Sunrider for Freedom top, give me the good, the bad and the ugly.

[Riperoo]

It works really well. Very fast to open and close. In the mtns. with the rain coming and going as fast as it does the top works really nice. The panels while not difficult aren't nearly as convenient. We have opened and closed ours many time on trips to the hills.

Great looking Rubi. Love those lights.

Sponsored

 

[el_guapo]

Great looking Rubi. Love those lights.

The side graphic looks pretty cool as well!

 

[Rhinebeck01]

Love our Sunrider but it has some disadvantages. I can't use a roof rack withthe Sunrider, as I do with the Freedom tops, it isn't hard to remove, with the help of an assistant, when taking a trip with the kayaks.
It is much warmer in the summer and noisier in all conditions.
On the positive side, the Sunrider eliminates carrying the Freedom Panels, a plus in our 2-door, and it cuts a few pounds off the overall weight.
With the Freedom Panels, there were many times we wanted the view but didn't want to deal with removing them for a short drive. The Sunrider is always available to quickly open or close.

@LazyJL

Actually, the Bestop Sunrider for JL Hardtop is a tad heavier then the total weight of your 2 Freedom Panels.

 

[SSWIM]

@LazyJL

Actually, the Sunrider for JL Hardtop is heavier then the total weight of your Freedom Panels.

Really? I take mine off in the winter months and it doesn't feel nearly as heavy ad the freedom panels in the carrying case.
Not doubting you, just interesting.

Sam

 

[Rhinebeck01]

Really? I take mine off in the winter months and it doesn't feel nearly as heavy ad the freedom panels in the carrying case.
Not doubting you, just interesting.

Sam

@SSWIM

I posted a link earlier in this thread... If you want to read through all 36 pages the weights of both and talk about weights is mentioned in there somewhere...

We went back and forth with the Bestop Rep back then regarding actual weights and a discrepancy in what she had posted in regard to weights.

I'm not going to re-read the whole thread .... 8-) Shipping weight of Sunrider is 38# (includes weight of packaging) and a Freedom panel weighs about 12 lbs+-. each.

 

[SSWIM]

@SSWIM

I posted a link earlier in this thread... If you want to read through all 36 pages the weights of both and talk about weights is mentioned in there somewhere...

We went back and forth with the Bestop Rep back then regarding actual weights and a discrepancy in what she had posted in regard to weights.

I'm not going to re-read the whole thread .... 8-) Shipping weight of Sunrider is 38# (includes weight of packaging) and a Freedom panel weighs about 12 lbs+-. each.

Well I'll be. Learn something new everyday.

Sam

 

[LazyJL]

@LazyJL

Actually, the Bestop Sunrider for JL Hardtop is a tad heavier then the total weight of your 2 Freedom Panels.

Just weighted the Freedom Panels, in their bag, 35-lbs.
Quadratech shows the JL Sunrier's shipping weight as 30-lbs.
https://www.quadratec.com/p/bestop/twill-sunrider-hardtop-20-jeep-wrangler-jl
Is their weight legit, who knows? I didn't weigh it when it was delivered.

 

[Rhinebeck01]

Just weighted the Freedom Panels, in their bag, 35-lbs.
Quadratech shows the JL Sunrier's shipping weight as 30-lbs.
https://www.quadratec.com/p/bestop/twill-sunrider-hardtop-20-jeep-wrangler-jl
Is their weight legit, who knows? I didn't weigh it when it was delivered.

@LazyJL

Not that it really matters... but...

Yes, the weight difference is only a "tad" ....

IF you weight your driver's side Freedom Panel on your 2 dr. JL it weighs 11.6 lbs. approx. Then weight your passenger FP. Total weight of the 2 is not 35#. I have a 2 door and have weighed... Read through the thread I mention earlier and the weights are mentioned a few times..

Shipping weight of a SR in Twill is not 30#.

According to Quadratec shipping weight for the heavier Twill offering is 4# lighter then the light weight vinyl .................. Funny 8-)

 

[Dkretden]

@Riperoo …… the Sunrider is utterly terrific. I love mine. Probably my favorite mod on my jeep. i Use it so much, I probably have skin cancer now.

if you are a jeep jamboree attendee, bestop had 10%off coupons last year….. I don’t know about this year….

 

[WranglerMan]

Who cares about the weight, that to me does not matter. The SR is a bit louder than my FP and not as insulated but the tradeoff for the convenience is worth it and nothing to store in the Jeep.

We go to the beach a lot and always have it open but here on the Gulf storms pop up a lot and I have had to dash into a gas station or pullover to pull the FP out of the back and it’s really a pain but now I can just slow down or pullover if needed and flip a couple levers and done so well worth it.

 

[AZ Great White]

Dollar for Dollar this is the best up grade. Been through many car washes and Monsoons with no leaks, very easy to install and enjoy sunshine when you desire it!
S

 

[AMKRubicon610]

I love mine, I’m always opening and closing it. Super easy to do at a stop at an intersection.

Only downside is how much louder the wind noise is, but the pros far outweigh the cons.

 

[griffinm]

FYI…as of this morning (9/12/21), Amazon has the Bestop Sunrider (black twill) on sale for $764.99. Just placed my order. Cheapest I’ve seen and I’ve been waiting for a price drop like this. I verified it’s “new” vs used. I was a little concerned because it said it’s being fulfilled by “Taktic 4x4”, but when I clicked on the seller, it said the detailed seller name is Quadratec. Interesting b/c on the Quadratec web site, they are still listed at the standard $899 selling price. Looking forward to installing the Sunrider when it arrives!

 

[rcadden]

FYI…as of this morning (9/12/21), Amazon has the Bestop Sunrider (black twill) on sale for $764.99. Just placed my order. Cheapest I’ve seen and I’ve been waiting for a price drop like this. I verified it’s “new” vs used. I was a little concerned because it said it’s being fulfilled by “Taktic 4x4”, but when I clicked on the seller, it said the detailed seller name is Quadratec. Interesting b/c on the Quadratec web site, they are still listed at the standard $899 selling price. Looking forward to installing the Sunrider when it arrives!

I've had mine for a few weeks now and it's fantastic. IMO this should really be how the hard top comes - just ditch the freedom panels altogether.

The noise difference is really unnoticeable unless you're listening for it, but the convenience far outweighs any other factor. Far, far outweighs.

 

[miweber929]

FYI…as of this morning (9/12/21), Amazon has the Bestop Sunrider (black twill) on sale for $764.99. Just placed my order. Cheapest I’ve seen and I’ve been waiting for a price drop like this. I verified it’s “new” vs used. I was a little concerned because it said it’s being fulfilled by “Taktic 4x4”, but when I clicked on the seller, it said the detailed seller name is Quadratec. Interesting b/c on the Quadratec web site, they are still listed at the standard $899 selling price. Looking forward to installing the Sunrider when it arrives!

Thanks for this. Just placed my order as well!!!

Sponsored