Sunrider position pointless?

[Rahneld]

Sorry, but you're still confused.
In the owner's manual it says you must remove the rear windows prior to putting it in sunrider position. I'm saying once you've removed them and stored them (and yes, that part is the biggest pain in the ass), the easiest part is pulling it back from sunrider to fully lowered.
Others are saying they ignore the manual and just leave the windows in while in sunrider mode. This scares me.

I think I get and got it on this point at least and certainly see your point--which is, "if you've got to remove the soft windows anyway, as per the manual, what's that big deal about lowering the top completely."

Correct?

I fully agree...except, I don't follow the manual on this one as per the above, and a lot of others don't.

Good, bad, right or wrong, I think this manual recommendation is lawyer speak that certainly doesn't apply to local driving, not that highway driving has been an issue for me.

That's my opinion though. I respect your point.

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[cjaama]

I'd appreciate any such feedback by others who have driven at highway speeds in sunrider mode and windows in place.

 

[cjaama]

I'm getting better at getting the windows in and out, but storage is still a pain.
I'd prefer a soft tonneau cover and a wind jammer (neither of which are available) and I could leave the rear windows out all summer.

 

[robaw]

I'd appreciate any such feedback by others who have driven at highway speeds in sunrider mode and windows in place.

I guess I didn't say it in my previous post, but I have done it. The pressure put on the windows and the wind buffeting that I experienced was enough for me to no longer run that way.

 

[robaw]

I'm getting better at getting the windows in and out, but storage is still a pain.
I'd prefer a soft tonneau cover and a wind jammer (neither of which are available) and I could leave the rear windows out all summer.

When I have the soft top on, I only put the windows on if there is a really good chance of heavy rain. Otherwise I just leave them at home.

 

[Rahneld]

If the sunrider position was more forward, covering the rear seats to keep the kids out of the sun, it would make sense. Like you, I just don’t see the point. With the sunrider for hardtop, it’s great!

With comic intent.

Clearly, I must have been in a dimension 30 minutes ahead, where I read this prior to my initial reply!

Of course, not to hijack the thread, but in continued comic interest, I always ( I actual do not, nor obviously can I) remove my back hard top windows when using the Sunrider product.

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[Tritonman]

I'd appreciate any such feedback by others who have driven at highway speeds in sunrider mode and windows in place.

If you have properly secured the 3 windows and they are tensioned correctly along with the Velcro for the side windows solid, i personally don't believe it to be an issue. I have done it many times with no ill effects.

And hello fellow upstater I'm in Saratoga!

 

[Firemadz]

I'm getting better at getting the windows in and out, but storage is still a pain.
I'd prefer a soft tonneau cover and a wind jammer (neither of which are available) and I could leave the rear windows out all summer.

Rampage Products has both coming out soon, according to their website. I plan to get them for when I’m driving top down so I don’t have to take the windows with me.

With regard to removing the window for Sunrider position, I believe people are misinterpreting a poorly-written owners manual. Nowhere in any of the literature or the bold typed warning does it explicitly say you cannot drive in sunrider position with the windows in. They merely go through the entire process from closed to open, with sunrider explained in the process from open to close.

 

[Rahneld]

What is the point of the sunrider position on the JL?

I had an LJ and I could flip the top back behind the front row quite easily and without removing rear windows. It was a nice, quick alternative. I believe the same was true with JK’s. I understand you have to remove the rear windows in the JL because they are not secured by zippers and they’ll blow out at highway speeds if you don’t.

With the JL the easiest part of taking the top down is the last step where you drop it from the “sunrider” position to fully down. So who benefits by not taking that last step? People that want to save ten seconds? The only other answer I can come up with is people who want the top down driving at lower speeds with the windows in place.

I’ve only had my soft top on a week, so please let me know if I’m missing anything.

Following the rules....

protection of UV sensitive items in the cargo area is about all I can think of. You're correct. It's the following the removal of the soft windows stuff in the manual that's the rub.

 

[cjaama]

Rampage Products has both coming out soon, according to their website. I plan to get them for when I’m driving top down so I don’t have to take the windows with me.

With regard to removing the window for Sunrider position, I believe people are misinterpreting a poorly-written owners manual. Nowhere in any of the literature or the bold typed warning does it explicitly say you cannot drive in sunrider position with the windows in. They merely go through the entire process from closed to open, with sunrider explained in the process from open to close.

Unfortunately they keep pushing the date of the tonneau release back further. Last I've heard was July, so hopefully soon.
I see what you mean about it basically being the first part in the process of getting the top fully down in the manual.

 

[mwilk012]

From the owners manual:


NOTE:
The rear window and rear quarter windows must be removed before lowering the soft top to prevent damage to the top.
...

Lowering The Soft Top Into Sunrider Position
1. After removing the rear window and quarter panel windows, move to the front of the vehicle.

Fully lowering the top is not in the same procedural section of the manual. Damage caused by not following the above steps is 100% on the operator, and should not be covered by warranty.

 

[ThirtyOne]

I do sunrider with windows in all the time. I have it that way now.

 

[cjaama]

From the owners manual:


NOTE:
The rear window and rear quarter windows must be removed before lowering the soft top to prevent damage to the top.
...

Lowering The Soft Top Into Sunrider Position
1. After removing the rear window and quarter panel windows, move to the front of the vehicle.

Fully lowering the top is not in the same procedural section of the manual. Damage caused by not following the above steps is 100% on the operator, and should not be covered by warranty.

Right, and that's the way I read it, but the steps for fully lowering the top proceed from there and don't start with step 1, remove the rear windows.
I can see it both ways, but I do think they want you pulling them or they would have said it.

 

[intentsrig]

I only use the sunrider cruising around town or on the trail.

Sometimes on the trail I’ll take out only the back window too. Just toss it in the back seat.

 

[mwilk012]

I only use the sunrider cruising around town or on the trail.

Sometimes on the trail I’ll take out only the back window too. Just toss it in the back seat.

WARNING!
• Do not drive the vehicle with the rear window up/ removed unless the quarter windows are also removed. Dangerous exhaust gases could enter the vehicle causing harm to the driver and passengers.

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