Bestop Safari Top Problems
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,475
Likes: 4
From: Bella Vista, AR
Bestop Safari Top Problems
Got in the Bestop Header Safari top a couple days ago for our two door JK. finally got to install it today because we needed to run into town with some potential rain showers coming.
The install went ok. It sure shouldn't be a challenge to put a safari too on given it's nature--it needs to be quicker and easier than the factory soft top, for sure!
Well, it's probably not. It's rather awkward and I think I could put the actual soft top on quicker!
Anyway, the instructions have you clip the back two straps to the rail, which in my case is covered by Bestop's own Duster Cover. So apparently the Bestop Safari top is incompatible with Bestop's own Duster, which seems pretty foolish in design.
Oh well. I tried my best in a couple configurations to tie the back straps elsewhere--to the seat belts seemed the best--but no matter what I tried the top would blow audibly crack as the fabric snapped in the wind like a bullwhip. Terrible and super loud!
I was hesitant to cinch the straps up much tighter as they seemed to be very poorly attached. Pretty crumby quality here.
Needless to say I'm returning this thing. It's been the second Bestop product I've had to return as it was just piss-poor in design and use. (Had to return a cab cover that fit terribly, but the Duater is actually quite nice)
So to the question--is there a much higher quality safari top out there? One that doesn't use the rear rails covered when a "Duster" or tonneau-type cover is on? This thing is not cutting it.
The install went ok. It sure shouldn't be a challenge to put a safari too on given it's nature--it needs to be quicker and easier than the factory soft top, for sure!
Well, it's probably not. It's rather awkward and I think I could put the actual soft top on quicker!
Anyway, the instructions have you clip the back two straps to the rail, which in my case is covered by Bestop's own Duster Cover. So apparently the Bestop Safari top is incompatible with Bestop's own Duster, which seems pretty foolish in design.
Oh well. I tried my best in a couple configurations to tie the back straps elsewhere--to the seat belts seemed the best--but no matter what I tried the top would blow audibly crack as the fabric snapped in the wind like a bullwhip. Terrible and super loud!
I was hesitant to cinch the straps up much tighter as they seemed to be very poorly attached. Pretty crumby quality here.
Needless to say I'm returning this thing. It's been the second Bestop product I've had to return as it was just piss-poor in design and use. (Had to return a cab cover that fit terribly, but the Duater is actually quite nice)
So to the question--is there a much higher quality safari top out there? One that doesn't use the rear rails covered when a "Duster" or tonneau-type cover is on? This thing is not cutting it.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Got in the Bestop Header Safari top a couple days ago for our two door JK. finally got to install it today because we needed to run into town with some potential rain showers coming.
The install went ok. It sure shouldn't be a challenge to put a safari too on given it's nature--it needs to be quicker and easier than the factory soft top, for sure!
Well, it's probably not. It's rather awkward and I think I could put the actual soft top on quicker!
Anyway, the instructions have you clip the back two straps to the rail, which in my case is covered by Bestop's own Duster Cover. So apparently the Bestop Safari top is incompatible with Bestop's own Duster, which seems pretty foolish in design.
Oh well. I tried my best in a couple configurations to tie the back straps elsewhere--to the seat belts seemed the best--but no matter what I tried the top would blow audibly crack as the fabric snapped in the wind like a bullwhip. Terrible and super loud!
I was hesitant to cinch the straps up much tighter as they seemed to be very poorly attached. Pretty crumby quality here.
Needless to say I'm returning this thing. It's been the second Bestop product I've had to return as it was just piss-poor in design and use. (Had to return a cab cover that fit terribly, but the Duater is actually quite nice)
So to the question--is there a much higher quality safari top out there? One that doesn't use the rear rails covered when a "Duster" or tonneau-type cover is on? This thing is not cutting it.
The install went ok. It sure shouldn't be a challenge to put a safari too on given it's nature--it needs to be quicker and easier than the factory soft top, for sure!
Well, it's probably not. It's rather awkward and I think I could put the actual soft top on quicker!
Anyway, the instructions have you clip the back two straps to the rail, which in my case is covered by Bestop's own Duster Cover. So apparently the Bestop Safari top is incompatible with Bestop's own Duster, which seems pretty foolish in design.
Oh well. I tried my best in a couple configurations to tie the back straps elsewhere--to the seat belts seemed the best--but no matter what I tried the top would blow audibly crack as the fabric snapped in the wind like a bullwhip. Terrible and super loud!
I was hesitant to cinch the straps up much tighter as they seemed to be very poorly attached. Pretty crumby quality here.
Needless to say I'm returning this thing. It's been the second Bestop product I've had to return as it was just piss-poor in design and use. (Had to return a cab cover that fit terribly, but the Duater is actually quite nice)
So to the question--is there a much higher quality safari top out there? One that doesn't use the rear rails covered when a "Duster" or tonneau-type cover is on? This thing is not cutting it.
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,475
Likes: 4
From: Bella Vista, AR
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 14,800
Likes: 374
From: Midwest City, OK
I run the Mopar Sun Bonnet with the Duster on a four door. More expensive, but over the years it has always received more favorable comments than the Bestop on this forum. It does cost more, but the header bar is included. Want the kicker? Bestop makes it for Chrysler!
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,475
Likes: 4
From: Bella Vista, AR
I run the Mopar Sun Bonnet with the Duster on a four door. More expensive, but over the years it has always received more favorable comments than the Bestop on this forum. It does cost more, but the header bar is included. Want the kicker? Bestop makes it for Chrysler!
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JK Newbie
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Roanoke, VA
Got in the Bestop Header Safari top a couple days ago for our two door JK. finally got to install it today because we needed to run into town with some potential rain showers coming.
The install went ok. It sure shouldn't be a challenge to put a safari too on given it's nature--it needs to be quicker and easier than the factory soft top, for sure!
Well, it's probably not. It's rather awkward and I think I could put the actual soft top on quicker!
Anyway, the instructions have you clip the back two straps to the rail, which in my case is covered by Bestop's own Duster Cover. So apparently the Bestop Safari top is incompatible with Bestop's own Duster, which seems pretty foolish in design.
Oh well. I tried my best in a couple configurations to tie the back straps elsewhere--to the seat belts seemed the best--but no matter what I tried the top would blow audibly crack as the fabric snapped in the wind like a bullwhip. Terrible and super loud!
I was hesitant to cinch the straps up much tighter as they seemed to be very poorly attached. Pretty crumby quality here.
Needless to say I'm returning this thing. It's been the second Bestop product I've had to return as it was just piss-poor in design and use. (Had to return a cab cover that fit terribly, but the Duater is actually quite nice)
So to the question--is there a much higher quality safari top out there? One that doesn't use the rear rails covered when a "Duster" or tonneau-type cover is on? This thing is not cutting it.
The install went ok. It sure shouldn't be a challenge to put a safari too on given it's nature--it needs to be quicker and easier than the factory soft top, for sure!
Well, it's probably not. It's rather awkward and I think I could put the actual soft top on quicker!
Anyway, the instructions have you clip the back two straps to the rail, which in my case is covered by Bestop's own Duster Cover. So apparently the Bestop Safari top is incompatible with Bestop's own Duster, which seems pretty foolish in design.
Oh well. I tried my best in a couple configurations to tie the back straps elsewhere--to the seat belts seemed the best--but no matter what I tried the top would blow audibly crack as the fabric snapped in the wind like a bullwhip. Terrible and super loud!
I was hesitant to cinch the straps up much tighter as they seemed to be very poorly attached. Pretty crumby quality here.
Needless to say I'm returning this thing. It's been the second Bestop product I've had to return as it was just piss-poor in design and use. (Had to return a cab cover that fit terribly, but the Duater is actually quite nice)
So to the question--is there a much higher quality safari top out there? One that doesn't use the rear rails covered when a "Duster" or tonneau-type cover is on? This thing is not cutting it.