Problems with Bestop Install

[orange150]

Need some help here on a few areas.

First - I installed the windshield brackets so that they are flush with the frame, but the tab that sticks out that the door bar mounts to is preventing my doors from closing correctly. Should that tab be flush with the frame?

 

[orange150]

 

[orange150]

 

[orange150]

Second, the passenger side door doesn't seal at all to the top

 

[orange150]

The last, and biggest, problem is that the rails on the driver's side seem like they are too long. I measured them out as per the instructions and I can't get my door to close. I've got about a 1/8" gap between the rails, which looked normal. I guess I can close those gaps in order to pull the rails back some but it still doesn't look like it will be enough.

Should I just slot the rails instead of the jeep body?

 

[orange150]

 

[orange150]

 

[orange150]

Here's how the vertical retainer sits with the door closed.

 

[sdsupilot]

Hey, first did you verify the measurement from the windshield to the tub as in the directions? Second, the doors really need to be adjusted as close to perfect as you can get in order for the frames to seal around.

I did have the same issue with the windshield bracket. I took the thicker rubber flap and placed it inside the door surround bar vs outside and it has sealed up pretty well. I do think moving that tab inboard 3/16" would solve the problem better than what I did.

On the drivers door I shaved about 1/8" off of the door surround rod holder. If you move that rod further back it will not seal as well on the mid/top part of the door.

 

[orange150]

Hey, first did you verify the measurement from the windshield to the tub as in the directions?

Yep, I actually bought a new cowl seal from Fairchild because my old one wouldn't compress enough to get to 97-3/4". It still barely made it, I had to drop it all the way to the bottom of the bracket to get the measurement right.

Second, the doors really need to be adjusted as close to perfect as you can get in order for the frames to seal around.

Adjusted in the door frame of the Jeep itself? I can double check when I'm in front of the Jeep but they should be pretty centered in the opening.

I did have the same issue with the windshield bracket. I took the thicker rubber flap and placed it inside the door surround bar vs outside and it has sealed up pretty well. I do think moving that tab inboard 3/16" would solve the problem better than what I did.

Interesting. Ok, as long as it seals well.

On the drivers door I shaved about 1/8" off of the door surround rod holder. If you move that rod further back it will not seal as well on the mid/top part of the door.

Ok. I'm still thinking about sliding the whole rail system back so there's no gap between the three pieces.

 

[sdsupilot]

I walked out and took a couple pics of the driver side. I did a bit of grinding on the windshield bracket that I forgot about. Believe this is where my door was hitting originally.


Here is where I ground the door surround bracket.


Here is how it lines up.



I did a fair amount of adjusting my doors, likely due to the worn hinges. I feel like their measurement lays the windshield down a smidge too far as you can see the gap getting tighter at the top of the windshield.

 

[orange150]

Hmm your door gaps look tighter to the front than mine.

It also looks like your windshield bracket is more inboard than mine is as well. I put the two outside edges of that bracket flush with the outside edges of the windshield.

 

[orange150]

Alright. I called Bestop and emailed them pics and descriptions after talking to the support gal. I’ll see what they say.

 

[orange150]

Finally heard back from Bestop:

You can switch the Vertical Retainer Mounts which will pull the vertical retainer toward the inside of the vehicle, to relieve some of the hard door closure. Put the right one on the left side, and the Left on the right side. If you want to slot something that would be the windshield bracket holes. I can send you a replacement so that way you have a back up. IF you slot the windshield brackets and then reinstall them and close the door it will push the bracket over. I can also send another set of vertical retainer mount brackets.

So, I'll start with that. I still don't like the fact that you have to force the parts to fit the vehicle.

 

[Kane]

I window brackets are set further in than yours. I actually had to remove one screw from my visor since it partially blocked the hole. I think I put my hard door on and used it as my guide to place the bracket on the window.

 

[orange150]

I think I put my hard door on and used it as my guide to place the bracket on the window.

I wish I had done that instead of following the instructions that came with the top.

 

[Kane]

I wish I had done that instead of following the instructions that came with the top.

I am just so used to things not fitting correctly I naturally go that route. I have built several fiberglass Jeeps over the years so I loosely follow directions since things are never exact.

 

[orange150]

Following up here. I a few things,
A) I tried flipping the "vertical retainers" around but that put the upright too far in, so I flipped them back.
B) I adjusted the windshield bracket as far up and in as I could without drilling new holes, and I also shaved down the bottom of the tabs so I could close the doors.
C) I replaced the 'quick nut' thing Bestop uses on the horizontal bars with a simple nut and bolt and put them to the inside of the windshield bracket instead of the outside.

This really didn't do much.

 

[orange150]

 

[orange150]