2024 Big Bend Adventure Journal

[lwilliams34]

Mollie Panel bag from Built Rite, along with some velcro straps on fold down tailgate table. Also added quick removal wing nuts to rear shelf in back.
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[lwilliams34]

Rock Workx rear hard top bolts in blue. Really easy install and work great. Provide another tie down point as well.
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[lwilliams34]

New Ford OEM Door Sill Plates in Black Platinum.
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[lwilliams34]

Front Grill View of the Bronco.
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[lwilliams34]

I thought I would post a review of my experience with the Bestop Sunrider for my 2024 Big Bend 2 Door.
Before purchasing I did a lot of research here on the forum and read just about every review, install, challenge, and "fix" thread out there.
Thanks to the following threads for their input on the subject which proved to be very helpful during the process. There is also some spill over regarding the Bestop in the thread for reducing wind noise on the hard top, so will include that link also.
Bestop has been making some modifications to the overall product design and installation process since it was first introduced. I received the latest iteration of the 2 door model with the instructions dated 4/24. During the process when I called customer support several of the people answering phones did not have the latest installation and design instructions available to them which I found discouraging and frustrating. The Bestop online install video for the 2-door has not been updated as well. I was able to follow portions of it, but the final steps were different.
Eventually I realized that I was on my own for the most part and had to rely on the forum and my own ingenuity to resolve the issues.
The biggest issue I had was with the lowering clamp brackets (new) that fit on the back side of the bestop unit and provide additional stability by overlapping the hard top. Originally there was just a center mount bracket that attached the unit to the hard top. The new design includes the two brackets on each side of the center bracket. They mount on the bestop unit itself, but do not attach to the hard top. They simply lay on top of the hard top surface using a step bracket. My issue is that the bolts provided to secure the brackets to the bestop are not long enough. I was barely able to get the M6 nut to catch while pressing down on the bestop unit itself. The issue is that the provided bolts do not have threads at the tip, so you lose about 1/8" of thread. I ended up stripping one of the M6 nuts because I could not get it on straight due to the lack of threads and how the step bracket bend is designed.
I ended up purchasing new bolts and nuts with full threads (same length) and had no issues getting everything secure.
After installation I had some issues with wind noise at the front of the Sunrider, but thanks to the previous thread on this forum I was able to adjust the passenger side striker plate bracket forward which provide a more secure clamp down on that end.
I also ended up putting some weather stripping along the front edge of the Bestop where it meets the second layer of rubber seal at the front of the Bronco.
The last adjustment was adding foam to the metal support bar (secured by a velcro wrap) that runs horizontally across the sunrider. This reduced the vibration and snapping noises coming from that support bar.
You can find the detailed instructions for these alterations within the threads I will list below.
Overall Impressions:
The unit is built very well and I love the design look of the unit (black twill fabric option).
It is really a game changer to be able to open and close the top without worrying about carrying the hard top panels or getting caught in the rain.
The hinges are a bit stiff yet, so I have to stand on the hoop steps and pull the unit a bit to get it started either up or down.
One big tip is to make sure that you lower the sun visors when latching or unlatching the unit.
My Bronco sits outside so It has been in numerous rain storms parked as well as driving and no leaks so far.
Wind Noise is more pronounced than with the hard top and depending upon the direction of the wind and whether the hwy has barriers, etc it will vary. But it is acceptable for me and the benefits of dropping the top outweigh the extra noise. If I was going on a long road trip I would probably put the hard top back on depending upon the length and situation.
My daughter drove in the Bronco shortly after the install and commented that it was no different that her friends Jeep soft top.
I think the unit is a good value and should last a long time with proper care. I am happy with the unit and what it provides. I think Bestop as a company is growing and having a few challenges with customer support getting up to speed. I did get quick responses from emails and call backs, so that was a positive.
Here are the links and some pictures of my process.
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https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/bestop-sunrider-wind-noise.33040/page-3

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/bestop-sunrider-wind-noise.33040/page-2

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...-plus-bonus-fix-for-bad-adhesive.64146/page-5

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/bestop-sunrider-wind-noise.33040/page-7

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/bestop-trektop-flapping-noise.73760/page-2


HARD TOP Wind Noise Thread:

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...dition-plus-bonus-fix-for-bad-adhesive.64146/
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[lwilliams34]

Parked her in some tall grass.
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[lwilliams34]

Now that I have the Bestop Sunrider I Finally got around to putting the top panels into the Ford provided bag. Shout out to this video for great instructions.
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[lwilliams34]

First hand wash since I got her. Was in a hurry so didn't even snap photos of the process.
Just the end.
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[lwilliams34]

Some Misc Photos with the Shelby Mustang.
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[KRAKEN]

Bronco looks great... but that Shelby... ooh la la

 

[broadicustomworks]

Which brand of dollies are those?
And how do you like them?
I have a "cheaper" set you have to jack the car up and then sit the wheels on them, and they do the job I guess. It takes a ton of effort to push a car around on them and am looking to upgrade to a set like that.
Harbor freight sells some, and then of course there are the upper-shelf priced GoJacks. And probably 100 others similar from various Chinese offerings one could find on the net.
*Beautiful Shelby, btw.

 

[lwilliams34]

Bronco looks great... but that Shelby... ooh la la

Thanks.. yeah I really love my GT350. Hard to describe the driving experience and the sound of the exhaust. I've had it on several tracks over the past few years and it never ceases to amaze me.

 

[lwilliams34]

Which brand of dollies are those?
And how do you like them?
I have a "cheaper" set you have to jack the car up and then sit the wheels on them, and they do the job I guess. It takes a ton of effort to push a car around on them and am looking to upgrade to a set like that.
Harbor freight sells some, and then of course there are the upper-shelf priced GoJacks. And probably 100 others similar from various Chinese offerings one could find on the net.
*Beautiful Shelby, btw.

Thanks, absolutely love them. It does take two people (in my case) to move the vehicle but once you have it started it glides well. You want two people if you are in a small space such as my garage for damage control My garage is pitched toward the doors which is great for water drainage, but once started the car will start sloping down toward the garage doors if someone is not at the back of the car. They designed the third garage stall with that stupid 2ft indent so I'm losing valuable depth, that is why I have to position my 350 at an angle to get access to everything during winter storage work. They are self jacking with the foot pedal, so an all in one solution
The locks on the wheels work great. Once I have it position where I want it I drop the wheels down and leave the dollies there. Took one whack to the lower leg though to make me mindful that they were on the perimeter of the car!
Bought them from Summit Racing..
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sxt-7708
also bought the storage rack...
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-918071

 

[lwilliams34]

Added a Bronco Poster to the Garage next to my Shelby.
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[lwilliams34]

Custom Road America License Plate. Color scheme looks so much better.
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