Does this thing not use the tubing on the regular soft top?

 

Nope that is why a lot of us hardtop only guys are waiting for the results.

 

hmmm not lookin good so far!

hope it gets easier and proves to be a good buy

 

What's the header like? Is there a mechanical problem with the header, or was it not manufactured correctly, etc.??

One more Header question, will it fit in the rear area of an Unlimited (4 door) with the Duster on???

Sorry for the questions, but I like this top, and hope its the answer!

 

.................

 

Well, I got the header on. This time I decided to put the header on first and bolt it down. This was much easier. Then I installed the front surrounds. I had to hammer the ends of the header to allow clearance for the surrounds. Once this was done, I took the header back off leaving the surrounds in place. I reinstalled the header. This time I had no problems.

I did not glue the Velcro to my tailgate yet. Except for that I did the remainder of the install. The problem I had this time was wrapping the top around the surrounds above the doors and attaching to the Velcro. In order to get a tight fit you need to pull the top very tight and wrap it around both bars of the surround. This places you fingers between the top and the upper bar on the surround. You have to wedge it in with you fingers (be ready to rub the skin off of your fingers). This is all but impossible. This is difficult to explain without actually doing it yourself. The instructions don’t show you any of this.

It would have been much easier to have a few straps going across the top that you could tighten. Another option would be to place the Velcro on the bottom side of the top so you could reach it.

The side panels installed with the retainer strips as they would with a JK or TJ soft top. The back window also installed without a problem, but you have the Velcro to attach to the tailgate. I don’t know why they didn’t use the OEM tailgate bar. This would have made a much cleaner install.

The flap that runs from the back over the sound bar and attaches to the sound bar does a good job of supporting the top over the rear seat.

This top and hardware are very well made and I like the concept. It would definitely suit my needs if it were a little easier to install. Because all I have is a hardtop, I would like to have a top that I can throw on at a moments notice. But I don’t want to remove tons of hardware to reinstall my hardtop. I am going to work with this a little longer over the weekend, but my feeling so far is that this top takes far to long to install. What ever happed to the 3-5 minute install of a CJ or FJ40 soft top when you were surprised by a summer shower?

HITMONEY, please let me know if your install goes better. Maybe there is something I could do different that would make it eaiser.


I'm not sure I understand the header/duster question.

 

sounds like how the TJ/YJ supertops go on.

Always install the header first on tops like this. So they want you to glue the something on the tailgate?

 

This top is made so you can leave the surrounds on all the time and install the top when you need it. But I had to install the header first to find the clearance problem with the header and surrounds.

 

HMMM sounds as if it is not what I was looking for . I wanted something quick and easy that would store in the jeep. I was also thinking the soft doors to go with but I hear they have a problem as well. Oh well I guess I will wait a while longer and see if they get it all worked out especially since I am not happy with the durability of the safari top (velcro ripping lose from the top).

 

I called Besttop and I may have had the surrounds on the wrong side. If this works I may change my mind about this top. I apologize if this is the problem. I know many of you are waiting for an accurate assessment. I'll provide an update tomorrow.