Soft top ?'s

Had three Whitco tops over the years. First two wore out from exposure. Third one lasted more than twice as long (18 years) just because it was parked under a carport. Being a confirmed imbecile, I threw out all the top and door stuff, then when I found out I couldn't buy replacement stuff, I threw out the bows, too; saved the snaps and brackets still on the JEEP.

But, I'm OK now...... heh-heh. trust me.

I got a whole mess of questions about new tops.

Does anybody make a full window door? I like to see out the passenger side ground level now and then.... But, I don't see a full window in the ads.

I am a little iffy about a rail system to hold the edges down, as in Bestop's idea. How vulnerable are these things? I'm not such a nutso wheeler anymore, but I wonder how durable a rail is. And how hard is it to get the top into the rail? I won't have the top on most of what is left of my wheeling days; just wanna go up in the snow when I can, so I need a top. Well, that, and it rains here sometimes... Snaps worked pretty well as long as you could get the top down to the snap...... (sometimes I waited too long to put the thing back on) Footman loops and straps worked better, like THAT'LL ever happen again.

I don't ever remember tops fitting so poorly as I see in pix everywhere. A few rigs seem to fit very well, too many are ones I would want my money back on, with an apology. A lot of them look like slop especially on the side windows. Mine were never that sloppy. Um, were they?

Would anybody here have an opinion? No, really; don't hold back.....

I need to buy a top that is worth buying. It'll be a one time thing now.

 

Stu-

I am very happy with the Supertop. Way nicer using the rail system than snaps. I like the split doors as well. The fit is nice, not perfect though. There's not much that does fit perfect in these old JEEPs though...

 

Specialty Tops for a full window door. Check. What about the rest of their top? Any good?

Rail ok. Check. My main concern about the rail is getting it squished, and not being able to replace just the rail. Snaps I can buy locally, (I would think). I'm not hung up on snaps, I just don't want to get stuck with proprietary stuff I can't get repaired or replaced more easily. How is Bestop's service, AFTER the sale? Anybody there? I made a comment or two in the buyer comments section about my opinion on service reps.....

 

I figgered the rail issue was mostly anal; thanks, Sparky. I really would like a full window one piece door. I take good care of what I have when I can, but I don't want to have to fiddle with anything complicated in the woods. Mostly, it would boil down to: Gee, this would much better without doors!!! Wham! Over the seat they go! (I have expensive taste when the checkbook ain't in hand........) Oh? They cost THAT much, huh?

Honey? I'm home. Ahem.... about those doors......

 

Since I just purchased a soft top a month ago, I may be able to help.

Herm sells STC's for $525 for the 55-75 model drop shipped from Colorado. Aside from taking a long time to be delivered (they ran out of black material) I am very happy with the quality, fit and the customer service is top notch. There was a small rip in one of the doors that I noticed after I installed the top. I called STC, they remembered me and sent me a replacement door for free within 2 weeks and told me to keep the old one.

I personally hate bestop and will never own another one. JMO of course. I think they are to expensive, I don't like the rail system, my old 83 CJ7 had the rails and the top used to slip out all the time. From other posts on this site it seems as though the customer service sucks as well.

No top company makes a full window (believe me I look everywhere for one) STC used to but they don't anymore.

I say go STC and buy through Herm he is a great guy to deal with and I really think you will be happy some of the snaps might even match with the original ones.

 

Well, poo. I was hoping somebody would just tell me everything would OK, and I can get anything I want.....

PHHTH!


Took me fifity years to be a spoiled brat, and what did I win? Three years of spoiled brat-dom. I'm bummed. Thought there would be more to it.

 

I've had my Supertop on for around 9-10 years now, I bought mine from Leon Rosser back when they were in business, paid around $400. The rail system is in my opinion the best. I will never own a snap top again, don't want to fiddle with those darn things anymore, I patched about 150 snap holes in my jeep when I put my rails on. The bad thing about the snap tops is the snaps are never in the same location from one top to another, period.
I do like the 2 piece doors, I liked my old kayline clear doors alright but didn't like the way they hinged. My top even after all this time fits good. It fit tight from the very 1st day it was installed, no sagging or flopping anywhere. It has spent the vast majority of its time sitting under a pine tree that is 80 feet tall, always covered in pine needles but the top has still held up well. No busted or split seams yet and the plastic is still in good shape. As far as the customer service I can't say as I have never needed a replacement part. The rails are still in good shape after all these years but the door paddles are starting to show signs of rust coming thru the powdercoating, gonna redo them after Christmas (hopefully). I have no complaints about my top, but I have to admit I think all tops nowadays are overpriced, but I do understand it is a limited production item so I won't complain to loudly.
YMMV, just my .02¢.

 

R) R) R)

 

I have a supertop for my 70 CJ5. I really like it. Easy to take off and put on. However I can't seem to get my doors as leak proof as I would like. I think the customer service is great! A snap pulled out of my rear window I called them and they sent me a new rear window and let me keep the old one.
Andy

 

I just put on a new Tiger top and while the top fits great, the doors suck. I assume the rail system is similar to what they have on the Wranglers. If so that system works great.

 

Personally, I have to agree with Mike about Bestop, they are easy to work with, their customer service is great, buying replacement parts is a snap and their supertops are really nice and fit well. the rails are sturdy and easy to use.

 

How does the channel work? Do you have to attach the channel to the tub? I used to have a Tigertop and I wasn't fond of dealing with snaps but I don't think I would like the way a channel would look sitting on the tub. Do you even notice the channel when the top's off though?

 

Ok stupid question about the Channels. Are they similar to how the TJ softtop attach?