Question for Frameless Softtop Owners

[GregAusTex]

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.

I laughed hard at this as I look out at our 5th straight week of rain while watching the news about how our Lake Travis is at record highs and everything everywhere seems to be getting swept away by raging floods...or is going to be.

This is a very enlightening thread so thanks, looks like framed besttop it is.

 

[Rob5589]

Your frameless top did?

Yes, just when trying to run it bikini style.

 

[JDS123]

I never take the full top off. I have a frameless Bestop NX and I just leave the top piece in all the time. It isn't very hard to remove the top part, but I've just never seen a reason to. It also keeps a lot of the water out if I ever get caught in the rain. The windows are a pain in the neck to install, but I've always got it to work one way or another.

 

[Rob5589]

I laughed hard at this as I look out at our 5th straight week of rain while watching the news about how our Lake Travis is at record highs and everything everywhere seems to be getting swept away by raging floods...or is going to be.

This is a very enlightening thread so thanks, looks like framed besttop it is.

Saw that on the news this am. Stay safe!

 

[rasband]

I have a rampage soft top that came on mine from the PO, it requires some work to drop the top portion. Though I’m in Colorado (300 days of sun) so I leave the top portion on and just remove the side windows and rear with little fuss (a few zippers and Velcro mostly). No leaks to speak of if you close it up right.

 

[TJ_2000]

Yes, just when trying to run it bikini style.

How weird. I ran my Trektop NX in bikini mode and it was awesome. Zero issues.

 

[Rob5589]

How weird. I ran my Trektop NX in bikini mode and it was awesome. Zero issues.

Yea, not sure. Mine is a Pavement Ends, BT's budget brand, so it may have fewer securing points.

 

[Jorge Bolivar]

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!

They do look and work very well!

But are not easier to top down and Up. But the front flip part is so great that I do not see the up/down pain.

I do love mine but miss the easy up/down too. Especially those cloudy days where been top less is a risk to be wet.

 

[Jorge Bolivar]

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

It is around 45% harder once you get to know the top well.

 

[lindsey97]

Enjoyed reading this thread. Been test driving Jeeps with various soft tops, and there is a night and day difference in a frameless and framed in regards to noise level. Drove one with a Bestop frameless down the interstate at 70mph, and it was very quiet, compared to the quadratec framed soft top. Drove them back to back, on the same day and conditions. Don't know what material either were made of.

I have a question specifically about a Bestop NX convertible: What speeds can you drive at with the top part opened up? 55-65mph? Or is it for trails only low speed use? Is the pulled back part secured? How does it work?

Also do any of you have experience with sailcloth versus twill and the noise levels of each? Are the more expensive tops worth it and are they quieter?

 

[Rob5589]

The more expensive tops will use heavier materials, meaning more durable, longer lasting, and quieter. The twill is heavier and in theory should be quieter.
The PE top I have has the convertible/flip back front section. I have never used it primarily because it just sits there and is not secured. Not sure about the NX, @TJ_2000 may know.

 

[TJ_2000]

I have a question specifically about a Bestop NX convertible: What speeds can you drive at with the top part opened up? 55-65mph? Or is it for trails only low speed use? Is the pulled back part secured? How does it work?

I’ve done 80 with the sun roof flipped open. No issues. It’s not secured. It flips back and rests on the sound bar. That’ it. But I’ve had zero issues with it. I love it.

 

[lindsey97]

Thanks for the responses. I'm still learning here, and picking out a TJ for me. Got a Rubicon with hardtop for my mom earlier this year. The Bestop frameless that I test drove was almost as quiet as a hardtop at highway speeds.

So what you are saying is that the thicker material gives more sound dampening qualities to the more expensive softtops, not just the change in type of material used?

 

[06TJ35's]

I have a bestop trektop it is a pain in REAR to get the back window put on again if you take it off. Even if it is HOT outside. I have never been full topless being is so hard to put all the windows back on. I would just flip the front half back but by doing that so many times. I messed up the zippers on the side windows now I can’t take my side windows off. Go figure. I would love to Be full topless again. My OEM framed soft top was so much easier. Going topless and go back to normal. I would do it like in 2 min. I struggle like 10min just to get the back window put on with TrekTop.
Bottom line the Trektop looks good fastback style which is a plus but windows are a pain.
If I can get my hands on a good condition OEM framed soft top I would switch.

 

[06TJ35's]

Thanks for the responses. I'm still learning here, and picking out a TJ for me. Got a Rubicon with hardtop for my mom earlier this year. The Bestop frameless that I test drove was almost as quiet as a hardtop at highway speeds.

So what you are saying is that the thicker material gives more sound dampening qualities to the more expensive softtops, not just the change in type of material used?

Thicker material will reduce noise. Some companies like smittybilt use very thin material which would cause a lot of flapping.

 

[Kooper]

I have the Bestop with the flip back sun roof. My 2004 only came with a hard top and I really wanted to remove that. When I bought the Bestop, initially I thought it was able to be folded back (stupid on my part I know). If I had it to do over I would have spent the $$ on the frame parts and purchased the full OEM style top. Removing it and replacing it are not too bad, but not having it with you when it rains sucks!!!! And you can't just put it into the tub. If you are only going to remove the windows it's probably ok, but I wish I would have researched more before my purchase.

 

[Ephry73]

I've been looking to get a frameless for the summer. To just run the top as a bikini top and the sides for when it rains or overnight. Any rain water issues when compared to the framed top?

 

[BLindzy]

I'll tell you this. When my frameless goes to crap I will be going back to the frame top...

 

[Kooper]

My Bestop is solid. No leakage and it is 3 years old. It has been run through some very heavy downpours, and I was waiting to get wet, but did not. Pretty fair tests I would say. My only bitch is not being able to fold down. I agree with BLindzy as soon as mine wears out, I'm off the frameless track . . .

 

[IAmTodd]

TrekTop owner, I would go with an OEM framed if I were to do it again. Overall it's just a pain. It does not leak though and on the highway with the AC on the top puffs up and it's relatively quiet.