How do I keep my Bestop Sunrider from flapping?

4BY4ADV

4BY4ADV

TJ Enthusiast
Supporting Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2020
Messages
227
Location
Oceanside, CA
For those of you with sunriders... do any of you leave it open at highway speeds? Some days I have no problems and other days wind catches it and pulls fabric down into the cab getting in the way of my head.

I've thought about getting some aluminum or copper tubing and creating a U shaped bracket that would help hold it back... but I wanted to get some feedback before I go this far.
 
I don't drive with mine open if I'm going to be doing over 45 mph. It doesn't pull the fabric down on mine; more so, it feels like a giant scoop/open parachute. It may be better without the windows, but I haven't tried that. At that point, I'm either going safari top or top all the way down.

Are you folding the fabric backward on top of itself (doubled under) and under the header after it's laid back? That should keep it from pulling down into the cab.
 
I've driven freeway 75mph with no issues of flapping, or 'scooping' with the top flipped back. Do you have the center secured around the roll cage properly?

The only flapping I do get, is because I rarely secure the sides back into the door channels when I have the top closed up.
 
i have this top on my tj that the PO had along with the hardtop. i have looked for video's and read the instructions and nowhere can i find out how to use this feature, not stupid just dont want to bend or break something trying to open it. i would guess you pull the push pins above the doors and release the front latches then fold it back. havent looked at it too closely yet. but if anybody knows of a video i would appreciate it.
 
tr21triton said:
i have this top on my tj that the PO had along with the hardtop. i have looked for video's and read the instructions and nowhere can i find out how to use this feature, not stupid just dont want to bend or break something trying to open it. i would guess you pull the push pins above the doors and release the front latches then fold it back. havent looked at it too closely yet. but if anybody knows of a video i would appreciate it.
Click to expand...
You only release the pins above the doors if you are removing the top. Just opening the sunrider portion, you unlatch the header, pop the sides out of the channels above the doors, and fold it back using the pins as hinges.
 
  • Like
Reactions: John Cooper and Claytone
It'll be like this folded back...

Nd9GcSvTw3rJ0JSpidIe8rRB8BjNj6QD6zqj9-yqw&usqp=CAU.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: John Cooper and tr21triton
No I don't have any issues either.
If you only have it half way open, makes sure the plastic clips on the back-half of the drip rails are attached.
If it's open all the way, it folds up on itself and stays flat.
It will catch a little air, but if it's acting like a sail and lifting way up, it's not secured properly.
 
  • Like
Reactions: John Cooper
Artsifrtsi said:
It'll be like this folded back...

View attachment 295135
Click to expand...
Oh... Wow. Okay, so buying second hand I never had any instructions. I realized shortly after that I had it wrong the first time... but thought I had it correct the second time. Apparently I'm still getting it wrong!!!

1st way I did it... I only unclipped the front plastic clips and had a "small" opening. It worked, but I found I was starting to wear the fabric at the corners.

2nd method... I unclipped both the front and rear plastic clips and folded it back like an accordion. So unlike the image above, it would be open, but folded in half. This is what allows some of the top fabric to blow forward into the cab. At lunch I'm going to have to try this again, as it seemed like it didn't want to fold all the way back like that.

While not a TJ... I have it looking more like this:

Bestop3537-1200x800-5b2df79-600x600.jpeg
 
4BY4ADV said:
Oh... Wow. Okay, so buying second hand I never had any instructions. I realized shortly after that I had it wrong the first time... but thought I had it correct the second time. Apparently I'm still getting it wrong!!!

1st way I did it... I only unclipped the front plastic clips and had a "small" opening. It worked, but I found I was starting to wear the fabric at the corners.

2nd method... I unclipped both the front and rear plastic clips and folded it back like an accordion. So unlike the image above, it would be open, but folded in half. This is what allows some of the top fabric to blow forward into the cab. At lunch I'm going to have to try this again, as it seemed like it didn't want to fold all the way back like that.
Click to expand...
Bestop doesn't even show you the proper way to fold it back, in either position.
I had to figure it out on my own too, but in that illustration it's wrong also.
Open all the way like that, the back half should then be folded back forward again securing it down.
There's even little notches in the plastic header to secure your latches most people miss.
 
maybe 1 of you tech savy guys could do a video if you dont mind. glad i'm not the only 1 trying to figure this out ! like Tray said the instructions dont tell you the way to do it. in their video's they show how to inst. the top and show it folded back but never explain how to open it !
 
I watched this video before installing mine for the first time. I found it quite comprehensive, probably better than the instructions manual.

 
Kon said:
I watched this video before installing mine for the first time. I found it quite comprehensive, probably better than the instructions manual.

Click to expand...


Different top though. That is the Trektop (slantback, doesn't use the same hardware). I've got the Supertop.

So now I'm curious if the others were posting comments for Trektop or the Supertop.
 
4BY4ADV said:
Different top though. That is the Trektop (slantback, doesn't use the same hardware). I've got the Supertop.

So now I'm curious if the others were posting comments for Trektop or the Supertop.
Click to expand...
Does the super top of the sun rider feature to?
Edit: From bestop “The Supertop Squareback is our flagship complete soft top with true convertible functionality. It offers our best fabric, thickest windows, longest warranty, adjustable hardware and patented Sunrider panel”
So I’m sure it does and the sun rider feature should work the same as Trektop
 
06TJ35's said:
Does the super top of the sun rider feature to?
Click to expand...
If you're asking if the Supertop offers a sunrider feature too... yes. But there are different pivot points. And after seeing the video above, I'm thinking the two have different open positions. I'll take some photos of mine when I leave for lunch.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tr21triton
4BY4ADV said:
Different top though. That is the Trektop (slantback, doesn't use the same hardware). I've got the Supertop.

So now I'm curious if the others were posting comments for Trektop or the Supertop.
Click to expand...
I was talking about the Trektop indeed.
 
06TJ35's said:
So I’m sure it does and the sun rider feature should work the same as Trektop
Click to expand...

The Trektop is a frameless design. The Supertop has "near" traditional frame design as OEM, with some slight differences.

That being said... I'm back to my original position, I've got to find some way to hold the material folded on itself better as the header isn't heavy enough to hold the material folded up.
 
This is what it should look like. You fold the top accordion style. Do it right and the entire area from the windshield to the center cross bar should be open.

IMG_20200920_145334025_HDR.jpg
 
4BY4ADV said:
For those of you with sunriders... do any of you leave it open at highway speeds? Some days I have no problems and other days wind catches it and pulls fabric down into the cab getting in the way of my head.

I've thought about getting some aluminum or copper tubing and creating a U shaped bracket that would help hold it back... but I wanted to get some feedback before I go this far.
Click to expand...
I’m trying to figure out what you are trying to say. So when you say the wind catches it and pulls the fabric down in the way of you head. In the picture is the red arrow part of the top going down to your head or is the whole top coming back down in its original position?(blue arrow)

FB8EA8BE-6122-4519-A010-F15C961FB373.jpeg
 
Top Bottom
Back