Bestop Trektop - 2Dr - First Impressions & Install tips

[MilesTeg]

I know I'm way late to the party, but I thought I would contribute something here.

Yesterday I got my Trektop on my 2DR (Badlands manual, VB).

Install Time: 5.5 hours - a long time, but more info on that later.

Initial Unpacking: My top was delivered and the boxes were pristine, but I discovered several damaged parts after unpacking. Two of the window J-rails have rub/scratch damage, and the passenger quarter window somehow got folded over and is creased and scuffed. The rails are hidden when the top is fully on, but exposed when the windows are off and top are up so I will be seeking warranty replacement for those. The window I will also be seeking warranty replacement on -- hopefully Bestop stands behind their products including shipping mishaps.

Install Troubles

Most of the install went very smoothly, but I had one major issue that took a while to resolve. The J-rail attached to the bottom on the driver's side did not fit correctly - it butted against the B-pillar in a way that made it very difficult to line up the holes for the bolts until I loosened the B pillar attachment. I then could line up the rail to the holes. This let me get the rail on, but the B pillar attachment doesn't quite line up right now and I had to ream out the bottom hole on the B-pillar attachment a smidge to get it tightened down. The B-pillar attachment is a bit crooked as a result.

I though maybe I'd resolved this reasonably, but after getting the top fully on I note that there is a very large gap between the bottom of the window and the rear fender that is not present on the other side. It's unclear what is causing this gap -- it could be that the bottom window J-rail is bent. I will have to take it apart and look. I will wait until I put my hard top back on in a couple months though.

The driver side has an ugly gap:

The passenger side is very nice:

I did have some struggle with getting the rear quarter windows on. The fit is extremely tight and I had to fiddle a lot and put some he-man into it to get it all on. I think this is intentional to keep things taught so I won't call it an issue, but thought I would mention it for those looking into this top. Perhaps with time it will stretch out a bit and make it easier. Some tips for this:

• The top bead of the quarter windows won't slide easily unless the window is lifted up horizontal to the ground. Even just a little bit helps when you are trying to pull the window back.
• Flexing the plastic corner piece just a bit helped to line things up without having to stretch the fabric.

Finally, I wasn't able to get the backing off the foams intended to seal the quarter windows. I think there was a mistake during manufacturing. This is fairly easy to replace from a hardware or craft store but I'll be reaching out to Bestop on that too.

General Install Tips

Some random tips from my install:

• When you are attaching the top to the rear "halo" mounts, the video installation tells you to open the top halfway and have a buddy hold it while you crawl in the back to access the front bolt. This is entirely unnecessary, just prop the front of the top up a couple inches (because it's tight), then you can easily get the back part slotted into the mounts and easily access both bolts with the top just laying on top. I'm tall enough I could just do it standing, but a shorter person can crawl into the back.
• When you pull back the inside trim to bolt in the tailgate retainer, don't drop your screws facepalm
• Don't tug on the exposed loop of cable in the top, you'll have to fish it back through facepalm: )

Fit & Finish

I'll probably do a follow up later, but a couple of my initial impressions are:

• The weather sealing on the tailgate bar has a slot on the hinge side that leads all the way into the interior, and the top doesn't quite cover it. The tailgate needs a bit of a notch, but this goes all the way in. This is going to be a major leak area. I'll have to plug this with some weather stripping. No idea why this is here, at first impression is seems incredibly dumb.

• This tag sewed into the top is extremely annoying. A terrible idea.

Here's a pic of the finished product:

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[Jwis]

I installed my top without help (I am 70+ years old). Was not easy bringing the top sub-assembly up to the halo bar, but moving blankets kept me from scratching stuff.
The biggest issue--and it was a BIGGEE--the upper rear window mounts were incorrectly identified from the factory. I installed "right" labeled bracket on the right and "left" on the left. I fought and fought the fitment 'till I gave up and walked away for the night. Next day I was fresh and able to cobble up the mounting holes and modified a torx wrench and finally was able to attach the mounting screws. But later--of course--the windows would not even begin to slide in. Looking closer, I determined their mismarked QC issue and swapped the sides for an oh-so-easy fitment. I took pictures of the incorrect labels on the parts and reported the QC issue to Bestop, did not get much feedback other than "we'll look into it."
Otherwise, I am happy with the top quality and function. SO much easier than our previous dual top 06 Jeep.
Wanting to re-install the hard top last winter, I contacted Bestop for info on how to (hopefully) remove as an assembly or sub-assemblies. Their tech dept had no info as if no-one had ever done it. However, I looked it over and the roof as a sub-assembly did come off, front and rear brackets as sub-assemblies, corner brackets pulling back the trim work a bit nerve wracking. But otherwise not a lot of hassle and went quick.
My impression is they could tighten up their production QC and get more knowledge into the tech area.

 

[Baja Bronco]

The tag is just fine with me. It’s the hideous Bestop logo above the rear window I can’t stand. Glad I got mine before they started that. Enjoy being a member of the slant backs!

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