Soft top drama

[DakotaTJ]

Received my bestop twill replace a top today. Got it attached to the header, flipped it up, went round back to snap the top to the bow and……..there are no snaps on my bow. I’m 99% sure this is a factory frame. I even sent photos of the frame before ordering. Luckily I picked up another OEM frame on marketplace a week ago, no need but for $40, seemed like a good thing to have.

So. I used the back bow from the $40 frame, which had snaps. Finished the Frankenstein install. Took it for a drive and it all seems fine. Now I’m looking at it and there is a hell of a dip in the top above the rear seat. Is this normal?

 

[Dan The Video Man]

Damn! You found a frame for $40?! I was thinking the deal I got on Friday was good! I scored a whole frame assembly with a Bestop top in almost new condition for $150.

As far as the dip goes, how warm was it when you installed it?

 

[DakotaTJ]

Damn! You found a frame for $40?! I was thinking the deal I got on Friday was good! I scored a whole frame assembly with a Bestop top in almost new condition for $150.

As far as the dip goes, how warm was it when you installed it?

70 in the garage. 40ish outside. I feel like this whole top might be a bit too loose. Next idea is to wrap some slim pool noodles around the 3rd bow.

 

[Dan The Video Man]

I'd double check all the frame hardware to make sure it's tight, then move on to all the velcro and try to get everything tight as you can. How is your tailgate bar looking?

 

[DakotaTJ]

I'd double check all the frame hardware to make sure it's tight, then move on to all the velcro and try to get everything tight as you can. How is your tailgate bar looking?

Bar is kind of janky. Ordered a new one last night.

I'm a little concerned that the super top frame, or whatever the OEM frame with the sun rider feature is called and this 3rd bow off of an older frame, maybe there's an issue with tying the two together.

I would assume though that the 3rd bow should be the same height either way.

 

[GATORB8]

Did you take some shots of the frame before putting it on? I don't have enough experience with the TJ square top, but holy cow my replace a top for the Trektop on the LJ was TIGHT and not fun to get stretched.

 

[Dan The Video Man]

I'll be installing mine from Bestop as soon as we get a sunny mid 70s day up here so I'll have a better understanding as well. I've not done a fabric replacement on the frame before.

 

[rasband]

70 in the garage. 40ish outside. I feel like this whole top might be a bit too loose. Next idea is to wrap some slim pool noodles around the 3rd bow.

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Do you have the adjustable soft top holes on the B pillar (sport bar)? When I got a soft top from bestop they provided that as an adjustment option to tighten up the top over time.

 

[Dan The Video Man]

Do you have the adjustable soft top holes on the B pillar (sport bar)? When I got a soft top from bestop they provided that as an adjustment option to tighten up the top over time.

Did you get the frame from Bestop too?

 

[rasband]

Did you get the frame from Bestop too?

I did, so it may be a special case (perhaps they can get you a set though)

 

[DakotaTJ]

Do you have the adjustable soft top holes on the B pillar (sport bar)? When I got a soft top from bestop they provided that as an adjustment option to tighten up the top over time.

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Interesting. I do not. Will look into that though. Seems like a higher setting might fix my issue.

 

[Bestop]

70 in the garage. 40ish outside. I feel like this whole top might be a bit too loose. Next idea is to wrap some slim pool noodles around the 3rd bow.

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Hey DakotaTJ, just wanted to join in, we are glad you were able to get the install done! Bestop is absolutely here to help get this sorted out for you.

For the dip you are seeing above the rear seat, we would first recommend checking your stay straps on the bows just in case they need any adjustment. Also, as rasband mentioned, you do have the ability to adjust the bow knuckles on the bracket to help tighten up the tension on the top, which should help with that dip. When you move holes, it will adjust the position of the bows.

If you are still having trouble after trying those adjustments, feel free to send me a direct message with your contact information and I can have our tech support team reach out to walk you through the troubleshooting process. I am also happy to follow up here with the resolution so the community can benefit from it as well!

 

[Dan The Video Man]

I'll keep you in mind if I run into any issues with my upcoming install.

 

[JKP]

Bar is kind of janky. Ordered a new one last night.

I'm a little concerned that the super top frame, or whatever the OEM frame with the sun rider feature is called and this 3rd bow off of an older frame, maybe there's an issue with tying the two together.

I would assume though that the 3rd bow should be the same height either way.

If that is an OEM Sunrider frame, we had been told by Bestop before that they didn't sell a RAT for it.

@Bestop, can you let us know if there is a RAT for the TJ OEM Sunrider top or not?

Thanks.

 

[DakotaTJ]

Hey DakotaTJ, just wanted to join in, we are glad you were able to get the install done! Bestop is absolutely here to help get this sorted out for you.

For the dip you are seeing above the rear seat, we would first recommend checking your stay straps on the bows just in case they need any adjustment. Also, as rasband mentioned, you do have the ability to adjust the bow knuckles on the bracket to help tighten up the tension on the top, which should help with that dip. When you move holes, it will adjust the position of the bows.

If you are still having trouble after trying those adjustments, feel free to send me a direct message with your contact information and I can have our tech support team reach out to walk you through the troubleshooting process. I am also happy to follow up here with the resolution so the community can benefit from it as well!

Thanks! the straps could definitely use replacing, ordered new ones today. I currently don't have an adjustable bracket. Is that available for purchase?

Also curious about JKP's question.

 

[Dan The Video Man]

@DakotaTJ if you’re stilling trying to figure this out, check this piece above the bow assembly to make sure it’s on top and not to the side. Could be why you have some slack.

 

[DakotaTJ]

@DakotaTJ if you’re stilling trying to figure this out, check this piece above the bow assembly to make sure it’s on top and not to the side. Could be why you have some slack.

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Thanks! They're both properly in place.

 

[06TJ35's]

I honestly HATE the Sunrider frame. It’s so flimsy weak and wonky. I feel like it’s going to break any one of these days when I’m either removing or putting the top back on. Putting the top back on is such a pain in the ass. It was much easier sliding the OEM top off and on.

I’ll rather have the OEM frame with no Sunrider feature. It’s much more sturdy.

 

[DakotaTJ]

I honestly HATE the Sunrider frame. It’s so flimsy weak and wonky. I feel like it’s going to break any one of these days when I’m either removing or putting the top back on. Putting the top back on is such a pain in the ass. It was much easier sliding the OEM top off and on.

I’ll rather have the OEM frame with no Sunrider feature. It’s much more sturdy.

The frame does seem a bit wonky. I'll most likely take the header off of this one and attach it to the front piece of the older frame I have.

 

[rasband]

@DakotaTJ if you’re stilling trying to figure this out, check this piece above the bow assembly to make sure it’s on top and not to the side. Could be why you have some slack.

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Mine have a hard time staying on, it's a bit frustrating. It's almost as if the plastic U should be flipped so it stops falling on the inside.