I am considering replacing a 2003 TJ's half doors skins with the slider style uppers. I know little about them or know anyone near me who uses them. Any pros or cons anybody is willing to share is appreciated. Thanks.
TJ upper door sliders?
- Thread starter Barley
- Start date
Bestop used to make them unsure if they still do. I have never hated zipping and unzipping enough to spend the small fortune they sell for.
So far, I have seen Bestop and Bulldawg on the Internet. Bulldawg seems to have the longer lasting with the fiberglass upper door, but I am still trying to figure it out on the cost.
Agree on the cost, plus I do not know how well they work or if they leak. Have Smitty skins and have not experienced any leaks, yet.
I was just researching these. Bestop and Bulldawg make sliders, and think I'll be ordering Bulldawgs soon. Here are a few links to the threads I saw:
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/bull-dawg-hard-upper-doors-has-anyone-tried-these.40249/
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/bull-dawg-vs-bestop-sliders.66581/
Here's a comparison I've put together:
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/bull-dawg-hard-upper-doors-has-anyone-tried-these.40249/
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/bull-dawg-vs-bestop-sliders.66581/
Here's a comparison I've put together:
Thanks for the info, sab. Very helpful. If one considers the cost comparison of buying used full doors with the shipping, and making any required repairs and painting, then factor in that one already has color correct half doors mounted on their jeep, then the hard upper sliders do seem a more practical tradeoff to roll down windows.
I can say that the Bestop dual-slider seems more interesting than the Bull Dawg rear opening, but the hard uppers are going to last so much longer than the soft uppers. I emailed Bull Dawg to get specs on their window opening size.
Looks like it gets down to one's budget and the trade offs regarding how well these sliders actually work (functionality, leaking, etc.) vs. having roll down glass windows vs. just living with the OEM zipper style soft uppers.
Thanks again for the info. Hopefully, someone who is already using the Bull Dawg uppers will share their experiences with this product.
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I had some Bestop sliders and hated them. The opening is too small. At least the Bestop ones open from either direction. No leaking.
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Same. I have the Bestop ones today. It's really a question of what you want to compromise on. Do you want the window unzipped hanging down by your leg or a small opening. I tend to go on or off unless it's foul weather. If I had to choose between the two again I would still do the Bestop sliders.
You're very welcome!
I agree that budget and preferences will determine the best option for you. It's nice to have options!
By the way, one other difference I forgot in that chart above is that the Bestop uppers mount the same way traditional soft uppers mount, but the Bull Dawgs screw in, and you have to replace the inserts in your doors to accept the screws. They are a bit more work to remove and install.
If you read through those links I posted, you'll find first-hand experiences shared. One forum member actually owned both and gave his input, which I found invaluable.
Good luck with your choice!
I had some sliders on my 02 SE. Was more convenient. I just got a 97 Saraha . Priced the sliders..wow. Much more expensive now. I will just wait a bit and use the zippers. Windows and top off for the summer. I don't drive as much as before so the Saraha can sit inside most of the winter. I have a 2014 2door JK for then.
Before you spend the $$ on a new set, you can find them used in good shape for a few hundred dollars less than new. I had another forum member contact me to see if I was interested in selling the set I have, after seeing a post on Wildman's build thread. It didn't take me long to find quite a few sets close to him on Ebay with free shipping for what it would have cost to buy my set and pay shipping to the East coast. The only issue I have with the fiberglass uppers is they are a bolt in design, are heavier, and less forgiving of any kind of abuse.
Here's a set in New York for $499.99 free shipping
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1158129443...d=link&campid=5337789113&toolid=20001&mkevt=1
Here's a set in New York for $499.99 free shipping
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1158129443...d=link&campid=5337789113&toolid=20001&mkevt=1
I am interested. If you can locate contact info for him, I would appreciate having it.
I remember participating in a thread with @MikekiM about that guy. Here's the thread:
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/tj-interior-door-panels.67393/
I am thinking that opening from the front is more for ventilation. While opening from the rear is more for the tolls and drive thru. What do you reckon is height and width of the rear when fully opened?
I have a set of the bestop uppers, I can go out and take a couple measurements if you like.
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