Honest Question: Why isn't there a Sun Shade/Bimini/Bikini option that doesn't use velcro, straps, or bungees?!

[Twilly7]

Gotcha. One thing for you though, make sure whatever brand you buy can be left on when you put the roof back on. I have the Mabett with the hooks and straps and I love it but in order to put the roof back on, I have to undo the front hooks and flip the front part back to get the front panels seated. I don't mind this at all but something for you to consider. The JTop one above looks like it is exactly what you need.

Yea, I'm not necessarily wanting to keep the bimini on, just put it on for specfic times. I like the open air too much. But one thing that is important, a quick uninstall, or at least quick to be able to put the front 2 panels back on in case of a flash rain storm. I always keep my front 2 panels in the vehicle when the top is off... just in case. It's come in handy LOTS of times.

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[Twilly7]

Tried to pull it tight by repositioning the velcro, but the glue underneath the hook and loop came up. Got frustrated, pulled it. And no, nothing there right now. But the wind threatens to rip off caps and I'd like the shade (I'm bald).

Totally get it, I am in that same no hair club! That's one reason I want a quality option for really hot days, or those when I'll be out a long time and need to keep the interior just a little below the temp you can fry an egg on it.

 

[Twilly7]

This is Mike, should be easy to readjust and stretch it out. I have the same one going on 4 years and readjusting tightens it right up.

That's great! One of the reasons I really considered it was the quality. Just not for me. I need an option I can easy on and easy off... but hopefully with the quality of something like JTops. That's why I asked if you considered any other options besides velcro.

 

[Brian_B]

If I’m honest, it’s 2 things that make me concerned about the bungie or hook and strap options. First, they sit on top of the paint, and over time it will get dust and dirt under it from off roading and create wear lines in the paint.
Second, with Velcro it won’t last for ever, and this is a keep forever vehicle for me. I have straps on items, Velcro and bungee in items, and all of them fail eventually. A bolted on option that I can take off and put on as needed and where I can adjust as necessary would be great.

Bungie cords are like $5 for a dozen - super easy to replace if/when they wear, stretch out, or get faded/sun rot.

I just cant see a bolt on sun shade working for more than a season before you need some way to take up the slack from stretching.

I guess you could do tension straps but the difference between those and a bungie is … next to nothing, and you could always use those instead of a bungie on a grommeted top.

I do share your concern about velcro though. I’m sure it holds up great I just hate using 3M tape if I don’t have to.

 

[Twilly7]

Bungie cords are like $5 for a dozen - super easy to replace if/when they wear, stretch out, or get faded/sun rot.

I just cant see a bolt on sun shade working for more than a season before you need some way to take up the slack from stretching.

I guess you could do tension straps but the difference between those and a bungie is … next to nothing, and you could always use those instead of a bungie on a grommeted top.

I do share your concern about velcro though. I’m sure it holds up great I just hate using 3M tape if I don’t have to.

Yea, I think I just don't love the idea of something rubbing in the wind on the paint over time. So if it was bungies or straps or whatever, I think I'd prefer them to wrap around something other than the paint and that could stay mounted. That's why I was asking about the potential to make a mounting system (even if it used bungies) that utilized the existing bolts... like a rail system around the top that mounted to those bolts, but stayed in place so that the hard top could be reinstalled over it. Could be used for grab handles, other accessories, etc. But this way, the bungees are wrapped around something that isn't slowly wearing off the paint.

Like I saw this on the broncobikini site, and it made me curious. Not sure if it's manufactured or someone's home project, but having the bungee cords attach to that instead of wrapping around the roll cage is enticing.

 

[jbob5059]

I think you are over thinking it. The bungees on my broncobikini top do not move unless I move them, and it's hard. They are very tight. The top also takes two seconds to put on and off. The quality is top notch and Dan is awesome to work with. Especially since he doesn't sit online arguing with people. Not sure if I've ever come across anyone complaining about good product, happy to be proven wrong though.

 

[bomchet]

I think you are over thinking it. The bungees on my broncobikini top do not move unless I move them, and it's hard. They are very tight. The top also takes two seconds to put on and off. The quality is top notch and Dan is awesome to work with. Especially since he doesn't sit online arguing with people. Not sure if I've ever come across anyone complaining about good product, happy to be proven wrong though.

how big is the gap at tge frobt with the broncobikini? Their oucs dont focus on that, which i took to be a bad sign.

 

[jbob5059]

how big is the gap at tge frobt with the broncobikini? Their oucs dont focus on that, which i took to be a bad sign.

No gap. His first version I believe had a gap, but he solved for that a while back.

 

[Golfsnob]

I've had both the jtop and bronco bikini and I prefer the bronco bikini. The jtop is a quality top I just don't like the velcro.

 

[kimmiemom64]

If I’m honest, it’s 2 things that make me concerned about the bungie or hook and strap options. First, they sit on top of the paint, and over time it will get dust and dirt under it from off roading and create wear lines in the paint.
Second, with Velcro it won’t last for ever, and this is a keep forever vehicle for me. I have straps on items, Velcro and bungee in items, and all of them fail eventually. A bolted on option that I can take off and put on as needed and where I can adjust as necessary would be great.

I wrapped my buckles/straps with stretchy, stick to itself bandaging. You can get it in different colors at Tractor Supply (horse leg wraps) Buckles and straps are wrapped nice and cozy, no damage to the paint 4 years later

 

[bomchet]

No gap. His first version I believe had a gap, but he solved for that a while back.

I meant at the front -- can you show me a pic at the front? I have a soft top.

 

[not on the rug]

The internet wins again!

This is an absurd amount of overthinking. Do you know anyone who has damaged their paint from the bungees or straps of any one of these tops?

 

[Brian_B]

I am about to replace my Mabett one this season - after 3 summers it had stretched beyond usefulness.

I got a Bronco Bikini for Christmas but havent installed it yet - so no comment on fit or finish

Mabett used a combination of bolts (actually hooks in bolt holes) up front and tension straps on the sides/back - and that worked well with no damage to anything over three years - the top has stretched to the point the grommets don’t line up well enough to get the top tight any longer and one of the sewn-in straps has broken on the Mabett

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