So I got a Bestop Supertop. Yeah, not impressed.

I bought a Bestop, Top for my CJ 5 jeep years ago, your pics are a flash back to my investment, under normal use without me ever taking the top off. It lasted about 2 yrs.

The first yr. the plastic windows cracked just driving down the Hwy in the dead of winter with temps below freezing.( plastic and winter don't work, they become brittle)

The second yr. zipper didn't work. Total life at the most 2 yrs. can you send it back?

 

Yeah, I can send it back. I have to eat the cost of shipping both ways. Lesson learned I guess. I'm hoping i can get them to pick up the return shipping because of the seam issue. We'll see. There are just some things you can't buy online without seeing in person first.

 

I hear what your saying about the shipping cost, but your gutt feeling is that your discouraged with it. Send it back, take the small loss, and you will be happy that you did.

 

Softopper = awesome. Just sayin

 

I had issues with mine until I let it sit in the sun for a little while. Yeah its not PERFECT but guess what it does what I need it to do when I want to do it. I got mine because I haul a decent size canoe and I like being able to put it on the truck by myself and if need be Haul ANYTHING I want at the same time.

 

I have a softopper that came off a 2nd gen Tacoma on my 1st gen, I haven't had any issues with the fit at all even being from a different model. I used seam sealer on mine and haven't noticed any daylight from the seams, and it stays watertight. I didn't use the clamps they provide, instead I bolted mine to the bed rail which is a little easier to do on our trucks. Only issue ive had is the fit up behind the cab is a little more spaced than id like but its not bad enough for me to dislike it.. I also picked mine up 2nd hand but no issues here and another vote for Softopper!

Here are a few pics of mine... not as detailed as yours and mine stays rolled up most of the time but fit seems fine to me.















Ive just got to bob the bed to finish it out since it came off a DCSB

 

Can you post some pictures of the side framing members and how they are assembled?

 

Sorry, it is off the truck already.

From the pictures I have seen the softopper has more supporting ribs and appears to be all attached to the bed at one point. The Bestop has two main bows, one front and one rear. The rear one has a secondary bow mounted to it about half way up that supports the middle of the cover. With all three of the bows being at an angle, the fabric just doesn't/won't sit very flat, at least on mine. I really think the whole thing needs to be about 1-1/2" longer overall too.

Damn, somehow I missed your writeup in my searches. I wish I had seen that before making my decision. It may have saved me the trouble. I am trying to find somewhere local to go look at one.

 

Not to add any insult to injury here. I understand you have what appears to be a faulty top. My Bestop is going on 5 years old. While the windows could be clearer and a little rust developed on the saw-toothed track, it is so versatile , weather resistant enough, and I think it looks good. I don't have the fit problems, but it has had a long time to mold to its happy shape. I'd buy one again.

 

That sucks man. I really like my bestop. Keeps dust of stuff when wheeling and camping. Keeps 99% of the water out of the bed. It goes on and off real easy and fits snug.

 

I like the "</rant>"

 

I got one, and although I like it, the supplied hardware is awful. I broke two of the clamps while simply tightening them onto the rails. Also, I ordered replacement clamps 3 weeks ago and they still haven't even shipped. Won't be doing business with them in the future.

 

I got my RMA# and label today. I'm getting a FULL refund.

Definitely not trying to rag on anyone that has a Bestop and loves it. I'm sure i'm just unlucky or botched the install. It does look like it was a little cocked on the frame in the pictures, but honesly it can't be off much. If it was none of the snaps would have gone onto the bows inside. Everything was connected and as straight as I could make it.

Hardware replacement for the supertop I can deal with. I've got plenty to choose from at work.

 

Smart move. And I bet you feel better.

 

Jesus man. I've taken them on and off several times. It's aluminum. Just how hard do you torque them?

OP glad you were able to get it worked out. GL with what ever you decide to get later.

 

Looks like I'm a little late to the party on this one. I have a bestop for my Jeep TJ and I take it on and off occasionally and I can say it's very easy to put it on slightly crooked. 1/4" at the front of the jeep becomes 2" at the rear and none of the windows go back in... it's frustrating, but after several trial and error attempts I've got a system down to get it on and off in about 5 minutes each with minimal effort. I know bestops in the Jeep world are made to fit TIGHT, so every little deviation off square mounting makes a big difference.

 

bummed to see you have a bad experience. I love mine

 

I get that the corners are not going to seal 100% and i'm okay with that. I did take pictures of that area because I was trying to show that it was in place per the directions, and it really needed to be about 1.5" longer.

My biggest problem was with the seams separating.

 

If seAms don't separate it's not rock and fucking roll!

 

Are you sure you installed that correctly? Looks mighty loose. What notch did you have it in?
My brand new one was way tighter then that on the top.

The other stuff comes with the territory of a soft top. After owning a jeep for years, I knew what to expect. It's multiple pieces of fabric stitched and overlapped. If you want water tight and smooth, you're in the wrong ball field. Look for a hard top.

The soft top serves as security/rain protection, while also offering the ease of removal without having to lift a 200lb top off/on all the time.