Bestop header?

[notnsuv]

Is this the Bestop header?
I'm having a time figuring out which bikini tops fit the LJ with full coverage. And which work with this header, if that's what it is.
Website says TJ; UNLIMITED.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

If it is the no-drill (drill-less) header it's the right one for 2003 and newer TJs.

I prefer the drill-type header though as it's easier to connect the leading edge of the bikini or safari style top to. You need the style of top made for the drill type header for though. It's often described as for 1997 to 2002 models.

 

[notnsuv]

If it is the no-drill (drill-less) header it's the right one for 2003 and newer TJs.

I prefer the drill-type header though as it's easier to connect the leading edge of the bikini or safari style top to. You need the style of top made for the drill type header for though. It's often described as for 1997 to 2002 models.

Isn't there something about having to remove the drill type header for hardtop install? My hardtop went off and back on easily with this one. Should have looked closer at it when the ht was off.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

No, it can stay in place for any style top. I had one on my 97 and I'm running one on my present 04. I think I had to grind a tiny bit of extra clearance into it for the soft top clips but that took seconds.

 

[notnsuv]

Ok, this is what I have:
https://www.bestop.com/products/windshield-header-assembly-jeep-1997-2006-wrangler-tj/
And this is what Bestop says I need for Bikini top:
https://www.bestop.com/products/windshield-channel-jeep-1997-2006-wrangler-tj/
At least it's only $45.

As we head into Winter I get concerned about a bikini.

I guess what I'm after is a bikini that will cover front seat, back seat and cargo area on an LJ. Might not be one. I know they have the tonneau type cover for the rear area.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Both of those are correct for your model year.

 

[notnsuv]

Both of those are correct for your model year.

Yes, but the channel is required for bikini and the header will not work for bikini per the website. No sweat, at least for now.
I also like the idea of the Wraparound Windjammer to keep dust out (my SxS experience tells me dust sucks in thru the rear) and since I got NIB surrounds for $100, WTH.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

The right bikini top works with it, they have both bikini and safari length tops made for the no-drill header.

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

Is this the Bestop header?
I'm having a time figuring out which bikini tops fit the LJ with full coverage. And which work with this header, if that's what it is.
Website says TJ; UNLIMITED.

View attachment 290423

View attachment 290424

I'm not seeing an actual header in those pictures. All I think I see, top related, is the white interior of the hardtop where it clips to the windshield frame like a soft top header does.

Then there's the windshield channel. The header and channel both hold a fabric top to the windshield frame, they just do it differently, at least according to Bestop even though their Header Standard and Header Extended Bikini tops, as seen here, use the no-drill windshield channel.

Bestop windshield channels for bikini/safaris don't have the 2 big clips to hold them on, I wish they did but that may cause different issues, IDK. Bestop says The drill in style only works with their strapless bikini/safari tops. Those drill in channels aren't made for TJs newer than 2002 but Jerry has proven that to be easy to correct. Unfortunately those strapless tops aren't quite long enough to cover everything in an Unlimited LJ.

Bestop also has the Sun Extended Safari Style Bikini Top which uses no header or windshield channel. They work in all TJs but like the tops for 2002 and earlier, they won't cover everything in an LJ. Using no header does seem nice except for when you end up driving in the rain. They can also stay in place when the hardtop or soft top is in use so I guess it could be called a headliner, who knows, maybe the significant other would like that.

Yeah, I'm just rambling on about this. Take it as you will.

 

[notnsuv]

Hmm... yup, I'm guessing since the brackets on the rear and the pivots are in place there was certainly a soft top used at some point, so I'm thinking there's a header as well.