Short, sweet, with good attention to detail. High marks. 😁 Update: I installed my top this morning and everything went as expected EXCEPT there’s a captive nut now instead of the loose nut to go with the bolt and spacer. Definitely a design improvement. This video was much better than the actual instructions that come with it.
I would like to thank you for your comment, i took mine at the end off last season, reinstalling it now again, i was looking for the bolts until I read this 😅
One of the only installation videos for the Bestop Sunrider for Hardtop that shows how to properly seat the rear of the Sunrider @2:30 so there are no wind or water leaks
You prolly dont care but if you're bored like me atm you can watch pretty much all the new movies on instaflixxer. Been watching with my girlfriend for the last few days =)
So I just installed it. I watched 2 install videos. This one was very helpful but the other video did things in a slightly different, easier order. They attached the rails to the soft top and then the whole thing to the Jeep. This video attached the rails to the Jeep and then added the soft top. That was more difficult because you have to add the 4 - M8x20 screws upside down. MUCH simpler to do it on the ground. I took the rails off and did it like the other guy. Much easier. Still found this to be very helpful. Thanks.
I know I'm in the minority, but I found the printed instructions made this a LOT easier (purchased SR in June-2021). Assembling the rails before installation made it 10x easier. Well done video and nothing against Quadratec - I just found an easier way (for me)
Great video very helpful for installing the Sunrider. The Z clips were a pain in the butt. I found it much easier to install the z clips on the side bars and then install all at once, I used the Velcro straps to hold the side bars to the deck assembly. While I lifted it on
Thank you so much! I was using another video instructing attaching the rails before installation. After much frustration, I ripped the seam two inches where the z hooks extend from the top. Found your video and had it installed in no time at all. It’s still ripped, but it’s on there.
I just called the store here in Houston, Tx. He quoted me $286 to install the , not sure where they came up that number for maybe 30 minutes of work. I will be installing it myself
Good video but outdated. I just got this top from your shop for my JT, and the "Z" clips you talked about is not on the new version. There is a screw and a threaded shaft. The screw goes into an eye loop instead of the Z bend on the cord, and you stick the screw through the eye loop, into a hole where the Z bend used to go, and screw into the threaded shaft that is held in place on the inside as you screw the screw into place. Locktite is provided for the screw threads. The only additional tool you need is a flat blade screwdriver. I used painters tape to hold the threaded shaft on the inside where the screw threaded into. I removed the tape before placing the Sunrider on top of my JT. Also, no captive nut, the holes for the bolt on the front sides are already threaded.
Thanks for the video. I was surprised how much the video instructions varied from the written instructions. The video instructions are definitely better. I did use the recommendation of 55 in/lb of torque for the longer bolts which was included on the written instructions but not the video. Taking her out for a test run now!
I just finished mine. Thank you for the detailed instructions and critical points you bring to the installation. I did have some issue getting the side supports installed correctly, Your instructions allowed me to quickly resolve those issues. THANKS!!! BTW, you scared me when you brought out the nuts..... I knew I didn't have any, and a quick inspection of the side rails eliminated quelled my issues!!!! 😅😅😅
This was a very nice video with great explanations and easy to follow instructions. My only regret was following this and not the Bestop instructions for one reason. Putting the side rails on the car first made putting the Z clips in the hardest most aggravating part of the installation. I was wishing I put the soft top and rails together first which would make the Z clips very easy.
I took the long bolts back out and then tilted the rails until I got the Z-Clips in place then reinstalled the long bolts. I agree that part wasn't easy.
I just ordered the similar Mastertop Freedom Top replacement unit from Quadratec for my 2016 JKU. I like that the Mastertop product has a partial as well as a full open mode and it appears to sit lower then the Bestop unit when open. The Quadratec customer service rep indicated Mastertop should be shipping the first of these units in mid-June, I can't wait as it will be so great not having to mess with the Freedom panels when I want to open air. Safe Travels and God Bless!
@@jamesroosa2924 The instructions were a little had to follow and at the end of Summer the freedom panels didn't fit without re-adjusting the Mastertop mounting brackets. I still like the half and full open feature that the Bestop doesn't have.
Great video, outdated tho. I just got mine last week from Quadratec and the although the product is identical the fasteners are different. There's also no more flimsy z clip
Great video! Just installed mine and only took about 45 minutes :) I do have a question though - Do most take the Sunrider off for the winter an reinstall the factory hard tops? If so, is there any problem re-installing the same screws or do u need to apply additional locktite? Thx u
Even though the newest front panels from JL's model are lighter & easier to be removed, it's a not fun to keep them nicely in your Jeep. I just got one Sunrider, I can't compare how easy is to double click those latches & Flip back. Now my front panels are in the closet at home...Downside... it's louder wind ride in the Highway than with my front panels with headliners. Sunrider should cost $500 bucks for eveyone to afford it but in another hand, it's done with good material!!!
These freedom panel soft top are pricing (I just ordered the Mastertop version which is a little less than the Bestop but still $700). I have a friend that just bought a whole Bestop soft top for ~$1200, and there's a lot more canvas and hardware with the complete top. Based on material the freedom top replacement should be $200 to $300. Can't wait to get mine and install it. Safe Travels and God Bless!
Do you have to remove the entire system to re-install freedom panels for winter. I'm thinking about taking if off for an upcoming highway trip to cut down on noise. It's too cold to use now anyway.
Hi everyone, I’ve just installed my new best top on my 2022 JL and it was quite simple, I will point out that the soft top no longer has z clips that mount to the door rails, instead they are ring clips (like small battery terminal type) the instructions where quite a bit different from this video so I’m pretty sure it has changed.
The new version has no Z hooks, they are eye hooks that are bolted to the rail. They go through the hole that have to be attached BEFORE you place the soft top on the Jeep. 2nd step is attaching the rails to the soft top with the two short bolts on each side BEFORE you place on top of the jeep. We did the 1st 2 steps on a 6' table. Then you bring the assembled rails and soft top to the top of the Jeep and attach the rails with the long bolts, rear gets the spacer. Also there is no adjustment of the rubber weather stripping as posted her after they did the Z hooks. I had to take the assemblies off the Jeep and READ the NEW instructions. Reply
The new version has no Z hooks, they are eye hooks that are bolted to the rail. They go through the hole that have to be attached BEFORE you place the soft top on the Jeep. 2nd step is attaching the rails to the soft top with the two short bolts on each side BEFORE you place on top of the jeep. We did the 1st 2 steps on a 6' table. Then you bring the assembled rails and soft top to the top of the Jeep and attach the rails with the long bolts, rear gets the spacer. Also there is no adjustment of the rubber weather stripping as posted her after they did the Z hooks. I had to take the assemblies off the Jeep and READ the NEW instructions.
Rob. You are a smooth teacher you make things look a bit too easy. The z clip is way harder to engage than the ease with which you did it. How about showing what to do when it doesn’t “simply twist in”. But I appreciate your efforts
This video is outdated. Installed the side rails and then had to take them back off. Some of the components have changed. There's no longer a simple Z hook.
Good evening Gents ! I was installing the rsun roof module & the driver side z-clip came of at the joint with the wire. The rest went in accordance with the gide. Will this issue affect the waterproof level of the sun roof module. BR, Yaroslav.
So I installed mine last night. Went for a ride with it retracted. After about 45 mph the rear support bar vibrates in the wind and makes a noise similar to putting cardboard flaps in your bike spokes to make noise. But only louder. No one ever mentioned this in all the videos I’ve seen. So just be aware before you purchase this. I am a little disappointed. Still keeping it but was not expecting that.
To viewers: The installation order has changed. You should completely assemble the sunrider BEFORE sitting it on top of the Jeep. Makes the Z clip install much easier.
Why doesn’t (won’t) anyone clearly show the positioning of the door and door frame weatherstrips at the top front corner of the door(?) / at the front of the Bestop Sunrider siderails? There are rubber “flaps” on the door frame at the top corner of the door(s) near the windshield that don’t seem to be positioned correctly upon installation whether they are pushed (so crushed) under the sunrider side rail or forced to stay outside (below) the rail. Video (owner, Mopar, Quadratec, etc.) all seem to almost purposely avoid or block the view of that part of the install process! I have a 2023 4xe. 🤷♂️
1 quick question. I have installed Bestop Sunrider. It seems like one of the hole to install Mopar Grab Handle is covered by the Sunrider. Any other grab handle recommendation? Thanks!
Yes, Bestop has a Sunrider Cable Kit that eliminates the z clips and upgrades to the new style eyelets - Bestop P/N 657.41P www.bestop.com/products/service-part-service-cable-service-kit-for-jl-srht/?sku=657.41P
maybe time to delete this video,, they changed a lot, just installed out second one today, Z clips are gone replaced by jesus clips which they should have sent multibles becuase it was a hide and seek day trying to find them where they got droped, I do like the added side bolts for the rails
I installed a shade and I love it. My brother bitches if he rides in my truck because it rubs on his precocious hair but I'm bald and it doesn't touch my head (I'm 5' 11").
I’m using Rugged Ridge Eclipse and YES it hinders access to the latch but I just work with it. The shade has stood up to my abuse when stretching it out of the way of the latch and it really doesn’t bother me. Like I said, if you’re taller with a head of hair it might be annoying. I’m pretty mellow and I like the shade it provides so the interference with the latch is really minimal, I don’t think about it.
Hahahaha! Are you kidding? You put your logo on it so it is showing? LOL!!! You should pay people to drive around advertising your product. Nobody who owns a Wrangler wants a hokey after-market logo blazoned on their roof. What a joke.
Follow printed instructions instead of this video. Misleading and wasted a lot of time versus factory instructions! Dissapointing Quadratec. (2022 jeep btw)