any day of the week. The Mopar handles are nice for sure, but they're definitely not worth giving up the Sunrider convenience.

See the bolt sticking up on the right side there? That's the Sunrider bracket, right where the Mopar handle would wrap around and secure to a screw hole that's underneath the nylon and velcro on my current handle.

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