Topless Racks??

[AnaBuffa]

Any other options other than Exposed Racks?

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[AnnDee4444]

Nice title.

 

[AcesandEights]

Yeah, build your own. It's pretty easy.

 

[Heimkehr]

Any other options other than Exposed Racks?

Exoskeleton-style roof racks are available that are suited for use on the soft top Wrangler.

Example:

 

[Reinen]

Also, any rack that requires drilling of the hard top will work topless. You just bolt the brackets together without the hard top instead of drilling.

This option is best if you're permanently topless and not raising and lowering a soft top often.

 

[rk911]

Nice title.

Yeah...I thought the forum changed direction.

 

[Westymike]

The Rocklander rack by Adventure Rack Systems. Strongest on the market.

 

[Jbudz511]

Exposed racks are great in case you needed info on them. They work great and tuck right under the soft top. I got them this summer so i haven't run them on my hard top yet but i imagine they will be great. I've had a 3rd party kayak carrier on it and it was great. I also ordered their new kayak basket as well and will see. I ordered the non click on to save a few bucks.

No cons of the exo style set ups. And much cheaper

 

[73TAWM]

Exposed racks are great in case you needed info on them. They work great and tuck right under the soft top. I got them this summer so i haven't run them on my hard top yet but i imagine they will be great. I've had a 3rd party kayak carrier on it and it was great. I also ordered their new kayak basket as well and will see. I ordered the non click on to save a few bucks.

No cons of the exo style set ups. And much cheaper

I have a con for those.
The driver side front bar hits my soft top frame and I must pull the top towards the outside to get it to clear. It has already rubbed the corner of the bar pretty good. The second point that hits is the soft top frame where it scissors, it rubs on the rear extended bolts for the front bar.
I contacted them and they got right back with me, asked for pictures and told me to ask for so and so directly. After looking at photos they asked if it was an aftermarket top (Besttop Trektop Ultra) to which they responded "it fits factory softtop" even though Besttop make that... I have sent them 3 emails since asking for a fix and they have ghosted me. I measured everything they sent to see if switching bars or spinning them would allow just a skosh of movement, but it's the same.

 

[Heimkehr]

I have a con for those [Exposed Racks].
The driver side front bar hits my soft top frame and I must pull the top towards the outside to get it to clear. It has already rubbed the corner of the bar pretty good. The second point that hits is the soft top frame where it scissors, it rubs on the rear extended bolts for the front bar.

I contacted them and they got right back with me, asked for pictures and told me to ask for so and so directly. After looking at photos they asked if it was an aftermarket top (Besttop Trektop Ultra) to which they responded "it fits factory softtop" even though Besttop make that... I have sent them 3 emails since asking for a fix and they have ghosted me.

What matters isn't that Bestop manufactures both the OEM soft top and the slantback-style top on your JLU. Rather, how is the latter designed, relative to its different profile? Are its crossbars, etc. identical in size and placement to the OEM top's construction, or are there variances that may or will cause conflict with the Exposed Racks?

Coincidentally, I was ghosted once by a Jeep vendor after I brought similar fitment issues to their attention. They did so even after I provided prima facie evidence in the form of detailed photographs proving that their part was incompatible, despite the ad copy saying otherwise.

Only when I prevailed in a credit card chargeback request did they finally find their voice again, and send me a prepaid return shipping label. Maybe keep that in mind as a possible option for your situation.

 

[73TAWM]

What matters isn't that Bestop manufactures both the OEM soft top and the slantback-style top on your JLU. Rather, how is the latter designed, relative to its different profile? Are its crossbars, etc. identical in size and placement to the OEM top's construction, or are there variances that may or will cause conflict with the Exposed Racks?

Coincidentally, I was ghosted once by a Jeep vendor after I brought similar fitment issues to their attention. They did so even after I provided prima facie evidence in the form of detailed photographs proving that their part was incompatible, despite the ad copy saying otherwise.

Only when I prevailed in a credit card chargeback request did they finally find their voice again, and send me a prepaid return shipping label. Maybe keep that in mind as a possible option for your situation.

It still works other than I'm going to be missing the black finish on my soft top frame. When I get some free time I will take it off and cut it down along with grinding the excess bolt heights off. If it didn't fit at all I would try that option. It just shows what kind of people they have. Some day I plan on doing a Youtube video of all the parts on the jeep along withthe different types of customer service they each provided. It will be too late then but that's what they get.

 

[Jbudz511]

I have a con for those.
The driver side front bar hits my soft top frame and I must pull the top towards the outside to get it to clear. It has already rubbed the corner of the bar pretty good. The second point that hits is the soft top frame where it scissors, it rubs on the rear extended bolts for the front bar.
I contacted them and they got right back with me, asked for pictures and told me to ask for so and so directly. After looking at photos they asked if it was an aftermarket top (Besttop Trektop Ultra) to which they responded "it fits factory softtop" even though Besttop make that... I have sent them 3 emails since asking for a fix and they have ghosted me. I measured everything they sent to see if switching bars or spinning them would allow just a skosh of movement, but it's the same.

Dang that sucks. Not sure if you've tried calling them or just reaching out via email. I've called to talk to someone several times as o had questions before purchasing and i was able to pick them up in person. The guy i spoke with when picking them up was one of the owners and he was really down to earth. His wrangler was totaled so that was the primary test vehicle, now he has a bronco to test as well.

Anyway tl;dr is try calling if you haven't.

Also i have some rubbing on my rear passenger side bolt that goes through the open hole in the sport bar because that bolt was perfectly straight initially. Haven't fixed it yet lol.

I too wondered about cutting down those tall ass bolts lol

 

[73TAWM]

Dang that sucks. Not sure if you've tried calling them or just reaching out via email. I've called to talk to someone several times as o had questions before purchasing and i was able to pick them up in person. The guy i spoke with when picking them up was one of the owners and he was really down to earth. His wrangler was totaled so that was the primary test vehicle, now he has a bronco to test as well.

Anyway tl;dr is try calling if you haven't.

Also i have some rubbing on my rear passenger side bolt that goes through the open hole in the sport bar because that bolt was perfectly straight initially. Haven't fixed it yet lol.

I too wondered about cutting down those tall ass bolts lol

Initially I contacted them via email with the problem. Then they called me back and we discussed the issue, they asked for photos and he told me to address email to him so he would see the photos and would stay on top of it. Since then I have emailed back three times with zero response from anyone. We usually go to Pittsburgh to watch the Steelers about every 3 to 4 years but we just went last winter, otherwise I would drive it in there and make them look at it.

Other than being a pain that the top has to be tweaked to fit each time, the only thing I'm really concerned with is where the black is rubbing off of the Besttop hardware. I'm concerned that could start rusting.

 

[DBjeepNY]

I had same issue-2 hot spots...the rear bolt on passenger side..I cut it and that was easy fix.
When I close the soft top-- I have to pull if forward and down..but overall I think its been worth it...hope you figure it out.

 

[Capricorn]

I am reading this thread only because of its title.

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