Question for Frameless Softtop Owners

[GregAusTex]

How easy is it to put the top up and down with a Frameless top vs. OEM framed? Is it too much more difficult?

Do they work well? Any pooling in rain? Are they noisier or more leak prone than factory framed soft tops?

Thanks!

 

[Chris]

It's actually easier to put the top up and down on a framed top from what I always read. Having owned a framed soft top, I can tell you it is very, very easy to get the top up and down.

 

[TJ_2000]

Framed is easier. But if you get the frameless Bestop Trektop NX the flip back sun roof makes up for it.

 

[GregAusTex]

It's actually easier to put the top up and down on a framed top from what I always read. Having owned a framed soft top, I can tell you it is very, very easy to get the top up and down.

Yes! I figure that's part of the point of the frame. Just curious how much harder the frameless is.

 

[Chris]

Yes! I figure that's part of the point of the frame. Just curious how much harder the frameless is.

I can't comment on it first hand, but there was a thread a while back (can't seem to find it) where someone went from a frameless top to a framed top, and they were saying that the frameless top is a nightmare to get on and off, and that they framed top was so much easier to take up and down.

So while that isn't my personal experience, it's something I've seen others say from time-to-time who had frameless, then switched to framed.

Someone with firsthand experience will likely chime in shortly.

 

[TJ_2000]

With a frameless. You don’t really “drop the top”. You basically remove it. Then reinstall it.

 

[Liberated]

Getting the frameless bestop completely off and on is a pain in the butt. Especially if you have a sound bar and/or sunshade. But with the flipback version, it is super easy to open the front up. I only take mine off when it's time to put the hard top back on. The rest of the time I just flip back the front seat, and take out the windows. I never notice the back seat is covered.

 

[Liberated]

Actually, I've flipped back the front from the driver's seat without ever getting out, so seriously, that part is easy. The rest sucks.

 

[Liberated]

I would say the bestop frameless is actually quieter, and has very minimal pooling. Very tight, and has a single bow across the top to keep it arched.

 

[TJ_2000]

I would say the bestop frameless is actually quieter, and has very minimal pooling. Very tight, and has a single bow across the top to keep it arched.

Absolutely. The frameless is way quieter. Depending how my frameless holds up over the years. I may never buy a framed top again.

 

[FireJeep]

I have had a frameless top for about 10 years, last year I replaced the entire top for the first time. Prior to that I would just buy new windows as they cracked and broke.....
The prior statements are spot on, the frameless top sucks to take off and put back on. Taking the windows out and folding the front back is pretty easy, the only issue is the windows need to be put back in prior to the weather turning cold. I have found that the zippers on each side of the rear window can be quite difficult if I try and put the windows back in after the weather has cooled. The reason for this is the vinyl shrinks quite significantly when it is cold, making the stress on the rear window zippers significant enough that it can tear them off the window when you try and zip them shut. Every top has it's drawbacks, in my opinion the full LJ framed top was not that easy to put down and was quite cumbersome. I always worried about just folding it up over the back of the jeep and damaging the windows.... the frameless top I just take the windows out and leave them at home.....

 

[Steve Rodgers]

My Bestop NX works well. The flip up is good, I put a sun shade under it because here on Maui it's pretty hot sometimes. The side windows and back window come out pretty easy, then you have a top with no sides, pretty handy. I got rid of the stock frame, it was pretty rough.

 

[Rob5589]

With a frameless. You don’t really “drop the top”. You basically remove it. Then reinstall it.

Yep. Which is sort of a downside. It is nice to have a top on the way up when it is cool but lower it when on the trail and it gets hot. You can remove the side and rear panels but then you have to store them somewhere.

Absolutely. The frameless is way quieter. Depending how my frameless holds up over the years. I may never buy a framed top again.

Interesting. Wonder why that is.

 

[Kathy]

I have a rampage frameless top and I don’t think it is more quiet than Dave’s framed soft top. I did notice when I was more careful on putting it on correctly and snug, it was more quiet. Yes the frameless stinks to put back on, especially in cooler weather. But I like the look of the frameless, and mine has the option to remove just the sides and back and run with just a top shade. I love that option so I tolerate the couple times a year swear session and sore fingers Dave and I have .

 

[TJ_2000]

Yep. Which is sort of a downside. It is nice to have a top on the way up when it is cool but lower it when on the trail and it gets hot. You can remove the side and rear panels but then you have to store them somewhere.



Interesting. Wonder why that is.

A framed top has 3 points of contacts. The windshield, the center support, and rear support. It has a lot of area for movement. And the side windows flap against the frame as well.

A frameless has the sound bar and the entire back half of the roll bar including a rear support to reduce movement and flapping. Also, there isn’t a support bar going across the side windows.

 

[Ol Blue]

I’ve never removed the whole top. I either just remove the windows or use the flip top. I have the pavement ends sprint top. I’m liking it so far the only thing that bugs me, is when you roll the window down it flaps quite violently.

 

[Rob5589]

I’ve never removed the whole top. I either just remove the windows or use the flip top. I have the pavement ends sprint top. I’m liking it so far the only thing that bugs me, is when you roll the window down it flaps quite violently.

I tried to run mine as a "bikini" top. Hell, no. That thing flopped around so bad I thought it would fly off. It says you can run it that way but I don't see how. In good weather I just run my Alienshade.

 

[GregAusTex]

This is great thanks.

I actually plan to garage it and mostly go topless, want a top to put up when I get caught out in the rain. That seems to say framed is the only way to go.

I might even get a trail or cab cover and go with that for a while...of course cannot drive with that on

 

[Rob5589]

This is great thanks.

I actually plan to garage it and mostly go topless, want a top to put up when I get caught out in the rain. That seems to say framed is the only way to go.

I might even get a trail or cab cover and go with that for a while...of course cannot drive with that on

The big benefit to framed is you can leave it on and fold it back. If it rains suddenly (not likely in TX :meparto: ) you can just flip it back up and you are set. Maybe not quite that quick but far quicker than installing a frameless.

 

[TJ_2000]

I tried to run mine as a "bikini" top. Hell, no. That thing flopped around so bad I thought it would fly off. It says you can run it that way but I don't see how. In good weather I just run my Alienshade.

Your frameless top did?