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OP
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Cruised the beach for a while in between some tournament games this weekend. Was awesome to go open sky, which would not of happened on this trip with the hard top panels.
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Bestop Skyrider - Installation Video and Review by Owner ✅
@Jo8n yeah, unfortunately the Bimini top would have to be removed, sorry about that!
~Crystal@Bestop
@MontyMoose Yeah unfortunately the answer is no, the Bimini top would have to be removed, sorry about that!I was wondering if it would work with my sunshade from @JTopsUSA, but based on their answer about other bimini tops, it looks like the answer is no.
~Crystal@Bestop
While the product is not for me, I complement you on an excellent and thorough video. I watched the whole thing and was impressed with your ability to show every step. Thanks very much for making it - it looks like it’s pretty well designed product and stays nice and tight.
I got the Bestop Skyrider - Black Twill version - installed a while back. When I was waiting for my Bronco delivery, I had every intention of purchasing a Sunrider to go with it. Then I got the Bronco, removed the top, and knew the Sunrider would not work for me. I needed a hybrid top over both rows of seats, not just the front. I sent many nice emails and suggestions to Bestop over the next 12 months, reminding them of the great opportunity the 4 door Bronco had for a double Sunrider. Finally, my patience was rewarded, and the Skyrider was born! Here is my review.
Installation
Installation is very straightforward and simple. The instructions are well organized and easy to follow, with good illustrations. The only tool needed Is a ratchet with T30, T40, and T50 bits. The parts are labeled well, and many are marked with arrows facing the front. BUT, as seen in my install video, I had one issue on step 15. The control link arms are labeled with the front facing arrows, but my labels were installed on the wrong end. Realized at a later point and was able to swap them around pretty quick. I was able to install the Skyrider by myself in about 2.5 hours. I could have easily done it in under 2 hours if I had seen a video first, and wasn’t filming my own.
Operation
The Skyrider is very simple to operate. There are two latches up front, a quick pop and release of the handle will release the spring loaded latch. Then you must exit the vehicle, grab one of the arms, and pull it back. The side rails have a spring resistance which keeps the assembly from moving freely, but it opens quick and easy enough. There are only two positions, fully open and fully closed. I tried my best to open the Skyrider from within the vehicle, but that simply is not possible. To close, simply grab an arm, push it forward, enter vehicle, and snap the two latches closed. Less than 10 seconds to open or close. A shorter person might have some trouble grabbing the arms, my wife is 5' 2" and it took her a few tries to find a method that worked for her, tippy toes involved. For reference I demonstrate in the video, and I am 6’ 0”.
Fit/Finish
The fit and finish are simply outstanding. It truly looks and feels 100x better than any top Ford put on the Bronco. No covered wagon flappy top here. In my video I demonstrate how tight the fabric is along the edge of rollbar, I can’t stick a fingertip in, unlike the OEM softtop that you can stick your hand in. You can bounce a T40 bit on this thing, and I do. The edge along the front header looks great. Sewn seams are straight as an arrow. The rear Halo was an ingenious solution to the problem the “notch” caused. I could not find one blemish, and I tried. The Twill fabric feels very thick and substantial.
Noise
There are two types of noise, wind and road. My hardtop was one of the insanely loud ones. It was my biggest complaint about the Bronco. I am thrilled to tell you the Skyrider is unquestionably quieter than my hardtop was, for wind noise. No whistling above my head. I can have Bluetooth phone calls on the highway now, which was impossible before. The Skyrider does let in a little more road noise, but not as bad as I expected.
My hardtop panels were also very chatty. All kinds of random creaks and squeaks and rattles. The Skyrider has eliminated all of those weird noises I was pretty sure were coming from the hardtop. What a pleasure to my ears. The only noise I’ve heard from the Skyrider was a "slap" of the trampoline tight top against the rear bow cross bar. I tightened down the flaps as tight as possible, and that has been all but eliminated.
Color
I know this is a popular topic for the Sunrider and Skyrider. Why doesn’t it match the MIC gray. This was my biggest hesitation, and after living with it a bit, it is a total non issue for me. It is not as dramatic difference as pictures or video can make it seem. Let’s be honest, the Bronco exterior already has 50 shades of gray going on, this doesn’t make it any worse. I have had many compliments on the top, so people have noticed. I will say, my Bronco looks awesome with a black top, which brings back the painful mod top memories....
Seasonal Use
Living in South Texas, there is no such thing as seasonal use, but I know many of you want to go back to the panels for winter etc. As you can see in the install video, you will need to remove some Skyrider rails, and reinstall the OEM brackets. If you want to store the Skyrider completely assembled, it would be a pretty quick removal process. 13 screws and the top assembly and front rails are removed. Reinstall two factory brackets, and remove the bracket from clamshell. I think it would take about 30 minutes to be back to hardtop panels. If you dont have space to store it assembled, the shipping box is high quality and would be great for storing away for the winter. I would expect complete disassembly to take about as long as initial installation.
Overall
I love driving my Bronco with the top off, I removed my entire hardtop at least once almost every weekend. This is a feature I used more than I ever imagined I would. Removing the panels was a bit of a chore, but nothing that would deter me from going topless. Having said all that, I am lazy at my core, so anything that makes my life easier has my attention. I’m also not getting any younger, and that middle panel seems to be getting heavier. Now I’m throwing the top back daily. The OEM soft top is a hard no for me, ugly as sin and I could not deal with the limited cargo access. My interest in the Skyrider is rooted in convenience, and it really delivers on that topless at any moment lifestyle, while keeping the practicality of the hardtop. And it looks amazing. 5 stars from me! Anyone need hardtop panels?
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I was thinking the same but his comment about losing some of the space in the rear cargo area when you go with the full soft top was concerning. Did I read that right? It’s a great point and question- why not just go fill soft top ?
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Those few cubic feet wouldn't make much a difference to me. I see what he is saying though. Personally, I like the way the Bestop looks. I like it better than the hard top or OEM soft top. My guess is that I won't put that hard top back on once I get the soft top on.
OP
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I didn’t mention cargo space as a concern of mine, but if you’re really packing up for a trip it might be. I mentioned cargo access. You can’t beat the lift glass. Soft top windows are a hassle to get in and out of. The OEM soft top limits access a lot. The trek top is better but unhooking and folding the window over the top is not for me. If your not back there often it might be a non issue for you.
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As others have said, great write-up and video. Seems like an interesting product, and I'm tempted, but I'm not sure about how the folded back top looks like a giant wind sail, and I would have some concerns about wear and tear as the top catches and vibrates with the wind.
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I cant speak for long term durability obviously. But I can say its no different than any other soft top folded back. I had concerns about it flopping around in the wind on the highway, making a bunch of noise and rattles, which is not the case at all. I dont hear a peep from it around town or on the highway.
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Ahh gotcha, so I’m typically putting my dog in the rear cargo space when we go out, and with the full soft top, that would be a problem without
gotcha, thanks for clarifying! I typically put my dog in the rear cargo area and that could be a problem with the full soft top.
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I got a lot of questions about which IAG light kit to get for the Sunrider. Either will work just fine. If your ever going to put the panels back on, get the hardtop kit, you will need it. I have no intention of ever putting the hardtop panels back on, but I still used the hardtop brackets because I felt they spaced the lights out better, and my grab handles worked better with the bracket. Here are some pics of both locations.
Softtop location
Hardtop location
Softtop location
Hardtop location
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I just watched both install videos and I think you can get the JTop to fit with some modifications. A few holes with grommets. The only thing I’m worried about is the rear door brackets having to sit on top of the velcro. Again, perhaps with some modifications to the shade itself.I was wondering if it would work with my sunshade from @JTopsUSA, but based on their answer about other bimini tops, it looks like the answer is no.
If I’m going to run the Skyrider May-Oct - I’ll just remove the JTop along with it each time.
Edit: in the end it might not be worth the effort. I thought I read somewhere that @Bestop_Team are making alternate full tops soon…I’ll likely just enjoy the MIC + Jtop combo this summer and see what comes out. I’m glad to have moved on from the OEM soft top. But, I think I’d like to have an aftermarket full soft top for seasonal use that checks all of the boxes.
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Also, that kinda pisses me off that Dewalt just came out with a cordless ratchet (I mean…expected, but timing). I bit the bullet and got the Milwaukee even though I had a bunch of Dewalt already.
Are there other options that allow to easily fold all the way to the back like a cabrio car?
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