How is the Sunrider top front portion supposed to sit when folded back?

[freebo86]

This is a feature I seldom use on my LJ OEM/Mopar Sunrider top and not even sure if I am folding it back correctly. But can someone confirm or chime in on how is the fabric that is flipped back supposed to lay/sit above ones head?

How I understood the sunrider feature works is, you release the headers, release the two drip rails above the door. Slide the locking barrel or however you want it to call it to allow the joint on the soft top frame to pivot which lets you fold the front portion back.

Now with the front portion folded back, you take the door rails and create a V kind of like when folder the top fully back to let the material fold itself in. Tuck the V into the center which folds the fabric down. I find the sunrider top there is still a fair bit of fabric left over my head when its folded back. Is this normal? As I am driving depending on the wind it can also get the fabric and even pull it into the Jeep and at that point it actually sits on my head.

The LJ has the two little clips that are near the B pillar on the door surrounds, pull tabs if you will. Are these supposed to be released when using the sun rider option? Perhaps I am folding the drip rails the wrong way and they are supposed to paint back towards the Jeep and not center?

 

[AjRagno]

Are you opening or removing the rear window?

 

[boostedv6]

What you described is how I do it. If you pull the pins the top will fall back.

 

[MountaineerTom]

I fold the point of the V pointing towards the rear of the Jeep. It leaves a wide open hole for a sun roof.

 

[AjRagno]

I was asking about the rear window. To use the sunrider feature, you need to unzip or remove the rear window.

 

[MountaineerTom]

I fold the point of the V pointing towards the rear of the Jeep. It leaves a wide open hole for a sun roof.

@freebo86 ,there is a thread here talking about folding the Sunrider part of the top.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/am-i-using-this-sunrider-top-right.21473/

 

[THEREALJIM]

@freebo86 ,there is a thread here talking about folding the Sunrider part of the top.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/am-i-using-this-sunrider-top-right.21473/

Well you learn something new everyday, I've been using the sunrider wrong haha

 

[freebo86]

Are you opening or removing the rear window?

It was closed. But I know its typically supposed to be open as it creates a vacuum. Don't think this has anything to do with how the sunrider goes down, though?

What you described is how I do it. If you pull the pins the top will fall back.

Yah I kind of had a feeling the pins are for the overall top folding.

I fold the point of the V pointing towards the rear of the Jeep. It leaves a wide open hole for a sun roof.

Hmm, okay this could be my problem. I put the V inwards so towards the speaker rollbar. I will have to try and point them rearward.

 

[freebo86]

I was asking about the rear window. To use the sunrider feature, you need to unzip or remove the rear window.

You don't need to. It's just recommended as it creates a vacuum and also pushes the air back and could potentially stretch the fabric. If you open a window it does the same effect, to an extend to help it reduce the vacuum.

 

[freebo86]

@freebo86 ,there is a thread here talking about folding the Sunrider part of the top.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/am-i-using-this-sunrider-top-right.21473/

Lmao. This is good, I even replied in that thread with a suggestion.. But my opening is exactly like buddies and same issue. I think I need to fold the top more rearward and it has to do with the drip rails.

 

[MountaineerTom]

Lmao. This is good, I even replied in that thread with a suggestion.. But my opening is exactly like buddies and same issue. I think I need to fold the top more rearward and it has to do with the drip rails.

I noticed that after I had posted it but wasn’t going to say anything.

 

[WallyWest]

After folding back I usually have to tuck the corners back to get it just right, but if you fold it correctly like that other thread shows you should have the area in front of where the windshield header ends up totally open.

 

[freebo86]

This is what I have. Is this correct?

 

[MountaineerTom]

That looks like how I do mine.

 

[AjRagno]

You don't need to. It's just recommended as it creates a vacuum and also pushes the air back and could potentially stretch the fabric. If you open a window it does the same effect, to an extend to help it reduce the vacuum.

You have free will but if you keep the rear window zipped up and drive 65+ the pins will be ripped out of the brackets. Anything above 35 mph and the front portion will flop around. Unzipping the rear window eliminates both problems.

With the sunrider open and rear window unzipped, the top flops and vibrates less than with everything closed or zipped up.

 

[freebo86]

I just noticed the sliding barrel is actually stuck on the drivers side. If you notice it’s not pushed back to where it’s supposed to be.
Not sure how this thing got stuck as that little it slides on should release it

 

[WallyWest]

On a related note, can you fold the entire top back and have it sit on the rear tailgate or spare tire like the standard top? Mine doesn't have instructions for that.

I assume you would have to unsnap the top from the center bar, pull the pins on the front frame, and fold the whole thing back. Is that it?

 

[MountaineerTom]

On a related note, can you fold the entire top back and have it sit on the rear tailgate or spare tire like the standard top? Mine doesn't have instructions for that.

I assume you would have to unsnap the top from the center bar, pull the pins on the front frame, and fold the whole thing back. Is that it?

Yes. Mine isn’t OEM, I have a Bestop Supertop NX, so I don’t know how it compare to the OEM top. To fold it completely back, just unclip the parts that go in the door surrounds, unlatch the header bar, unpin the small pins that go in the top rear area of the door surrounds, then just fold it all back. You don’t need to unpin the part on the back of the vertical roll bar unless your completely removing the top from the Jeep.

 

[freebo86]

On a related note, can you fold the entire top back and have it sit on the rear tailgate or spare tire like the standard top? Mine doesn't have instructions for that.

I assume you would have to unsnap the top from the center bar, pull the pins on the front frame, and fold the whole thing back. Is that it?

MountaineerTom is right, same principle applies to the OEM top. The top doesn’t sit on the rear tire but falls back at tailgate area, same idea as a regular TJ.

Undo headers, pull drip rails above doors, pull pins from door surrounds. Unclip the 2 rear sails that tuck into the tub. Only thing you don’t do is don’t move the knuckle/barrel to allow the sunrider portion to pivot you want this to be as one section.
Then fold top back

 

[WallyWest]

Cool, thx guys. May try that out this weekend if the weather cooperates.