2 DOOR JL build/order discussions master thread

[Fred]

I heard something the other day, i haven't heard in 6 months . My cooling fan staying on after the engine is turned off. I forgot how loud it is.!

Might be a while here, cold and rain won't go away!

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[PhotoGuy]

I managed to get the hardtop off and my Bestop NX Twill Top installed this weekend! I cranked the hardtop up and down 4 or 5 times getting it just right (let's just say I'll be very unhappy if it falls). I hope those exterior screws have good tensile strength (I spent the whole first night hearing every little sound and thinking "Was that the top falling?!?" ;^).

Nevertheless, after getting the hardtop stowed, it was time to follow the 19 steps found in the Bestop instructions. Let me recommend you read step 11 several times... I had to install and remove bolts at least 4 times because I wasn't thinking and didn't read carefully!

I'm actually very happy with the top. Once it is installed (let me say that again, once it is installed), it's great. Getting it installed is a bit of a PITA, however. My point of comparison is the Bestop NX I installed on my '04 TJ... I have to admit this is a much nicer finished installation, but- truth be told- I prefer the design of the NX for the TJ. The NX for the JL is nicer in that the top profile goes above the speaker pods/sport bar- so there is no bulge. However, to accomplish this, Bestop added 4 (count 'em, FOUR) bows to the NX- and IMO this was a mistake for the following reasons.
1. I am likely to never take this top back off. It is such a pain to rig up all the bows, I cannot see me ever wanting to go through the process again. I'm not even sure how I would store the top once it is removed with all the components that come with this thing. My NX for the TJ was a fairly straightforward piece of kit- and I removed it every winter to use the hardtop. As it is, I will probably hold out for a few months before listing my hardtop for sale (assuming there is another two-door owner in the area that is looking for one). In this regard, more is less IMO. That said, the appearance is a lot nicer with the JL vs the TJ NX top- so I do appreciate that (in fact, I think the Jeep looks a lot sharper with the sloped back of the Bestop than it did with the square factory hardtop).
2. The extra doo-dads extend to the side and back windows. This part isn't as bad, but the windows are definitely more complicated than the TJ version of the NX top. I used to be able to rip off my windows in about 5 minutes (and install them in less than 10). Maybe after a few cycles I'll get that proficient with the JL version, but I doubt it. Fortunately, once the rainy month is done in Dallas, I usually just take the windows off and store them under the bed in the guest room...
3. Of course, since Rampage (which is also owned by Bestop) has seen fit to continually delay launch of their tonneau cover (which I kinda doubt will work with the NX anyway- since the door jamb surrounds extend the whole way back over the front mounting points of the hardtop), I'm going to have to fabricate a rigid tonneau for my cargo area. I have a pretty good idea of how I'm going to build it (the black fabric I'll be using to cover it arrived over the weekend :^), but it just annoys me that- a year and a half after the intro of the JL- manufacturers still can't deliver a part they've been promoting through distributors for at least 6 months now (sorry, rant over).
4. Oh, and one very OCD complaint... Step two of the instructions involves installing 12 little screws to affix the Bestop logo to the door jamb surrounds. I get that every manufacturer seems to think it's okay to plaster their logo on aftermarket parts, but if they want to put the Bestop logo on the door jamb, how about paying someone at the factory to install the 12 tiny screws instead of making me do it for you. Also, I could do without the "BESTOP" lettering that appears right above the center of the rear window. I paid you $1,000 for your part- I think I should get to decide if I want to advertise for you or not. (Yes, I am a cranky old man :^).

End assessment, this will probably be the top that stays on my Jeep for years. The quality of the twill is really, really nice- my drive to the airport this morning was pretty quiet (I'd have to say within a few decibels of the hardtop), the sunrider feature seems to work very nicely, they've added some storage compartments above the driver and passenger's heads, and the top has been really well designed. My only beef is it may have been over-designed.

Nice run down on the top!
Funny, I'm the exact opposite concerning the square back vs the sloped back. I love the looks of the square back. Not only that, but I also love the way I can have the vinyl windows out and top down in less than 2 minutes (yes, less than 120 seconds) and have everything back on in under 5 minutes. I do, however, wish they could be rolled up or folded to be stored but allowances have to be made I guess for the ease of removing & replacing them. Mine is the standard (not premium) soft top.

 

[xTITANx]

Without going back to find where you guys talked about it ealier in this thread. I remember everyone tracking their status somehow. Did you check with your salesman for update or was there a website you checked? I remember Jeep Care or something.

 

[Fred]

To all you guys waiting on your 2019's thinking 6 weeks or so will be tough..... Many of us 2018 owners waited up to 6 months. This forum was a like support group as we were told over and over we would have our Jeeps next month, only to be disappointed. Many were told it was built when it was not so when we called for an update. Then there was shipping delays when they were built. I was very lucky to get a message from someone at FCA the day it was built and was at first skeptical even about that. After receiving updates throughout the night and the next day I knew it was the real thing. We have a birthday coming up on Ma7 17th. I was lucky to get mine shipped in one week.
Here is one of the ways we passed the time....

 

[BostonBilly]

Welcome back! Hope I can make it next year!

It is definitely worth the trip and the train isn't a bad option to get your Jeep there with you

 

[Fred]

It is definitely worth the trip and the train isn't a bad option to get your Jeep there with you

I will look into the train option. I am planning a trip to CO soon but driving is not a realistic option. I used to rent Wranglers right at the Durango area airport by the week but I don't thin they still do that.

 

[Krondor]

Hey John,

What do you make of this leftover catch hook now that we have the EVO skids?

Something tells me this will not end well.

 

[IMBlu]

Thanks! When I knew I was going to get a Jeep this year I read this whole thread. Reading your early build wait times makes me happy mine is only a few weeks away

Ha! Cliche but true: it was all worth it!

 

[IMBlu]

I managed to get the hardtop off and my Bestop NX Twill Top installed this weekend! I cranked the hardtop up and down 4 or 5 times getting it just right (let's just say I'll be very unhappy if it falls). I hope those exterior screws have good tensile strength (I spent the whole first night hearing every little sound and thinking "Was that the top falling?!?" ;^).

Nevertheless, after getting the hardtop stowed, it was time to follow the 19 steps found in the Bestop instructions. Let me recommend you read step 11 several times... I had to install and remove bolts at least 4 times because I wasn't thinking and didn't read carefully!

I'm actually very happy with the top. Once it is installed (let me say that again, once it is installed), it's great. Getting it installed is a bit of a PITA, however. My point of comparison is the Bestop NX I installed on my '04 TJ... I have to admit this is a much nicer finished installation, but- truth be told- I prefer the design of the NX for the TJ. The NX for the JL is nicer in that the top profile goes above the speaker pods/sport bar- so there is no bulge. However, to accomplish this, Bestop added 4 (count 'em, FOUR) bows to the NX- and IMO this was a mistake for the following reasons.
1. I am likely to never take this top back off. It is such a pain to rig up all the bows, I cannot see me ever wanting to go through the process again. I'm not even sure how I would store the top once it is removed with all the components that come with this thing. My NX for the TJ was a fairly straightforward piece of kit- and I removed it every winter to use the hardtop. As it is, I will probably hold out for a few months before listing my hardtop for sale (assuming there is another two-door owner in the area that is looking for one). In this regard, more is less IMO. That said, the appearance is a lot nicer with the JL vs the TJ NX top- so I do appreciate that (in fact, I think the Jeep looks a lot sharper with the sloped back of the Bestop than it did with the square factory hardtop).
2. The extra doo-dads extend to the side and back windows. This part isn't as bad, but the windows are definitely more complicated than the TJ version of the NX top. I used to be able to rip off my windows in about 5 minutes (and install them in less than 10). Maybe after a few cycles I'll get that proficient with the JL version, but I doubt it. Fortunately, once the rainy month is done in Dallas, I usually just take the windows off and store them under the bed in the guest room...
3. Of course, since Rampage (which is also owned by Bestop) has seen fit to continually delay launch of their tonneau cover (which I kinda doubt will work with the NX anyway- since the door jamb surrounds extend the whole way back over the front mounting points of the hardtop), I'm going to have to fabricate a rigid tonneau for my cargo area. I have a pretty good idea of how I'm going to build it (the black fabric I'll be using to cover it arrived over the weekend :^), but it just annoys me that- a year and a half after the intro of the JL- manufacturers still can't deliver a part they've been promoting through distributors for at least 6 months now (sorry, rant over).
4. Oh, and one very OCD complaint... Step two of the instructions involves installing 12 little screws to affix the Bestop logo to the door jamb surrounds. I get that every manufacturer seems to think it's okay to plaster their logo on aftermarket parts, but if they want to put the Bestop logo on the door jamb, how about paying someone at the factory to install the 12 tiny screws instead of making me do it for you. Also, I could do without the "BESTOP" lettering that appears right above the center of the rear window. I paid you $1,000 for your part- I think I should get to decide if I want to advertise for you or not. (Yes, I am a cranky old man :^).

End assessment, this will probably be the top that stays on my Jeep for years. The quality of the twill is really, really nice- my drive to the airport this morning was pretty quiet (I'd have to say within a few decibels of the hardtop), the sunrider feature seems to work very nicely, they've added some storage compartments above the driver and passenger's heads, and the top has been really well designed. My only beef is it may have been over-designed.

Well, Pete, believe it or not, I red the WHOLE thing! Lol!
I’m with you; I’ll have a hard too to sell soon.
I have the boxy soft top. I know it’s blasphemy, but I may just ask dealership to install the soft top for me.
For those thinking, in my opinion getting mine with hard top was a mistake (I’ve said it before); the soft top is so cumbersome to mount, I can’t imagine ever switching back. And now your 500+words convinced me!

 

[IMBlu]

I will look into the train option. I am planning a trip to CO soon but driving is not a realistic option. I used to rent Wranglers right at the Durango area airport by the week but I don't thin they still do that.

The train only goes between DC and Florida. I wish they had at least part cross country.

 

[IMBlu]

Without going back to find where you guys talked about it ealier in this thread. I remember everyone tracking their status somehow. Did you check with your salesman for update or was there a website you checked? I remember Jeep Care or something.

The best one was Jeep Garage. (Is it permissible to say it now?) well, I said it.
The premium membership was i think 35$/yr, and I had access to real updates. Best I thought was to track the shipping progress from factory to Dixiana.
Looking back, the forum here helped everyone hold on. Good ol’ days...

 

[Krondor]

The best one was Jeep Garage. (Is it permissible to say it now?) well, I said it.
The premium membership was i think 35$/yr, and I had access to real updates. Best I thought was to track the shipping progress from factory to Dixiana.
Looking back, the forum here helped everyone hold on. Good ol’ days...

I would say now are the good ol' days... we get to drive our Jeeps.

The wait did suck. Great group though. Stick around and read a while. There's good bits in the pages to keep you distracted while you wait.

 

[cmb]

New wheels are on!

 

[Krondor]

New wheels are on!

Oh hello...

 

[Fred]

New wheels are on!

Looking good!

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