Topic: Frameless Soft Tops

[chrisfranklin]

My roughly 9 year old Bestop Sail-cloth top started to show it's age while I was putting it on before a rainstorm a couple of days ago.  Trying to stretch the front of the top to get the plastic strip in to the windshield channel, I felt the threads holding the plastic strip on the left side come apart like they practically weren't even there (maybe this can be chalked up to 9 years of UV exposure).

I've got things duct-taped for the time being -- that worked great until I hit 70mph going with the flow on the highway last night.  But I guess I'll reinforce things with more duct-tape for the time-being

I was looking at frameless tops for YJs.  As far as makes, I see the following:

1.  Rampage (YJ version currently comes in black only; with or without door uppers; nice sized Windows; probably made in China)
2.  Softtopper (YJ version comes in different colors;  no door uppers; might be higher quality than Rampage, made in Boulder, Colorado)
3.  Offroad Heroes (formerly California Tops; made by guy in Canada)

Was looking at other sites for some info, but what do you guys think about these frame-less tops (searched under "frame-less" here, found this old post

http://4bangerjp.com/forums/index.php/topic,5384.0.html). 

[Jeffy]

Take it to an upholstery shop and have them sew it back together.

[chrisfranklin]

That's a good idea!   Actually have two zippers that need replacement, also.  Really, otherwise, my Sailcloth top and windows are in decent shape given their age.  
(do have minor concern that my old top may not be sturdy enough to merit repair - guess I'll visit upholstery shop and see what the work will run)


I like the frame-less tops, but I'd like it if could get one with the Rampage design (due larger windows), but manufactured by Softopper, in Spice (original top/trim color on my 4banger) and with matched door skins.      

[chrisfranklin]

Figure an auto/boat upholstery can repair the soft top plastic windshield channel strip.   

Getting Zippers replaced sounds hit or miss.  Saw this page http://www.wranglerforum.com/f33/soft-top-back-window-a-pita-solution-141856.html.  My case, it's the two rear side-windows that had zippers that gave up some teeth, not the rear window. 

Maybe the industrial velcro deal would do (my rear side windows are already held in place with one decent zipper on either side, so they won't do much more than flap/force me to pull over if heavy duty velcro pulls lose on the road).

[Tr00b]

I almost bought a frameless, but they look so stupid, so I felt and so I was told by people who I showed it to... I couldn't get used to it.

I did find a soft top for 150 bucks last summer. Its a 2004 one I believe so its a sailcloth so I was told.

I'd hunt for used OEM. Cheaper than new, usually better quality and fit.

Good luck!

[chrisfranklin]

I almost bought a frameless, but they look so stupid, so I felt and so I was told by people who I showed it to... I couldn't get used to it.

I did find a soft top for 150 bucks last summer. Its a 2004 one I believe so its a sailcloth so I was told.

I'd hunt for used OEM. Cheaper than new, usually better quality and fit.

Good luck!

I'm kind of on the fence about the looks of a frameless top on mine.  Haven't actually seen frameless top in person as yet... Mostly pictures -- black Rampage on TJs.  Certainly sold on those tops (in theory) as far as not messing with a frame 

Right now I'm looking at one of Bestop's Sunrider tops.  Only sold with clear windows which I'd probably sell, then replace with tinted.  It's expensive, but seems to offer some added-value (to me, at least) over a replacement Sailcloth Bestop with tinted windows (what I've got now; cost about $700 for that in '03).  And no storage space on my end for a hard-top, so I'm not even considering those.

[sharpxmen]

they look better on TJs since the rollbar is more square and straight at the back, i've seen one of the California tops (or whatever its called now) on the street and while it didn't look amazing or anything it did look nice and different than the regular soft top which is always a bonus.

[Jeffy]

So you gonna wait till after the rainy season to get this sorted?

I'd still just take the top to an upholstery shop.

The biggest advantage of a frameless top is that you gain 6" of clearance.

[chrisfranklin]

Nah, will probably be a "gift" to self this month...    

Upholstery shop is a great idea.  It's not so much the "surgery" (repair), though, that has me concerned; it's the "patient" (old top, old threading sitting mostly outside, 9 years in the CA sun).

[sharpxmen]

The biggest advantage of a frameless top is that you gain 6" of clearance.

that's a good point, didn't think of it - i'm having trouble parking underground, had to backout a couple of times.
one other thing to consider (and this is just me thinking outloud since I did not use these) is if you can stretch them hard enough so the water won't puddle above the fron seats (between the windshield frame and rollbar)