Noob looking for cab cover recommendations

Hello! I have been a proud Jeep owner for almost 3 whole weeks now. I had been thinking about getting one for a while. My 7 week puppy kept getting bigger and bigger and as time went by, and he was approaching 100 lbs, I new the time had come to trade the 2 seater sports car for a Jeep.

Naturally I had\have a bunch of questions but this forum has been an INVALUABLE resource for a new guy like me (thanks Chris). Ive been getting most of my questions answered via the sticky's and the search function these past couple of weeks, but I havent found much information on cab covers. Living in LA, I refuse to drive with the hard top on much longer. Im looking at a Safari top option as a replacement (as well as a cargo net for the pooch). I want to keep the cab covered from the elements, any critters, or even an additional theft 'deterrent', if it can be called that. Of course, I already installed and alarm and kill switch. Any experience with a cab cover would be helpful. The only criteria, if its even available, would be to lock down the cab cover somehow. I have gone on amazon but I rather have first hand experience from someone on this forum, instead of going by the reviews. Its hard to trust those reviews sometimes. As a tip for the forum, if you go to fakespot.com and copy and paste the URL of an Amazon\Yelp review, it will run some type of algorithm and give the review page a letter grade. I think it scans the reviewer's history to make a determination somehow. So many of these come back as D or F its ridiculous. I hope this tip can help someone down the line.

Thanks again for your help! Pictured below is my 'rig'. (im learning the lingo already). Had a morning training session with Macho and his new ramp. As you can see, I ditched the rear seat for some additional space. Next to go, the hard top!

Thanks in advanced for your time.

Westtown Willy said:

she's a beauty, but yea get that top (and doors) off asap, it's making me uncomfortable & I'm 3000 miles away

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HAHA! Thank you very much. I cant wait to do it and I will make sure to put up some photos when I do.

Ante_Up said:

Well I use the Smittybilt cover, and it does a good job of keeping moisture out. You will have to rig up some sort of bows (like 1/2" pvc pipe) to create an arch over the front passenger area because water will sit on top if it rains too much. The arch will help it drain off. That being said, I've never had water make it through. As far as locking it down, I'm not sure how you'd do that because it would be simple to just cut through any part of it, just like a soft top. I'm sure others will chime in with their experiences, but there's mine. Feel free to ask questions

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Thank you. Yes, the 'locking it down' part is a little silly and wishful thinking on my end, although I was reading that some models cab covers can 'secure' to the sheet metal below the doors using the straps, and the rear sides lock in like soft top windows. That may be as good as its going to get.

In checking out your Smittybilt recommendation just now, I believe that model has those features that I mentioned. Thanks again!

bobthetj03 said:

Welcome to the madness! Nice looking rig. Go easy on that tire shine brah, lol!

I keep my pup contained via Spidy shades in a modular format, and of course, a dog seat belt.
View attachment 108801

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HAHAHA! noted man, thanks. In my defense, that was the photo the previous owner used in his ad. I dont have my Jeep the way I want it (I realize this is probably going to be an ongoing process), but I want to at least take the top off before I take a proper picture of my own, but ill remember not to go hog wild with the armor all, promise. ha


So funny you mentioned seat belts. It SOOOO important. As important are harnesses. Did you know that most harnesses that we use for walking our dogs, are not safe for them to use in the car? I had no idea till I started researching this recently. As a matter of fact, 95% of the harnesses and seat belts on the market that specifically say are made for car rides, FAILED crash tests! That's just insane. Thing is, there hadn't been a regulatory body for such things till recently. In comes The Center For Pet Safety, a non profit and they conducted these tests and deemed all but 2 harnesses as unsafe for our pets. https://www.centerforpetsafety.org

The 2 are, the Sleepypod Clickit and the Ezydog Harness. I ordered the Ezydog for my pup and received it today. Unfortunately, they sent the wrong size. Its the size of one of his chew toys . Anyhow, I can tell that the build is tough and sturdy. It has a very nice padded chest plate. I would definitley have piece of mind driving along the highway knowing that he is wearing this. Returning it today and hopefully getting the new one soon. We havent been able to take a proper ride in the Jeep yet, just short trips to the local park, but definitley no highway driving till we get that harness.

Very nice Jeep by the way. I hadnt considered the Spidyshades but im loving how they look in your photo. Definitely another option I need to consider.

moab said:

If you want the best get Bestop. But it's spendy. Next I would say SMittybilt or Rampage. I have a Rampage full soft top I got on sale for $180. And I'm happy enough with it. HEre in LA that is. If I lived in Seattle I might feel differently as I don't really know how much it leaks. As it hasn't rained since I put it on. Be sure to check for which header you need with each safari top. The header is the bar that goes atop the windshield and holds the top in place at the front. Not always obvious that you need that too. Although amazon does a good job.

You might change your thread title to "Which Safari tops and nets are the best?". Cab covers are usually the term for a cover that you use when the top is off and the car is sitting. As it's just a cover. No windows.

GREAT recommendation on that website to spot fakes. I'm definitely going to use that.

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Is this the Bestop you are referring to? It looks like there are may be other models. The only concern is that the install video is painful to watch, and Im not the handiest guy in the world. You could tell the 2 guys, who are supposedly 'experts' were having a very hard time putting it on. They blamed it on the cold, which I am sure could be a factor, but the comments on the video are disabled for a reason. lol However, I did learn about the header you mentioned through the video, so that was cool.

WDE said:

Bestop 81037

Pros-Good quality, fits great, works well, covers door opening if going doorless, stays put even during strong thunderstorm winds

Cons-will not fit with stock soft top up (I mostly use soft top up w/o windows instead of safari top, not sure about aftermarket safaris), pain in the a$$ to fold up and stuff back in bag.

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Awesome, I think im going with the Bestop. Thanks for the part number.