Bestop vs Softopper

I love, just LOVE the Khaki Soft-Top. It's a shame it's so expensive at $650.

 

ok, update on the Best top. I kept mine on all winter with the windows out ( to protect them from cracking). i was doing 90 miles of driving at highway speeds every day. The top would be up against a lot of pressure from the air speed on the highway with the windows out. You could see the frame of the top shaking at speed......On a side note the visibility with the windows out is awesome, like its not there.... Anyway, i noticed about 2 weeks ago that the top was shaking more than normal on one side. I checked to bow of the frame and noticed a rivet at the pivot point was sheered off at one end. I checked the other side and it was close behind. so i cut both rivets out and put bolts thru the holes with lock washers and double nuts on both sides. Back to normal, like new. I called Autoanything (who i purchased it thru) they contacted besttop and said new bow frame arms will be at my house in 2 weeks (2 year warranty) free of charge. Ok good, they stood up for their product.
I am still super happy with the best top. I dont think i could live with the limited visibility of the supertop. with that said if i kept the windows in for the winter, the rivets would not have broke.... but the windows may have suffered damage from the cold. I probably should have taken it off for the 3 months that its real cold.

Dont know if this will effect anyones decisions, but i thought I would share my experience. Also i have had it for pretty much exactly one year.

 

Just installed, yeah baby!!!

 

looks great!

 

Has anyone noticed any difference in gas milage or noise level with these?

 

Driven with all the windows zipped, and I've driven with the side windows off today for the Puppy and I haven't noticed any noise at all. Not sure about the gas mileage but I could care less, this is the best upgrade I've done yet.

 

With softopper, there's some wind noise at highway speeds when the front window is installed butit isn't horrible. In roof-only mode, there isn't much noise at all. MPG isn't affected much. I've hit over 20 on highway trips. Just did one through the hill country and was at 18, which I'd consider good at ~80mph

 

cherry

 

It rained last night and I've found water coming in from the middle bow where the seam is. Any suggestions? I emailed Bestop so it'll be interesting to see the customer service response. I'm thinkin seam sealer.

 

I'm considering the Bestop because of the windows & its the same height as the cab. The comments made by some about window problems are from sections of the country that get colder than where I live. Average winter temps are highs in the 50s lows in the low to mid 30s. Would this be cold enough to cause any issues with the windows cracking? Any other durability issues that I need to know about before I purchase one?

 

So I called Bestop and explained my leakage issue. They asked for my receipt from Amazon and are sending out a new canvas. What a great company these guys are.

 

^^^agreed, and thats awesome they are sending a new canvas.

 

Do you guys keep the top on all the time or only put on when you need it? I live in DFW and drive 40+ miles to work and was wondering about the wear and tear if left on all the time.

 

Been driving with it on for two months now and havent noticed any wear to speak of. The back window does get pretty dirty. One thing though, the plastic corners by the tailgate are cracking. Sucks.

 

I cannot speak on anything about the softoppers
Because I never had one. I bought the hardtop for
My taco and I love it.
Never gets water inside nor do I have to worry about
People ripping up my top to get what I have inside.
I can also lock the windows for more security.
I'm going to be rigging lights on the inside so it's easy
To see inside at night when needed.

The cons of it. More expensive that's for sure also
It is more of a pain to take off when you want to
Use the bed without the topper.

 

Sweet.

 

I leave my softopper in roof mode pretty much all the time. No issues at all, but I've only had it a few months. I've driven from Austin to New Mexico a number of times with it fully closed up and had no questions about durability. Your gas mileage will take a hit but, unless the top is put through heavy abuse like hail or tree branches, I think it'll hold up fine.

 

Bought my softopper on Craigslist and called customer service for new weatherstripping. They sent me all sorts of goodies for like $12. Really amazing customer service.

 

I go back and forth on which one I am going to purchase. It honestly might come down to a coin flip. I live in eastern Washington so I am worried about the cold with regards to the besttop windows hmm.

 

Tell me about it. I got an insane deal on it too. Very happy with it so far. May be sleeping in it this week, definitely this summer - will report back with a review.