Sunrider for Hardtop Seal Problem

[Rhinebeck01]

Nothing to do with the issue mentioned in the OP's post... but...

For those with the Sunrider for Hardtop that is branded JEEP... does your SR have the exposed bolt with threads, as shown covered in this pic on each side of your SR.

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[donmontalvo]

I just installed my BesTop Sunrider, purchased through 4WP in Frisco, TX.

https://donmontalvo.com/2023/06/25/bestop-sunrider-ftw/

both bolts are exposed.

 

[Scopedog]

I found a High Tide Sunrider installation video that shows my problem but only on the passenger side and the guy doesn't notice. The video is three months old so it's probably a 2023:



I think the problem is the positioning of the door seals relative to the Sunrider. I'm in communication with @Bestop and provided them some requested information and am awaiting a response. I may also address the problem to the dealership. I still don't know if this is going to cause a leak but it doesn't look right. I'd like my installation to look like the driver's side of the YouTube video.

 

[Ipaguy713]

I have a high tide and have same issue had some leaking but have since had door seals changed. It was sitting fine with freedom on but scruches driver side upper seal just like this with sunrider on. So far this time no leaks but hate what it does to seal. I do love the function of sunrider was partly why I got the high tide. Not sure if seal is missaligned or if sunrider frame is warped but somethis is not right and this is from Jeep.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

The part that is show flapping out on yours is tucked under on mine. I haven't had any issues with leaks:

 

[Paluss]

I originally had that "flap" tucked under the SR, but that defeats the purpose of the flap to drain water away from inside the Jeep, so I move them on the outside of the SR, like in your picture. What you can do is push the flap flat while closing the door, and it will eventually take shape/mold itself to that position, but takes a while on the driver door as you are constantly opening the door. I dont use my passenger door often, so after about 2 weeks of the door being closed the flap on that side is now flush against the SR frame.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

I originally had that "flap" tucked under the SR, but that defeats the purpose of the flap to drain water away from inside the Jeep, so I move them on the outside of the SR, like in your picture. What you can do is push the flap flat while closing the door, and it will eventually take shape/mold itself to that position, but takes a while on the driver door as you are constantly opening the door. I dont use my passenger door often, so after about 2 weeks of the door being closed the flap on that side is now flush against the SR frame.

This is the 2nd JL I have owned with a Sunrider Hardtop during the past 5 years and neither have leaked with it installed the way I have it in my photos. One thing I don't see in the OP photos are the pieces circled below. Maybe that's the difference?

 

[Scopedog]

The part that is show flapping out on yours is tucked under on mine. I haven't had any issues with leaks:

I don't think it's possible to tuck my flap under the Sunrider bar without creating a more massive, leaking gap. From what I understand, the flap was added to more recent JLs and I think yours doesn't have it.

 

[Scopedog]

What you can do is push the flap flat while closing the door, and it will eventually take shape/mold itself to that position, but takes a while on the driver door as you are constantly opening the door. I dont use my passenger door often, so after about 2 weeks of the door being closed the flap on that side is now flush against the SR frame.

This has been my solution so far.

 

[Scopedog]

This is the 2nd JL I have owned with a Sunrider Hardtop during the past 5 years and neither have leaked with it installed the way I have it in my photos. One thing I don't see in the OP photos are the pieces circled below. Maybe that's the difference?

What year is the Jeep and is the Sunrider Bestop or Jeep branded? I think you don't have the flap that's causing me trouble.

 

[donmontalvo]

Here is what my 2021 JLUR and 2023 Sunrider look like. No leaks even through the touch-less carwash.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

What year is the Jeep and is the Sunrider Bestop or Jeep branded? I think you don't have the flap that's causing me trouble.

Jeep is a 2021 and Sunrider is 2018.

 

[redsyphon]

Not sure if it helps or not, but I fight a leak every few years on my JL with the Sunrider. It looks like it comes from the door seals, but it's actually the top seal between the sunrider and hard top. Replacing it always fixes it.

I believe it's this part: https://www.quadratec.com/p/mopar/hardtop-targa-panel-seal-jl-jt-68368922AE

Basically it leaks down the center and then to the sides and down the doors, especially when turning...

I figure it's because I use the Sunrider almost every day, and that just stresses the seal out over time... ?‍

 

[ratcat]

I recently purchased a 2023 JLU High Tide. It's my fifth Wrangler and my fourth Unlimited (first Jeep was a 2000 TJ) so I have experience with Wranglers. The High Tide is over all my favorite so far (the only major change I want is to eventually get a hard, soft, or hybrid fastback-style top). I installed the included Sunrider and after a few days I noticed that the seal at the front corner was twisted in a concerning way.

All my Wranglers have leaked in various ways and I've always done my best to fix the leaks. I don't know if this particular peculiarity will lead to a leak yet but I'm wondering if other owner's front seal looks the same way with the Sunrider on. It doesn't seem like the door gasket puts much pressure on the seal from a geometric standpoint but if I can fix this before it rains, or a carwash, I would like to. I tried regular double-sided tape and it didn't stick to the seal. I have some heavy duty double-sided tape but I haven't tried it yet. I don't want to try Shoe-Goo or polyurethane, because if it works, it might form a permanent seal between the Sunrider and the seal.

Same here. One pic is with freedom panel and how seal is supposed to lay and the other is with the Sunrider. The two solutions I've read here are 1: Tuck it in which defeats its purpose and 2: train it to lay flat which I'm not fond of either for when the hard top goes back on. I'm surprised to only find a few threads on this as it seems like it would have to be a widespread problem. For now I have removed the Sunrider and will see what Besttop has to say about it.

 

[Scopedog]

I'm surprised to only find a few threads on this as it seems like it would have to be a widespread problem. For now I have removed the Sunrider and will see what Besttop has to say about it.

A lot of people probably don't notice it. @Bestop referred me to the dealership (@Bestop's message is below). The dealership said I might have to leave the Jeep for a week for them to get to it so I didn't do that. Training the seal to sit in a more flat position seems to have worked so I'm leaving it like that for now.

@Bestop's response (21 July):
Good morning. Thanks for sending me pictures. Since your Sunrider top came with your Jeep, it is a Mopar part. Bestop did not make this top for your Jeep. The inside of it does look different. Please take your Jeep to a dealership and have them check it out. Let them know the top for your Jeep is a Mopar part. Mopar is a distributor for Bestop. but we did not make particular product.

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