Any tips on the Bestop Supertop?

I just received my Bestop Supertop today for my '56 CJ5. I was thinking before I get to installing it this weekend (provided my mech gets done rebuilding my differentials), see if anyone has had problems or issues or have any tips not in the instructions. I know sometimes people think "If I had only known this beforehand, I could have...". Just thought I'd run this by everyone and fish for some words from the wise!

Thx!

p.s. When I get the jeep back from the shop, I'll take and post more pics. This thing is almost as clean underneath as it is on the surface! My mech asked if I ever drive the thing!

 

Lay it out in the sun,flat; let it get soft.

 

I went and had zippers sewn into the top to hold the flap tight above the doors. It wraps around the upper door bar and is supposed to stay velcroed to the top. They used to allways come loose. Other than that they are pretty straightforward. Spend a little time dialing in the windshield and doors and you'll be fine.

Kevo

 

I hope they changed the way the door catches mount, If you climb out with the door catches mounted they sometimes grab and trear your shirt on the way out. They do have great customer service- I bought a used top for $50 and they gave me several small parts that I had requested to purchase from them! :hurrican:
Jeff

 

Beat me too it!

 

Nah... I think it's the same. As I'm looking at the instructions (yes... I'm actually reading them! ) I actually ran across those things and saw in the diagram how they stick up from the top lip of the body close to the door. I thought "That sure does look rather odd!". Oh well. Maybe I can fabricate something where they are easy to put on and take off.

Thanks all for the tips thus far. The installation is pushed back one week as my mechanic didn't receive all the bearings he needed for the differential rebuild. First weekend without rain in 40 days and 40 nights but no jeep for it!

 

Mine came with a video. Crack a beer and watch it. The top 'o windshield to tailgate measurement was important, if I recall.

Kevo, zipper!!!! Thank you sooo much. Thats it. I remember racing down I15 in a winter Mojave rainstorm to get back to camp. That @#%*& velcro kept lettin loose.

 

do you have any pics of the custom zipper work?

 

Zippers: I have the same "velcro flap pulls away" problem (usually does this on the highway and/or in high wind), and I wanted to see some pics on this zipper mod too! Some folks have not had problems with the velcro pulling apart but every Jeep is a little different and these tops go on slightly different every time. All it takes is just a little tightness of the fabric in that spot (and then some wind) to cause the problem.

Door catches: these are only in the way when the top is off. If they have not changed these and someone comes up with some clever way of dealing with them let us know.

Stan