Hey it's your thread brother, post away. I'll read em.
Soft top suggestions
- Thread starter BendLarry
- Start date
Hey it's your thread brother, post away. I'll read em.
OP
Got the hard top off and the new Rampage soft top on. It took me about 2 hours, a learning curve for sure. I'm pleased with it so far good quality zippers and I got the Sail Cloth option so it's very heavy material. A bit of a pain to install for the first time, but will be about a 15 minute process next time. I took it for a drive and it was nearly as quiet as the hard top.
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Great looking Jeep. Leave it on there parked in the sun and once it stretches and conforms to the roll bars, the windows will be much easier to put on and off.
OP
I agree the sun was making a difference through out the install process.
OP
Update. When I reported, above that the new Rampage top was nearly as quiet as my hard top, I had only driven it around the neighborhood up to about 40 mph. When on the highway at about 50 and above the wind noise is much louder than a hard top just like all other soft tops. I am pleased that there is no flapping at all and after it sat in the sun for a couple days, it has stretched out and the fit is great. I like this top so far.
I think the biggest drawback to this top is with the windows all zipped in it is pretty noisy at highway speeds. I actually find it more tolerable driving on the highway with the windows out, which is no problem cause it's very seldom I have a need for them.
I am curious how the noise level compares to the Trektop NX.
OP
I'm not hearing wind noise anywhere other than from the windshield header. I'm going to experiment a little with some weather stripping in the area in front of slot that the top goes in. I have read many many posts in a variety of places online where guy's complain about header wind noise with all brands of soft tops.
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OP
Another update.... I'm feeling a little dumb right now. Yesterday I was standing in my shop looking at my Rampage frame less soft top. I have felt that the wind noise I have reported on was due to the windshield header and how the top fit into it. I had it installed into the most obvious stock windshield header slot, the one that is not closest to the front of the rig. The top tab seemed to fit that slot better than when I tried it Initially in the front most slot. Installing it where I did left about a 1 inch space from the front of the windshield to the top leading edge. The installation instructions did not discuss the two slots and which one to use. The install video isn't clear either. Any way, I decided to reinstall it in the front most slot. The wind noise is almost all gone, and the install looks much better. I posted this update so that maybe someone who is considering this top won't be worried about wind noise. I can keep my radio at normal levels now... happy camper!
@BendLarry Thanks for the update. The Rampage is at the top of my list for a frame less due to the storage and this helped solidify it.
TJ Jonny
TJ Enthusiast
How does a frame-less top hold up to the static load snow? I have the factory soft top now, but want a frame-less because its easier to store....I have not had the top on in over 3 months now and wont be on through at least September. The framed soft top takes up a lot of room in my garage. During the winter months, it will be parked in the driveway with the roof on, where as now I park it in my garage every night because it is topless.
Edit: Its not that I wont be clearing the snow off of it, but overnight or while I'm work. It won't be neglected lol
Edit: Its not that I wont be clearing the snow off of it, but overnight or while I'm work. It won't be neglected lol
For the life of me, I cannot figure out what this is referring to...what is meant by the 'front most slot' & 'stock windshield header slot'? Also, is the photo before or after the reinstall in the new slot?
OP
First off, my Jeep came with a hard top. I had to order a windshield header and door surrounds in order to install my frameless top. The windshield header has 2 channels (slots) that run the full length of the header. One is directly behind the windshield rubber trim and there is a second one behind that. Maybe your header is different but I think I remember the header I bought referred to as a stock windshield header. The picture is after I reinstalled the top in the front most header channel/slot. If I can find a picture of the header I have I will post it.
Okay here is a picture of my header and top. If you look close you can see the 2 channels/slots I'm talking about.
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I see now what you are referring to. The header on my oem soft top is not like that. The top fabric wraps around it and attaches with screws underneath, so there are no slots as in your photo. I had not seen a header like this, thus no reference could be made. Thanks for the clarification.
I wonder if the Bestop NX frameless has a header like their soft tops, in that the fabric attaches underneath like the oem soft top...?
Bobby Klein
New Member
It is my understanding you have to get a windshield header and a tailgate bar that is sold separately, for the rampage soft top, is this true?
Steve Rodgers
TJ Enthusiast
brown_mule
TJ Enthusiast
Yes you do, but try searching Jeep forums for used sales or free ones. Some sell them pretty cheap.
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How did you get your
How did you get your top to stay in the bottom channel when tightening the top down? I have the same wind noise problem with my rampage top, and when I tried to place the top into the bottom channel it kept popping out when I tightened the top down.