How to adjust?

[alltimesaresoon]

No

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[WranglerMan]

No

I had to go back and look at the wire ends you got and then the butt connector and picture it in my head…makes sense and should hold up., would have been ideal if the SR top had a way to remove the broken cable and slide in a new one, I honestly never looked to see how the original is attached to the top

 

[alltimesaresoon]

so this isn't as good as a replacement top under warranty, but i wanted to try a repair to see if it could be salvaged. you end up with a small bump in the back, but it does pull the side taut and put windnoise back to on par with the driver side, so it's viable. I'll post what i tried here with some pictures in the event that it helps someone out of warranty... or stimulates creative thought on a better fix even

EDIT: presteps are: remove the 2 center sunrider bolts in cabin between seats and remove teh 2 sunrider bolts on the side you are working on, to allow access/freedom of movement... found it helpful also to use a chair to reach and keep all the tools you need on a towel on the hardtop next to you

First lace the bicycle wire with barrel stop through the z clip hole

then install it through the butt splice connector

Important step, use a needle nose on the end of the sunrider wire to pull enough slack through the fabric to use in the butt splice, and then hold it in that postion with a visegrip

next install the sunrider wire through the buttsplice connector. you want this much sticking out if you have the broken end of the z clip still there. maybe a little more, but you can adjust it with the set screws to fit after trial

Now set the set screws and then clip the excess bike wire

optional to put an endcap on the bicycle wire to reduce the strafing of the frayed wire, then crimp it. alternatively you could cut it right at the edge of the connector and stow the loose ends inside, but i wanted excess length in case i have to adjust the position of the connector

end result is a sunrider pulled taut, with a little bulge at the back side from the connector

i plan to use my warranty replacement, but i couldn't avoid at least trying to repair the broken one and see if it works. the wind noise issue was fixed and it's back to normal windnoise and not a big whoosh coming in the loose middle of the top.

Set screws can be reset/adjusted with more or less tension in the sunrider wire to improve results, but my first setpoint shown here worked pretty well

ymmv. interested in any improvements others may come up with

 

[WranglerMan]

@alltimesaresoon great job on the repair, the only issue I see and it’s more a cosmetic issue maybe is the way the SR material lays in the side rail, I’m guessing it’s because the butt connector is in that side rail taking up room.

Great job or taking the time to document the steps with detailed pics ??

I have to ask as I never looked but how is the original SR wire attached to the material, I never really looked before I put mine on, maybe your fix will bring attention to Bestop and they may look into a repair kit or possible redesign where that cable can be swapped out for a new one, anyway congrats on the repair.

 

[alltimesaresoon]

thanks, yes that bulge in the back is from the butt splice connector. haven't figured out how to solve that, but it doesn't seem to contribute to wind noise much, merely cosmetic. suppose i could carve out a little of the inside of the SR rail to make a pocket if i really wanted to be precise, but i'd likely crack it through to the z clip hole and all would be lost

 

[NewJLU2019]

WOW, think I will take my Panels off and store them in the bag. I have all the time in the world now. Give me something to do.

Glad you found a solution and the warranty good still.

Hello. @WranglerMan!!!

 

[WranglerMan]

thanks, yes that bulge in the back is from the butt splice connector. haven't figured out how to solve that, but it doesn't seem to contribute to wind noise much, merely cosmetic. suppose i could carve out a little of the inside of the SR rail to make a pocket if i really wanted to be precise, but i'd likely crack it through to the z clip hole and all would be lost

If it is only bunched up alittle in that corner and there are no leaks and no additional noise I would run with that as I believe you are correct by saying if you tried to make a notched area would make that area prone to cracking .

WOW, think I will take my Panels off and store them in the bag. I have all the time in the world now. Give me something to do.

Glad you found a solution and the warranty good still.

Hello. @WranglerMan!!!

Hey Bother hope all is well and I have not had my freedom panels out of their bag since putting my SR on, maybe this fall I will put them back on but here in south Texas as you know it really does not get that cold.

 

[alltimesaresoon]

bulge could be easily eliminated by using fishing wire crimp sleeves like this....
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NBQBB3O/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

but i don't trust them to hold the wires firmly enough, and can't find them big enough to go over the end of the broken off z clip, and don't want to cut it off

 

[WranglerMan]

bulge could be easily eliminated by using fishing wire crimp sleeves like this....
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NBQBB3O/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

but i don't trust them to hold the wires firmly enough, and can't find them big enough to go over the end of the broken off z clip, and don't want to cut it off

Im thinking you are correct as there is a fair amount of tension plus the wind, even though there’s a bulge in your current repair it looks more secure with the set screws.

 

[Gorilla57]

Well.....add me to the list of broken z-clips. Driver's side. Just sent an email to Bestop customer service.

@Bestop please let your CS people know they have an email from me. Thanks!

 

[NewJLU2019]

Well.....add me to the list of broken z-clips. Driver's side. Just sent an email to Bestop customer service.

@Bestop please let your CS people know they have an email from me. Thanks!

Wondering now about these tops long-term.

 

[Gorilla57]

Wondering now about these tops long-term.

Me too. But, my twill version has a lifetime warranty and they will just have to keep replacing it.

 

[NewJLU2019]

Me too. But, my twill version has a lifetime warranty and they will just have to keep replacing it.

Is your top full or Freedom one?

 

[Gorilla57]

Is your top full or Freedom one?

It’s the Sunrider for hardtop/Freedom panel one. It’s 2 years old and is only on during the Jeep for 1/2 the year. I put the Freedom panels back in for the hot summers as I’ve got the headliners in those. Helps keep the heat out.

 

[Prevok]

Well.....add me to the list of broken z-clips. Driver's side. Just sent an email to Bestop customer service.

@Bestop please let your CS people know they have an email from me. Thanks!

Mine broke about 2 months ago. I sent an email and it took a good month before I got a reply. They apologise for the delay and ask you to call. What a waste of time...

Here is the email you'll receive.

I apologize for our delayed response, we are experiencing a much higher volume of emails this season.
For a quicker response and immediate help, we recommend you call our Customer Service at 800.845.3567, so we can get you taken care of. Please have your ticket reference number when you call.
Thank you,
Thank you,
Customer Service Representative
1-800-845-3567
333 Centennial Pkwy | Suite B | Louisville, CO 80027

[email protected]

Bestop.com

Service parts are non-refundable/non-returnable and carry no warranty
Bestop, Inc

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