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Bestop Half Top, Installation and Initial Thoughts

8K views 10 replies 5 participants last post by  SaharanTank97 
#1 ·
Hello, this morning is picked up my Bestop Half-Top, for those who have no idea what I'm talking about it combines a duster, bikini, and a Windstopper into one enclosed system. Essentially sealing in the interior of your Jeep. Once I get to the fabric installation I'll admit the photos stop until the install is completed because I used some pretty powerful swears while putting it on that I feared it would imprint on the pictures. Enjoy!

So to start we have the box, it's absolutely massive because of the prebuilt windshield header. This top uses the Bestop Sunrider sunroof system.

Next, there's everything included in the massive box. We have a prebuilt clamp style windshield header, a Z channel to place on the rear step to hold the mesh divider, and the fabric itself that is your new half top. Additionally, 9 screws 4 of one type and 5 of another are included too in order to attach your windshield header and your Z channel.

The next image shows my absolutely ingenious way to mark where I should drill the holes to mount my Z channel which involved shipping labels from the box. To drill the pilot holes for the screws you want to use a 1/8" drill bit.

Continuing this is just a picture of a hole I drilled, nothing exciting. But it could be if you managed to hit a brake line or otherwise. It's extremely important to check where your drilling when drilling into your tub seriously.

The final image in this post as I can only do 5 images is the installed Z channel. Ideally, you want the Z channel to be flush up against the top of the step for ideal placement. When installing this it is recommended to put a silicone sealant in the with the screw to ensure water tightness.

Continued on the next post is the installation of the windshield channel and sunroof set up.
 

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#2 ·
Continuing, place the windshield header where you would normally attach you soft or hard top and clamp it into the windshield. Pretty straightforward but here's a picture anyway. You want to hook that lower hook into the opening on your windshield to ensure that it stays correctly.

Now that your header is secured center the two legs in their corresponding places in either the factory door surrounds or the Bestop style door surrounds. Then once again using a 1/8" drill bit drill a hole in the center and then insert your screw and attach.

Now to finish securing it to the door surrounds detach the header from the clamps at the front of the windshield and then flip it back this in time will open up your Sunrider feature but for now, its to attach another screw. Repeat the drilling and attachment process from earlier.

The final step is to attach the J-strap to the sport bar, the one that is in the middle going across your roll cage. You want the J to be facing upwards to be able to attach to the header and hold the fabric while in the Sunrider position.
 

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#3 · (Edited)
After that I got frustrated :censored: with the fabric and stopped taking pictures. So basically it goes on like any other soft top, bikini, duster or Windstopper. You pop the plastic parts into the factory locations and the Z channel and you velcro around the roll bars.

My initial thoughts on the top are its great. I might even sell my hardtop and I live in the North East, depending on how well this goes. But it fits great and it looks great the window is removable with mesh behind it for air flow and the Sunrider feature is great for some open air driving.

Now, more importantly, I have pictures of the completed install from the inside and the outside. In the last picture you'll see a PVC prop I made for the back to keep water off I used the measurements from this post Custom Tonneau Prop Writeup the images are dead but I'll post one in the next post of what it looks like.
 

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#5 ·
I see that you got the Wraparound Windjammer. I have the same thing that I use for my half top. Since I don't have a back seat, That's the only top I use now.

During the Winter, (Arizona Winter, but it still gets cold..ish), it works great. With less cab to warm, the heater doesn't have to work as hard to keep you warm. It keeps you dry, too. I highly recommend it.
 
#6 ·
It's actually not the wrap around its the full one piece half top. The duster/tonno, and the windstopper along with the bikini are all sewn together. This creates a superior seal from the elements. Living in the NorthEast I like that extra confidence haha
 
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