Is a Bestop top worth the upgrade?

[PNW_LJ]

I currently have a Rugged Ridge top of unknown age on my Jeep. When I switched to it from my hard top, my biggest annoyances were the increased noise on the freeway and the crappy zippers on the side windows.

I have an opportunity to get a brand new in box Bestop Black Diamond soft top for a pretty good deal. I'm wondering if anyone has upgraded from a cheap soft top to Bestop black diamond and noticed a difference in noise?


I know there is also a Twill fabric available, but I don't forsee myself buying a new one at that price (might as well buy a hardtop imo). So specifically interested if there's a difference in noise between a cheap vs expensive top given same fabric.

 

[JustDandee]

Not an answer to your question but something I did to reduce the noise.

I installed this hooke molle panel




the idea here is to put a rolled terry towel above this to pad/give gentle support the soft top as it bridges from windshield header to the roll bar. This significantly address the fabric slap I got going down the highway. Reducing the distance the fabric has to "crack the wip". I also put some towels on top of the rear sound bar speaker pods to soften the contact there as well.

Just sharing the tip.

Dan

 

[John Cooper]

I have had 2 Bestop Trektop NX on 2 of my TJ's. Both of them exceeded my expectations.

 

[Apparition]

I can't speak for the comparison, my LJ has a trektop NX and I've liked it.

I'm strongly considering the Rampage top for the other jeep as @NashvilleTJ seems to like his. It's much more cost effective.

 

[MeanGreen86]

I picked one up for a steal from a buddy when my stock soft top rear window ripped. I have half doors year round so its not super quiet but you can have a conversation on the highway. if you're running hard doors its better.

 

[John Cooper]

I can't speak for the comparison, my LJ has a trektop NX and I've liked it.

I'm strongly considering the Rampage top for the other jeep as @NashvilleTJ seems to like his. It's much more cost effective.

Same here, but the Trektop NX is doing a great job and it's brand new.

I know @AndyG is running a different top and seems happy with it, I just can't remember which one he is running.

 

[suicideking]

I replaced my OEM top with a Bestop black diamond sailcloth top. It's for the most part exactly like the OEM top. The twill is more of an upgrade. If you like the OEM look, you really can't do better.

That said, I'd like to eventually get the Trektop NX because I like the fastback look. The frameless also looks better when using it as a bikini top.

 

[PNW_LJ]

Not an answer to your question but something I did to reduce the noise.

I installed this hooke molle panel

View attachment 479609


the idea here is to put a rolled terry towel above this to pad/give gentle support the soft top as it bridges from windshield header to the roll bar. This significantly address the fabric slap I got going down the highway. Reducing the distance the fabric has to "crack the wip". I also put some towels on top of the rear sound bar speaker pods to soften the contact there as well.

Just sharing the tip.

Dan

Good tip!

I assume a bikini top would work for that purpose.

 

[PNW_LJ]

I replaced my OEM top with a Bestop black diamond sailcloth top. It's for the most part exactly like the OEM top. The twill is more of an upgrade. If you like the OEM look, you really can't do better.

That said, I'd like to eventually get the Trektop NX because I like the fastback look. The frameless also looks better when using it as a bikini top.

I really like the fastback tops too, and I’d like to get one eventually.

 

[TheBoogieman]

I know @AndyG is running a different top and seems happy with it,

He's happy with any top, as long as his lug nuts are torqued to spec.

 

[John Cooper]

He's happy with any top, as long as his lug nuts are torqued to spec.

Poor guy, he gets picked on a lot.

 

[Apparition]

I really like the fastback tops too, and I’d like to get one eventually.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Poor guy, he gets picked on a lot.

Didn't you put the" duck of death" on his rear bumper, then take and post the pics?

 

[JustDandee]

Good tip!

I assume a bikini top would work for that purpose.

Bikini tops can fix lots of things.
Just not sure if you could mount both to the windshield header?

 

[Rickyd]

I put a bestop supertop with the sunrider bs on my tj. It doesn't fit well and is a bear to take on and off. The only bonus is the aluminum bar across your head that keeps it from flapping

I put a quadratop on my dads jeep that fits great and is easy to remove and install.next time i need a top I'll go this route with my factory frame.

 

[John Cooper]

Didn't you put the" duck of death" on his rear bumper, then take and post the pics?

No sir, that was @tr21triton all the way!!!!!!

I might have encouraged him a little though.

 

[PNW_LJ]

View attachment 479622

I want to!

That BNIB oem style bestop I found locally, said he’d take $250.

I could probably get it and either install or find someone to trade for a bestop frameless.

 

[Apparition]

I want to!

That BNIB oem style bestop I found locally, said he’d take $250.

I could probably get it and either install or find someone to trade for a bestop frameless.

I’ve got two Bestop oem style tops, I should sell because I’ve got no desire to run them.

When I got my Trektop in 2018

 

[JustDandee]

I’ve got two Bestop oem style tops, I should sell because I’ve got no desire to run them.

When I got my Trektop in 2018

View attachment 479625

are you duck shopping here? discounted ducks no less...

 

[Apparition]

are you duck shopping here? discounted ducks no less...