Bestop Sunrider Install and Review 2024 (2 Door)

[jofer]

For whatever it's worth, at least for my Bronco ('23 2Dr badlands), the hardware you need to remove at the leading edge of the back hardtop uses torx plus 27 fasteners. The install instructions say it's torx 40, but it likely varies by exact year/model (and packages, maybe?). TP27 is not something most folks will have around and it's not a size included in the Ford-provided toolkit (TP30 is, though).

Also, I found that a wood clamp was needed to install the lowering brackets. The hardware that Bestop provided was long enough, but you need to compress the top down against the hard top to get enough thread through to start the nut. Especially if you're doing the install with one person, the clamp is _really_ handy to get the lowering brackets installed (holds it in place while you're threading on the nuts as well as compresses things enough to get enough thread through).

At any rate, a TP27 driver and a wood clamp were necessary in my case, and it took me far longer than it should have to figure that out.

Other than that, the install went relatively smoothly, and the sunrider works well with the TrailRax half rack I have installed. It even has enough clearance (just barely) in the cutouts where the front latches are for an M2M squatch basket to be installed with the softtop hardware for it (still not 100% sure it's fully clearing, though).

(Also, yes, things are super dusty and need a wash. But that's kind of a perpetual thing and I had it out on some dusty forest service roads just before this install...)

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[BigBlue7]

Have had multiple cases of water intrusion on my Sunrider since installing it in April The front of the sunrider simply doesn't create a good enough seal with the weather stripping on top of the windshield frame. This leads to water getting in and dipping out of the vents of the A pillar or the seams by the side curtain airbag.

I installed a piece of marine weather stripping across the underside of the front edge of the sunrider and that has stopped all water intrusion. The fix was suggested by a member on here and it worked like a charm.

 

[lwilliams34]

For whatever it's worth, at least for my Bronco ('23 2Dr badlands), the hardware you need to remove at the leading edge of the back hardtop uses torx plus 27 fasteners. The install instructions say it's torx 40, but it likely varies by exact year/model (and packages, maybe?). TP27 is not something most folks will have around and it's not a size included in the Ford-provided toolkit (TP30 is, though).

Also, I found that a wood clamp was needed to install the lowering brackets. The hardware that Bestop provided was long enough, but you need to compress the top down against the hard top to get enough thread through to start the nut. Especially if you're doing the install with one person, the clamp is _really_ handy to get the lowering brackets installed (holds it in place while you're threading on the nuts as well as compresses things enough to get enough thread through).

At any rate, a TP27 driver and a wood clamp were necessary in my case, and it took me far longer than it should have to figure that out.

Other than that, the install went relatively smoothly, and the sunrider works well with the TrailRax half rack I have installed. It even has enough clearance (just barely) in the cutouts where the front latches are for an M2M squatch basket to be installed with the softtop hardware for it (still not 100% sure it's fully clearing, though).

(Also, yes, things are super dusty and need a wash. But that's kind of a perpetual thing and I had it out on some dusty forest service roads just before this install...)

Yes on those back brace brackets..the engineer said u had to compress that area in order to get those bolts secured.. NOTHING. In the instructions about this.. as I mentioned I used the same size bolts but with threads all the way down.. absolutely ridiculous design and poor customer service in regards to instructions.. even their staff didn’t know this

 

[BigBlue7]

Yes on those back brace brackets..the engineer said u had to compress that area in order to get those bolts secured.. NOTHING. In the instructions about this.. as I mentioned I used the same size bolts but with threads all the way down.. absolutely ridiculous design and poor customer service in regards to instructions.. even their staff didn’t know this

I had to order my own longer bolts on amazon to resolve this as well. The bolts provided were simply too short regardless of how much I tried to compress the hard top edge with the sunrider brackets

 

[BigBlue7]

Here's the original post where a member installed additional weather stripping to resolve allowing water down the A Pillar.


https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...bestop-sunrider-for-2-door.39369/post-1503041

 

[FJ 432]

Any opinions on the cheaper versus more expensive top material?

 

[lwilliams34]

Any opinions on the cheaper versus more expensive top material?

I ordered the twill fabric based upon numerous recommendations. I don't know why anyone would want the cheaper material. It needs to be closer to a convertible type quality to hold up.

 

[BigHoof]

I ordered the twill fabric based upon numerous recommendations. I don't know why anyone would want the cheaper material. It needs to be closer to a convertible type quality to hold up.

Agree. I have used both types as a tonneau cover on several trucks. The twill looks a lot more classy and doesn't wrinkle like the faux leather style.

 

[CDB]

All these tulips

Hello All,

I thought I would post a review of my experience with the @Bestop_Team Bestop Sunrider for my 2024 Big Bend 2 Door.

Before purchasing I did a lot of research here on the forum and read just about every review, install, challenge, and "fix" thread out there.

Thanks to the following threads for their input on the subject which proved to be very helpful during the process. There is also some spill over regarding the Bestop in the thread for reducing wind noise on the hard top, so will include that link also.

Bestop has been making some modifications to the overall product design and installation process since it was first introduced. I received the latest iteration of the 2 door model with the instructions dated 4/24. During the process when I called customer support several of the people answering phones did not have the latest installation and design instructions available to them which I found discouraging and frustrating. The Bestop online install video for the 2-door has not been updated as well. I was able to follow portions of it, but the final steps were different.

Eventually I realized that I was on my own for the most part and had to rely on the forum and my own ingenuity to resolve the issues.

The biggest issue I had was with the lowering clamp brackets (new) that fit on the back side of the bestop unit and provide additional stability by overlapping the hard top. Originally there was just a center mount bracket that attached the unit to the hard top. The new design includes the two brackets on each side of the center bracket. They mount on the bestop unit itself, but do not attach to the hard top.

They simply lay on top of the hard top surface using a step bracket. My issue is that the bolts provided to secure the brackets to the bestop are not long enough. I was barely able to get the M6 nut to catch while pressing down on the bestop unit itself. The issue is that the provided bolts do not have threads at the tip, so you lose about 1/8" of thread. I ended up stripping one of the M6 nuts because I could not get it on straight due to the lack of threads and how the step bracket bend is designed.

I ended up purchasing new bolts and nuts with full threads (same length) and had no issues getting everything secure.

After installation I had some issues with wind noise at the front of the Sunrider, but thanks to the previous thread on this forum I was able to adjust the passenger side striker plate bracket forward which provide a more secure clamp down on that end.

I also ended up putting some weather stripping along the front edge of the Bestop where it meets the second layer of rubber seal at the front of the Bronco.

The last adjustment was adding foam to the metal support bar (secured by a velcro wrap) that runs horizontally across the sunrider. This reduced the vibration and snapping noises coming from that support bar.

You can find the detailed instructions for these alterations within the threads I will list below.

Overall Impressions:

The unit is built very well and I love the design look of the unit (black twill fabric option).

It is really a game changer to be able to open and close the top without worrying about carrying the hard top panels or getting caught in the rain.

The hinges are a bit stiff yet, so I have to stand on the hoop steps and pull the unit a bit to get it started either up or down.

One big tip is to make sure that you lower the sun visors when latching or unlatching the unit.

My Bronco sits outside so It has been in numerous rain storms parked as well as driving and no leaks so far.

Wind Noise is more pronounced than with the hard top and depending upon the direction of the wind and whether the hwy has barriers, etc it will vary. But it is acceptable for me and the benefits of dropping the top outweigh the extra noise. If I was going on a long road trip I would probably put the hard top back on depending upon the length and situation.

My daughter drove in the Bronco shortly after the install and commented that it was no different that her friends Jeep soft top.

I think the unit is a good value and should last a long time with proper care. I am happy with the unit and what it provides. I think Bestop as a company is growing and having a few challenges with customer support getting up to speed. I did get quick responses from emails and call backs, so that was a positive.

Here are the links and some pictures of my process.
.
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/bestop-sunrider-wind-noise.33040/page-3

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/bestop-sunrider-wind-noise.33040/page-2

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...-plus-bonus-fix-for-bad-adhesive.64146/page-5

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/bestop-sunrider-wind-noise.33040/page-7

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/bestop-trektop-flapping-noise.73760/page-2


HARD TOP Wind Noise Thread:

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...dition-plus-bonus-fix-for-bad-adhesive.64146/
.

Installed mine yesterday on 2024 4 door. Thanks for all the tips. Also went had to buy the new nuts and bolts so the pics were great.
So anyone have a problem with latches and opening the top? I popped the latches and I could get one side to work but not the other. So I relocked and tried just the other side and it would unlatch but them the other side wouldn't. Any tips?

 

[lwilliams34]

All these tulips
Installed mine yesterday on 2024 4 door. Thanks for all the tips. Also went had to buy the new nuts and bolts so the pics were great.
So anyone have a problem with latches and opening the top? I popped the latches and I could get one side to work but not the other. So I relocked and tried just the other side and it would unlatch but them the other side wouldn't. Any tips?

Its not a perfect design for sure. First off, make sure that your sun visors are down both when opening it up and when closing. The visors will restrict the latch from popping out properly.
I have had times where the latch mechanism still caught, specifically on the right side. I believe the pressure across the length of the front seal is not even which then tends to tilt the unit toward the side that is still latched.
Sometimes pulling down on the top with the grab handles built into the front will be all that is needed.
I noticed that mine was not latching as firmly as I wanted so I redid the additional weather-stripping on that front lip where is meets the secondary rubber seal at the front (windshield). I seem to have a firmer clamp now then before.
Was going to test it out today to see if it makes a difference with wind noise specifically.

 

[CDB]

Its not a perfect design for sure. First off, make sure that your sun visors are down both when opening it up and when closing. The visors will restrict the latch from popping out properly.
I have had times where the latch mechanism still caught, specifically on the right side. I believe the pressure across the length of the front seal is not even which then tends to tilt the unit toward the side that is still latched.
Sometimes pulling down on the top with the grab handles built into the front will be all that is needed.
I noticed that mine was not latching as firmly as I wanted so I redid the additional weather-stripping on that front lip where is meets the secondary rubber seal at the front (windshield). I seem to have a firmer clamp now then before.
Was going to test it out today to see if it makes a difference with wind noise specifically.

Thanks! I'll try again!

 

[Graygary]

I have had mine installed now twice, for 2 summers. Hardware all fit perfectly and have never had a leak. I am very surprised of others problems. It is my favorite part of the Bronco. I take it off for the winter. Yes, is noisier than the hardtop. But that was expected. I have owned a lot of convertibles.

 

[lwilliams34]

I have had mine installed now twice, for 2 summers. Hardware all fit perfectly and have never had a leak. I am very surprised of others problems. It is my favorite part of the Bronco. I take it off for the winter. Yes, is noisier than the hardtop. But that was expected. I have owned a lot of convertibles.

Agree with your assessment. I did try to modify mine a bit more with additional weather-stripping, ended up with a small leak on the corner. Removed the second layer I had put on that front area by the windshield and just left the one layer. It has been perfect. Clamps down a bit tighter, but not forced. Yes there is a bit more noise, but nothing I can't live with for the benefits it gives during the summer.

 

[Fillups]

For whatever it's worth, at least for my Bronco ('23 2Dr badlands), the hardware you need to remove at the leading edge of the back hardtop uses torx plus 27 fasteners. The install instructions say it's torx 40, but it likely varies by exact year/model (and packages, maybe?). TP27 is not something most folks will have around and it's not a size included in the Ford-provided toolkit (TP30 is, though).

Also, I found that a wood clamp was needed to install the lowering brackets. The hardware that Bestop provided was long enough, but you need to compress the top down against the hard top to get enough thread through to start the nut. Especially if you're doing the install with one person, the clamp is _really_ handy to get the lowering brackets installed (holds it in place while you're threading on the nuts as well as compresses things enough to get enough thread through).

At any rate, a TP27 driver and a wood clamp were necessary in my case, and it took me far longer than it should have to figure that out.

Other than that, the install went relatively smoothly, and the sunrider works well with the TrailRax half rack I have installed. It even has enough clearance (just barely) in the cutouts where the front latches are for an M2M squatch basket to be installed with the softtop hardware for it (still not 100% sure it's fully clearing, though).

(Also, yes, things are super dusty and need a wash. But that's kind of a perpetual thing and I had it out on some dusty forest service roads just before this install...)

I realize this is an older thread, but yours is the first Sunrider I have seen with the half-rack on a 2-door. Can you tell me if the arms that fold back when the Sunrider is open are "outside" of the half-rack? Or do they just rest against it, and still allow it to open fully?

I am comparing this rack option to the Turn Offroad option. I like the looks of the Turn half-rack better, and don't think I'll need the pack rax / side pieces. But the Turn rack appears to be wider, so I'm trying to understand if that will interfere with the Sunrider top.

Thanks!

 

[jofer]

I realize this is an older thread, but yours is the first Sunrider I have seen with the half-rack on a 2-door. Can you tell me if the arms that fold back when the Sunrider is open are "outside" of the half-rack? Or do they just rest against it, and still allow it to open fully?

I am comparing this rack option to the Turn Offroad option. I like the looks of the Turn half-rack better, and don't think I'll need the pack rax / side pieces. But the Turn rack appears to be wider, so I'm trying to understand if that will interfere with the Sunrider top.

Thanks!

Sorry I didn't reply earlier!

The arms are indeed outside the rack. The clearance is tight, but enough to function perfectly. It's fully open and operates without any issues. Without the rack, it might sit an inch or two lower when fully open. The arms are "outside", but the center bars rest against the wind deflector for the rack. However, I had the rack before the sun rider, so I'm not sure if it would be any different without the rack installed. At any rate, it's worked flawlessly for me, anyway.

FWIW, the sunrider is really loud. You'll definitely notice the difference. If you have bulky things on the rack, you may have even more wind noise coming through the cloth top. Personally, I find it to be well worth it. But if you're routinely doing long interstate trips, you may feel differently.

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