LowVoltage
New member
Cant wait to hear your opinion. Live in socal have the freedom panels off all year long. would be nice when fallowing someone down the trail not to get dusted out.
I had a local shop in Memphis tell me yesterday that Bestop fixed the price on that item - they weren't supposed to sell any cheaper. An internet dealer essentially told me the same thing. Not saying you can't find it cheaper but I couldn't and that's what I was told anyway.
As you can see above my original top had the "loose rivet" issue. Kudos to Bestop customer service. They sent me a new top with obviously beefed up rivets. The install of the new top was pretty much uneventful as would be expected. I did use my tap and die set to clean out one of the threads similar to what I did last time.
Performance: Finally! I've had the top on for a while now and I really like this product. I've used it around town without any noise issues at all. I've used it on the interstate both open and closed and, again, no rattles or other noise issues. I love the way you can flip it open or closed (when stopped of course) from a seated and buckled in driver's seat position in just a few seconds (literally at a traffic light). In the time I've had it installed it hasn't rained yet - so - I can't speak about leaks at this point but I don't think that has been a major issue in other reviews I've read. Bottom line - I really like it and would buy it again as it adds flexibility to the Jeep that the Freedom Tops really don't offer because of their size, weight, and storage issues. This is an expensive item - especially the twill version. But it does increase the usefulness and fun of the Jeep IMHO. At least one online vendor is offering the twill top for less than suggested retail at this point also.
As an aside - I know that some folks in colder climates will probably remove the Sunrider and reinstall the Freedom Tops for winter. When I took my original top off I didn't exactly time how long it takes to do that but no more than a few minutes to 1/2 hour. Not something I'd want to do every day but then you wouldn't be doing it often. I plan on leaving mine on year-round.
Aside 2 - There have been some complaints about 2 things:
1 - The latches bounce and rattle when folded back. This is easily remedied by sticking a piece of sticky-back window insulation or something similar to the frame of the top where the latches contact when open. Easy fix.
2 - The top may poke a hole (or more than one) in the inside edge of your windshield gasket. Mine did this. I really don't see that as an issue since the gasket already has small holes in a similar position for pressure regulation anyway. The front and top of the gasket is what keeps water out - not the inside edge I think.
Thanks for the feedback and update on your experience thus far.
I have been eyeing these for a while now but just couldn't break down to buy one as I think they are over priced. However, yesterday I happen to be on Amazon at just the right time and got the twill version on a lightning deal for $550 w/o tax. Couldn't resist as I've been saving now for a while and knew I wouldn't find this any cheaper.
Can't wait to get it installed this weekend. I will try and provide some updates as to the installation and performance. :thumb: