Bestop 56852-35 Black Diamond Trektop for 2007-2018 Jeep Wrangler JK 2-Door

Update:Bestop customer service reached out to me and worked with me to take photos and verify the installation of my top. I worked with a friend to remove the top completely and reinstall it. It didn’t make a difference, the issue persisted. Crystal was incredibly patient over the last few weeks as we worked through this. She didn’t want me to have a bad experience so she offered to replace the top free of charge! She gave me the option of the same thing, or the sunrider top which would allow me to put my hard top back on and still have a flip top. I chose the sunrider top since it seemed like a better option for me. They shipped out the top (along with a free tshirt and stickers) and it was received within a few days.Bestop has proven that their customers matter and they will go out of their way to make things right. I will be a customer for life!Original review below.I waited a full year before writing a review of this product so I could speak to long term durability. I live in the midwest and I actually have kept this product on for one year straight without switching back to my hard top.Installation:I read all of the complaints and watched the video before doing the install with a friend (who is a mechanic) and didn't have any real issues. It took some time but we did it on a 98+ degree day and things wen't fairly smooth. My first concern (of many) was that the back window did not really lay flat, it was ripply. Second concern being that the "clips" (if you want to call them that) that are supposed to secure to the center (speaker) bar are a giant joke. I have no idea who thought those were a good idea but I wouldn't even bother.Noise:The first couple of weeks having this on my Jeep (2016 JKU) was fine, it was actually fairly quiet. I loved the ability to flip the top back quickly whenever I wanted. This is hands down one of the best features.After a few weeks passed, I noticed that while I was on the highway this thing eventually started flapping like crazy and making an incredible amount of noise. My daily drive is on suburban streets (avoiding the highway) so maybe this was an issue sooner than I realized.Going down the highway six months in, I've noticed that if it is windy outside the sides of this top (near the front passengers) will start to lift up and air leaks in like crazy. I have readjusted this thing so many times trying to get it to quiet down, but I think it is just the nature of the beast.The "clips" as mentioned above that attach to the center speaker bar rattle and make an incredible amount of noise. It became such a nuisance that I ended up going to the hardware store and buying three bungees to secure them and prevent the clips from ratting and the top from squeaking in the process.Leaks/Water Issues: I had none..zero.. This spring we have had an incredible amount of rain and I go through the car wash on a weekly basis..not a single leak. But..keep in mind that I am not constantly removing and unzipping things. I am just flipping back the top over the passenger area and driving with the windows down.Durability:This is where things really went down hill and the number one reason for rating it so low. More than once while driving down the highway the back window would start bouncing around and making a bunch of noise. Part of this is because of the awful foam that you put on the back door, it just doesn't stay put. I am pulling things in and out of my car constantly and every time I will need to reattach that foam. When the window starts to bounce around (keep in mind a year later, the window still doesn't sit completely flat, it has ripples in it) the top part of the window that slides into the assembly would pull itself out from the track and part of the window would fall down. It appears that after this thing vibrating loudly back and forth the track that it slides into has become loose.Having the window dislodge while going down a highway at 70mph can be a bit scary, it suddenly makes an incredible amount of noise and I was concerned the window came completely off and hit the car behind me. The first time this happened (4 months in), I pulled over and realized what had happened and noticed that the zippers had ripped apart (not unzipped) and the top of the window was flopped down. Having to reattach all of this while on the side of the highway (with rain coming) isn't a lot of fun. The worst part is that I didn't have any "zipper lube" so these things were a nightmare to reattach. Now..imagine this happens on a monthly basis (in the snow) and you contact the manufacturer via support and receive zero replies. I kind of knew what I was getting into when I purchased this, but I read the very positive reviews of people who most likely were only keeping this on for the summer season and then taking it back off. Did I buy the cheaper version of this top? Yes. Should I have forked over the extra money to possibly have a better experience? Maybe..I think I will swap back to my hard top this fall and maybe revisit my options next summer. I do not think I will buy another Bestop product, I will seek out another manufacturer (if there is one).

Two things. I dislike assembling things. I dislike working on vehicles.No doubt if you buy this or any other convertible top for your Jeep you will watch countless videos on Youtube or distributors websites, but keep something in mind. All of these videos are old, and the tops have been improved so not everything is exactly the same and all of the tops used in the videos have been installed before so already stretched out so they naturally are easier to attach to the Jeep they are using in video.Printed instructions are very good. I installed mine on a abnormally warm day in April 80f + and right away I put my side windows and back window out in the sun laying them on a black tanneau cover on my truck so they would soak up maximum heat. The main part of the convertible top and framing took about 2.5 hrs to install and told my wife I was "home free" as I took a break to let windows heat up more. Installing them is where the real battle started(not as home free as I thought) side windows were hard to get fitted in the channel and only until the one side facing the sun finally went in place I couldn't get the other side in, so turned the Jeep around to have sun directly shine on it and after a short bit of time was able to get it fitted in the channel as well.SO......allow yourself plenty of time, Watch a few videos as they do help and make sure you have a SUNNY and hot day to put windows out to warm up so they will stretch and make them install easier.The fit will be tight and secure, just what you want at the end of the day. All in all a pretty easy install.Scott/Omaha.

I have had this for a couple months now and it is holding up well against the intense sun of Florida.I was real intimidated by the instructions.I do not think the instructions were lacking, but they really made it seem like this was going to be difficult.This was real simple.I did not require any assistance from a second person.I completed the entire removal of the OEM cover and install of the BESTOP cover in less than 3 hours.I am 5'3"...The quality is great. waterproof.The use is great, the way I can open the top, or remove a panel - no more tired, rusted up zippers!I put this off for months and months, but I have to say, this is one of those upgrades that made a real noticeable difference.I suggest anyone considering a new top to look at this one.The installation is simple, all the parts are included, it works well and looks great!and it is at a great price, bonus!