Lowering the soft top

[Bestop]

Oh man, I totally dropped the ball on responding, i am SO SORRY!

It has been crazy around here. I just reached out to one of our OEM Engineers for some insight, I am not that familiar with the OEM top. As soon as he responds i will update, sorry about the delay!

CassieAtBestop

Hi Cassie, thank you so much for offering to help us out here. Please take a look at this post: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...ete-list-in-one-spot.15328/page-9#post-398676

We're looking for guidance on the right way to do this. I posted a video of how I interpreted the manual, and several others agreed, but since then, others have seen that this doesn't appear to be right and might actually cause damage to the top. However, if you don't lock it in place like that, then the top floats up quite a bit at highway speeds, which also doesn't seem right.

Appreciate any feedback that you can provide on the right way to secure the top in the down position.

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[rallydefault]

Guys, you push the top down until you hear the click, and then you can wrap it with a couple velcro straps if you don't want it to bounce. It's really nothing more complicated than that.

I've done it dozens and dozens of times and nothing's been torn, punctured, set on fire, or detonated.

 

[OldGuyNewJeep]

Guys, you push the top down until you hear the click, and then you can wrap it with a couple velcro straps if you don't want it to bounce. It's really nothing more complicated than that.

I've done it dozens and dozens of times and nothing's been torn, punctured, set on fire, or detonated.

I 100% agree. The "click" the manual is referring to, in my opinion, is the lock mechanism. On my 2dr, I've established that there's absolutely, positively no way pushing the top down further than the point the lock engages will do anything other than cause damage. The bounce is harmless. (Maybe it's more pronounced on a 4dr, I dunno.)

I did see the video in the other thread where the forum member with a 4dr seems to be able to "click" his top below the tub rail, but that's a definite no-go on my 2dr and I'm willing to bet will cause some nice rug-burn on his top over time.

Personally, I use these to keep things tidy and bounce-free, but only when I know I'll have the top down for a long time. If I think it's going to be down for just the day (rain's a comin') then I don't bother. Once you're over 20MPH you can't hear the bounce, anyway, so who cares as long as the locks do their job?

 

[DravenGSX]

Oh man, I totally dropped the ball on responding, i am SO SORRY!

It has been crazy around here. I just reached out to one of our OEM Engineers for some insight, I am not that familiar with the OEM top. As soon as he responds i will update, sorry about the delay!

CassieAtBestop

No worries. Appreciate your help!

 

[Bestop]

Hey Guys,

I have an update for you!

Question from Forum:
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...ete-list-in-one-spot.15328/page-9#post-398676
“We're looking for guidance on the right way to do this. I posted a video of how I interpreted the manual, and several others agreed, but since then, others have seen that this doesn't appear to be right and might actually cause damage to the top. However, if you don't lock it in place like that, then the top floats up quite a bit at highway speeds, which also doesn't seem right. Appreciate any feedback that you can provide on the right way to secure the top in the down position. “

This is what i received Back form our OEM Engineer:
Outlanderbz is operating the lock feature correctly. It takes a little effort to get it to engage. It should be noted that the top should be latched in the down position for driving AND removal of the soft top.
Also I did watch the DravenGSX video where he demonstrates that the fabric needs to be managed away from the tailgate bar receivers at each corner. There is very little package space in that area. May want to coach people to do that if they are having difficulty.

I hope this helps you out!
*CassieAtBestop

 

[DravenGSX]

Hey Guys,

I have an update for you!

Question from Forum:
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...ete-list-in-one-spot.15328/page-9#post-398676
“We're looking for guidance on the right way to do this. I posted a video of how I interpreted the manual, and several others agreed, but since then, others have seen that this doesn't appear to be right and might actually cause damage to the top. However, if you don't lock it in place like that, then the top floats up quite a bit at highway speeds, which also doesn't seem right. Appreciate any feedback that you can provide on the right way to secure the top in the down position. “

This is what i received Back form our OEM Engineer:
Outlanderbz is operating the lock feature correctly. It takes a little effort to get it to engage. It should be noted that the top should be latched in the down position for driving AND removal of the soft top.
Also I did watch the DravenGSX video where he demonstrates that the fabric needs to be managed away from the tailgate bar receivers at each corner. There is very little package space in that area. May want to coach people to do that if they are having difficulty.

I hope this helps you out!
*CassieAtBestop

Thanks for the quick turn around!

I'm a little confused though. It was @outlanderbz that demonstrated managing the fabric away from the tailgate bar. Did the engineer get the usernames turned around on the videos? I guess the real question is, should we be locking that bar behind the tailgate bar receivers at each corner by pushing down (with some effort), or not?

 

[OldGuyNewJeep]

Hey Guys,

I have an update for you!

Question from Forum:
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...ete-list-in-one-spot.15328/page-9#post-398676
“We're looking for guidance on the right way to do this. I posted a video of how I interpreted the manual, and several others agreed, but since then, others have seen that this doesn't appear to be right and might actually cause damage to the top. However, if you don't lock it in place like that, then the top floats up quite a bit at highway speeds, which also doesn't seem right. Appreciate any feedback that you can provide on the right way to secure the top in the down position. “

This is what i received Back form our OEM Engineer:
Outlanderbz is operating the lock feature correctly. It takes a little effort to get it to engage. It should be noted that the top should be latched in the down position for driving AND removal of the soft top.
Also I did watch the DravenGSX video where he demonstrates that the fabric needs to be managed away from the tailgate bar receivers at each corner. There is very little package space in that area. May want to coach people to do that if they are having difficulty.

I hope this helps you out!
*CassieAtBestop

Now more confused than ever. There’s just no way to do that on a 2dr without causing damage.

 

[digitalbliss]

Now more confused than ever. There’s just no way to do that on a 2dr without causing damage.

Maybe @BestopTeam should produce a proper video instead of forum members.

 

[Bestop]

Yeah, he got them backwards, sorry!

Here is his answer to your question:
You may need to position the fabric and bar behind the tailgate bar to allow the latching mechanism to fully engage. When driving in the Sunrider position or top down position the top needs to be latch. Failing to put the top in the locked position may allow the top to bounce while driving.

Additionally, when removing the top for storage the top needs to be in the locked position. Failing to put the top in the locked position prior to removal will make the reinstallation difficult.

CassieAtBestop

Thanks for the quick turn around!

I'm a little confused though. It was @outlanderbz that demonstrated managing the fabric away from the tailgate bar. Did the engineer get the usernames turned around on the videos? I guess the real question is, should we be locking that bar behind the tailgate bar receivers at each corner by pushing down (with some effort), or not?

 

[Bestop]

This is an OEM top we develop for Mopar, it is not a top we sell, the dealerships and other distributors sell it.

We deal with Aftermarket only over here.

I believe Morris 4x4 made a video when they came to visit us, I'll send them the link.

CassieAtBestop

Maybe @BestopTeam should produce a proper video instead of forum members.

 

[DravenGSX]

Yeah, he got them backwards, sorry!

Here is his answer to your question:
You may need to position the fabric and bar behind the tailgate bar to allow the latching mechanism to fully engage. When driving in the Sunrider position or top down position the top needs to be latch. Failing to put the top in the locked position may allow the top to bounce while driving.

Additionally, when removing the top for storage the top needs to be in the locked position. Failing to put the top in the locked position prior to removal will make the reinstallation difficult.

CassieAtBestop

Thanks Cassie! That's as definitive as it gets. We'll take it. Glad to have y'all as a part of this forum.

For what it's worth, I can confirm what he said about it needing to be locked when removing, or reinstallation will be more difficult. lol

 

[JLGuyFTLD]

Guys, you push the top down until you hear the click, and then you can wrap it with a couple velcro straps if you don't want it to bounce. It's really nothing more complicated than that.

I've done it dozens and dozens of times and nothing's been torn, punctured, set on fire, or detonated.

I LOVE THIS REPLY! LOL

 

[Kadonny]

I tried what this guy did after having the problem with the soft top bouncing all around, and it worked. Not sure if its causing damage or not. Feels like alot of effort to get it to not bounce, but worked for me. Gotta push down pretty hard though.

I tried this multiple times arranging the fabric in various ways to alleviate any fabric in the creases of the frame and I still can't get that click like in this video. To be clear, I do the EXACT same thing as the guy in the video. Take top down, pull fabric out of any frame joints, lock each side with the levers then push on the corners, no click and no final locking down like the video shows. My top is locked with the levers, but it is not locked down like the video, it still bounces a ton. I've resorted to the velco straps, it's the only thing that works.

 

[RussJeep1]

I've done it dozens and dozens of times and nothing's been torn, punctured, set on fire, or detonated.

(Satire--tongue-in-cheek)

I get this "double speak" @rallydefault …

You're trying to get around saying that nuclear fallout IS released when taking down the soft top.

I see what you did there.

(Soon google search will come up with a hit for "soft top and nuclear fallout" simply as a result of this humor.)

 

[RussJeep1]

The problem with mine is that when I try and put it back up it gets caught on the power wiper plug (dual top) every time and I have to unsnap and remove the plug. Anyone else?

Todd..this is a "known" problem..dare I say a product defect in the design of the wiper electric and washing fluid cable holder.

I'd like to find you where it was discussed..maybe here, YouTube..I don't remember.

It's not you.

Suggestion...? Unattached the device that holds the electric and washer fluid cables from the rig. Connect the cables to it (in its detached state) when you're running with the soft top, and just let the 3 things now connected hang off the rig while using the soft top.

Anyone else you ask: everyone else is my reply.

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