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Trektop NX tips (video)

19K views 100 replies 29 participants last post by  Jhoun90 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I put together a little video today because I see a lot of comments and questions about the Trektop NX.

One of the main things I hear is people saying the Trektop isn't a good top if you like to go topless. While technically yes, it is harder to remove than the factory soft top, I have come up with a solution for "top down" driving. It's really simple and gives a complete top off feeling.

Then there is the issue of the Trektop being harder than the factory top to put the windows back in. Well I have a trick for that also.

Please check out my video and let me know what you guys think. It's my first ever video so take it easy on me. ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppVAXnYsQ-g
 
#4 ·
I usually leave the windows at home. I check the weather frequently and use an app called Rain Alarm to alert me of incoming bad weather. I've still been caught once or twice without the windows when it's rained before. It's not really a big deal, everything dries out fine.

When I do take the windows with me I just lay them down in the back since I don't have a rear seat taking up a bunch of space. Throw a blanket over them if you want and you'll be fine.
 
#6 ·
I put the windows in the Freedom hard top storage bag and hook over the rear seat then I can still use the cargo area and the freedom bag is lined with a protector separating them.
 

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#5 ·
Great video! I am anxious to try this out on my JKUWW, I think I should be able to roll up just like you did but with just more material AKA 4dr.
 
#11 ·
I've been wanting to know if this method works on a JKU but I don't know anyone that has one...so please report back when you can!

Haha I like how you just rip everything of quickly. Thanks for sharing, you and MNwilly pretty much sold me on this top in another thread.
Yeah I can go from fully installed to topless mode in just a couple of minutes, as the video shows. I was working a little faster than I normally go but really, there's no need to baby it. Putting it back together takes a few minutes longer but its still not bad at all. No worse than the factory top except connecting the last side to the back window. Which I showed you the easy way to do that ;)

Glad you guys like the video!
 
#7 ·
The bummer is I can't try this for another 2-3 months because of the weather. Currently 1 degree out Brrrrrrrrr.
 
#9 ·
Haha I like how you just rip everything of quickly. Thanks for sharing, you and MNwilly pretty much sold me on this top in another thread.

I'm wondering if this will work with the 4dr too. Looks like the 2dr doesn't bolt to the roll bar like the 4dr.
 
#17 ·
Haha I like how you just rip everything of quickly. Thanks for sharing, you and MNwilly pretty much sold me on this top in another thread. I'm wondering if this will work with the 4dr too. Looks like the 2dr doesn't bolt to the roll bar like the 4dr.
The Trektop NX on the 4 dr doesn't bolt to the roll bar but there are two straps that pull the top down and hook into the hole where the large freedom panel screws screw into the sound bar.

You also have a solid bar across the back with retainer clips where the rear window slides in, I could see where this bar would just roll up into the top in order to tuck under the sunrider like espo78 showed in video.

You also have a spring on each side to tuck in and roll up, the spring attaches to a bracket which is mounted on the roll bar.
 
#14 ·
Nice vid!
 
#15 ·
This is awesome! I love the top, but the straps in the back actually began to rip out of mine last year after only a few months of use. 4WP replaced the defective part, but my fear was it would happen again. This is a great way to prevent the stress on the straps and enjoy more sun. Great job, @Espo78. Thanks!
 
#16 ·
That's actually a somewhat common problem. It happened to mine also and Bestop sent me an entire new top portion. Which I haven't installed yet. I guess I'm saving it for when the current top gets worse. It's part of the reason I tried rolling it up. That and to eliminate the flapping when the windows are out.
 
#21 ·
Alright so I was messing around with the top again. I was wondering if there was a way to convert the Trektop into a half-bikini top. I am going to be adding a duster cover to the tub. I wanted a windjammer too but the reviews aren't that great for them.

Anyway, I figured out how to secure the Trektop in "half-bikini" mode and it works pretty well. You can still flip the sunrider back. I only took it on a short trip so far but no issues around town at 40+ mph. Haven't tried higher speeds yet. This requires you to have the brackets from the factory soft top still installed on your roll bar.

I rolled the rear portion of the top up in the opposite direction that I rolled it in the video. Then I secured the rear straps down vertically to the roll bar bracket from the factory soft top. It seems to stay put very well like this. Of course, there isn't as much tension on the top so it sits a lot looser up there. Probably wouldn't do so well in rain, but I wouldn't run this way if it was rainy looking.





 
#22 ·
Hey, Mike!

Do you mind if I link to this thread for Soft Top HELP!!!?
 
#25 ·
Thank you very much! :)

You can now direct people there, instead of having to post a link yourself. :D
 
#27 ·
I may have to get new top on my 2014 JK Sport. I have it narrowed down to a Bestop Replace-a-top or Trektop NX. Concerns I have on Repalace-a top are all those zippers. I have read that on the Trektop NX you lose space inside. I am an avid camper and storage is always an issue in a 2-door. Any advice would be appreciated.
 
#28 ·
You do lose some space, but not that much. Do you pack your Jeep so full that stuff is resting against the windows? Take a look in the back of your Jeep with the top up and look at the space between your windows and the roll bar. That is the space you will lose. You will also lose a little height because the top rests right on the roll bars.
 
#29 ·
Here is another tip. When securing the straps in the back of the JK, instead of just putting the clip under the edge of the lip, secure it into the oblong hole on the side of the rail.

The reason for this from my experience is that no matter how much you tighten the strap, it will fall out of the lip under the rail eventually, but putting it into that hole will secure it so it doesn't come out. Since i've been doing it this way I haven't had it fall out yet and the top seems a lot more secure.

 
#36 ·
Missed this post earlier, and I've had several PM's about it.

It is the Mopar Instatrunk, which I'm not sure is made any longer. Bestop has a metal version that is very similar, mine is plastic.
 
#34 ·
Thanks for the update MNwilly! It's too bad it's not better for the backseat passengers. If only the sunrider bows had another pivot point in the middle of the arm you could fold it in half again, and gain more openness over the rear passengers, unless the rear can't roll up further than what you've shown. If that's the case I guess it's a lost cause unless the whole top got redesigned.
 
#35 ·
I agree some type of accordion style bow might be cool. I have rolled it back as far as it can go, to roll back a little farther you would have to unhook the the springs attached to the cable brackets on each side but this would only get you 2-3 more inches of exposure and then you could tuck it under the sunrider header bar. I don't see this as an option since by the time you unhook the springs you might as well just take of the whole top.

I still like the top, the look of the top and after you use it and remove and install it a few times you find that it is pretty easy to use and flexible.
 
#37 ·
Trektop NX storage on JKU

This has been the best way I have found to go topless and store your soft top on board just in case it rains, Roll up the top completely from back to front and stow behind the back seat on top of the wheel wells with the sunrider bows/bars pointed toward the back. They are just wide enough to clear the roll bar. This is very clean takes up very little space and I still like it better than the way the factory top folds back accordian style and rest and the rear gate.

Vehicle Car Automotive exterior Auto part Subcompact car


Ugh to the upside down and sideways photos...does anyone know how to fix this! :censored:
 

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#40 ·
MN willy, instead of uploading your photos here, try uploading them on photobucket or another hosting site, then put the links with IMG tags here. That's what I always do any my photos are never upside down. Also make sure you are using the proper orientation on your phone when taking pictures. There IS a correct way, even though most image processors will fix the image, the raw data will still be incorrect which is why you have issues when posting pictures directly to the forum.
 
#41 ·
Thx I must be orienting my iPhone the wrong way when taking photos, it is really annoying looking at upside down and sideways pictures.
 
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