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lets do so soft top reviews

73K views 75 replies 34 participants last post by  Tj kid 
#1 ·
so you have replaced your top, lets hear about it

brand
style
price
pros
cons
would you recommend?

and of course, pics
 
#2 ·
mine

Brand: Pavements ends
Style: factory replacement, upper doors and tinted windows
color is black denim
price: think I paid $320 from quadratec (picked up, no shipping)
Pros: affordable, looks nice, tight fit, easy to install, no flapping while driving, love the tinted windows, doesnt leak.
cons: window material feels alittle thin when the windows heat up, door uppers dont seem to close all the way( alittle rubber sticking out) , does not come with freash screws for the header (mine were rusty)

would I recommend? I would recommend as a affordable replacement but for a few$$ more, there might be a top that is just a little better. so far holding up well. been on jeep for 2 months
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my top only sags on the left rear due to my frame is damaged and same with the one upper door, the frame is damaged.
 
#28 ·
mine Brand: Pavements ends Style: factory replacement, upper doors and tinted windows color is black denim price: think I paid $320 from quadratec (picked up, no shipping) Pros: affordable, looks nice, tight fit, easy to install, no flapping while driving, love the tinted windows, doesnt leak. cons: window material feels alittle thin when the windows heat up, door uppers dont seem to close all the way( alittle rubber sticking out) , does not come with freash screws for the header (mine were rusty) would I recommend? I would recommend as a affordable replacement but for a few$$ more, there might be a top that is just a little better. so far holding up well. been on jeep for 2 months my top only sags on the left rear due to my frame is damaged and same with the one upper door, the frame is damaged.
is this the sprint top? I was looking at getting their sprint top since its a cheaper end top.

also I think this is a great thread let's get it back up and going
 
#3 ·
flameredTJ said:
so you have replaced your top, lets hear about it

brand
style
price
pros
cons
would you recommend?

and of course, pics
- Bestop
- Trektop NX
- $600-$700

Pros: All the hardware needed to install comes in the package. You get a sweet fastback look. Milage has been slightly better (I may just be thinking that). Easy to remove windows. The sunrider feature is a nice addon too.

Cons: The windows are a little tricky to put back in. On Installation I pulled on the rear strap that holds to the tub (tore 4" of the rear window channel out of the top). Also the zipper for the passenger side window does not stay on the window like the drivers does (It likes to rattle a little).

I would definately recommend this top to anyone that is willing to take their time on the window installation. Overall it is a great top an a great addition to any Jeep.

The top with windows in:

Windows and doors out:
 
#4 ·
- Bestop
- Trektop NX
- $600-$700

Pros: All the hardware needed to install comes in the package. You get a sweet fastback look. Milage has been slightly better (I may just be thinking that). Easy to remove windows. The sunrider feature is a nice addon too.

Cons: The windows are a little tricky to put back in. On Installation I pulled on the rear strap that holds to the tub (tore 4" of the rear window channel out of the top). Also the zipper for the passenger side window does not stay on the window like the drivers does (It likes to rattle a little).

I would definately recommend this top to anyone that is willing to take their time on the window installation. Overall it is a great top an a great addition to any Jeep.

The top with windows in:

Windows and doors out:
is it a PIA to put the windows back in? are they all a single unit or 3 separate pieces? like the bikini top look
 
#7 ·
I bought the Best Top Sail Cloth
over $1000

I had to fold the top where it bolts too the header,the top was too long for my 98,all stock bars and bows in good shape.When measurements were compared to the old top the new one was 1.5" longer.
I contacted best top and they stated there top is correct something must be wrong with my Jeep.
besides that where the soft doors fit into the frames the door skins were slightly too large and the doors dont seal.

once the top was folded the sail cloth was quieter and thicker than the regular best top.
The section where the side windows zip on is tight for finger room,its alot harder to install that the regular top cause there is an extra piece of fabric in that area.

Zipper for the rear window failed in about 8 months,it was lubricated and clean,the thicker fabric makes it very hard for the zipper to curve.

pretty much,I wouldnt recommend this top to anyone unless you have a mall crawler that never goes topless.Not worth the money
 
#9 ·
brand - Bestop
style - Supertop
price - was on it when I bought the Jeep - $?
pros - keeps the elements out
cons - difficult to put on, leaves a lot of erected frame when canvas is folded down
recommend - definitely not. designed for people that never had an OEM soft top. comes with Supertop specific frame/hardware. NOT user friendly and ugly when top down.

 
#24 ·
I've got the same top and we agree, I wouldn't recommend it. It's a pain in the butt to put up and down. I would stick to a factory top with factory hardware and door surrounds. Its pretty hokie how the doors shut against the top fabric.
 
#10 ·
brand - Mopar
style - OEM sailcloth, sunrider (2006)
price - $400 complete, used
pros - seals very well. very quiet (thicker sailcloth material). sunrider function
cons - could be hard to find an OEM in great condition, today
recommend - 100% yes. bought to replace Bestop Supertop (pictured above). nicest soft top I've seen/used

 
#11 · (Edited)
brand - Pavement Ends
style - "Replay Top"
price - $310
pros - looks nice from 20ft away, hasn't faded in 1.5 years, keeps most of the elements out
cons - loud, poor fit, flaps, thin canvas, thin plastic windows
recommend - definitely not. I bought it because I needed a new top ASAP and it was the cheapest option. I knew the material was thinner than OEM or Bestop, as were the windows. That was not the issue. The sides above the doors do not clip in to the door surrounds (plastic too short to stay in place). This causes the top to "baloon" while driving. Canvas is too long...loose material at header bar. Lower clip parts on rear window are two different lengths...both too long.
(literally just bought a used OEM sailcloth top from craigslist last night to replace this top)

 
#15 ·
I got a rampage frameless top. Cost me around 300. Its black, i love how quickly and easily it goes from a full top to a safari top. For the price, can't go wrong. I'm slightly dispointed though, because i've had it for about a month, and I noticed one of the Teeth on one of the window zippers was missing. The top doesn't leak at all! But slightly disappointed with the lack of tooth!!
 
#16 ·
Mopar top review



ok, so I needed a frame and ended up with a complete top courtesy of a WF member who listed it on CL. decided to try this top out for comparison (had just bought new pavement ends "replay" top)

Brand: Mopar
Style: OEM sail cloth in dark diamond kaki from a 2006 TJ
Price: $50 from craigslist. new would retail $950, had to fix a frame strap and had a very small tear in top(no leaking)

Pros: very thick material and windows, tinted windows, very quiet, tight, no leaks, 2003-06TJ frame is thicker than my 97 frame and fit perfectly. oh, and my upper doors shut completely now!

cons: hard to get the window zippers started due to the thickness(kept scratching up fingers), i lubricated them and it helped, back window doesnt roll up, strange color and my upper doors dont match but not too bad.

overall AWSOME top, very sturdy and gonna leave it on for the winter. I would recommend picking up one of these if you find a good deal on craigslist or ebay. would not have been able to afford the best top sail cloth replacement at $930
 
#17 ·
brand mopar
style sunrider-new in the box(s)
price 350 off of creigs list(1200 new) worth the 50 mi drive.
pros tight fit, came complete, black w/tinted
cons straps on frame twisted wrong-need to re attach 1 side(holding
on by a thread)
would you recommend? yes-definatly pays to shop around(everywhere)
 
#18 ·
I love my Bestop Supertop with Bestop's hardware. It all folds back neatly with the bows held down by elastic straps and easily goes back up as well. The zippers are smooth and heavy duty. No leaks. Tinted windows. Tight fit at highway speeds after 2 1/2 years but I use a hard top in winter. I just can't warm up to the looks of the new frameless tops. Not Jeepish enough for my taste.
 
#19 ·
Bestop Supertop only because someone stole my original top frame and all. I am going to install it this week. I see that 50% hate it - 50% love it and that's about how everything is on these forums.
I wanted to get the Sailcloth top but since my OEM frame was stolen (SC must have OEM Frames for '03) and only Mopar sells OEM frames at a rediculas price, I went with the Supertop. Of course since I bought the supertop I now see people on Craigslist selling 2003 OEM frames for $150.
 
#20 ·
i really lucked out, 2003 OEM mopar frame and sail cloth top in good condition for $50 on CL. top was dirty but cleaned up nice and I can see out of the windows. I like this top better than the pavement ends one I bought except the upper doors dont match. leaving it on for the time being anyways. good luck, I have always used best tops on my other jeeps and never had a problem. they were factory style replacements though
 
#21 ·
I purchased a supertop nx for my 99 tj, and put it on a few weeks ago. Geoff had mentioned in an earlier forum post that the material is sailcloth. I found that not to be true when my spice colored top arrived. A call to bestop revealed that only certain colors are sailcloth. The hardware isn't too bad, but not as heavy duty as the original. The header piece that came with it was cracked, but a call to bestop landed me a replacement a couple days later. However, the header corners don't seal well at all, and you can see daylight at both of the top corners of the windshield, so I'm sure another call will be in order. The middle bow and the attachment point on the top don't match up, so the fit is rather poor. Overall, the fabric seems to be well constructed, but the top definitly billows in the wind more than the factory soft top. I love the sunrider option, but the folded material tends to blow down to the top of your head (I'm 6'7" though), but I may have an idea to keep that from happening. I really don't mean for this to seem negative, as overall it is quite a nice top. Just had higher hopes before it arrived, but, it is growing on me.........
 
#22 ·
brand--Pavement Ends

style--not sure

price---300

pros--cheap, seems to be a good top since it's 4 years old, fits great, windows fit good

cons-- thin, little louder than Best top, not sure if it's a con, but the drivers upper window broke after 3 years.

would you recommend---yes, there are better, but if you cant swing 600-700 this is the way to go.

Only pic I have on the net of the top.
 
#23 ·
Well, to add to my reviews, I am running a 06 sailcloth top and pavement ends door uppers and after the rain and wind, the doors leaked and I had a inch of water on the floor. Door uppers never sealed right against the door surrounds. Hope to get sliders in the future
 
#25 ·
Used (like new) OEM.

Best top I ever owned.
Had three BT (Classic) tops throughout the years, they were great, but does not compare to the OEM.
Short lived ride with the SuperTop NX Tj and it was a great top-tight but quiet and no leaks.
Recently bought a OEM top for $500 off Craigslist- I absolutely love it.
ADVICE- I always recommend your local Craigslist when looking for a top. People are happy enough with their freedom top and sell the OEM soft top for cheap, sometimes it's brand new still in the box,
Can't beat that :thumb: :p
 
#30 ·
Brand: Bestop

Style: Sailcloth Replace-a-Top, Black

Price: $430.00 delivered

Pros: Direct replacement for OEM, EASY install, tight fit (leaks less than OEM), MUCH quieter in the cabin (I can actually hold a conversation AND listen to the radio on the highway due to less wind noise, buffeting, flapping, et c.), and the window zippers actually work

Cons: I'll get back to you...

Pics: See all the other posts in this thread; they all look about the same as my top but it's the performance that counts!

YMMV, and invariably will...
 
#31 ·
I'll never own another besttop again. The elastic bands in the back stretched out an the zipper on both sides ripped. Had leak after leak. Half the time the velcro didn't hold to secure the sides of the top down an where the door wraps around the frame. Top was only 2yrs old.
 
#32 ·
My one experience with besttop wasn't a good one either. I bought their soft top frame (my jeep came factory hardtop so I didn't have any). I ordered them new, and they came all scuffed up. Then the plastic clip that connects them to the roll bar broke after two times of putting the top down. Plus they were way overpriced imo. Too bad I couldn't find oem.
 
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