Thanks for the info. These should do the trick.

I'll try to post some pics today of the surrounds installed with the top off if some of you are still interested.

For the top to fit correctly the front surround must be installed as in the pictures. The upper must rod must be to the otside of the lower rod. This makes for a better fit aroun the door also.

The is another post with much better pictures, but it appears he has the surrounds on the wrong side, just as I did on my first try.

 

Am I correct in where I think I read you had leaking into the jeep behind the rollbar? Also now that you have had it a little longer how hard is it to remove and replace versus the first time? I will most likely wait till this fall/winter before ordering one of these or a full softtop and some softdoors especially if I start hearing good stuff about them. The cost of this versus getting a softtop from the for sale section or even e-bay is about the same but before I make the decision I would like to know which one works best as solution to the rain is coming lets get the top and doors back on problem.

 

Well after working with this top for 5 days, I am sad to say I am going to return it. The top would have been easy to setup the first time if there had been better directions with good pictures. It really is a nice top except for the back window and the leak at the seam running across the back. The fit of the surrounds is excellent and hardly noticeable with the doors closed. That part of the design is great.

I removed the top to see how long it would take me (by myself) to reinstall. It is a little awkward but manageable until you get the rear window. I slid the back window into the J-channel and attached the driver side zipper. As I tried to attach the passenger side zipper the window came off of the J-track and I noticed that the plastic piece that allows you to thread the zipper was gone. It is impossible to thread the zipper without this. The material bunches up and you can't get the zipper started. At this point I decided I am not going to fight with this every time I want to install this top. It defeats the purpose of having this top. Because of this window I can install my Hardtop faster.

I am going to suggest to Bestop that they make the zipper like the OEM back window. Both zippers start at the bottom and go all the way to the other side (without that stupid J-hook). That way you can attach the back window after you have the top installed and you don't have to climb in your jeep to align the j-hook.

It would also be nice if they supplied, at an additional cost, a bar that would slide over the tailgate (that could be removed) to attach the Velcro to.

I can live with the Velcro and get a bar myself. In fact, I like not having the OEM tailgate bar, but the j-hook window is designed very poorly. If a full zipper were used, you could still roll the window up and use the clips provided to hold it up. That's how they did the old jeeps.

I hope Bestop will listen to these suggestions. I really like this top except for the back window. The leak can be sealed.

 

Sorry you got to be guinea pig and it did not work out. I am glad you tried and let the rest of us know what issues it has. Unless something else comes out between now and when I plan to get something it looks like the stock softtop is going to be the way I go.

 

I have called Bestop and voiced my complaints. I think they may make some changes, but I don't think they will be to the J-Channel. I suggested they make a zipper all the way around just like all soft tops. Then you could install the back window after the top was up and not have to get in the back of the jeep to start the J-channel ang get the zippers started.

I personally, didn't have a problem with the look of the surrounds and the top was great going 85 mph - no flapping and much more quit than I thought.

This top would work very well for me if the back window was fixed.

I told the rep that I was part of this forum and he seemed to make notes of my complaints. But I also pointed out to him the parts of the top I did like.
Please let them know what you think. I told him I wasn' t the only one not happy with this product. Since we are the ones buying these things, I think we can have some influence on the design if we try to give critical advice (both positive and negative).

 

Let's hope they read this because I know based on what you guys have experienced I am not getting one. I am sure that there are others. If they do listen to those having problems and understand we want something easy to put on and get off when it threatens rain yet packs up and stores in a small package so we can do the whole top off (and doors because I want the soft doors) thing. From what you guys have said I may as well get the Softtop (either from a dealer or better here/craigs list/e-bay) and then the soft doors. It sounds like it would be a whole lot easier to work with.

 

Thanks for all the hard work and good reports fellas! Don't forget to change your signatures !

 

Guess I really am waiting another year to get a soft top. Some life changes are involved but this thing at the price point would be great. Not going to do it as it is now.

 

DTGREY,

Thanks for all of the info. I really want one of these to go with the soft doors. Have not ordered either yet. Might wait around to see if there is a second version with some improvements.

 

Maybe there is still hope that Viking will make the fastback top for the JK.... Looks like they got the TJ version up and running. It looks good from reviews.