Sunrider install

[FLAirgunner]

Did you, per chance, send them the pictures of the flap on your 2024? Sadly, alot of these companies say their products work on the 2024s, but in reality, they haven't done much testing, if any at all. It doesn't give me any warm fuzzies knowing the CS Rep who gave this advice has never seen one installed on a 2024!

Sponsored

 

[Trauma Jeep]

Did you, per chance, send them the pictures of the flap on your 2024? Sadly, alot of these companies say their products work on the 2024s, but in reality, they haven't done much testing, if any at all. It doesn't give me any warm fuzzies knowing the CS Rep who gave this advice has never seen one installed on a 2024!

Yeah, good point. The first thing a company which makes OEM products should do is QC on each new model. The ultimate test would be someone who has a 24 that came with a Sunrider and hard top from the factory as an option and has pictures to show what the location and condition of the flap is.

 

[mityike]

Yes, I sent them the pic of mine, as well as the pic JP1 supplied. At first, they said it should be tucked like mine, but when questioned about the flap position when the freedom panels are installed, they corrected themselves and said the flap needs to be completely out. I'm hoping we have someone on here who had this installed by the dealer to see what they did. Not really interested in having to do the QA/QC on this, especially at the price point we all paid.

Is there a list somewhere of all of the changes made between the 23 and 24 model years? I know there are posts for "what fit's" between the model years, but sometimes manufacturers just add the current model year to their listing without test fitting first.

Be interesting to see if they give the same response to someone else inquiring ...

 

[FLAirgunner]

Yea, I feel like a beta tester for some of these companies who are too cheap or too lazy to test themselves to ensure their products actually fit before making claims they do. I know for a fact the nibs used for the install of the Spiderweb Shade do not work on the 2024's, and they fix is really cheap and pathetic compared to the machines aluminum nibs that work with the 2023's and older model JLs.

Another was the Lazfit under hood power lock. The bracket under the dash, where the module is installed changed for the 24 model year, so nothing lines up and the unit can't be installed correctly. In both instances I inquired about the compatability of the product with the new 2024 and was assured they would work, only to find out after purchasing them, that in-fact they did not. It sure would be nice if there was a way we could be compensated for our time and efforts in pointing out their short comings!

 

[Trauma Jeep]

I feel like returning it. I agree that it was not properly tested for the 2024 model. It’s even more upsetting because I sprung for the Mopar one which is more $, but apparently still not correct. Because that extra flap was placed there for a reason and the fact that it is completely flattened seems to defeat the purpose. @Bestop do better!

 

[Texag88]

I'm watching this thread. My 2024 should be here in a few weeks and one of my first mods was going to be a sunrider. I did not include it in the order but was going to add one before next summer.

 

[mityike]

So, adjusted the flaps to the outside and they look like JP1’s pic. Not a huge fan of the look and honestly worried that they will stay down when the freedom tops are back on. Going to try to tape them up and shut the door to see if they will “form” to the plastic rail when the Sunriders on. Definitely hitting Bestop up again in the am.

 

[Bestop]

Thank you to those that tagged us here. The information you were given from the CS rep, is correct, the flap needs to be untucked, as you can see in the video at the 4:42 mark.
QC did test the Bestop Sunrider for Hardtop on a 2024, what they found was that Mopar changed the center of the Hardtop, where the rear center clamp to the Sunrider goes therefore QC made a slight change to the clamp so that it works on all years, 2018-2024. I do believe the same thing was done for the Mopar version that Bestop makes.

Hopefully this helps?
Let me know if you have any other questions or if there is anything else I can hopefully be of help with!

~Crystal@Bestop
www.bestop.com

 

[Trauma Jeep]

Thank you for your response. However, the flaps do not remain erected against the sun rider rail. Instead, they have folded over onto themselves and get pinched and shut upon when the door closes.

 

[Bestop]

Thank you for your response. However, the flaps do not remain erected against the sun rider rail. Instead, they have folded over onto themselves and get pinched and shut upon when the door closes.

How does the rubber piece fold over onto itself if the part of the door rail is sitting in there? You probably need to "train" that piece is all. Did you send any pictures to CS?

~Crystal@Bestop
www.bestop.com

 

[mityike]

Yes, I sent the pics to CS, and communicated the same concerns. The sunrider rail sits lower than the freedom panels do, and the design of the rubber flap on the 24 doesn't allow the sunrider top to sit flush inside the rubber flap, without the flap folding over. "Training" the rubber piece is proving difficult in that it's not rigid enough to retain the shape needed, and continues to fold over when the door is shut. Also, it doesn't appear as though the pic you included is from a 2024 JL (and not a 2024 Galdiator).

 

[mityike]

As shown in this pic, the rubber flap is connected to the Jeep approximately 1" to the right of the end (away from the front) at a point higher (off the ground) than the connection point of the sunrider rail. When the sunroder rail is attached and secured, it pushes this flap over as illustrated. Only way this flap would mold to the sunrider rail like it does to the freedom tops would be to cut the flap allowing it to flex around the sunrider rail, which compromises the flap, and seal.

Here is what the flap looks like on the 2024

 

[mityike]

Here is what it looks like with the freedom panels installed

 

[mityike]

Clearly this flap isn't folded over during the freedom panel installation, and if we "train" the flap to now sit lower when the sunrider is installed, it won't be as effective when the freedom panels are installed.

 

[Trauma Jeep]

@Bestop and @JeepCares what are we to do? This product was obviously not properly tested to work with the door seals of the 2024 JL. There is no way to utilize the modified door seal as intended other then by removing and not using your expensive Sunrider top. Please tell us how this will be remedied?

Sponsored