Looking for some user experiences here. I have a hardtop currently and want to get a soft top for the spring/summer. Originally I planned to just find a good deal on a used OEM soft top, but then I came across a potentially good deal on a Bestop Trektop. I understand the trektop doesn't fold completely down (haven't yet decided if that's a deal breaker for me) but the windows can come out and the front section folds back for sunrider style
What I want to know is which top is easier to work with as far as going to "topless" mode?
I like my Trektop NX for the most part. However i always keep my top on as bikini. Side and rear windows are very easy to remove and put back. If you like to be able to completely go naked then its not for you. I also prefer the slant look of Trektop NX. With that said, i wouldn't mind having OEM soft top too. Trektop NX is just half the price. I'm looking forward for new Trektop Glide from Bestop which comes out in spring. It has slant look, no zippers and can completely fold down like OEM soft top.
I have not tried the OEM JK top, so can't give a comparison. But I am really happy with the Trektop. Spent a lot of time last summer with the back rolled up and front folded open, like shown in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppVAXnYsQ-g
This makes it feel nearly topless and is easy to do.
The OEM top is only marginally easier to go completely topless. The only real difference is the frame stays attached so its easier to "stow-n-go".
For the Trektop you simply need to roll it, rear to front, unhook the header bar (just like the OEM) and pull two spring pins for the sunrider arms. You can then put it in the same location the OEM top folds down to. Only additional thing would be a pair of bungees or other straps to hold it down/secure.
Why do many of us think the Trektop is better? It's quieter - the basic OEM top gets stretched out by the frame then flops and flaps. Material weight is between the basic OEM and premium top so it's a bit more robust. The slant back. And the safari/bikini mode kicks butt. I live close to Galveston, TX so run most of the summer in safari mode - the extra shade is nice when it's blistering hot and we also get pop-up rain storms out of nowhere and this helps to save the radio, clock spring, and avoid severe swamp ass when you get caught in one!
Your jeep is a making the trektop pretty convincing. Looks awesome! With the hardtop I've really only taken the panels off, and sometimes the hot sun is brutal The safari top looks pretty cool
I had both the factory and the Trektop NX on my JK. Found that the Trektop was much easier to put up/take down than the factory top, and it did not make my cargo area useless when the top was down.
I found that I ran the Jeep with the sunrider back and the rear windows out most of the time, and the bikini section over the rear seat did not bother me much. Only issue I had was the bikini portion would flap a lot in that configuration, and much worse when the doors were off.
I ran the factory hard top in the winter, especially since in the 2-door there is no room for the freedom panels.
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