Fix for jingly JTOPS zippers?

[GroovyGeek]

Installed a JTOPS sunshade over the weekend. Quality product through and through, once you see it you understand why it is 3x-5x more expensive that most bungee based solutions.

However, there is an extremely annoying quirk - the zipper pulls in the front hang down and jingle as the top flutters in the wind. I tried to mitigate by shoving the zipper pull in the little pocket at the end of the zipper and jamming it with the slider. However that works for all of 15 minutes before the vibration moves the slider enough to allow the zipper pull to fall out.

Are there known solutions to this issue, other than cutting the metal pulls and replacing them with 1mm black paracord or rubberized zipper pulls?

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[Enginerd]

Installed a JTOPS sunshade over the weekend. Quality product through and through, once you see it you understand why it is 3x-5x more expensive that most bungee based solutions.

However, there is an extremely annoying quirk - the zipper pulls in the front hang down and jingle as the top flutters in the wind. I tried to mitigate by shoving the zipper pull in the little pocket at the end of the zipper and jamming it with the slider. However that works for all of 15 minutes before the vibration moves the slider enough to allow the zipper pull to fall out.

Are there known solutions to this issue, other than cutting the metal pulls and replacing them with 1mm black paracord or rubberized zipper pulls?

I did exactly what you suggested with the paracord.

 

[Saltwater Junkie]

I folded the zipper pull BACK into the webbing after I closed the opening. Mine always stayed tucked in.

 

[GroovyGeek]

I folded the zipper pull BACK into the webbing after I closed the opening. Mine always stayed tucked in.

First thing I tried . Does not last even 5 mins.

 

[Saltwater Junkie]

I actually had pics of the zipper pull being tucked in the webbing and not the zipper end opening only because this has been discussed before, but alas..I can not find them.

 

[Blaven]

I've been tucking the zipper upwards and then closing it for years now and it's never unzipped and come down.

 

[GroovyGeek]

Since the built-in search is pathetic I googled it, found these threads

From 2022:
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/jtops-4-door-hardtop-mesh-bimini-review.51503/

@JTopsUSA responded to a message in this thread without ever addressing the floppy zipper handles.

Identical complaint here from 2024, with same proposed solution - cut and replace with fabric
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/jtop-bimini-shade-installed.46320/page-4

Another poster said "Got the heat gun out and applied electrical heat shrink tubing to the zipper pulls. Doesn't completely solve the issue but helps A LOT. "

Yet another solution "I just cut them off and I have a paperclip in my center console. There's no need to have something flopping all over the place up there "

@JTopsUSA responded to this thread with "Simple solution is to tuck the zipper heads. Works every time." Judging from my and others experience, this is most definitely not the case, unless there is some secret handshake to tucking.

Then there is a thread on FB with another solution I was considering - tuck the handle into the zipper opening


Like several posters have said, I can't believe that this was not caught and addressed during testing. To make matters worse it has been allowed to persist for years.

 

[Saltwater Junkie]

Unless JTops has changed designs since my top was purchased, I haven't had a zipper dangle after tucking it in the webbing. (Pic for example)
crazy..

 

[FstFrd00]

I've been tucking the zipper upwards and then closing it for years now and it's never unzipped and come down.

Same

 

[HP11]

I used the electrical shrink tubing method, applied heat with a heat gun (hair drier will also works), and it has worked well for me for a couple of years now.

 

[Mjasi3]

Yes. Heatshrink.

 

[GroovyGeek]

Unless JTops has changed designs since my top was purchased, I haven't had a zipper dangle after tucking it in the webbing. (Pic for example)
crazy..

This looks like a canvas top, not a mesh top. The zipper pulls on mine are SUBSTANTIALLY larger.

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