Kansas wind keeps killing my Jeep. Broke my Sunrider top this time. ( Now w/Video )

[Trojan_Actual]

I appreciate the additional info. Probably why I haven't head back...

If thats truly the case, and they won't warranty the hardware under normal use, then DO NOT DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY with this top. Fair weather grocery trips only.

I'm going to reach out to BestTop, and I'll update this thread once I hear back. However, based on what I just read in their warranty info, I'm probably SOL.

That sucks. I live in Wichita and drive my Jeep with the Sunrider daily. Even in insane storms. Haven’t had an issue. Sorry man.

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[Sting]

Wind breaking your soft top? Man, I'm just wondering what it's like to drive the Jeep in the Kansas crosswinds!

That crosswind is what got me/my top.

Lots of steering into the wind. The JLU feels like it gets pushed around almost as bad as the semi-trucks. Lots of counter-steering into the wind just to stay in your lane. Then as you go under the over passes, and this cross winds briefly stop, you have to steer back the other way. Kind of feels like driving a boat.

 

[GrayMatterJeep]

Seems like you got a bad Sunrider for Soft Top or that end of the cable was not properly placed in the hole.

I bought my Sunrider for Soft Top back in 2021 (before I had a full soft top) and ran it about 9 months a year in Kansas for 2 years. I eventually fould a full soft top I could afford on FB Marketplace, so I only run my Sunrider for Soft Top in late fall & early spring.

Here's the important Part:
If I am not mistaken, I found the Litebrite Nation video on youtube to have the most detail on how to install a Sunrider for Soft Top. I also vaguely remember them demonstraiting the "right way", plus a "wrong way", people place the end of that cable into the door surround. You only have to do it on the initial out of the box install, then never again.

With that in mind, I wonder if the cable ends on your Sunrider for Hard Top were seated properly or not. Did you install it, or did someone else?

 

[Sting]

I've added a short video from my dash cam, where you can hear the moment when the cable snaps. I also added it to the original/1st post in this thread.

Top was closed, since we were traveling at ~70mph.

 

[Sting]

Seems like you got a bad Sunrider for Soft Top or that end of the cable was not properly placed in the hole.

I bought my Sunrider for Soft Top back in 2021 (before I had a full soft top) and ran it about 9 months a year in Kansas for 2 years. I eventually fould a full soft top I could afford on FB Marketplace, so I only run my Sunrider for Soft Top in late fall & early spring.

Here's the important Part:
If I am not mistaken, I found the Litebrite Nation video on youtube to have the most detail on how to install a Sunrider for Soft Top. I also vaguely remember them demonstraiting the "right way", plus a "wrong way", people place the end of that cable into the door surround. You only have to do it on the initial out of the box install, then never again.

With that in mind, I wonder if the cable ends on your Sunrider for Hard Top were seated properly or not. Did you install it, or did someone else?

I installed it myself. I'm positive that it was done properly, since it lasted for ~ 3years and ~40k miles. AND I regularly opened/closed it during that timeframe, without issue.

I feel I'm fairly mechanically inclined. I've installed suspension lifts on all 3 of my Jeep wranglers. I've done engine swaps (LSX w/T56 trans into an RX7, k-series into an S2000 -ap1), transmission rebuilds, transfercase rebuilds, rear main seals on multiple TJs, and the list goes on. I do 99% of all my own wrenching. The only time I take stuff anywhere is when its covered under warranty. AND even then I'm usually nit-picky about who touches my stuff.

For argument sake, I pulled up the Litebrite Nation Sunrider video you referenced to ensure I installed it properly, and yes I made sure the "Z-clip" was inserted properly. Just like in the Litebright video and just like the BestTop instructions show.

 

[73TAWM]

People that live in Kansas and say that it's not that windy...BUUUUULLLLSSSSSHHHHHHIIIIIITTTTTT!

My first trip across the state, to Colorado (why else would I drive through Kansas) in my jeep, by the time I got to Hays on I70 I noticed my steering wheel was about 3 inches off center. The wind was non-stop and I was fighting the wheel against it the entire time. My ABS light had also come on by this time. We stopped in Burlington for the night and shut it off to rest while we ate dinner, came back and the steering wheel was still off center. The next morning when we got in to continue it was setting at center again and has stayed that way since. The last time we went across the state we took a southern route with slower speeds and didn't have any issues.

I would agree about contacting Besttop directly. I have found Quadratech to be quite useless for help if it's been any time at all since the purchase. We have the Trek Top Ultra, purchased from Besttop and although I love the idea of opening it up at random, it's not as convenient as that. If you have the back windows in, you can't open it all the way back and your top sticks way up and will catch all kinds of stuff including bad mileage, and not to mention looks stupid. The only solution is to drive with the glass out in safari mode so you can lower the top when you want. Other than keeping the hard top off all summer, the ONLY positive about having the soft top is being able to put it up if you get caught in the rain. But then the back cargo area still gets wet, as does your legs. Who rides with the top off and the doors on anyway?

 

[GrayMatterJeep]

I installed it myself. I'm positive that it was done properly, since it lasted for ~ 3years and ~40k miles. AND I regularly opened/closed it during that timeframe, without issue.

I feel I'm fairly mechanically inclined. I've installed suspension lifts on all 3 of my Jeep wranglers. I've done engine swaps (LSX w/T56 trans into an RX7, k-series into an S2000 -ap1), transmission rebuilds, transfercase rebuilds, rear main seals on multiple TJs, and the list goes on. I do 99% of all my own wrenching. The only time I take stuff anywhere is when its covered under warranty. AND even then I'm usually nit-picky about who touches my stuff.

For argument sake, I pulled up the Litebrite Nation Sunrider video you referenced to ensure I installed it properly, and yes I made sure the "Z-clip" was inserted properly. Just like in the Litebright video and just like the BestTop instructions show.

Great. You've covered any insight I could provide.

Crosswinds on I-70 in western Kansas are no joke. They really tested an old top I had on a Jeep on my trailer, on the way to Moab, a few years back. I had to do some on-the-fly zip tie engineering that day to keep it closed up... however it was a much older top than any Surider for Hard Top era.

I wish you the best of luck with Bestop. Hopefully someone can get you the special key intel to get Bestop to replace what you need replaced.

 

[Windshieldfarmer]

People that live in Kansas and say that it's not that windy...BUUUUULLLLSSSSSHHHHHHIIIIIITTTTTT!

My first trip across the state, to Colorado (why else would I drive through Kansas) in my jeep, by the time I got to Hays on I70 I noticed my steering wheel was about 3 inches off center. The wind was non-stop and I was fighting the wheel against it the entire time. My ABS light had also come on by this time. We stopped in Burlington for the night and shut it off to rest while we ate dinner, came back and the steering wheel was still off center. The next morning when we got in to continue it was setting at center again and has stayed that way since. The last time we went across the state we took a southern route with slower speeds and didn't have any issues.

Yep…it certainly can be windy in the open plains…and less than fun driving a toaster shaped vehicle at high speeds. That said I’ve driven 80 mph on I 70, I 80, and I 90 many times in my lifted JL, sometimes in heavy wind, and never had a crosswind kick on an ABS warning and causing the steering wheel to remain out of alignment (if I’m understanding your post correctly). That sounds like a separate issue.

 

[73TAWM]

Yep…it certainly can be windy in the open plains…and less than fun driving a toaster shaped vehicle at high speeds. That said I’ve driven 80 mph on I 70, I 80, and I 90 many times in my lifted JL, sometimes in heavy wind, and never had a crosswind kick on an ABS warning and causing the steering wheel to remain out of alignment (if I’m understanding your post correctly). That sounds like a separate issue.

The light was probably from the heat, at least that's what my jeep bunny said Google told her when it came on. That was in August. The steering wheel was definitely from holding it against the crosswind. I don't remember the wind speeds that day but I was absolutely doing 80+ as I was trying my best to get out of Kansas before I fell asleep...

 

[Sting]

The light was probably from the heat, at least that's what my jeep bunny said Google told her when it came on. That was in August. The steering wheel was definitely from holding it against the crosswind. I don't remember the wind speeds that day but I was absolutely doing 80+ as I was trying my best to get out of Kansas before I fell asleep...

I could see those Kansas potholes at 70-80+mph causing you to need a re-alignment. But the wind shouldn't be enough to put it out of alignment. Unless the tires were worn funny from counter-steering into the wind for hours on end. I could see that happening.

 

[73TAWM]

I could see those Kansas potholes at 70-80+mph causing you to need a re-alignment. But the wind shouldn't be enough to put it out of alignment. Unless the tires were worn funny from counter-steering into the wind for hours on end. I could see that happening.

Nothing ended up out of alignment, just the steering wheel was permanently cocked to the right. Until the next morning when it was back to center. Nothing was ever wrong with tires and it's never needed an alignment. Which has been shocking to me since I've had it from the beginning of July 2021. I figured when I installed the lift it would need something but I took it in right after the lift (which was done after the trip I'm referring to) to get aligned and it was good. It's been in several times for new tires and rotations and still has not needed an alignment. Is that even a thing with Jeeps?
It was a one time thing that has never happened since and I've been back across the state with no issues and a lift. The wind on 70 that day never stopped blowing from the left (South) and once stopped the steering wheel was resting 3 to 4 inches to the right of center. Whatever you want to call that, it happened.
*no potholes were damaged in the making of this post*

 

[D00KEY]

I've done a bunch of trips through Kansas and have come to one inescapable conclusion.

The best solution on many levels is to not drive through Kansas.

I left 6 years ago. Best decision ever

 

[Windshieldfarmer]

I could see those Kansas potholes at 70-80+mph causing you to need a re-alignment. But the wind shouldn't be enough to put it out of alignment. Unless the tires were worn funny from counter-steering into the wind for hours on end. I could see that happening.

You’ve not been in Kansas lately…wind yes, pot holes, no. Better roads than most states…we don’t have to spend money on things like nice state parks, recreation areas, or tourist attractions!

 

[jromanmd]

Call me crazy...but I wouldn't drive 70+ mph in Sunrider mode. That's asking for trouble which you found. I always stay below 60/65 and avoid highways if possible when using the SR position. I have noticed that the rear and 1/4 rear windows flap A LOT as speeds increase. Not looking to have one of those windows blow out on the highway.

 

[grimmjeeper]

I left 6 years ago. Best decision ever

I end up being stuck having to make the drive if I visit my parents. Either I70 across Kansas or I80 across Nebraska. There really isn't a ton of difference one way or another. Driving a big barn shaped vehicle across the prairie is not fun no matter how you slice it. It's more tolerable in my daily driver, and I get better mileage so that's how I end up making the trip.

Still, driving through the middle of nowhere is better than dealing with airports.

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