Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator

Solid safari top or mesh top? What's your experiences an what would you recommend?

Len

Len

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Sep 6, 2016
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Solid safari top or mesh top? What's your opinion or experiences with either.
 
When I first purchased my TJ, I got a Bestop safari top, duster and windjammer. The Safari top is noisy as heck on the freeway. Ended up selling it and bought a Spiderweb Shade mesh top and love it! Super quiet on the freeway, and blocks the sun quite a bit, and still gives you that open air feeling.
 
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Major advantage of the Spiderwebshade type mesh top is not having to mess with a header, plus it can be left on with either the hard top or soft top on.
 
Just for reference, I have seen plenty of safari tops on CL for sale, have yet to see a mesh top for sale on CL.
 
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bobthetj03 said:
Those look nice, but not sure if they are $200 nice. I do like the better coverage they provide though.
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I looked at the spidershade but I only seen a bikini top. No safari top. I really don't like the rubber bungee an ball fastener. I've had other products with those and they wear out too often. I prefer the price of the spidershade over the jtop but you know what JEEP stands for. Lol.
 
Whats your location?

It depends on if rain protection is important to you at all. If it is I would just go with Bestop's Safari top, if its not and your just looking for sun protection I would definitely go with Spiderwebshade!
 
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Len said:
I looked at the spidershade but I only seen a bikini top. No safari top. I really don't like the rubber bungee an ball fastener. I've had other products with those and they wear out too often. I prefer the price of the spidershade over the jtop but you know what JEEP stands for. Lol.
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Spidy shade makes a safari length. SW2 I believe. I have both the safari version and the bikini version. Had them for 4 years and the bungee's haven't worn out yet. The bikini stays on all winter when I have my hardtop on. Give the other one a try if you got the caps and let us know how it is.
 
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Spiderwebshade Safari top. Been on almost 2 years. No issues at all with fasteners. This stays on all the time. Great sun protection.
20160629_171212-747x1328.jpg
 
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O
EJD said:
Whats your location?

It depends on if rain protection is important to you at all. If it is I would just go with Bestop's Safari top, if its not and your just looking for sun protection I would definitely go with Spiderwebshade!
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rain protection is important to me. I read on here where they are noisy an do flap a lot. Plus I don't have the soft top hardware. Makes sense for the mess to be quieter because the air flows right through. That's my hang up, I want the rain protection but don't have the soft top hardware for it to be tight.
Two things that are for sure when you own or drive a jeep with the top off. Your going to get hot and your going to get wet.
The added header bar for the best top an only Velcro straps to fasten over the doors which leave it looser than if you had soft top hardware. Idk thinking pretty hard on the Jtop.
 
Although I like the idea of mesh, part of the reason I went solid was to keep out the rain. I can run the Safari top damn near 9 months especially with hard doors and if I want it open it is easy to remove and store. If I lived in a perpetually sunny area like SoCal or AZ I would definitely look at the mesh though.
 
The Jtop won't give you any rain protection. Don't even consider a safari top if you don't have the door surrounds. Not only does the door surrounds keep it tight, it also keeps rain from dropping on your lap. Ask me how I know.
 
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Len said:
O

rain protection is important to me. I read on here where they are noisy an do flap a lot. Plus I don't have the soft top hardware. Makes sense for the mess to be quieter because the air flows right through. That's my hang up, I want the rain protection but don't have the soft top hardware for it to be tight.
Two things that are for sure when you own or drive a jeep with the top off. Your going to get hot and your going to get wet.
The added header bar for the best top an only Velcro straps to fasten over the doors which leave it looser than if you had soft top hardware. Idk thinking pretty hard on the Jtop.
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Did not see it on their website, but does Jtop offer a vinyl version of their top that is waterproof? That would be your solution if they did. Although you would still get rain in from the gap between the door and the sport bar.
 
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glwood said:
Did not see it on their website, but does Jtop offer a vinyl version of their top that is waterproof? That would be your solution if they did. Although you would still get rain in from the gap between the door and the sport bar.
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@glwood. No I don't believe Jtop offers a solid top. I'm in TN and pop up showers are quite often. I prefer the solid top but can't find what I'd like. I do like the looks of the mesh Jtop out of all the mesh tops I've looked at.
 
I have a Spiderwebshade and can't say enough good things about it. Hands down one of the best mods I've ever done. It lets just the right amount of sun through, but not enough to burn you or make you uncomfortable. The wife and kids love it too!
 
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I have a solid safari top that zips apart in the middle so I can cover the whole jeep or just the front cab... It's pretty decent. The back half tends to come loose a bit over time, so u have to tighten it down every so often...and the rain does indeed come through the gap between the top and the door... My solution is an accurate weather app that sends me warnings of showers wherever i am, and a light trail cover that I keep in the jeep at all times so if a shower pops up I can cover the jeep in just a few seconds... adds a tiny bit of security as well. And if not, at least the important stuff is protected from the rain. I also take out the carpet and remove all the floor plugs when the hard top is off. Mesh would be nice, but I'm better safe than sorry...
 
Tbird Clair said:
I have a solid safari top that zips apart in the middle so I can cover the whole jeep or just the front cab... It's pretty decent. The back half tends to come loose a bit over time, so u have to tighten it down every so often...and the rain does indeed come through the gap between the top and the door... My solution is an accurate weather app that sends me warnings of showers wherever i am, and a light trail cover that I keep in the jeep at all times so if a shower pops up I can cover the jeep in just a few seconds... adds a tiny bit of security as well. And if not, at least the important stuff is protected from the rain. I also take out the carpet and remove all the floor plugs when the hard top is off. Mesh would be nice, but I'm better safe than sorry...
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I guess the best part is it's not my daily driver. That tends to let you plan ahead.
 
I thought about this for quite awhile before purchasing a Bestop safari.
I throw my camping gear in the Jeep and just go so needed rain protection. I do have the door surrounds though.
 
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