I have a JKU and when I put the top back to sun rider mode the extra (folded) soft top flops around while driving. It's like a mini parachute lol. Was wondering if you guys were doing something to solve this or if i'm the only one with this problem!
Are you folding it back properly, if you haven't already done it watch mopars and bestop videos on YouTube. I would add according to the owners manual you're not exceed 40 mph with the sun rider top open.
That's not quite right. You can go over 40 with the sun rider, you just have to open the rear window. I do this all the time on my ride home from work. Here's the excerpt from the manual:
NOTE: If you are going to be driving faster than 40 mph (64 km/h) with the Sunrider® feature open, it is recommended that you remove the rear window of the vehicle.
I believe I am, I've seen the videos and I fold it back how it naturally goes. It's hard to explain what I am saying, the wind gets in between the folded parts and kinda opens it up like a parachute
You don't want it to fold down how it naturally goes. When you fold the sunrider back, there are two folds that naturally develop and they are folded towards the front of the Jeep. Those folds need to be pulled to the back of the Jeep. Basically you are creating a sideways "W" with the fabric and you want the two bottom parts of the "W" to be towards the back. They naturally develop towards the front, which is incorrect.
Brand new JK owner (less than a week). I noted the part about taking out the rear window, but we just tried for the first time and for whatever reason couldn't even figure that part out. I unzipped from the passenger side over to drivers side, but couldn't get the zippers to come off in the lower drivers side corner. Is there some trick to that or are we just crazy? We picked it up in the rain so the dealership didn't get to show us how to use the top.
Also I use a car duster to clean the dust off the window and plexus aircraft windshield cleaner before removing the window otherwise it will get more scratched up.
I had no idea about the 40mph thing. I've driven fairly regularly with the top back, and the rear window zipped shut, up to about 85 on the interstate for a couple hours. I've had no issues with it, however I will start unzipping the rear from now on.
Unless you are dropping the top, or needing to put large items in the rear, DON'T remove the rear window.
It is much, much, much, much easier to unzip 95% of the window (start from from passenger side and unzip until there is only a few inches of zipper left) and let the window flop inward into the cargo area......still connected to the window bar. You don't have to mess with the sail panels neither.
I have a Tuffy enclosure, and keep a fleece blanket on top of the enclosure and let the window rest on that. I've taken it on the highway like this many times and the rear window does not move...even when laying on the enclosure. The only time it did move a little bit is when I had the side windows out as well on the highway. Also, when I'm on the highway is the only time I use the velcro straps for the Sunrider.
I travel in Sunrider mode with the rear window flopped down 99% of time. When all 4 windows are rolled down, the rear window flopped inward, and in Sunrider mode...there is so much sun and fresh air, there is really no need to bother with the rest of the top. Plus, I can ride like this up until it actually starts raining becuse it only takes seconds to flip the Sunrider forward and fully zip up the rear window.
Unless you are dropping the top, or needing to put large items in the rear, DON'T remove the rear window.
It is much, much, much, much easier to unzip 95% of the window (start from from passenger side and unzip until there is only a few inches of zipper left) and let the window flop inward into the cargo area......still connected to the window bar. You don't have to mess with the sail panels neither.
I have a Tuffy enclosure, and keep a fleece blanket on top of the enclosure and let the window rest on that. I've taken it on the highway like this many times and the rear window does not move...even when laying on the enclosure. The only time it did move a little bit is when I had the side windows out as well on the highway. Also, when I'm on the highway is the only time I use the velcro straps for the Sunrider.
I travel in Sunrider mode with the rear window flopped down 99% of time. When all 4 windows are rolled down, the rear window flopped inward, and in Sunrider mode...there is so much sun and fresh air, there is really no need to bother with the rest of the top. Plus, I can ride like this up until it actually starts raining becuse it only takes seconds to flip the Sunrider forward and fully zip up the rear window.
This is the first time I have ever hear of taking the rear window out when in sunrider mode. Why?
I have had my 2013 JKU about a year and a half and routinely run on the interstate with the top flopped back and the rear window in.
I also have never used those straps. I can't see the top floping forward against the wind driving down the road. Now I don't do 60mph in reverse either.
Because, think of all the air getting caught in the rear between the two side windows and the rear window if they're all enclosed and the top is open. Taking the rear window out lets the air flow out the rear and not cause excess stress to any of the zippers or other soft top connections.
Sure, people will do it / not do it / have been doing it but it's only until something goes wrong that everything is fine
When I look in the back with all the windows zippered up and the sunrider open I can definitely see the rear window flapping like crazy when I'm going at a faster speed. I always take mine out when going on the highway. I just stick it in the rear seat
I repeat, DO NOT do that. It is a good way to scratch it up being that the windows rubs against itself and the dirt trapped within the windows scratches everything up.
^DO NOT ROLL YOUR REAR WINDOW UP. I repeat, DO NOT do that. It is a good way to scratch it up being that the windows rubs against itself and the dirt trapped within the windows scratches everything up.
I'd say do what you want, and this is merely an option others didn't mention.
What do you do with your rear window?
I'd rather just roll the window up and be done with it. No flapping in the wind. No 'concern' about the condition of my windows. I didn't really buy the thing to keep things nice and neat, if you know what I mean. Purchasing a replacement, if ever necessary, will be a drop in the bucket relatively speaking. I also take my top down frequently, camp, carry a trail box when off-roading (lots of dust), etc. Having dedicated room back there for my delicate windows to lay flat between towels or something fall down the priority list.
I have a question, can you just take the zippers and unzip them from the bottom to the top on each side leaving everything still tucked in and in place. But just having two "slits" where the zippers are unzipped but not having the window all the way out? Almost like you were going to roll it up but not just having it there to let air pass through? Would that do the job just the same?
I have a question, can you just take the zippers and unzip them from the bottom to the top on each side leaving everything still tucked in and in place. But just having two "slits" where the zippers are unzipped but not having the window all the way out? Almost like you were going to roll it up but not just having it there to let air pass through? Would that do the job just the same?
That's what I started doing. I only put my soft top on a few weeks ago and it has only been dry and warm enough to use the Sunrider a few times. I tried the almost full unzip and laying it in the back once but since I don't have a trunk, the window lays all the way down on the floor. Since I have the factory sub it caused a "wrinkle" in the window. I might give that technique another try but I'll likely just stick with raising both zippers to the top corners and let that vent the pressure.
I put the softop back on the jeep 3 weeks ago, and immediatley removed the side and rear windows and hung them up in the garage. It just makes it so much easier to quickly raise and lower the top as needed. I've got caught in the rain, quickly throw the top up, roll up the windows, and the rear gets a little wet, but nothing thats a big deal. Granted I have a garage and a parking deck at the office. Sitting still in a down pour is a different story. I've downloaded a zillion weather apps and so far just really watch the weather closely --- but was in the drive through at chickfila the other day and it started to pour, hopped out and just quickly through the top back up and didn't even clamp or put the side panels in, took maybe 30 seconds.
been driving around mostly just in safari mode with windows down, its pretty awesome.
And if your zippers are hard to pull, I learned a good trick. Attach a dog leash to the zipper and it's much easier to pull. Just don't be stupid and pull too hard and wreck it. Works great on the side windows especially in the spring when it's not hot enough to really stretch the top.
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