Softop expected life?

[thecritter]

How long should we expect the softop to last before needing replacement? I am asking because all but two of my crossbars are no longer connected to the top. The felt material that connects the top to the crossbar is torn the entire width. The top still functions other than folding it back you have to fold the fabric so it does not bind. It's the twill top and I run it sunrider no doors daily unless raining.

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[hoch]

Yikes. How old is your Jeep?

The Premium soft top on my 2018 has no issues.

 

[Heimkehr]

How long should we expect the softop to last before needing replacement?

That will depend on any number of things:

-The original build quality, as your photos suggest;
-The degree of care provided by the owner (recurring fabric treatment, gentle operation when lowering or raising the top, prompt removal of bird droppings and such, etc.);
-The degree to which the top is used in inclement weather; and
-Whether or not the vehicle is parked in a garage when not being driven.

 

[Riotfunk]

Seems like few years on the JL tops. My JK soft tops never did what I’ve seen on the JLs. And I ran them all year round, deep terrible snows and windy rainy hurricane summers and never had any seam issues.

The JL top puts a lot of force on those areas. And is worse when open.

 

[thecritter]

Yikes. How old is your Jeep?

The Premium soft top on my 2018 has no issues.

2018 the softop has been on from about August of 18 the hard top only used for winter vacations.

 

[thecritter]

That will depend on any number of things:

-The original build quality, as your photos suggest;
-The degree of care provided by the owner (recurring fabric treatment, gentle operation when lowering or raising the top, prompt removal of bird droppings and such, etc.);
-The degree to which the top is used in inclement weather; and
-Whether or not the vehicle is parked in a garage when not being driven.

Not sure what kind of treatment for the cross bar felt? The top has been treated with 303 on the outside a few times.

 

[Heimkehr]

Not sure what kind of treatment for the cross bar felt? The top has been treated with 303 on the outside a few times.

The latter is what I was referring to. ?
As for the cross bar felt on the interior, I'm not sure if there's anything that could provide specific care for it. Possibly it's just a wear item that may be under-engineered for purpose.

I've had my own quibbles with the soft top. Fixed for now.

 

[jromanmd]

That looks bad. I wonder if using the "Sunrider" Position creates a lot of drag on the material from the wind? I do know the top "flaps" around quite a bit in the position, even when using the velcro tie downs.

Also, I agree with a previous poster. I use 303 Twill Protectant every 3 months. My Rubi is going on 1 year old and the top looks just as good as the day it came from the factory. Its a great product, and I recommend it. Unfortunately I do not think that has a bearing on the underside material.

 

[JPAloha]

My 2019 premium soft top is still as new. I typically run it in safari mode or fully down and wonder if your issue is caused / added to by running it in the sunrider position.

Email/phone besttop to confirm but I’d think an appropriate adhesive strip or glue could be used to (re)affix the felt to the top. They should be able to recommend a solution.

 

[S2k Chris]

I’ve had my soft top since 8/18, and I run it ~6 months a year, in all weather (aside from snow). It is garaged nightly. I’ve never done anything other than simple soap and water to protect it. It’s in perfect condition as best as I can tell; my plan is to keep it for a third Jeep if I go that route next summer when this lease is up.

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