Bestop eTop Power Retractable Convertible Soft Top ... review

[tprice95]

Any chance you could provide pictures of the sides and back?

I will have to take some. I looked, dont have any taken since we put the Etop on. I will say the only draw back we have found is, with the top down, the inside rear view mirror is about useless. You cant see out the back very well at all.

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[tock13]

I will have to take some. I looked, dont have any taken since we put the Etop on. I will say the only draw back we have found is, with the top down, the inside rear view mirror is about useless. You cant see out the back very well at all.

You can’t really see with the rear view mirror when the OEM top is retracted all the way back either.

The zippered rear window is awesome. Wish Ford would have been intelligent enough to have done that with the OEM too.

 

[heathw101]

I will have to take some. I looked, dont have any taken since we put the Etop on. I will say the only draw back we have found is, with the top down, the inside rear view mirror is about useless. You cant see out the back very well at all.

Thanks, just trying to get a feel for how others are fitting as I work with Bestop.

 

[tprice95]

You can’t really see with the rear view mirror when the OEM top is retracted all the way back either.

The zippered rear window is awesome. Wish Ford would have been intelligent enough to have done that with the OEM too.

We never had the factory soft top all the way down or back. We put the etop down at least once a week. Have thoroughly enjoyed the convenience of the power top.

 

[Squanch]

Sucks that it took OP posting here for Bestop to address the issue. I was looking at getting the eTop for my Raptor, but I am questioning that decision and will wait to see how Bestop responds before I make a decision.
My OCD would not be able to handle the gaps and wrinkles.

Difference between back and forth email and phone communications vs. publicly viewable complaints in front of other potential customers.

 

[MC1313]

Can side windows and rear window be removed to ride it in safari mode?

 

[Dolphin Farts]

Some photos of how my etop sits. It’s a little wonky in the back corners, but hasn’t caused any problems.
I love how quiet it is and the way the windows work compared to stock.

I had an issue with one of the zippers on the liner (addressed in another post). Bestop took care of it. (sort of)
They wanted to replace the whole top, but when I took it back to the dealer who installed it one of the techs used some pliers and bent the zipper guides together a little tighter and it works now, but I was disappointed that out of like 10 zippers on the top that all are high quality there is one little rinky dink one in the back on the roof liner.

overall I’m pleased with the purchase, but I’m not impressed with Bestop customer service.
The E-top is definitely a premium product overall.

 

[Dolphin Farts]

Can side windows and rear window be removed to ride it in safari mode?

You can remove the windows still for safari mode.

 

[heathw101]

Some photos of how my etop sits. It’s a little wonky in the back corners, but hasn’t caused any problems.
I love how quiet it is and the way the windows work compared to stock.

I had an issue with one of the zippers on the liner (addressed in another post). Bestop took care of it. (sort of)
They wanted to replace the whole top, but when I took it back to the dealer who installed it one of the techs used some pliers and bent the zipper guides together a little tighter and it works now, but I was disappointed that out of like 10 zippers on the top that all are high quality there is one little rinky dink one in the back on the roof liner.

overall I’m pleased with the purchase, but I’m not impressed with Bestop customer service.
The E-top is definitely a premium product overall.

Some photos of how my etop sits. It’s a little wonky in the back corners, but hasn’t caused any problems.
I love how quiet it is and the way the windows work compared to stock.

I had an issue with one of the zippers on the liner (addressed in another post). Bestop took care of it. (sort of)
They wanted to replace the whole top, but when I took it back to the dealer who installed it one of the techs used some pliers and bent the zipper guides together a little tighter and it works now, but I was disappointed that out of like 10 zippers on the top that all are high quality there is one little rinky dink one in the back on the roof liner.

overall I’m pleased with the purchase, but I’m not impressed with Bestop customer service.
The E-top is definitely a premium product overall.

Thanks, definitely cleaner on the side than mine. This is really the main area that is bothering me. I have the same fitment in the rear but can live with it.

 

[Bestop_Team]

Hi Heath,
Thank you for sharing such a detailed post and photos. It’s always helpful for us and for other Bronco owners to see real-world feedback. Our Quality Team reviewed your case and photos in detail.
Here’s what they found regarding the side panel alignment:
The lower front of the side panel attaches to the bottom of the L-arm (about 4”), and the next attachment point is at the C-channel, roughly 4” behind that. This means there’s a 4” section in between that isn’t directly attached to the linkage assembly. A large rubber seal is used in this area to prevent leaks, but due to the current design, the edge of the fabric may lift slightly in that section.
Our Quality Director has already shared this discussion with our Product Development team to explore options for improving the appearance of that area in future designs.
We really appreciate your constructive feedback and the time you’ve taken to share your experience. It helps us continue refining the eTop.
— Bestop Support Team

 

[heathw101]

Hi Heath,
Thank you for sharing such a detailed post and photos. It’s always helpful for us and for other Bronco owners to see real-world feedback. Our Quality Team reviewed your case and photos in detail.
Here’s what they found regarding the side panel alignment:
The lower front of the side panel attaches to the bottom of the L-arm (about 4”), and the next attachment point is at the C-channel, roughly 4” behind that. This means there’s a 4” section in between that isn’t directly attached to the linkage assembly. A large rubber seal is used in this area to prevent leaks, but due to the current design, the edge of the fabric may lift slightly in that section.
Our Quality Director has already shared this discussion with our Product Development team to explore options for improving the appearance of that area in future designs.
We really appreciate your constructive feedback and the time you’ve taken to share your experience. It helps us continue refining the eTop.
— Bestop Support Team

Said in another way….

Nothing to see here. The giant gap on the side of your new $5,000 top is normal. Even though it’s normal, we will have our product development team potentially fix said non problem in future versions.

Have a great day!

- Bestop

 

[Deadpool392]

Yeah, I was seriously looking at buying one of these, but I think I will just find a takeoff soft top. Not impressed with the fit and finish I am seeing, and Bestop’s response does not inspire confidence..

 

[heathw101]

Yeah, I was seriously looking at buying one of these, but I think I will just find a takeoff soft top. Not impressed with the fit and finish I am seeing, and Bestop’s response does not inspire confidence..

If you buy just note that it comes with issues and no support. It appears the top is still in development and maybe not ready for the market at this point.

 

[MatteOBX]

If you buy just note that it comes with issues and no support. It appears the top is still in development and maybe not ready for the market at this point.

Thank you for creating this tread, it has convinced me to not spend the money and go another route. For such a high-cost product you would think they would care a bit more about their product and customer satisfaction! The lack of care for your issues has shown me the type of company they are.
I hope you get the issues resolved and they fix the product as it is a great concept that I was really looking forward to having on my Raptor.

Hopefully everyone looking at this product sees this tread!

 

[heathw101]

I also wanted to share some additional pictures of what is happening to the weatherstripping on my top. This is happening on the side where I am having fitment issues. I’m no engineer but I can’t imagine this is by design. This has been shared with Bestop and no response. If you look closely you can see the weatherstripping hitting the frame and being pinched.

I normally would handle this directly with Bestop but they made a point to post their response to me in this forum and they apparently only respond here. @Bestop this has to be a defective top or something is off spec. I’m only asking you to make this right.

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