Best TJ softtop?

Stuntman Autoworks

Stuntman Autoworks

Instigator of things
Joined
May 6, 2010
Location
Sanford NC 27330
I need a soft top for my TJ and I'm not having any luck finding a used one. Whats the best brand to get? Do they come with the rear frame part that holds it up?
I see there are also frameless options, are they any good?
Thanks for any help
 
BestTop and Rampage are good. I’m a fan of the Frameless tops myself.
 
Can't speak for the best....just can speak for what I have. The Pavement ends frameless I have has taken a SERIOUS beating and held up. It comes with a fold back feature too which is great for transition days

topp.JPG

The zippers are YKK and are easy to deal with

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CasterTroy said:
Can't speak for the best....just can speak for what I have. The Pavement ends frameless I have has taken a SERIOUS beating and held up. It comes with a fold back feature too which is great for transition days

The zippers are YKK and are easy to deal with
Click to expand...

I've been debating buying this top to replace my worn out Smittybilt top my DD TJ. How long have you had it? Are the back windows easy to get on and off?

Stuntman - What's your budget and intended use (dd or trail rig)?
 
dgoodwin10 said:
I've been debating buying this top to replace my worn out Smittybilt top my DD TJ. How long have you had it? Are the back windows easy to get on and off?

Stuntman - What's your budget and intended use (dd or trail rig)?
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DD, budget is whatever a top costs.
 
dgoodwin10 said:
How long have you had it? Are the back windows easy to get on and off?
Click to expand...
6 years
Super simple

shawn said:
I assume it doesn't fold down and probably works best with a factory cage...?
Click to expand...
Cyds cage...maybe not. My custom cage is slightly smaller than the factory+padding so fits fine. But does not fold down. Comes in pieces that can be separated and stuffed behind back seat though


orange150 said:
Do you have a lot of those? No judgement...
Click to expand...
$20 is $20
 
CasterTroy said:
Cyds cage...maybe not. My custom cage is slightly smaller than the factory+padding so fits fine. But does not fold down. Comes in pieces that can be separated and stuffed behind back seat though
Click to expand...
Not sure I follow. Your photos show a factory cage.

I was thinking about these the other day because I need another top and the framework on Cyd's is kinda fucked up. But looking at your pictures, it looks like it depends on the B/C spreader to hold up the side windows, and the C spreader would probably interfere with the back window. Trying to figure out if I misunderstand how they go together...
 
shawn said:
Not sure I follow. Your photos show a factory cage.
Click to expand...
That was to show it whole, as well as what it looked like with no sides and back the way it came (with straps down to the top f the tub...I've since ditched the back and sides indefinitely and secured the very back a different way than it came.

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Full top with new cage

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How I roll now...same top..just no sides/back

toppp.JPG
 
This is the setup I'm running on my DD JK 2 Door, I have a buddy running the TJ equivalent setup;

www.quadratec.com

MasterTop Ultimate Summer Combo in MasterTwill® Fabric for 97-06 Soft Top Equipped Jeep TJ Wrangler

The Ultimate Summer Soft Top Combination! These 3 piece kits designed to be used with your factory style door surrounds, include a Bimini Top Plus, Wind Stopper Plus cab curtain, and a custom fit Tonneau that when all used together helps to close up the cab and rear of your Jeep TJ Wrangler.
www.quadratec.com www.quadratec.com

The Windjammer is nice because it actually ties into the door surrounds unlike most that just wrap the b-pillar of the cage... Making it almost, but not quite, as closed as a regular soft top. There is an intentional gap at the top of the windjammer of a few inches to allow air flow even when everything is closed up tight. Air Conditioning and Heat have had no problems keeping up with it. I'd consider it a year round top as long as you get the MasterTwill, not the SailCloth. Biggest draw back for this setup is if you actually use the back seat, I tend to take mine out anyway...

And the setup is cheap to boot compared to a good quality twill soft top.
 
CasterTroy said:
That was to show it whole, as well as what it looked like with no sides and back the way it came (with straps down to the top f the tub...I've since ditched the back and sides indefinitely and secured the very back a different way than it came.

Full top with new cage



How I roll now...same top..just no sides/back
Click to expand...

Cool, thanks. That helps a lot. It looks like the fit is a little dodgy if you don't have a factory cage.
 
I have installed numerous Bestop tops on customer rigs with no complaints as well as my own rides. Obviously I am partial to Bestop.

HOWEVER

I had a customer on a tight budget with multiple upgrades to her TJ so we went with the MasterTop full replacement top. Gotta say, If you didn't read the tag you'd think you were installing a Bestop. I was very impressed with the quality for the price.
 
I’ve sold and installed almost every version of every soft top. (Not to come across cocky; I say it like that because I’m sure there are some smaller companies that I’ve never used)
Bestop is by far the best CONSISTENT quality soft top available.
smittybilt, rampage, pavement ends(owned by bestop, to meet the needs/wants of the public for a less expensive top), rugged ridge, rough country, OffRoad Heros(not sure if they’re still in business or not), Quadratec, etc, all have their place and with good care will last you at least one season. The reason they are cheaper, is either they use a thinner vinyl for the windows, cheaper zippers, or less than stellar stitching which typically leads to ripped open holes and wet passengers. Or, a combination of the above.

For my personal jeeps, I’ve always used Bestop. For a quick flip Jeep, I tend to lean more towards pavement ends.
 
No matter what top you go with, make sure you take the time to let it sit out in direct sunlight to loosen up, before you try to put it on. After install, leave it buttoned up for a few days (I usually tell people a week to 10 days) to ensure that it’s stretches and contracts, and fits better for the long term.
 
Bestop sells replacement skins(no frame) and complete replacement tops(with frame). Most other companies provide the same, obviously at different price points.
Full, factory style tops are easier up and down, but typically take a little longer to put on at the beginning of the season. Frameless tops are easier to store, come with all new hardware, are pretty easy to put on, and give you a full length safari style bikini for the really nice, long ride days where you don’t want to be a lobster by the time you reach your destination.
windows in and out are the same essentially, either way you choose: plastic tabs, zippers and Velcro.
Sorry for the 3 post novel, just wanted to share.
 
I run the Mastertop setup year round and I like it. The new Gen 2 fits much better than my Gen 1 and at some point, I'll go ahead and upgrade.
 
CasterTroy said:
That was to show it whole, as well as what it looked like with no sides and back the way it came (with straps down to the top f the tub...I've since ditched the back and sides indefinitely and secured the very back a different way than it came.

View attachment 355889

Full top with new cage

View attachment 355890

How I roll now...same top..just no sides/back

View attachment 355891
Click to expand...
So if you arent using the sides and back just sell me your setup and I'll give you my bikini top I have on my TJ now.
 
tobaccoroad4wd said:
Bestop sells replacement skins(no frame) and complete replacement tops(with frame). Most other companies provide the same, obviously at different price points.
Full, factory style tops are easier up and down, but typically take a little longer to put on at the beginning of the season. Frameless tops are easier to store, come with all new hardware, are pretty easy to put on, and give you a full length safari style bikini for the really nice, long ride days where you don’t want to be a lobster by the time you reach your destination.
windows in and out are the same essentially, either way you choose: plastic tabs, zippers and Velcro.
Sorry for the 3 post novel, just wanted to share.
Click to expand...
Thanks I don't see myself ever taking the whole top off for a ride, I hate sitting in the sun so just being able to take the doors, sides and back off is what I'm looking for. The flip back front section like @CasterTroy posted does seem cool for those nice days that are a little too cool for taking everything off. (kind of like opening a sun roof)
 
Stuntman Autoworks said:
So if you arent using the sides and back just sell me your setup and I'll give you my bikini top I have on my TJ now.
Click to expand...
Dude I'd be all over that but I've cable tied the back corners and right behind the cab (made holes) and it would leak like hell from the roll bar back for you
 
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