Frustrated with Bestop Trektop
04-19-2012, 03:47 PM
#31
JK Enthusiast
Originally Posted by don123160
I've had my trektop NX on for a couple weeks and like it a lot. It's a real PITA to install.
Two questions for you guys. I get water puddling above the rear seat area of my top. Doesn't leak but there's a good bit of water until I drive away. I also wondered how people were securing the two little straps into the sound bar? Mine just not very tight, like there's not enough to the straps to pull tight. It has been a problem but would think they should be tight and secure. I'd appreciate any feedback. Love the top so far though.
Two questions for you guys. I get water puddling above the rear seat area of my top. Doesn't leak but there's a good bit of water until I drive away. I also wondered how people were securing the two little straps into the sound bar? Mine just not very tight, like there's not enough to the straps to pull tight. It has been a problem but would think they should be tight and secure. I'd appreciate any feedback. Love the top so far though.
04-19-2012, 03:47 PM
#32
JK Enthusiast
Originally Posted by 71Luber
The way bestop and everyone else secures those clips to the soundbar is crap. The straps are always just barely too long resulting in flapping. Drill two 1/4" holes in the soundbar plastic behind the holes they tell you to clip into. Problem solved. No more flapping or loose straps. Crappy phone pic, but you should get the idea.
<img src="https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=306681"/>
<img src="https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=306681"/>
04-19-2012, 04:59 PM
#33
JK Enthusiast
Drilling the holes looks like a great fix for those straps. Thanks. Yeah the water after a big rain pools up on the back portion of the roof. I didn't notice it either until I looked out my second floor window one morning and there was a pool of water on top. Would be right above your head in the back seat in my 2-door. Nothing over the drive, that support bar probably helps keep off. Doesn't leak so I guess I wont worry. Wouldn't want to leave it up there for days on end if it was park somewhere though. I'll take a pic someday.
05-02-2012, 02:05 PM
#34
JK Enthusiast
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Natrona Heights, PA
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I've had my top since last summer and really like it. It was extremely hard to get on the first time but since then I've learned how to do it. Here is how I do it:
1. Put on the safari part of it and latch it at the wind shield.
2. Connect the straps at the back of the top to the roll bar.
3. Start the zipper only a few inches on a side window. Only go a few inches and do not put it in the channel at the door or on the tub.
4. Do the same for the other side.
5. The back window can now easily be zipped into the side windows since there is plenty of slack in them. When doing this can only be zippered a little bit and can't be in any channels.
6. Zip the back window half way down on each side
7. Put the side windows into the channel on the door surround and then zip the window the entire way.
8. Put the side windows into the channels on the tub.
9. Finish zipping the back window.
After the top is on like this it seems to loosen up a little bit. I was able to put the windows in like this last week on a cloudy 60 degree day with no problems but if I don't do it like this I can't get the back window in.
1. Put on the safari part of it and latch it at the wind shield.
2. Connect the straps at the back of the top to the roll bar.
3. Start the zipper only a few inches on a side window. Only go a few inches and do not put it in the channel at the door or on the tub.
4. Do the same for the other side.
5. The back window can now easily be zipped into the side windows since there is plenty of slack in them. When doing this can only be zippered a little bit and can't be in any channels.
6. Zip the back window half way down on each side
7. Put the side windows into the channel on the door surround and then zip the window the entire way.
8. Put the side windows into the channels on the tub.
9. Finish zipping the back window.
After the top is on like this it seems to loosen up a little bit. I was able to put the windows in like this last week on a cloudy 60 degree day with no problems but if I don't do it like this I can't get the back window in.
Thanks....
05-02-2012, 02:48 PM
#35
JK Enthusiast
Here is a pretty neat secret that I will share if you are having issues getting your top to stretch. The top has two parts the black plastic and the fiber backing it is glued to. Putting the top in the sun heats the black plastic to help make it more pliable but does nothing to help with the low stretch backing. The first thing that will help is that you identify the direction of the backing. You will find that it will stretch one way easier then the other like grain in wood almost. Secure the lower stretch direction first.
The other secret is to go to a dollar store and get a few big bottles of generic liquid fabric softener. Get a big clean bucket and loosely fold your top into the large bucket in a way that you wont damage the windows. Pour the fabric softener without dilution over the top and let it rest overnight. The fabric softener loosens the fibers on the backing and makes them easier to stretch. The next morning remove the top from the bucket and rinse with hot water. Use hot water not just hose water. This will rinse the softener from the fibers while then soaking the hot water into the fibers. After you have rinsed throughly the top will be much more pliable. Leave the top in the hot water until you are ready to put it on and fit it. TIP::::running a hose from your hot water heater that is probably in your garage anyways works great for a hot water source.
After the water dries and the top cools it will tighten up nicely and take a nice shape.
Fabric Softener also works awesome on synthetic winch rope to get the memory out of it and to help protect from UV damage and dirt.
The other secret is to go to a dollar store and get a few big bottles of generic liquid fabric softener. Get a big clean bucket and loosely fold your top into the large bucket in a way that you wont damage the windows. Pour the fabric softener without dilution over the top and let it rest overnight. The fabric softener loosens the fibers on the backing and makes them easier to stretch. The next morning remove the top from the bucket and rinse with hot water. Use hot water not just hose water. This will rinse the softener from the fibers while then soaking the hot water into the fibers. After you have rinsed throughly the top will be much more pliable. Leave the top in the hot water until you are ready to put it on and fit it. TIP::::running a hose from your hot water heater that is probably in your garage anyways works great for a hot water source.
After the water dries and the top cools it will tighten up nicely and take a nice shape.
Fabric Softener also works awesome on synthetic winch rope to get the memory out of it and to help protect from UV damage and dirt.
06-28-2012, 07:05 PM
#36
I've had my top since last summer and really like it. It was extremely hard to get on the first time but since then I've learned how to do it. Here is how I do it:
1. Put on the safari part of it and latch it at the wind shield.
2. Connect the straps at the back of the top to the roll bar.
3. Start the zipper only a few inches on a side window. Only go a few inches and do not put it in the channel at the door or on the tub.
4. Do the same for the other side.
5. The back window can now easily be zipped into the side windows since there is plenty of slack in them. When doing this can only be zippered a little bit and can't be in any channels.
6. Zip the back window half way down on each side
7. Put the side windows into the channel on the door surround and then zip the window the entire way.
8. Put the side windows into the channels on the tub.
9. Finish zipping the back window.
After the top is on like this it seems to loosen up a little bit. I was able to put the windows in like this last week on a cloudy 60 degree day with no problems but if I don't do it like this I can't get the back window in.
1. Put on the safari part of it and latch it at the wind shield.
2. Connect the straps at the back of the top to the roll bar.
3. Start the zipper only a few inches on a side window. Only go a few inches and do not put it in the channel at the door or on the tub.
4. Do the same for the other side.
5. The back window can now easily be zipped into the side windows since there is plenty of slack in them. When doing this can only be zippered a little bit and can't be in any channels.
6. Zip the back window half way down on each side
7. Put the side windows into the channel on the door surround and then zip the window the entire way.
8. Put the side windows into the channels on the tub.
9. Finish zipping the back window.
After the top is on like this it seems to loosen up a little bit. I was able to put the windows in like this last week on a cloudy 60 degree day with no problems but if I don't do it like this I can't get the back window in.
After fighting to get this thing on for hours I dont think I am ever going to take it back off!!