Bestop vs Softopper

I bought through Softopper direct, they matched the cheapest Bestop price I found which happened to be at eTrailer.com. I was emailing, I think the owner, about quality of build etc. I mentioned part of the reason I was torn was due to the Bestop being ~$100 cheaper. He offered to match it.

Love my Softopper, it has been my favorite truck addon to date.

I'm not a fan of the clunky look on the sides of the Bestop, plus I read some reviews about rusting on the hardware with the bestop. I've had my Softopper for a couple years, still pristine. I just cleaned and protected it with some convertible top cleaner this weekend. Looks new.

 

Thanks for the info. The Softopper does seem to be better quality. Is it pretty easy to get used to the limited viability while driving? Also ... tan or black on my taco?

 

Yeah, the visibility is just something to get used too.. cheat your mirrors out a bit. You shouldn't be able to see any of the sides of your vehicle in the mirror.

Black. Just my opinion, not a fan of the tan toppers.

 

I had a bestop for a couple of years and really liked it. Didn't have the softopper to compare it to, but I liked the removable windows. I was able to hang out back there without roasting. Oh, and I also found it for close to $300 on CL

 

Your bestop sucks ass, it's a mental midget...

Oh wait.

Nice find on CL!

 

LOL. well I don't have it anymore (BAMF bed rack + RTT)

I'm not sure you can go wrong with either one. But for $300, it's a no brainer. Ended up selling it for the same amount (threw in the 2 extra clamps I bought for the front)

 

I love the way it just rolls up dude that is sick. Dont like that it is all chrome.... powder coating can fix that

 

On the cold issue....

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/<a href=http://s237.photobucket.com/user/tgreening/media/1983%20CJ7%20Rebuild/SnowJeep1.jpg.html onmousedown=return linkRedir(this); target=_blank rel=nofollow>[ATTACH=full]1610052[/ATTACH]
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This is my CJ in a typical Ohio winter. I've used the same Bestop on this Jeep for about 15 yrs, with the original windows. They are definitely marked up from being rolled up or rubbing hardware, but they've never cracked. Be careful. Then be careful some more.

This top lost a tooth in the rear window a few months after I bought it. I asked if it could be fixed and Bestop sent me a brand new top. I still have that spare top in my garage in it's box.

On my Taco I bought a softopper. Main reason being I could have the Bestop in any color I wanted, as long as that color was black. Now that I have the softopper I'm glad I went with that choice, but I would never hesitate to buy a Bestop product just based on their customer service.

Just to clarify... the Bestop is not installed in this photo. It's just to illustrate the weather it's been subjected to. This particular winter I never bothered with the full top. I ran the bikini top through the winter, generally sans doors.

 

Uhhhh.... i dk about the rest of you but ..... if i lived there i would have a top. Just saying.

 

Bestop installed! Buying a self service auto shop and a heat gun couldn't handle.

 

Anzy was selling Bestops on here for like $540. Comparible to my best offer that was accepted by an eBay seller. So Bestops can be had brand new for ~$100 cheaper than what nearly everyone else is selling for. I haven't been able to track down a Softopper at discount anywhere unless a business is willing to price match.

 

I have a replacement Best Top for a short bed Taco if anyone is interested. It was supposed to go on my 14 Sport but I sold it. PM me if you want a new skin.

 

i am seriously trying to figure out which topper would suit my needs best. I want to be able to put my dogs back there in the bed without them in a kennel but I would really like to know if the front window in the topper(s) are removable so that it would be possible to have the back window open in the truck and be right there. LET ME KNOW PLEASE!!!
thanks.

 

The front window in the Bestop is NOT removable. I believe the Softopper is the same.

 

The Softoppers' is removable. It's just velcro'd on there.

 

the Softopper front window IS removable but you can also have them cut a window for access without removing the front window. They cut an opening and overlay another clear piece that overlaps. They also include some velcro straps so that when you roll up the window you can keep it in place.

 

Awesome PIC!!!

And nice top...

I am thinking about picking up a Bestop this summer.

 

Which top is easier to remove and put back on when needed?

 

Never tried the Bestop but my Softtopper is super easy to take off and put on. One person can easily handle it in under 5 minutes. If you spend 5 minutes taking it off or putting it on, you're going REALLY slow. It's literally two pins. The only issue, and it would be for both, is when it's cold out. Getting it off is not so bad but snapping the snaps can be difficult. You learn how to manipulate the frame to help get the snaps on.

 

I will probably pull the trigger on a Softopper later this summer. I don't like how the Bestop's seams stretch on the supports because it looks like they would be prone to leaks over time. Any truth to that?