My 17 year old Lj was in need of a replacement top and having been a repeat customer of Bestop's over the years on CJs, YJs, and TJs didnt hesitate to order from them again. I also figured I would get the full replacement frame. I didnt really need a frame, and my factory one was in perfect shape, but after 17 years figured she could use a new frame too.
Overall I am happy with the fit and finish of the new top with a few exceptions.
Tramp Stamp - Been discussed here. Doesn't bother me greatly so I havent bothered to remove it. Just wish they would have been a bit more tasteful. Was always ok with the little Bestop Logo on the back window in the corner.
Frame: Rattles and is a lot louder than stock frame. As also stated here, keep your mucked seals, those little rubber grommets under the door surrounds. That helped greatly, but its still a bit more noisy than the factory frame.
Warranty claim: First time rolling up the back window for a cruise after arriving at my destination I noticed the drivers side sagging. Seems in the wind the snap on the rear bow pulled out and somewhere along the way the back strap blew out the opening. After numerous emails back and forth with Bestop Support (assuming overseas now based on chat support names) they asked me for the part numbers I needed. I get an email telling me 6 to 8 weeks ill have my parts. Now mind you I only really need one snap to screw back into the rear bar and a strap kit, then send me the whole back bow assembly. Arrived today.
Door surround plunger thingy: If you've put up a soft top on an LJ its a bit of an art to get the front moving over the roll bar from the rear of the Jeep, then dance around to one side to get the top attached to the door surround. Sometime this is a gentle crash of the top against the surround. Its happened 100s of times on my old OEM top, but this time the top comes down on the plunger piece and it falls to pieces! Luckily I was able to reassemble the pieces and it seems to still function. Maybe I'll file a warranty claim to have them send another set of door surrounds!
Other than the fact I couldnt get the top in the original Khaki, I'm still happy with the upgrade, but I might have opted for the Replace-a-top option had I known the issues I would encounter with the Frame.
Overall I am happy with the fit and finish of the new top with a few exceptions.
Tramp Stamp - Been discussed here. Doesn't bother me greatly so I havent bothered to remove it. Just wish they would have been a bit more tasteful. Was always ok with the little Bestop Logo on the back window in the corner.
Frame: Rattles and is a lot louder than stock frame. As also stated here, keep your mucked seals, those little rubber grommets under the door surrounds. That helped greatly, but its still a bit more noisy than the factory frame.
Warranty claim: First time rolling up the back window for a cruise after arriving at my destination I noticed the drivers side sagging. Seems in the wind the snap on the rear bow pulled out and somewhere along the way the back strap blew out the opening. After numerous emails back and forth with Bestop Support (assuming overseas now based on chat support names) they asked me for the part numbers I needed. I get an email telling me 6 to 8 weeks ill have my parts. Now mind you I only really need one snap to screw back into the rear bar and a strap kit, then send me the whole back bow assembly. Arrived today.
Door surround plunger thingy: If you've put up a soft top on an LJ its a bit of an art to get the front moving over the roll bar from the rear of the Jeep, then dance around to one side to get the top attached to the door surround. Sometime this is a gentle crash of the top against the surround. Its happened 100s of times on my old OEM top, but this time the top comes down on the plunger piece and it falls to pieces! Luckily I was able to reassemble the pieces and it seems to still function. Maybe I'll file a warranty claim to have them send another set of door surrounds!
Other than the fact I couldnt get the top in the original Khaki, I'm still happy with the upgrade, but I might have opted for the Replace-a-top option had I known the issues I would encounter with the Frame.
