Got an email from Bestop

I suspect that Sunrider was never designed for highway speeds, more likely just around town. I never liked or used mine and it was only open at Bestop's photoshoot when they came to San Diego to take photos of my TJ and someone else's CJ with new Bestop tops they comped us.

This shows how Bestop positioned it for the shoot so yours looks like how they did it. That hottie was in their marketing department, that was a fun day on the beach back in around 2011.

CIMG4009.JPG


Jerry-cropped.jpg
:)
 
Dang, that looks like it’s a couple inches in front of the header. Is that the twill top? I wonder if there is some difference with that? You wouldn’t think there would be.
 
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Here is our top ‘opened’ for the Sunrider feature…

View attachment 388699

View attachment 388700

View attachment 388701
Notice that the folded fabric is ‘in front of’ the leading edge of the header.
This must allow air to get into the fold when driving and push the top down onto my head.

So why not just move the removable bow under the fabric flap. Don’t you all remove that bow for a clear view of the clouds? I rarely use that bow in warm weather..
 
We have a Trek top and just flop the sunrider back, don't do anything special with the fabric. GF reports no annoying flapping
 
So why not just move the removable bow under the fabric flap. Don’t you all remove that bow for a clear view of the clouds? I rarely use that bow in warm weather..
1- Securing the silver bow into the intended slots in the door surrounds serves zero purpose when the top is open because the bow is located ‘too far forward’ to support the fabric.

2- Securing the silver bow where it does support the fabric is a ‘user work-around’ to make up for the poor design, as this is not where the bow is supposed to be installed.

3- The consumer (in this case, ME) shouldn’t be expected to ‘make it work’, and THAT is my complaint.
 
I have a Sun Rider on my YJ and Im thinking like Jerry is. I flipped it open once when putting around in the desert and really cant imagine it would be good at 65mph. One would think Bestop would put a disclaimer in the box advising no freeway flying with it peeled back if that was the case.
 
Shortly after getting my LJ I got this strap thinking mine had been lost by some previous owner:

https://www.quadratec.com/products/11101_9015.htm
I sort of remember when I bought it that the description said with the Sunrider open, you'd clip the hook end onto header, strap the free end around the roll bar, and secure it all tight via the buckle. (Thereby keeping the header bar down and fabric folded to the rear.)

Like I said, that's how it was supposed to work, but on my LJ the strap was too short to get around the roll bar and back into the buckle.

(I assumed the distance to the roll bar would be close enough for this YJ/TJ part to work on my LJ. I was wrong.)

If I undid the velcro on my top's 2-bar it would work there, but that sucked.

I ended up ripping out the stitching, removing the hardware, and bought a roll of strap material to sew a longer version of the strap. Problem solved.
 
Shortly after getting my LJ I got this strap thinking mine had been lost by some previous owner:

https://www.quadratec.com/products/11101_9015.htm
I sort of remember when I bought it that the description said with the Sunrider open, you'd clip the hook end onto header, strap the free end around the roll bar, and secure it all tight via the buckle. (Thereby keeping the header bar down and fabric folded to the rear.)

Like I said, that's how it was supposed to work, but on my LJ the strap was too short to get around the roll bar and back into the buckle.

(I assumed the distance to the roll bar would be close enough for this YJ/TJ part to work on my LJ. I was wrong.)

If I undid the velcro on my top's 2-bar it would work there, but that sucked.

I ended up ripping out the stitching, removing the hardware, and bought a roll of strap material to sew a longer version of the strap. Problem solved.

I remember having that strap on my first LJ with the factory sunrider. Maybe that's the missing piece here.
 
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I remember having that strap on my first LJ with the factory sunrider. Maybe that's the missing piece here.

Since they're sold out, I got little curious about finding the hardware and just replicating another complete strap.

The buckle is a Duraflex (marked such under the tongue) but I can't find a model number to say if it's nylon or acetate.

Nevertheless, I believe its their "Single Bar Power Pro Tensionlock" 1-inch buckle.

Link: https://www.pksupplyonline.com/products/5425

The hook is the really important part here anyway, so of course it has no maker stamp/markings.

However, based on measurements and appearance, I'd say this one from Ohio Travel Bag is it:

Link: https://ohiotravelbag.com/products/l-2077

I'm posting my findings if someone wants to try replicating a strap before I get a chance.

I've got too much on the plate for the month; otherwise I'd have already ordered these parts.
 
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I remember having that strap on my first LJ with the factory sunrider. Maybe that's the missing piece here.

Since they're sold out, I got little curious about finding the hardware and just replicating another complete strap.

The buckle is a Duraflex (marked such under the tongue) but I can't find a model number to say if it's nylon or acetate.

Nevertheless, I believe its their "Single Bar Power Pro Tensionlock" 1-inch buckle.

Link: https://nationalmolding.com/product/single-bar-power-pro-tensionlock/

The hook is the really important part here anyway, so of course it has no maker stamp/markings.

However, based on measurements and appearance, I'd say this one from Ohio Travel Bag is it:

Link: https://ohiotravelbag.com/products/l-2077

I'm posting my findings if someone wants to try replicating a strap before I get a chance.

I've got too much on the plate for the month; otherwise I'd have already ordered these parts.

I've got a few straps with the hook sewn on, left over from one of the trail covers I had years ago. And I am pretty sure I have the tension lock 1" buckle too. I'd have to check my parts bin. That said, I don't know how this strap is used, nor do I need one. If do have the parts and any one wants to figure how it's used I could probably sew one up pretty quickly.

Didn't see the video earlier. Now that I do, has anyone tried the rolling method? And while I can see where the hook goes, where does the rest of the strap go? Around the sport bar?
 
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I've got a few straps with the hook sewn on, left over from one of the trail covers I had years ago. And I am pretty sure I have the tension lock 1" buckle too. I'd have to check my parts bin. That said, I don't know how this strap is used, nor do I need one. If do have the parts and any one wants to figure how it's used I could probably sew one up pretty quickly.

Didn't see the video earlier. Now that I do, has anyone tried the rolling method? And while I can see where the hook goes, where does the rest of the strap go? Around the sport bar?

If anyone takes @MikekiM up on his offer, here's what to replicate:

Full Strap:
Sunrider Strap (Full).jpg


Hook Detail:

Sunrider Strap (Hook).jpg


Buckle Detail:

Sunrider Strap (Buckle).jpg


(Yes, I run the free end around the sport bar and back into the buckle.)
 
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Wouldn’t that have been a pretty easy solution that their engineering team would have caught?

BTW, such a strap is not referenced in any of the documentation that came with the top, or on their website.

I totally agree with you, they don't mention it or refer to this strap, currently.
However, they sure did at one time.

I imagine the owner community decided the strap was unnecessary and Bestop responded by dropping the item.

Just like the strap to keep the rear seat secured in an upright, folded position.
 
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Check out 6:30 to 6:41 of this video:


That video is 100% obsolete. That top has almost nothing in common with the product that I received for our '03.
1- There are no 'sleeves' to slide on the new models.
2- With the plastic rails sewn to the outer edges of the fabric top, there is no alternative other than to either fold it forwards, or fold it backwards.
It cannot be rolled as shown in the video.
3- Folding 'forward' is definitely not right, as the placement of the silver bow is too far forward to support the fabric at the fold. It will hang down in front of your face.
4- Folding 'backward', which is essentially pulling the top behind the retracted header bow.

Bottom line for me is that while it is a good top, the Sunrider feature is a poor design, with even worse documentation and support.
 
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That video is 100% obsolete. That top has almost nothing in common with the product that I received for our '03.
1- There are no 'sleeves' to slide on the new models.
2- With the plastic rails sewn to the outer edges of the fabric top, there is no alternative other than to either fold it forwards, or fold it backwards.
It cannot be rolled as shown in the video.
3- Folding 'forward' is definitely not right, as the placement of the silver bow is too far forward to support the fabric at the fold. It will hang down in front of your face.
4- Folding 'backward', which is essentially pulling the top behind the retracted header bow.

Bottom line for me is that while it is a good top, the Sunrider feature is a poor design, with even worse documentation and support.

i agree with your expectations of having a top that functions as described by the company especially at the price point you paid. not doing any other research on the topic since i have a trek top, it may just be that the twill is too heavy for the application and bestop isn’t going to redesign something for one version alone, even though they should.

that being said, it sounds like everything else about your top meets your expectations. you want to keep this top and you want to enjoy it to the max, including the sun rider feature.

now, let’s find a solution.

can you measure this dimension for me please:
A36ADF61-AD31-468C-A99E-3361F048D0C3.jpeg


from the header end to the hole.

i’ll measure my trektop and see if they match.

you could then just ask bestop nicely to source these from a trek top:

EA9A4EAD-531A-4999-85B1-FB81F5CD6A9E.jpeg


chat is the best way to deal with part replacements and orders, i’ve had 100% success every time.

then cut these off your center bow:

0B203F11-9578-45BD-9AE1-27060D915548.jpeg


should solve all the issues if you are willing to do a bit of work. it’s a jeep, at least this time you don’t need to hit anything with an angle grinder for a fitment fix 😂
 
i agree with your expectations of having a top that functions as described by the company especially at the price point you paid. not doing any other research on the topic since i have a trek top, it may just be that the twill is too heavy for the application and bestop isn’t going to redesign something for one version alone, even though they should.

that being said, it sounds like everything else about your top meets your expectations. you want to keep this top and you want to enjoy it to the max, including the sun rider feature.

now, let’s find a solution.

can you measure this dimension for me please:
View attachment 388777

from the header end to the hole.

i’ll measure my trektop and see if they match.

you could then just ask bestop nicely to source these from a trek top:

View attachment 388780

chat is the best way to deal with part replacements and orders, i’ve had 100% success every time.

then cut these off your center bow:

View attachment 388782

should solve all the issues if you are willing to do a bit of work. it’s a jeep, at least this time you don’t need to hit anything with an angle grinder for a fitment fix 😂

Not sure how this would improve the Sunrider function; seems more like eliminating it...
From what I could check just now, the left 'arm' measures just short of 25", end-to-end of the metal tube.
1672700521598.png