I bought a brand new bestop sail cloth and a brand new complete bestop bow assembly and in hindsight I wish I bought a hardtop .
Would you sell a factory soft top in order to buy an aftermarket Bestop soft top?
- Thread starter TJim
- Start date
OP
My factory soft top is in not great shape, but surely not garbage.
There are a couple of places that need stitching. But nothing major.
Also, the windows are definitely showing their age.
I was mostly considering to sell it in order to buy a best top new one, in order to have features like trektop.
SO, I did the question, mainly to ask about the quality difference, but also if the factory top is more valuable, just because it's the original.
There are a couple of places that need stitching. But nothing major.
Also, the windows are definitely showing their age.
I was mostly considering to sell it in order to buy a best top new one, in order to have features like trektop.
SO, I did the question, mainly to ask about the quality difference, but also if the factory top is more valuable, just because it's the original.
What is a bummer is I like the color of my 05 gray lj top. Bestop only makes black for the lj now and I really don't want a tramp stamp window. No twill option for the lj either. I keep trying to nurse my oem top along. Velcro is fraying and it's starting to wear out above the door surrounds.
I had an old school shoe cobbler redo all the stitching on one of my tops for about $75, that might buy you some more time.
Vtx531
TJ Addict
I can't speak for Bestop replacement tops but I have a Smittybilt on factory hardware and it is 1,000x better than the old Bestop Supertop it replaced.
Maybe Bestop improved their hardware over the last 20 years though...the supertop frame design was garbage and no comparison to factory.
rouxbicon
TJ Enthusiast
I would for sure prefer a new OEM top over a new Bestop Replace-a-Top. On the other hand I would (and did) prefer a new Bestop Replace-a-Top over a 14-year old OEM top in no better than "fair" condition
Cool....I had purchased one jeep and I don’t know what in the world was on it I think it was a Smittybilt I couldn’t resist having a little fun-
A lot of the performance of a soft top really depends on how it is installed and cared for.
I know I’m thankful for how good the tops are- The worst top that any of us to get our hands on would be better than a CJ 7 snap on top.
Not to my knowledge. I emailed bestop a while back for input. They said the demand just isn't there for color options on an LJ or a twill option.
Good idea. I have repaired mine in a few spots with some spiderwire fishing line.
I get a few leaks now and then under the bow just over the rear seats. Last time we got caught in a downpour my son said, "Dad it's raining in the jeep"
To which I'm sure you replied, "That's all part of the experience, son.""Dad it's raining in the jeep"
Exactly! My wife and I just looked at each other and laughed. She then asked me, "it won't leak up here will it?" I said, "no way, no bows or stitching over us up front." She said, "ok we're good then."
The top is in decent shape considering it's age. It looks really good after some 303 protection.
That's what I did and so far very happy with the Trektop NX.
OP
WestCoastDan
TJ Addict
Only if you want to switch to the fastback, trektop NX. If you still want a full top with the frame, I would keep your OEM frame and buy a RAT. That's what I did a few years ago. They price has gone up since I believe. I think my Bestop RAT was under $600.
Feel free to check it out live anytime before you commit to the purchase.