2-door Soft top window rattling/slapping in high winds

[RColey]

I’ve tried looking around, but I haven’t found anyone who’s post something about what I’m currently experiencing. I have a soft top for the first time ever and just want to know if I should be concerned or if it’s just a “jeep thing”.

I live in Oklahoma where the winds can get a bit crazy sometimes and I have to drive on the highway back-and-forth to work for about 60 miles once a week. Depending on what direction the wind is blowing, I have no issues. It’s a little noisy, but not nearly as bad as my old hard top I feel like. Or maybe the sound system is just better ha ha.

However, when the wind is blowing just a certain way, the rear driver window seems to lift up and slap against the body of the jeep . It doesn’t actually lift out of the grooves or anything, but it sounds like it’s about to. It’s a very loud slapping noise and I feel like it’s only coming from the rear driver window as I haven’t heard it on the passenger side. I did have to have my rear driver window replaced after I bought it because it came scratched from the factory, but I made sure to install it correctly. In fact, I’ve taken the top down and putting it up several times, and I never hear this noise from the passenger side only from the driver side. I wish I had a video but it almost sounds like the rear window is going to get sucked out and blow away. Is this just something that I need to get used to with a soft top?

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[Sparty]

Haven't experienced your exact situation

But...some things that will help:

* Turn vent /air on to setting 2 or 3 or higher
* Make sure it's not on recirculating air

I used to get those types of slaps at times when driving behind semis

 

[RColey]

Haven't experienced your exact situation

But...some things that will help:

* Turn vent /air on to setting 2 or 3 or higher
* Make sure it's not on recirculating air

I used to get those types of slaps at times when driving behind semis

Behind semis I get. I’m just paranoid my window is about to pop out of the gutters. Today we had a storm with 50-70 mph winds and it was a bit worrisome being on the highway.

I honestly don’t understand how the vents work though. My windows seem to be “bubbled” when driving with the windows up. They do suck in when the windows are cracked but I was told that was fine.

I know nothing about soft tops unfortunately. I didn’t think about the Oklahoma winds when I ordered but too late now haha.

 

[The Fixer]

I have the same issue with my 2-door as well. I don't think it's the window; I actually think it's the top that's lifting up out of the rain gutter. That little Velcro square they put on the front edge of the windows to hold the top is useless against high winds. I'm not sure why Bestop thought that was gonna work. Especially now that my top is almost 7 years old, the Velcro is basically worn out.

The only thing you should check is the flap on the rear part of the top that is supposed to tuck in alongside the window. It's between the last bow and the rear corner. I have made the mistake of not having that tucked in and the flapping is noticeably worse.

 

[WreckEm711]

I’ve tried looking around, but I haven’t found anyone who’s post something about what I’m currently experiencing. I have a soft top for the first time ever and just want to know if I should be concerned or if it’s just a “jeep thing”.

I live in Oklahoma where the winds can get a bit crazy sometimes and I have to drive on the highway back-and-forth to work for about 60 miles once a week. Depending on what direction the wind is blowing, I have no issues. It’s a little noisy, but not nearly as bad as my old hard top I feel like. Or maybe the sound system is just better ha ha.

However, when the wind is blowing just a certain way, the rear driver window seems to lift up and slap against the body of the jeep . It doesn’t actually lift out of the grooves or anything, but it sounds like it’s about to. It’s a very loud slapping noise and I feel like it’s only coming from the rear driver window as I haven’t heard it on the passenger side. I did have to have my rear driver window replaced after I bought it because it came scratched from the factory, but I made sure to install it correctly. In fact, I’ve taken the top down and putting it up several times, and I never hear this noise from the passenger side only from the driver side. I wish I had a video but it almost sounds like the rear window is going to get sucked out and blow away. Is this just something that I need to get used to with a soft top?

Very normal, I experience the same thing in West Texas.

 

[RColey]

I have the same issue with my 2-door as well. I don't think it's the window; I actually think it's the top that's lifting up out of the rain gutter. That little Velcro square they put on the front edge of the windows to hold the top is useless against high winds. I'm not sure why Bestop thought that was gonna work. Especially now that my top is almost 7 years old, the Velcro is basically worn out.

The only thing you should check is the flap on the rear part of the top that is supposed to tuck in alongside the window. It's between the last bow and the rear corner. I have made the mistake of not having that tucked in and the flapping is noticeably worse.

I had to have one of my windows replaced and this is what was causing it at first. I noticed now it’s a lot quieter once I make sure to properly install it but it’s still a little concerning. Makes me wonder if I should add some more Velcro or something on my own.

I just wish there was a way to secure it and not constantly worry about my window flying out.

 

[au176]

I had the same issue on my passenger side. The corner piece in the top-right-rear of the ST was cracked. I noticed it when I removed the window one time, and was able to by a new corner piece.

Also, if your windows are ballooning out at speed, it sounds like it could be an airflow problem. Your tailgate vents aren't blocked, are they?

 

[RColey]

I had the same issue on my passenger side. The corner piece in the top-right-rear of the ST was cracked. I noticed it when I removed the window one time, and was able to by a new corner piece.

Also, if your windows are ballooning out at speed, it sounds like it could be an airflow problem. Your tailgate vents aren't blocked, are they?

No the vents are not blocked aside from the rear plastic piece. They don’t balloon out exactly. They just expand a bit a vibrate with the wind. When the door windows are down they get sucked in a bit. I thought this was normal.

they ballooned out a bit more yesterday but that was due to driving against 50-70 mph storm winds.

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