I need help choosing a new soft top

[lovemachine]

OK, I'm going to jump in here with a specific question about Bestop sailcloth vs. Bestop twill. This would be a replacement top on my '99 SE and also for a '12 JKU.

The SE spends significant time on tight trails. The top gets rubbed on brush often. Sailcloth or twill? Why? The JKU doesn't spend a lot of time on tight trails, but does go off road. Same questions.

The Twill is more "cloth-like". So imagine walking in the woods, and a branch getting caught into your t-shirt. It would be like that, but the Twill a little tougher than the fabric on your shirt.

The sail-cloth would be more acceptable to abuse. But the Twill is thicker, quieter, keeps the cab warmer and cooler. Plus looks a heck of a lot better.

 

[lovemachine]

Don't get me wrong, the Twill would be good for trail use. But if my trails involved going into the woods, that was thick with branches, I'd go sailcloth.

 

[StG58]

The less expensive Sailcloth is more appropriate for trail use, it's not as easily damaged as the more luxurious/expensive twill is.

Thanks Jerry, that was my thoughts as well. It's good to have verification.

 

[StG58]

The Twill is more "cloth-like". So imagine walking in the woods, and a branch getting caught into your t-shirt. It would be like that, but the Twill a little tougher than the fabric on your shirt.

The sail-cloth would be more acceptable to abuse. But the Twill is thicker, quieter, keeps the cab warmer and cooler. Plus looks a heck of a lot better.

Don't get me wrong, the Twill would be good for trail use. But if my trails involved going into the woods, that was thick with branches, I'd go sailcloth.

Thanks lovemachine, looks like I'll get a sailcloth top for the SE, and see if Bestop has a twill top for the JKU. Two tops in one year is gonna suck.

 

[lovemachine]

Thanks lovemachine, looks like I'll get a sailcloth top for the SE, and see if Bestop has a twill top for the JKU. Two tops in one year is gonna suck.

Yes indeed. That also means less money in your pocket for your new JLR!

 

[bobthetj03]

If I didn't have a hard top, I'd probably have 2 soft tops. A CL special with the cheapest top material I can find for trail use, and a twill top for normal DD duty, long trips.

 

[glwood]

Thanks lovemachine, looks like I'll get a sailcloth top for the SE, and see if Bestop has a twill top for the JKU. Two tops in one year is gonna suck.

https://www.bestop.com/jeep/2012/wrangler/replace-a-top-black-twill-for-oem-hardware/door/4/

https://www.bestop.com/jeep/2012/wrangler/new-trektop-nx-glide-convertible-soft-top/door/4/

https://www.bestop.com/jeep/2012/wrangler/trektop-pro-hybrid-soft-top/door/4/

https://www.bestop.com/jeep/2012/wrangler/supertop-nx-black-premium-color-twill-soft-top/door/4/

A co-worker of mine has the 2-door Trektop Pro Hybrid, and that top is very nice. A hybrid between a soft top and hard top, and the windows are glass and the rear window opens like the hard top rear window, but can also be removed.

 

[Starrs]

No, I know how to do that including using Photoshop on a regular basis. Not to mention you lose detail and resolution when you stretch a photo to enlarge and crop it. But more importantly, it's just better to position the camera close enough to the subject so it is properly exposed so you can see detail and texture instead of just a black outline. Non-photographers invariably stand too far back from what they're photographing. There's nothing wrong with asking someone to stand closer or even use a flash when taking photos for use in figuring out a question or issue.

I asked that hoping that you did know how to do that, and I took that picture very quick as I had to get to work. In the future when I get more time on my hands hopefully I’ll be able to take amazing photos lol but for now that’s the best I can do! If it doesn’t work for ya sorry lol just skim past it.

 

[glwood]

View attachment 37025 I know the lighting is terrible but having rain the rest of the week. Best I can do for now!

Thanks! I know the lighting is different, and it's a bit farther away, but with @Chris's forum magic, clicking on the pic makes it zoom in with no loss of definition. The angle is just right. Man, that is seriously a darker black.

 

[Starrs]

Thanks! I know the lighting is different, and it's a bit farther away, but with @Chris's forum magic, clicking on the pic makes it zoom in with no loss of definition. The angle is just right. Man, that is seriously a darker black.

I didn’t think it would be that hard to tell that the twill soft top is bad ass compared to the OEM sailcloth. Glad I could help you tell the difference haha. Just spend a grand and get one. You won’t regret it. Honestly

 

[gg1]

View attachment 37023
Black twill in this pic.

Thanks for posting the comparison and thank you all for this discussion. I need to replace mine as I believe it is the original one and has some damage, not to mention very old. I doubt you could go wrong with sail or twill. For my use, I think I am leaning twill. Would love to see both in person, but I doubt either are going to be some huge mistake.

Starrs, your Rubi is super nice. Hope mine gets somewhat near that level at some point. Goodness the money I am shelling out is wildly higher than what I thought I was going to do. Why did I buy a Rubicon? lol Ah well, you gotta have some fun.

Jerry, you state you have twill on your BMW, but would prefer sailcloth. Is it mostly an appearance or do you feel sailcloth would just hold up better? I really enjoy all your insightful posts.

 

[Starrs]

Thanks for posting the comparison and thank you all for this discussion. I need to replace mine as I believe it is the original one and has some damage, not to mention very old. I doubt you could go wrong with sail or twill. For my use, I think I am leaning twill. Would love to see both in person, but I doubt either are going to be some huge mistake.

Starrs, your Rubi is super nice. Hope mine gets somewhat near that level at some point. Goodness the money I am shelling out is wildly higher than what I thought I was going to do. Why did I buy a Rubicon? lol Ah well, you gotta have some fun.

Jerry, have you seen the twill? I really enjoy all your insightful posts.

I have stuck my fair share of money into my tj, but I feel I put the best of the best parts on it and I love the way it looks and rides. I spared no expense with the twill top either. That was going to be my last expensive mod, and like I said I found it on Amazon with prime shipping for 879 so I bought it a few months before I expected, but had to jump on the deal. You’ll really enjoy the rich black color if you decide to go twill. BMW and other high end car companies use this same fabric on their convertible tops. So if your out and about and see a felt looking material on a convertible this is prolly it.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Jerry, you state you have twill on your BMW, but would prefer sailcloth. Is it mostly an appearance or do you feel sailcloth would just hold up better? I really enjoy all your insightful posts.

For where I wheel my Jeep that has a nasty habit of damaging tops, I sure would not want to pay the extra $$$ for twill. And the twill on my BMW is showing its age so I'm not so sure it holds up all that well anyway.

This is what happened to my top a few months ago when my TJ tipped into a rock outcropping on the Ishim Trail near Death Valley... I'd be even more upset if I had paid extra for the luxury twill fabric which I just believe is overkill for a Jeep.

 

[gg1]

For where I wheel my Jeep that has a nasty habit of damaging tops, I sure would not want to pay the extra $$$ for twill. And the twill on my BMW is showing its age so I'm not so sure it holds up all that well anyway.

This is what happened to my top a few months ago when my TJ tipped into a rock outcropping on the Ishim Trail near Death Valley... I'd be even more upset if I had paid extra for the luxury twill fabric which I just believe is overkill for a Jeep.

View attachment 37175

Thanks Jerry for your reply. I don't think I will see a trail like that here. I do have some concern over someone ripping it with a knife (theft) as I will be parking it the the city sometimes, but it isn't that bad of a place. A spare tire was stolen off the back of a Wrangler however in the middle of the day. It probably is overkill as you stated. I have time to think about it a bit. Maybe twill won't hold up as well as sailcloth though. That is something to consider for sure.

 

[bobthetj03]

Looks like you have a dedicated trail top now @Jerry Bransford .

 

[Starrs]

Thanks Jerry for your reply. I don't think I will see a trail like that here. I do have some concern over someone ripping it with a knife (theft) as I will be parking it the the city sometimes, but it isn't that bad of a place. A spare tire was stolen off the back of a Wrangler however in the middle of the day. It probably is overkill as you stated. I have time to think about it a bit. Maybe twill won't hold up as well as sailcloth though. That is something to consider for sure.

I wonder why the high end car company’s don’t put sailcloth on their vehicles..

 

[bobthetj03]

The top on my wife's Z is a material similar to sailcloth. It's definitely not twill.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I wonder why the high end car company’s don’t put sailcloth on their vehicles..

Sailcloth is a Bestop fabric, they only make tops for Jeeps. And high end car companies don't put 7 slot grills or folding windshields on their cars either.

Not to mention Sailcloth is a significantly upgraded multi-layer fabric, it's not the base level fabric used in Bestop's lower cost tops or like other companies use. The Sailcloth fabric that Jeep started using for all new Jeeps in 2000 or 2001 was a major step upward from the Bestop top fabric that came on my '97 TJ when new. It was significantly heavier and produced a significantly quieter interior.

 

[Starrs]

Sailcloth is a Bestop fabric, they only make tops for Jeeps. And high end car companies don't put 7 slot grills or folding windshields on their cars either.

Shoot I’m sorry I meant to say that type of material. Look if you own a jeep thy looks like yours then you should prolly put the sailcloth on it. But anybody that doesn’t beat their rig up would be fine with the twill top. There aren’t many of any that do the type of trails and rock crawling you do haha. Your jeep has a “unique” look and sailcloth works pretty good for that I guess. Not trying to offend you, but I think that is the point your trying to make.

 

[KCsTJ]

A smittybuilt soft top came on my 97 TJ
Seems ok but is noisy on the highway