Bestop Sunrider for Hardtop - Jeep '20-Current Gladiator / '18-Current Wrangler JL (Black Diamond)

Exceeds expectations! While the factory "Freedom" Panels work to give a great open air experience, unfortunately we've all learned the hard way that Freedom Panels are cumbersome, heavy, and awkward to use - making it a 'chore' to get the open air experience you want. The Bestop Sunrider Softop solves this problem - it's INCREDIBLY EASY AND CONVENIENT to use when you want to open the top and it's just as easy to close. Additionally the Sunrider is pretty easy to install as well - I did it myself in under an hour just watching a couple vids online. It fits great, looks awesome, is very functional, and does not leak. It's been everything I wanted and more. 100% I would recommend the Sunrider.

2nd UPDATE July 2022: replaced my 2018 green JL with a ‘22 4xE hybrid (also a JL) and was able to keep this Sunrider top for the new Jeep. It’s still working perfectly and STILL THE BEST accessory I’ve bought for my jeep hands down. Even three years later! UPDATE: NINE MONTHS LATER, it’s STILL my favorite accessory ever AND my freedom panels are still in storage. I have never even taken them out again. I flip my Sunrider top open almost every time I drive unless the weather absolutely will not cooperate. LOVE it and still super happy with the purchase. Original post: I absolutely adore this Sunrider top! I recently went from a 2012 Wrangler Sport JK with a soft top to this 2018 Rubicon Unlimited JL with a hardtop, and while I love the new Jeep overall, I was *not* a fan of messing with Freedom Panels to have the open-air experience. I was accustomed to putting the front section of my soft top back at stop lights (because it was so fast), and switching to the Freedom Panels on a hard top was no bueno for me. Enter the Bestop Sunrider top. I heard good things, and my bestie (who drives a 2018 Wrangler Sahara Unlimited JK) both decided to try it out. We tried hers first (same top but a different version that fits the JK, whereas this one I'm reviewing fits the JL). We put the Sunrider top on her Jeep without much trouble, and she loves it! Works great and probably would give it four stars of five, but only because (like other reviewers) we noticed a couple of the bolts could have been longer and would have made the install on that version a little easier. HOWEVER... this twill Sunrider top that fits the JL is another story entirely! This twill Sunrider top for the JL is completely AMAZING. My friend helped me install it, and she and I both had no experience doing anything like this other than putting a similar Sunrider top on her Jeep a week or two earlier. We installed the top in under a half-hour with NO problems, NO profanity (hahaha), and it fit *perfectly*. Every bolt/screw/part fit beautifully and installed easily. It fit so well and came together so easily I was *convinced* the trouble with it would show up either when I drove it or when I took it through the car wash, but I was definitely wrong! I feared bad road noise when it's closed, and I haven't noticed a difference at all (it's still a Jeep after all... not exactly the first choice if you're looking for a super quiet ride). It rides just fine when it's open as well (and perhaps I should use the velcro straps to tie back the top when it's open, but I *never* do and it seems fine). And at the car wash I was *certain* there would be some water getting through somewhere, but it hasn't let a single drop of water inside. It fit so well it's like a factory part instead of a third-party item. I have only had the Sunrider top on my Jeep for a few days now, but I can easily say it's my favorite accessory I've ever purchased. I love that I can quickly flip a couple of clamps and toss the front section back - even at a stoplight - and if it starts raining I can put the top back on just as quickly and easily. I love this Sunrider top so much I've opted not to store my freedom panels in my Jeep and have actually placed them in storage. I won't be needing them for a while. Or perhaps ever. Thanks, Bestop! You made my new Jeep fun. I'd give you six stars if I could!

Highly recommend this product! It was easy to install, you could use an extra person, but if you absolutely had to you can do it with just one person. There is a QR code for a video to help you, it is a little bit different than the actual product but still the same idea. I drove with this on the highway and it was durable and secure. It’s easy to open and close. I was able to do it in my own. I am so happy that I do not have to keep putting my freedom panels on, this is very functional. Having the option to just open my top makes it easy for a comfortable ride when and where ever.

Precis: It's great, they updated it to get rid of the z-clip, it installs easily, and you'll love it. Excellent product. Full version: I'll keep this brief, because there are already tons of reviews for the Bestop Sunrider on multiple online sites. I bought one in July 2023 for my Jeep Wrangler JL. It works great, it looks great, and it seems well made. I can't really address durability, because it's brand new, but it appears to be made from the same high-quality plastic and fabric that Jeep uses and I think it will last. (I paid extra for the twill.) The installed product looks like it came from the factory. Key detail: they have revised the dreaded "z-hook" connection method to attach the tensioning cables during the installation. They replaced them with a loop (or "eye") and small threaded screws. The kit comes with Loctite to make sure the little screws don't come loose. It is very well thought-out, and I compliment Bestop for its continued attention to detail (and, presumably, customer feedback). I rated ease of install at 4 stars instead of 5, because the instructions are not entirely clear in some places. It is mostly a matter of terminology, I think. They obviously put effort into the instructions, but I don't think they're quite good enough. still, the actual install was straightforward if you're even slightly handy with a screwdriver. Anyone who would consider installing this top is capable of it. I did it solo, but if you're vertically-challenged you might want a partner, as the instructions suggest. That was longer than I intended. Great product. If you have the money, just buy it. You'll be happy.

I wish I could go naked, but since I live in an apartment complex and do not have a garage taking my Freedom Panels off has been the best I can do. The Freedom Panels are easy enough to remove and store in the back - but there have been times after a long day I lack the initiative to put them back on. And my neighborhood is not exactly crime-free so leaving my panels off overnight is a risk I shouldn't be taking. Also - the storage bag for my panels has seen better days and I have been considering buying a replacement for it. Then last week I spotted this product in an off-road supplier catalog. It was not on my radar to jump into a mod like this, but given how much I like the open air when I'm driving my Jeep on and off road it seemed like like a no-brainer. I mulled over the price, watched a few videos with installation instructions and reviews, and decided to go for it. I am glad I did. Installation was a snap. Took less than 30 minutes from start to finish. I went for the heavier and more expensive twill version. It looks great! I just returned from road testing it, and it seems to obscure the road noise as much as the panels did. Opening and closing the Sunrider is easy and can be done without leaving the driver's seat. Although I would not recommend messing with this while driving, you can flip it open while moving. However I tried closing it while going around 60 mph and the wind resistance is too strong to do that safely. The only thing I cannot vouch for first-hand is that it does not leak water but I would be very surprised if it did - it appears to fit tightly. I dropped off my Freedom Panels at our storage location. I won't need them anymore. And I have gained the space the panel bag took up in the back. Happy I made this purchase and I look forward to driving with the top open a lot more often.

I’m honestly impressed. First off love this, best purchase. I went with the twill since vinyl isn’t known to withstand very well. It was super easy to install I followed the video and it was that easy. Overall I think 1 hour in total start to finish. Quality, it’s super durable and fits tight. As soon as it was installed I went right to the car wash. I didn’t want to wait weeks and get stuck with it if it couldn’t hold up. It did perfect in the car wash. No leaks! No moisture from the inside! Definitely heard the wind from the air blowing of the dryer it sounded loud but otherwise no issues and it dried almost immediately after coming out of the car wash. And I didn’t go anywhere fancy, we went to a regular car wash to see what it could really withstand. Genuinely happy with this purchase. Can’t wait to use it more! Super easy to open and close. There is a little bit of weight to it if you’re using one arm but it’s definitely doable and doesn’t slam down when you pull it forward. Great purchase, super happy! Strongly recommend if you’re looking for a replacement to the freedom panels.

Top is easy to install ( recommended watching the installation video on Bestops website). Unfortunately I will be returning it after several attempts to eliminate wind noise. I’ve owned several convertible cars, most recent a 2016 Mazda Miata and have never experienced so much wind noise with the top closed. It is quieter with it down then when it is closed. Tried repositioning it multiple times to no avail. I double checked installation to make sure none of the Jeep seals were being pinched or deformed in any way. Everything seems to fit well, but still unbearable wind noise at 40 mph and up. Great concept unfortunately the wind noise issues need to be addressed. It’s a few days later and we’ve decided to keep the top for now. The convenience of being able to easily open and close the top vs the freedom tops out ways the wind noise. I’ll fiddle with it some more or maybe over time the Gladiators seals will relax more and help reduce the whistle. Only time will tell. Product update: after allowing the seals to relax more , leaving the top open and left out in the sun for a day or so. The majority of the wind noise has been greatly reduced. I imagine over time it will continue to improve. Fit and overall quality seem good, no leaks from running through a automatic car wash. Price seems fair ( we replaced the top on our Miata under warranty and it’s list price was over 5k ) so I’m updating my review to 4 stars, not sure on overall durability yet.

Very good product and in fact is available as an option from Mopar when ordering a new Jeep Wrangler. There is even a section in my owners manual on how to install it. Be aware however that the wind noise is EXTREMELY loud when closed at highway speed so you need to be able to live with that