Sunrider install

[Trauma Jeep]

Hello, I have just installed the Mopar Sunrider on my hardtop JLU. I don’t have a torque wrench and fear that I may have over tighten all or some of the bolts. It seems a little too hard to open/close and one of the hooks doesn’t pop out as easily as my old JL’s soft top did (probably too tight). Has anyone else experienced this issue? Is there a “break in period”? Thank you

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[AndySpill]

Hello, I have just installed the Mopar Sunrider on my hardtop JLU. I don’t have a torque wrench and fear that I may have over tighten all or some of the bolts.

I'm assuming that Mopar's version of the product and that sold directly by Bestop are one and the same. Bestop does make the Sunrider for Stellantis.

I'm not sure if you are relating the degree to which you have torqued the attaching bolts to the difficulty or ease with which closing the top is for you but I really don't see that likely. Most of the bolts clamp the top down to the vehicle, only the interior rear attachment might pull the top towards the back of the vehicle, but even here, the included clamp's design, and the other vertical bolts you tightened first shouldn't allow the top to move much towards the rear simply based on how tightly you torque the clamp's two bolts.



What tool did you use to torque the bolts, that wasn't a torque wrench, that you fear may have over torque those bolts?

It seems a little too hard to open/close and one of the hooks doesn’t pop out as easily as my old JL’s soft top did (probably too tight). Has anyone else experienced this issue? Is there a “break in period”? Thank you

Yes, it's common for fabric tops of various types to be hardest to first work with when new. Fabric gives a bit over time, and this may be your only issue that resolves itself with time and use and sunlight/heat.

You might want to double check how you did the install with the attached video.

 

[Trauma Jeep]

I'm assuming that Mopar's version of the product and that sold directly by Bestop are one and the same. Bestop does make the Sunrider for Stellantis.

I'm not sure if you are relating the degree to which you have torqued the attaching bolts to the difficulty or ease with which closing the top is for you but I really don't see that likely. Most of the bolts clamp the top down to the vehicle, only the interior rear attachment might pull the top towards the back of the vehicle, but even here, the included clamp's design, and the other vertical bolts you tightened first shouldn't allow the top to move much towards the rear simply based on how tightly you torque the clamp's two bolts.



What tool did you use to torque the bolts, that wasn't a torque wrench, that you fear may have over torque those bolts?



Yes, it's common for fabric tops of various types to be hardest to first work with when new. Fabric gives a bit over time, and this may be your only issue that resolves itself with time and use and sunlight/heat.

You might want to double check how you did the install with the attached video.

Thank you. I used the tool kit included with the Jeep.

 

[Gregj]

With the top folded back check the rear corners as there is a tension cable in each side that is attached with a “Z” bar. Make sure the z bar is in the middle of the z in the bracket. Sorry I don’t have pictures.

Gregj
Here is a picture I swiped of the Gladiator forum.

 

[Trauma Jeep]

With the top folded back check the rear corners as there is a tension cable in each side that is attached with a “Z” bar. Make sure the z bar is in the middle of the z in the bracket. Sorry I don’t have pictures.

Gregj

Thank you! Will do.

 

[AndySpill]

Thank you. I used the tool kit included with the Jeep.

Oh...I get it now. I was confused by your wording (my bad) conflating torque wrench with torx bit LOL!

Clearly you have the torx bits and wrench supplied by Stellantis, but by no means is that tiny thing a torque wrench: not the such power is either needed or best to install the Sunrider's bolts.

 

[Trauma Jeep]

With the top folded back check the rear corners as there is a tension cable in each side that is attached with a “Z” bar. Make sure the z bar is in the middle of the z in the bracket. Sorry I don’t have pictures.

Gregj
Here is a picture I swiped of the Gladiator forum.

Are they prone to failure, as pictured above?

 

[Gregj]

Never had any problems with the one we had, but there are reports of it happening.

Gregj

 

[JP1]

With the top folded back check the rear corners as there is a tension cable in each side that is attached with a “Z” bar. Make sure the z bar is in the middle of the z in the bracket. Sorry I don’t have pictures.

Gregj
Here is a picture I swiped of the Gladiator forum.

Thank you! Will do.

so, they finally did away with those damn z-clips.
The tension cable is still there but now mounts with a small screw type-ish thingy...
I hated those damn z-clips...
Old z-clips:

NEW Screw/Binding Barrels:

 

[lindaspins]

Mine is harder to fasten down on one side than the other. I just live with it, I guess.

 

[Trauma Jeep]

Thank you. I just wanted make sure I didn’t screw anything up during install.

 

[Zissou]

You don't need a torque wrench, you can do them by hand. The bits are the same as the torx bits included with the Jeep (T40) so I just use that kit to install/remove it in the spring/winter. I got it down to a 5 min job now.

 

[AndySpill]

Are they prone to failure, as pictured above?

You bet. Bestop did a Sunrider recall on my unit citing a large number of "Z" clip breaks among owners as the reason for the recall.

 

[mityike]

Has anyone installed the Sunrider for hardtop on a 2024? Confused as to whether the seal in the front should go under, or over, the plastic bracket. Seems if it sticks out and over, it will fold when the door shuts. Mopar’s videos aren’t very clear. Shop that did the install said the 2024 rubber seals were different. Thanks.

 

[Trauma Jeep]

I put mine over the seal I believe(as the sun rider has its own articulating surface) the seal serves to buffer between the SR top and roll bar. The shuts tight and I did a car wash test without water intrusion.

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