Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator

Soft tops: frameless vs frame

For me frameless all the way. I love my Rampage top.

My TJ is garaged and for most of the summer the top is off or I run the Rampage safari style.

If my Jeep was outside at night and I was worried about rain\thunderstorms I would NOT go frameless that would get old fast.


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My Trektop NX seems more sturdy than any framed soft top I have ever had on a Jeep. It uses the roll bar for a frame. What could be more sturdy than that?
 
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DominicWilbrink said:
My TJ came with a rampage top when I got. The zippers have gone bad on the back window. Anyone have any input on which frame-less top has the strongest zippers?
Click to expand...
Don't know if they are the strongest but, I have had no issues with my Pavement Ends top. Quick story about the Rampage; I ran into a guy installing one when picking up some differential stuff and asked him about it since I was looking for a frameless. Got my stuff and left but needed to make an exchange so I returned couple hours later. Saw the guy again and asked how it went. Two zippers broke, and he was doing it on a 100 degree day outside. I immediately disregarded the Rampage.
 
Rob5589 said:
Don't know if they are the strongest but, I have had no issues with my Pavement Ends top. Quick story about the Rampage; I ran into a guy installing one when picking up some differential stuff and asked him about it since I was looking for a frameless. Got my stuff and left but needed to make an exchange so I returned couple hours later. Saw the guy again and asked how it went. Two zippers broke, and he was doing it on a 100 degree day outside. I immediately disregarded the Rampage.
Click to expand...

I have had my Rampage top for over a year now. Not a single issue. It fits great, reasonably quiet. I would recommend the top.


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RAMPAGE PRODUCTS FRAMELESS TOP MINI-REVIEW
So I replaced my Rampage Products Frameless Top with a Smittybilt Bowless Top today. I took some photos of the Rampage before I removed it so this can be considered a sort of Mini-Long-Term-Review:

The Good:
It's Cheap and it has good storage cubby's in above the sun visors:
20180805_110459-X3.jpg


The Bad:
It is too tight and has plastic zippers (most of them do). The zippers tore apart and lost teeth because it was so tight.
20180805_110423-X3.jpg

20180805_110446-X3.jpg

20180805_110629-X3.jpg


CONCLUSION:
I like the look of this top vs. the cost. If I were to buy this again it would be with the expectation of only getting one season's use out of it.If they made it just a touch larger it would be an amazing top.
20180805_111147-X3.jpg
 
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INITIAL THOUGHTS: Smittybilt 9973235 Bowless Combo Soft Top:
Since I just did a Mini-Review of the Rampage Frameless Top I thought I would also share my thoughts about the Smittybilt Version.

Lucky for me we had 90 degree weather and sun so the install went well. I used the header from my previous Rampage top (it seams to work but might need to be replaced I'll know more after driving with it for a while). I placed the components on my driveway while I removed the old top.
20180805_111343-X3.jpg


The install went well. It was tight but not as tight as the Rampage version (even after it was well used).
20180805_120905-X3.jpg


The install was also more complex than the Rampage version, but not so much that it's impossible to understand. I like the fact that it has semi-rigid corners (but they store funny when you convert it to bikini mode).

Prediction:
The zippers, like the Rampage Version, will be the weak link... time will tell. They are plastic with metal zipper pulls. My goal is to get one year out of this top. If it accomplishes that goal I will be happy.
20180805_120937-X3.jpg
 
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DominicWilbrink said:
INITIAL THOUGHTS: Smittybilt 9973235 Bowless Combo Soft Top:
Since I just did a Mini-Review of the Rampage Frameless Top I thought I would also share my thoughts about the Smittybilt Version.

Lucky for me we had 90 degree weather and sun so the install went well. I used the header from my previous Rampage top (it seams to work but might need to be replaced I'll know more after driving with it for a while). I placed the components on my driveway while I removed the old top.
View attachment 50318

The install went well. It was tight but not as tight as the Rampage version (even after it was well used).
View attachment 50319

The install was also more complex than the Rampage version, but not so much that it's impossible to understand. I like the fact that it has semi-rigid corners (but they store funny when you convert it to bikini mode).

Prediction:
The zippers, like the Rampage Version, will be the weak link... time will tell. They are plastic with metal zipper pulls. My goal is to get one year out of this top. If it accomplishes that goal I will be happy.
View attachment 50320
Click to expand...

My Rampage is over a year old and looks like new. The longer it’s on the Jeep the better it fits. Mine was very tight at first and I was worried about the zippers but I took my time and this summer (second season) there is much less stress on the zippers. Mine will most likely last for many years.


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I'm stuck between frameless or framed for subjective reasons (looks). They both look cool so I can't decide. Looking at the Softopper, discovered matching the soft doors to the top may be a bit wonky since they don't offer soft uppers. Rumor has it the best top material is close enough not to worry about but I have zero confirmation on that. On the technical side, anyone experience fitment pains with a frameless over the factory sound bar? There aren't warnings against it that I've seen but with all the 'pain in the butt to install' threads and comments for frameless I was wondering how much worse it is with the factory sound bar.
 
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carssuckjeepsrule said:
I'm stuck between frameless or framed for subjective reasons (looks). Looking at the Softopper and in addition to the overall appearance, matching the soft doors to the top may be a bit wonky since they don't offer soft uppers. Rumor has it the best top material is close enough not to worry about but I have zero confirmation on that. On the technical side, anyone experience fitment pains with a frameless over the factory sound bar? There aren't warnings against it that I've seen but with all the 'pain in the butt to install' threads and comments for frameless I was wondering how much worse it is with the factory sound bar.
Click to expand...

I have a factory sound bar and a best top trektop NX. I just had to put the windows on this morning because its raining here in Chicago. I'm not sure that the sound bar is making a difference, but man, the top is always tight and the zippers never fully close. Actually bashed my thumb so hard it bled trying to put the top on. If I had to do it again, I'd go with a factory style top.
 
Copy that, thanks! I've had a factory top for 14 years so I have a good idea just about every pro/con for living with it day to day. Frameless, no idea. Kinda want something different, however, they're both decent looking to me so I can't poo poo one type for the other based on just appearance. I have a buddy with a Rampage top. Same deal.. the zippers never fully closed, and we're in the hot as he11 south.

To the OP, Racefan, did you ever pull the trigger on something and if so, how do you like it?
 
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You ll see a stretchier fabric eventually I believe.
 
AndyG said:
You ll see a stretchier fabric eventually I believe.
Click to expand...

I've had mine for almost 2 years. I also removed the roll bar padding to make it easier to get on. The Trektop NX just doesn't fit my Jeep as I feel it should. It may be because of the sound bar. I've done everything I can to make it fit perfectly, including putting it on in the right order and only installing in the heat. Everything is extremely tight, difficult to get on, and the zippers never fully close. When I first got it, I thought it would stretch out. Hasn't seemed to stretch as much as I hoped it would.

I by no means think the trektop NX is a bad product. I just think it needs to be used in the right application with the right type of TJ. If it fit correctly, it would be the perfect top.

I will say that I'm going to mess around with it in the next few days and see if I can get it to fit as I would like it. It has been almost a year since I tried to get it to fit perfectly. Maybe it has stretched more. I'll update this post right away if my opinion changes.
 
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ac_ said:
Here is my frameless top with the Sunrider open. I happen to like the looks of it. It is kind of a fastback look. I would say it is a lot easier than a frame top to install and remove. @Rob5589 is correct that you can't fold it all of the way back like a frame top, but you have the rattly bows in a frame top. The Sunrider flips back super easily.

The second picture is with the windows unzipped and just the top on is like having a safari top. From there there are 4 straps two pins and the clamps on the windshield to remove it. Super easy for one person and takes less space to store. I really like mine.

View attachment 41259 View attachment 41260

I know I need some new pictures!
Click to expand...
WOW I love the look of that soft top. I just bought a 1997 TJ with a hard top. I don't have the frame for a soft top and and reluctant to spend the extra to get one. You have convinced me to go frameless. My Jeep is also red so your gives me a good perspective. What is the make of your soft top?
 
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