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Sunrider top???

3K views 23 replies 16 participants last post by  Jeeper182 
#1 ·
Those with a Sunrider top, do you go top open, all the way down or completely off? Why?

It's getting to that time of year (in Texas), where I find my top down more than up. Right now I'm just top open.
 
#3 ·
I take it off if the weather is going to be good for awhile. I figured it might help it last longer. Otherwise I just flip the front part back.
 
#6 ·
In the summer I leave the sunrider open, with the rear window out, most of the time.

I like this setup because it's quick and easy to install the rear window and close the top if an afternoon storm pops up. I usually keep the rear window rolled up in a blanket, stored in a tube, in the Jeep.

I don't usually have the top fully open because the sunrider exposes the entire passenger compartment, front and rear, to the great outdoors and I don't see the need to expose the cargo area. Also carrying all of the windows is a bit more cumbersome and more of a pain to install all three quickly in an unexpected storm.
 
#7 ·
All the way down or off if weather/temps are suitable for a good while. Will just flip the sunrider back and roll up the back window if any bad weather is expected. I've learned you can flip the sunrider closed at a red light if needed, then pull under a cover to close up the rear window.
A Jeep is like an M4....set it up according to mission parameters!
 
#9 ·
I typically open the entire top. I'm gonna get grief for this, I know, but I roll my rear window up and use the rear window hangers, zip out the side windows and put them in the back and take that bad boy down to a convertible. If it rains I have my stuff. Yup, my side and rear window are a bit scratched, but I could not give a flying f&*%,not even a little bit.
 
#10 ·
Most workdays it's Sunrider mode for me. Looks kinda stupid, but it's 90% of the fun for a quarter of the effort. Also, I can just flop it closed after I park at work on "will it rain or not?" days, and again to avoid nighttime dew.
 
#13 ·
i do it alot so I've gotten pretty quick. The one tip I have is in folding it down so it looks good and doesn't flap around. I fold it nice when I pull the sunrider back so it sits as flat as possible. I then un clip both sides and walk around back. I grab the middle of the big flap where the sunrider is folded and pull it down from that point. As it is coming down I just fold that flap in and when the top is down there is no loose fabric. I will try and post some pics tomorrow if I have time
 
#15 ·
I basically have kept my windows hanging up in my garage since the beginning of summer. I only put them back on, when I'm traveling or the threat of heavy rain is in the forecast for multiple days.

I flip back and forth between top all the way down and sunrider. Usually its just how I'm feeling beginning of the week and if I have to drive the kids to school. Its a little chilly in the mornings, so kids like the top up for the early commute, but then I'll switch it back to either all the way down or sunrider mode.

My only issue is I have a beam running through the center of our garage, perpendicular to the garage door that doesn't allow me to clear when I want to lower/raise the top in the garage.

i'm much more conciosus of the weather since getting a jeep, and rarely has a shower suprised me. i think i have 7 weather apps on my phone...
dark sky.
storm
weather channel
jeep weather
yahoo weather.......

I love my premium top in both sunrider mode and all the way down.
Typically even if I'm folding it down, I've found it lays down the best, when I put it in sunrider mode first and make sure the top is properly folded into a W.
When all the way down, the premium top does not fold nearly has flat as the standard top.

This was from earlier this summer -
 
#16 ·
I prefer top all the way down. My son uses the JK as his daily driver and uses the sunrider option often as he is too lazy to deal with the windows. I've noticed that the passenger side sail panel starts to pull free near where the tailgate hinge is and I attribute this to him having all the windows in with the sunrider open. I've seen how far the side windows suck in at higher speeds in this configuration and assume that is what is pulling the panel out of the channel in the tub. I believe it is best to have the rear window out if in sunrider mode. Oh, and this is on a brand new top on a '16 that is very, very tight!
 
#20 ·
I don't think folding this back right. I have the Sunrider folded back like an accordion but when I take it all the way down it doesn't look good.
Just a couple suggestions. First, don't keep the velcro straps attached when lowering the whole top. Fold back into the sunrider position first, then, put the sail panels up onto the top right above the back window opening. Just rest them there. Then, open your tailgate. After that, make sure the clips on the top rails for the sunrider are unclipped. Then, lift up slightly on the folded sunrider and it should fold back and almost fall into the cargo area.

After it's down completely, you can double up the folded material and tuck it under itself as neatly as you can. Don't worry, it's not rocket surgery. Once you have everything tucked in and under you can gently close the tailgate. You should notice that the top fabric sort of loosely sits down in the cargo area bit and makes loading items a little tough but the tradeoff is a somewhat neat and tidy stack.

Finally, my owners manual shows the velcro straps being used to attach the top folded frame to the side of the cargo area. I have a smallish oblong hole that the strap passes through and holds the top down about an inch lower.

Take a look at how mine looks. I have the Bestop Twill and it's pretty thick material. Note my strap just above and to the left of the gas filler door.
 

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#22 ·
Okay guys, pics and info on how I put my jku top all the way down.

First start by properly folding the sunrider back.

Make sure it folds flat and has no creases in the folds


Then unhook the sunrider latches


Then flip the sail panels up



THEN GRAB THE MIDDLE OF THE TOP ON THE BIG FOLD JUST UNDER THE HEADER PANEL
I have to stand on my bumper to grab this spot...


Then grab it here and fold it down keeping the extra fabric folded under.


 
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