Best Bikini / Safari Top?

EternalHobbyist

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A quick search didn't yield any results, so I thought I'd start a thread.

What is you guys' opinions on the best bikini/safari top? I've never had one, and am thinking I should get one before this upcoming moab trip in case I want to remove my hardtop.

Do I have to purchase the header bar separate??

I'm looking for something that will last a good long while without stretching/tearing. I take care of my stuff, so I'll do my part in taking care of it...

Thoughts?
 
A quick search didn't yield any results, so I thought I'd start a thread.

What is you guys' opinions on the best bikini/safari top? I've never had one, and am thinking I should get one before this upcoming moab trip in case I want to remove my hardtop.

Do I have to purchase the header bar separate??

I'm looking for something that will last a good long while without stretching/tearing. I take care of my stuff, so I'll do my part in taking care of it...

Thoughts?

I got the Smittybilt black denim #93615. It seems to be very nice so far. You do need to purchase the header separate.

Jeep-1c.jpg
 
Avoid any safari or bikini tops that use that clamp-on drill-less header which is a PITA to get seated and more expensive. For your 2000 TJ get a permanent drill-type header the top will slide into from the side, it's a lot easier and less trouble.

That's what I installed into my previous '97 TJ and what I converted my present '04 TJ to run. I HATED the clamp-on header that I first tried after buying my '04.
 
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Avoid any safari or bikini tops that use that clamp-on drill-less header which is a PITA to get seated and more expensive. For your 2000 TJ get a permanent drill-type header the top will slide into from the side, it's a lot easier and less trouble.

That's what I installed into my previous '97 TJ and what I converted my present '04 TJ to run. I HATED the clamp-on header that I first tried after buying my '04.

Thanks for the advise Jerry. Any chance you have a link to the type that you are referring to?
 
I got the smittybilt bikini top and deck cover or whatever it’s called. I love it so far. You do have to buy the header separate. I have the clamp on type that jerry advised against simply because I didn’t know something else existed.

As he said, it was quite difficult to get the top on and seated correctly on it, however, I plan to leave it on through the summer though, so don’t have to worry about taking it off and on.

00AA697A-600C-4535-B857-7F6A307246AA.jpeg
 
Thanks for the advise Jerry. Any chance you have a link to the type that you are referring to?
https://awtjeeps.com/products/windshield-channel-drill-97-02-jeep-wrangler-tj-13308-02

And

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BLJHHU/?tag=wranglerorg-20

I'm not necessarily recommending the Smittybilt Safari top but it's the type that slides in from the side to use the drill-style header.

This type doesn't require the no-drill header that has to be carried separately. The drill-style header I am recommending stays permanently installed so there's no need to mess with the no-drill header that can be (and usually was in my personal experience) a PITA to use.

The drill type/permanently installed header takes 5-10 minutes of easy work to install. Once installed there's no need to remove it, it stays in place for both the factory soft top hand hard top.
 
I have the Spiderwebshades on both my YJ and TJ...they're more of a mesh screen than a shade, so light and air can come in but you don't get burned.they also don't use a header rail at all, and just fasten to the roll bars with little bungee cords, you never have to take them off..the soft top goes up while they're still in place, and they come in many different sizes and colors for the different Jeep models

https://www.spiderwebshade.com/
 
https://awtjeeps.com/products/windshield-channel-drill-97-02-jeep-wrangler-tj-13308-02

And

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BLJHHU/?tag=wranglerorg-20

I'm not necessarily recommending the Smittybilt Safari top but it's the type that slides in from the side to use the drill-style header.

This type doesn't require the no-drill header that has to be carried separately. The drill-style header I am recommending stays permanently installed so there's no need to mess with the no-drill header that can be (and usually was in my personal experience) a PITA to use.

The drill type/permanently installed header takes 5-10 minutes of easy work to install. Once installed there's no need to remove it, it stays in place for both the factory soft top hand hard top.

Thank you for taking the time to send the links.
 
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Thank you for taking the time to send the links.
You're welcome. I forgot to mention I hated my PITA no-drill style clamp-on header and its safari top so much over the drill-style header I had in my previous TJ I threw them both into the trash can. The other clamp-on style header appeals to those who think no-drill is best because they have no experience with the drill-style header or those who don't know how to use a drill or think drilling some small holes somehow harms a Jeep.
 
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I have the Spiderwebshades on both my YJ and TJ...they're more of a mesh screen than a shade, so light and air can come in but you don't get burned.they also don't use a header rail at all, and just fasten to the roll bars with little bungee cords, you never have to take them off..the soft top goes up while they're still in place, and they come in many different sizes and colors for the different Jeep models

[URL]https://www.spiderwebshade.com/[/URL]

How does your bungee cord style too do on the highway, does it flap/vibrate much?
 
I’ve got this one…

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Z3N8GGY/?tag=wranglerorg-20

no flap or vibrate… you don’t even know it’s there… It’s not gonna stop the rain, but I just lower my soft top during the summer and if a rainstorm pops up, I just pull it over the top of the alien shade… In fact, I didn’t even take it off during the winter…

Thanks for the recommendation I think this is the one I'll go with. I'm in socal and am not worried about the rain, so as long as this one isn't too noisy in the wind I think it'll do just fine for me, plus it looks like I can just leave it on under my hardtop when I'm ready to put it back on.
 
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You're welcome. I forgot to mention I hated my PITA no-drill style clamp-on header and its safari top so much over the drill-style header I had in my previous TJ I threw them both into the trash can. The other clamp-on style header appeals to those who think no-drill is best because they have no experience with the drill-style header or those who don't know how to use a drill or think drilling some small holes somehow harms a Jeep.

I have the clamp on style that connects to the same location as the hard top and have never had any issues with it and have been using it for several years

Iphone6 163.jpg


jeep 1-2.jpg
 
I really like the Trektop NX for this reason.... I know it's not what you folks are talking about, it's a full top, but I love running it windowless with the ability to pop the windows on real quick if the weather gets nasty.

view

I am in the same boat. Just keep the Rampage top on with the windows off.
topless002.jpg
 
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I have the clamp on style that connects to the same location as the hard top and have never had any issues with it and have been using it for several years

View attachment 423093

View attachment 423094

Same here. I have both headers, one that has the paddles like a hard top or SunRunner soft top and the other has clamps that you tighten down with a wrench. My TJ had the drilled style header on it when I bought it but half the screws were stripped out.

I am in the same boat. Just keep the Rampage top on with the windows off.
View attachment 423098

My issues with running a top like that is when I damage the top. Safari tops aren't as expensive.

IMGP1210.JPG



Nice hood BTW.... :LOL::ROFLMAO:
 
A quick search didn't yield any results, so I thought I'd start a thread.

What is you guys' opinions on the best bikini/safari top? I've never had one, and am thinking I should get one before this upcoming moab trip in case I want to remove my hardtop.

Do I have to purchase the header bar separate??

I'm looking for something that will last a good long while without stretching/tearing. I take care of my stuff, so I'll do my part in taking care of it...

Thoughts?

It may be oversimplified, but I like Spidershade. Stays on year round. If it gets dirty I take it off and throw it in the washing machine. Easy