BestTop latch issue

[Daboots]

Morning 6G folks, I just installed the BestTop on my Bronco and it looks great but after latching it down I'm unable to get the latches to release so I can't open the top.

Anyone else have have this issue and if so how did you resolve it.

: I have opened a ticket with BestTop but they are closed for the Holiday weekend.

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[HighVelocity]

Pull down on the top next to the latch while unlatching it. They will pop free.

 

[Amcole1984]

Pull down on the top next to the latch while unlatching it. They will pop free.

This! Mine get stuck like that sometimes as well. Pulling down on the top works. It's always the passenger side for me. I've has 2 bestops and they both did this.

 

[dvnorton]

They mention it being very tight right after you install it, but say it will stretch out. (I spent most of today installing mine -- they may say it's 1.5 hrs, but plan on 4-6. I suggest you have the Bestop install video on a tablet/laptop alongside the instructions while you do it.)

 

[Tacnav#1]

I pull down hard on the top and then smack the latch. It may take a few time but it will unlatched.

 

[CyberOrangeBadlands]

Had the same issue with mine after installing last week. Couldn’t get passenger side open. Everything so tight.

Left in the sun for a few hours and it eventually opened. As others have mentioned, pull down hard on the plastic area just to the left of the latch - there is an indentation where you can grab down.

It has also gotten much easier throughout the week as I’ve opened and closed a bunch.

I had other struggles with the top . . .

Guy in the install video would effortlessly move the Soft Top for the open position to the close position with one hand. We needed 2 people to help close the top - using both hands. This also got easier throughout the week after install. Grabbing it from the right spot but now I can also open & close with one hand.

Still struggling with this. . . .

The back bottom of the rear window does not meet the top of the swing tailgate - there is a significant gap - where the bottom of the rear window has tubing insulation that should rest on the top of the swing tailgate. Not sure what I did wrong? Hoping the warm weather will also stretch this out a bit but dunno?

 

[BroncocnorB]

Had the same issue with mine after installing last week. Couldn’t get passenger side open. Everything so tight.

Left in the sun for a few hours and it eventually opened. As others have mentioned, pull down hard on the plastic area just to the left of the latch - there is an indentation where you can grab down.

It has also gotten much easier throughout the week as I’ve opened and closed a bunch.

I had other struggles with the top . . .

Guy in the install video would effortlessly move the Soft Top for the open position to the close position with one hand. We needed 2 people to help close the top - using both hands. This also got easier throughout the week after install. Grabbing it from the right spot but now I can also open & close with one hand.

Still struggling with this. . . .

The back bottom of the rear window does not meet the top of the swing tailgate - there is a significant gap - where the bottom of the rear window has tubing insulation that should rest on the top of the swing tailgate. Not sure what I did wrong? Hoping the warm weather will also stretch this out a bit but dunno?

There is a plastic male piece on the bottom of the rear window rail that slides into a groove on both sides. If you don’t insert correctly, you’ll have a gap over the tailgate.

 

[CyberOrangeBadlands]

There is a plastic male piece on the bottom of the rear window rail that slides into a groove on both sides. If you don’t insert correctly, you’ll have a gap over the tailgate.

Thanks for the response - will check that out today.

Another question - took out the windows yesterday and went safari mode which was a blast. Have heard they scratch very easily - how are you guys storing these plastic windows when not in use? Does Bestop or someone else make a non scratch storage solution?

 

[BroncocnorB]

Thanks for the response - will check that out today.

Another question - took out the windows yesterday and went safari mode which was a blast. Have heard they scratch very easily - how are you guys storing these plastic windows when not in use? Does Bestop or someone else make a non scratch storage solution?

Pic of female end - both sides

Also the plastic does scratch easily and is subject to deformation if not stored to limit any issues - but even when mine looked like crap, a few hours in the sun made them look pretty good again. Having said that, I bought a second set of side windows and rear window that I’ve stored away for a rainy day- I think $800 for all three. Right now I have mine laying flat on a bench in garage layered between some beach towels

 

[BodhiMac]

The back bottom of the rear window does not meet the top of the swing tailgate - there is a significant gap - where the bottom of the rear window has tubing insulation that should rest on the top of the swing tailgate. Not sure what I did wrong? Hoping the warm weather will also stretch this out a bit but dunno?

I have the same issue on mine and its been on for a month. I have removed the windows several times and it's the same when I reinstall them.

 

[greeny]

Thanks for the response - will check that out today.

Another question - took out the windows yesterday and went safari mode which was a blast. Have heard they scratch very easily - how are you guys storing these plastic windows when not in use? Does Bestop or someone else make a non scratch storage solution?

BJD Customs offers a storage bag that fits the Bestop windows, felt lined slots protect from scratches.

 

[CyberOrangeBadlands]

BJD Customs offers a storage bag that fits the Bestop windows, felt lined slots protect from scratches.

Awesome - thanks for sharing.

 

[CyberOrangeBadlands]

Any of you running the Bestop Bimini underneath the Trektop?

Have a few questions about the front of the Bimini - specifically the 2 metal hooks in the middle connecting near the windshield and the snaps on the sides.

The Trektop latches use the same spot/hooks as the Bimini snaps - so the snaps get folder back over the top and snapped/secured on top Instead of the latch location?

And if that is the case, what do you do with the 2 metal hooks that secure the Bimini shade to the middle front area of the windshield?

 

[CyberOrangeBadlands]

Never mInd - found my answer from the Bestop Bimini install video by Bill - very end of the video talks about what to do with the front of the Bimini under the Trektop.

When you loosen the side straps up front it lets you fold back the front of the Bimini and snap into place. The 2 metal front hooks securing the Bimini just rest on top of the Bimini.

Not sure what this will sound like from a flapping noise when driving - will test out today.

 

[D Rock]

They mention it being very tight right after you install it, but say it will stretch out. (I spent most of today installing mine -- they may say it's 1.5 hrs, but plan on 4-6. I suggest you have the Bestop install video on a tablet/laptop alongside the instructions while you do it.)

I will second this -- both the install time (I did mine on Memorial Day and it took me about 5 hours - next time may not be quite so bad because there will be less assembly to do, depening on how I remove it) and the suggestion to have the video available as you do it. The written instructions are not good, but the video is quite helpful.

Side note for some people - I was able to do the install on my own (no one to help me out), but it would have been much easier at a few points if there was another pair of hands.

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