Question for Bestop Sunrider owners

[firemk]

I wanted to hear from actual users about their experience.

1. What is the noise difference between the freedom panels and closed sunrider?

2. Do you have any wind buffeting or flapping with the open sunrider?

3. Have you had any mounting issues or leakage issues?

4.Have you noticed interior temperature difference between the closed sunrider and the freedom panels?

Thanks for any replies, information.

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[SpookyXJ]

I wanted to hear from actual users about their experience.

1. What is the noise difference between the freedom panels and closed sunrider?

2. Do you have any wind buffeting or flapping with the open sunrider?

3. Have you had any mounting issues or leakage issues?

4.Have you noticed interior temperature difference between the closed sunrider and the freedom panels?

Thanks for any replies, information.

1)Very slightly louder not a big deal.

2)I don't like having it open above 55-60 mph. It acts kinda like a sail and will reduce your gas mileage. No flapping but the airflow is a bit much at high speed.(might be different on a 4 door with the rear windows) It's great for slow speed and county roads or if you lived in a state where the speed limit is not 75 for the most part. Don't let that stop you though it's way better than the freedom panels. Takes 3 seconds to open or close.

3)No issues. It will still drip in the same place(at the front of the drip channel) as the freedom panels with the door open when its raining just not as much.

4)I'd say it's about the same. AC and heat seem to be just as effective.

 

[Slowpoke]

Sunrider for hardtop?
Had one on the JK.
Have one on the JL.
Would definitely buy again.

 

[Lincoln]

I wanted to hear from actual users about their experience.

1. What is the noise difference between the freedom panels and closed sunrider?

2. Do you have any wind buffeting or flapping with the open sunrider?

3. Have you had any mounting issues or leakage issues?

4.Have you noticed interior temperature difference between the closed sunrider and the freedom panels?

Thanks for any replies, information.

Love mine I don’t really notice any noise difference.No water leaks at all.Very easy on and off.Just took it off for the winter.It took less than 10 minutes Super happy with ours.The only thing is it was a little bit of a pain to assemble the side rails and cables but once it’s together you never have to do it again

 

[Austin TX Jeep Rubicon]

I wanted to hear from actual users about their experience.

1. What is the noise difference between the freedom panels and closed sunrider?

• Do not notice much of a difference. Maybe a little louder with the sunrider, but not too noticeable.

2. Do you have any wind buffeting or flapping with the open sunrider?

• You'll notice some buffeting at highway speeds, but totally worth it. Would highly recommend the sunrider to anyone with a hardtop.

3. Have you had any mounting issues or leakage issues?

• Super easy to install and no leakage issues.

4.Have you noticed interior temperature difference between the closed sunrider and the freedom panels?

• No noticeable temperature differences.

Thanks for any replies, information.

Again, highly recommend. Will never go back to the normal freedom panels.

 

[jespey]

Had it on our 2dr JK.
Going to get it for our JLU. (Besttop, if you are listening—any discounts available?)

 

[MandKM]

Had it on our 2dr JK.
Going to get it for our JLU. (Besttop, if you are listening—any discounts available?)

Northridge 4x4 is offering a $100 gift card with purchase. Not bad.

 

[TJ2018]

Chiming in with the positive reviews. One of our favorite accessories. We have an Alien sunshade underneath to help filter out the hot CA sun while still keeping that open air feel. Slightly louder than freedom panels, but you forget all about that when you can open and close in a matter of seconds and you're not trying to figure out where to put the freedom panels if your cargo area is full.

 

[Bestop]

Had it on our 2dr JK.
Going to get it for our JLU. (Besttop, if you are listening—any discounts available?)

We've got several offers going right now

- Free home installation and 30 day test drive for the Sunrider for Hardtop (click here for info)
OR
- if you want to DIY - a $50 off rebate (click here for all our current rebates)


- the Bestop Team
www.bestop.com

 

[cram501]

I wanted to hear from actual users about their experience.

1. What is the noise difference between the freedom panels and closed sunrider?

2. Do you have any wind buffeting or flapping with the open sunrider?

3. Have you had any mounting issues or leakage issues?

4.Have you noticed interior temperature difference between the closed sunrider and the freedom panels?

Thanks for any replies, information.

I've only had mine on for a couple months. Mine is garaged so I'll probably keep it on year round. We'll see how this winter goes.

1 - I don't notice an appreciable increase in noise. Seems to be fairly close although I have MT's and those are fairly loud.

2 - I have had a little buffeting but nothing that bothers me. At 60+ MPH, I have had some minimal flapping but it is intermittent. I haven't found the source yet.

3 - Mounting was a piece of cake. I've had no leaks yet although it is garaged so I"m not sure how much exposure I've had yet. I have driven in the rain with no noticeable leaks.

4 - For the summer, it hasn't been bad because the sunrider has been open. We'll see how winter goes.

 

[D60]

I get an annoying flapping from mine when the SunRider is closed and windows are open. It's worst if rear windows are open, but now it's started making noise when front windows are open, too

In direct sun it definitely provides less insulation than the factory panels.

I'd still recommend it, but I wish I could get rid of the damn heavy ticking noise when windows are open

 

[wolfdog]

Love it, best thing since ice cream!! Wished I was smart enough to have on my JK's! No worries of whether to bring panels, leave panels or whatever, just great! Our panels are in their bag and hanging up since Match!

Probably put HT panels back in late November cuz we are in snow area, kinda tough taking snow off w/o damage I suppose so...? Otherwise I'd leave it on.

Go Jeep!!!

 

[tma777]

Same results as D60, love it but when it’s closed and widows or window is open it flaps, mostly on passenger side and it creaks. I like being able to open it when I want for the open air but as others have said at highway speeds it acts like a sail and it flaps. I’m usually in Virginia 95 traffic so the highway speed thing in the afternoon isn’t an issue as I’m rarely over 45 mph. It was my first mod and despite the noise I love it. No leaks either.

 

[Bestop]

We appreciate all of the customer feedback in this thread!

Thanks for the support and help in answering some of these questions

- the Bestop Team
www.bestop.com

 

[DanW]

I agree with most assessments above. Mine has been leak free and I run it at highway speed.

I run mine from about October to May, then go to the soft top. Between then, there are always some warmer days here and there, so it is good to be able to pop it open quickly and not have the pain of removing/reinstalling the Freedom panels.

Here's another big advantage...I was running a great trail Saturday that was under the cover of lots of thick trees/leaves. It was raining off and on, so I was able to quickly open/close without stopping, to stay dry. (We were on a slow trail, in low range, so I didn't have to latch it.) I'd also close it when the Jeep brushed the vegetation causing water to drop off the leaves. I must have opened and closed it 20 times. It also enabled a great view of the fall colors!

I have one on my JK, as well, and I run it year round. The JK has the sun screen. I'm scratching my head as to why @BestopTeam hasn't come out with this simple but outstanding feature yet. My JK will leak in a high pressure touchless carwash for just a split second. The JL version doesn't leak, at all. Not a drop.

The only issue I've had with the JL version is some creaking on the driver side. I have tried to fine tune the tightness of the fasteners to eliminate it. The best so far has been for the front bolt to be tight and the rear a bit loose. The issue is magnified when on a tough off-road trail where the suspension is contorting. That flexing goes right through the body of the Jeep. Before tuning it, I'd hear it every time I hit even the smallest bump. I've got a few other ideas to stop it, but haven't tried it yet. The good news is that even with the rear bolt loosened, it still does not leak a drip.

It will be perfect when that sun shade comes out. PLEASE @BestopTeam , get this feature on the market before Spring!

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