Sunrider for JL

[BillG]

A side benefit I’ve noticed, is the gutter waterfall seems to be less with the sunrider than with the freedom panels.

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[Sorbs]

Mine is louder than the freedom tops with sound deadened. But I didn’t think at higher speeds it was significantly worse, although with a head wind it was pretty loud before.

Me too, on windy days my passenger side Freedom panel seemed to be noisest at higher speeds. With the Sunrider installed, it's about the same. I attribute the noise to the vehicle being shaped like a brick and the right angle of the windshield meets to roof there's nowhere for the air to go but into the nooks and crannies.

Oh well, until warmer days when the top will be open, crank up the music a little louder.

 

[Sorbs]

Well I installed one today. It’s raining, so far no leaks.
I’m not a fan of the instructions concerning the ends of the cables. Figured it out, but it’s one of those things that if you did several a day you wouldn’t think twice about, but as instructions are written, good luck....To anyone considering it. Just take your time. Your Jeep tool kit has all the required tools, and it’s not worth paying anyone else to install it.

Agreed, the instructions should state that "needle nose pliers are a godsend" and needed when fishing for those cables.

 

[am1978]

Agreed, the instructions should state that "needle nose pliers are a godsend" and needed when fishing for those cables.

Anyone have any close up pics of the cable ends installed. I am assuming mine are correct based on the instruction images, but real life would be useful. Waiting for a decent day to install it—weather.

 

[Sorbs]

Anyone have any close up pics of the cable ends installed. I am assuming mine are correct based on the instruction images, but real life would be useful. Waiting for a decent day to install it—weather.

I should've but when you're in the heat of..."no, no, this way" or "try it like this" or after staring at it for 5 minutes, questioning its simplicity, and still being confused. Fear not, it is truly a facepalm when it goes together.

 

[am1978]

I should've but when you're in the heat of..."no, no, this way" or "try it like this" or after staring at it for 5 minutes, questioning its simplicity, and still being confused. Fear not, it is truly a facepalm when it goes together.

Have it all assembled, just have not installed it. Everyone keeps making a big deal out of the cables, but seemed easy enough when I did it—wondering if I’m wrong. I’ll snap a pic tonight.

 

[Sorbs]

Have it all assembled, just have not installed it. Everyone keeps making a big deal out of the cables, but seemed easy enough when I did it—wondering if I’m wrong. I’ll snap a pic tonight.

It is easy but can be confusing if you don’t have the left or right side figured out. Once the cable is in it’s no problem.

 

[BillG]

It’s kinda hard to explain, which is probably why the instructions are confusing. I found it easiest to sort of assemble it backwards, then turn the side rails back into position before bolting them. That avoided some of the flexing the cable has to do to be inserted correctly.

 

[WXman]

I'll do that next week. We're supposed to get heavy rain again. Been a wet year around here.

I did run a pressure washer over it last night after a 4-wheeling trip. Had the wand about 10 inches above the top spraying it all down to clean the mud off. Didn't see any water inside the Jeep at all. I'll keep an eye on it.

Parked on a grade in the rain. No leaks.

This thing leaks air, but doesn't leak water. Go figure.

 

[WXman]

Check this out. Shows the issue with the cable ends in detail:

 

[am1978]

Check this out. Shows the issue with the cable ends in detail:

That guys says everything is a PITA, even freedom panel storage in the bag. SMH. It can’t be that bad. I’ll probably install the Sunrider tomorrow on the wife’s JL since my JL runs the softtop in the warmer months.

I am assuming this is what the cable ends should look like pre-fit into the door rails.

 

[Mantacon]

UPDATE: Installed the foam tape pieces provided by @BestopTeam and ran the leak test again, so far so good. I'll keep an eye on it but I think the leak is gone. Here is the images of where the foam tape was added.

 

[am1978]

UPDATE: Installed the foam tape pieces provided by @BestopTeam and ran the leak test again, so far so good. I'll keep an eye on it but I think the leak is gone. Here is the images of where the foam tape was added.

Was it leaking from both sides of the top (driver and passenger)? They provided two strips which you applied to the canvas end? The other two strips on the side rails come on the Sunrider from the factory, right? Mine has the two on the side rails.

 

[Mantacon]

Was it leaking from both sides of the top (driver and passenger)? They provided two strips which you applied to the canvas end? The other two strips on the side rails come on the Sunrider from the factory, right? Mine has the two on the side rails.

No, just leaking on the passenger side. However they gave me a piece for both sides so I added it. Its the area on the material and covering the cable hole.

 

[Slowpoke]

Free review, so take it for what it's worth. Just installed a new SR today. Piece of cake. It's 57° a cloudy so I did a test drive windows up, top closed 70mph. Normal wind noise for a convertible, not bad at all. Had one on a JK so was not surprised. Then I opened it up, 70mph, of course it's windy. I found no need for the velcro tie downs, not rattles, bouncing or flapping. Then I did the garden hose leak test in the driveway. All good. Hope it stays this way. I feel much better now the I can have the roof open. Now if it would just warm up.

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