Soft Top vs Skyrider

[mikegreenstein65]

I am about to purchase my first Bronco (Big Bend) and am deciding between getting: (1) a soft top or (2) hard top plus a Bestop Skyrider.

I like the ease of the soft top, but am also drawn to the benefits of a hard top for the winter months, for some added safety and security, and for better visibility. So the Skyrider soft top option looks appealing, but is obviously more expensive and more work. I would appreciate any feedback from those of you who have been here before, specifically, on:
- whether you actually swap out the Skyrider for the full hard top once or twice a year, or wind up just leaving it on
- the ease of installing and removing the Skyrider
- any issues with storing the hard top panels when not in use.

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[Sodbuster88]

I am about to purchase my first Bronco (Big Bend) and am deciding between getting: (1) a soft top or (2) hard top plus a Bestop Skyrider.

I like the ease of the soft top, but am also drawn to the benefits of a hard top for the winter months, for some added safety and security, and for better visibility. So the Skyrider soft top option looks appealing, but is obviously more expensive and more work. I would appreciate any feedback from those of you who have been here before, specifically, on:
- whether you actually swap out the Skyrider for the full hard top once or twice a year, or wind up just leaving it on
- the ease of installing and removing the Skyrider
- any issues with storing the hard top panels when not in use.

Like the hard top but it’s terrible quality. Just took mine in for its third replacement on warranty.

 

[Bschurr]

I am about to purchase my first Bronco (Big Bend) and am deciding between getting: (1) a soft top or (2) hard top plus a Bestop Skyrider.

I like the ease of the soft top, but am also drawn to the benefits of a hard top for the winter months, for some added safety and security, and for better visibility. So the Skyrider soft top option looks appealing, but is obviously more expensive and more work. I would appreciate any feedback from those of you who have been here before, specifically, on:
- whether you actually swap out the Skyrider for the full hard top once or twice a year, or wind up just leaving it on
- the ease of installing and removing the Skyrider
- any issues with storing the hard top panels when not in use.

The 2 tips have very different use cases. If you have the time, energy and patience to remove windows to get the full open air experience, the soft top is for you. If you are more likely to enjoy the open air seasonally and the convenience of a quick flip back the top, then Skyrider/Surider is for you.

Installation of the Sun/Skyrider is significantly easier and it’s a lot less heavy and awkward than the OEM soft top.
Good luck!

 

[RSNovi]

I have a hard top and the Bestop slant back. We swap the hard and soft tops out based on winter and summer. It takes about an hour to do so now.

 

[23BDBigSean]

The 2 tips have very different use cases. If you have the time, energy and patience to remove windows to get the full open air experience, the soft top is for you. If you are more likely to enjoy the open air seasonally and the convenience of a quick flip back the top, then Skyrider/Surider is for you.

Installation of the Sun/Skyrider is significantly easier and it’s a lot less heavy and awkward than the OEM soft top.
Good luck!

Time, energy and patience?! Do you not have 3 minutes to spare ?! Or literally 5 seconds to go halfie and just open the top and leave the windows in.
I’m confused… the soft top is the epitome of convenience. Swapping a hard top on and off in fall/spring and then adding the sky rider is the real chore
Soft top FTW

 

[23BDBigSean]

But maybe Mike needs the hard top in the winter months which the soft top can handle (with a comforter or blanket above the Bimini) but the hard top is definitely better suited for.

Also @mikegreenstein65 you really don’t need to include your home address in your profile but you do you my guy

 

[Dral97]

I would not worry about winter with the soft top too much other than if you have to use the back a lot. The clear plastic will crack if you look at it the wrong way in freezing temperatures.

I'd say the main advantage of the hard top is the added security.

I had a hard and soft top for an older jeep. I was going to switch back and forth. I ended up just leaving the soft top on all the time. The cold didn't bother me, but I did have some cracks in the plastic.

 

[wjtinfwb]

Time, energy and patience?! Do you not have 3 minutes to spare ?! Or literally 5 seconds to go halfie and just open the top and leave the windows in.
I’m confused… the soft top is the epitome of convenience. Swapping a hard top on and off in fall/spring and then adding the sky rider is the real chore
Soft top FTW

I go back and forth on this but ultimately I'm sticking with my soft top. The top itself is high quality and mine fits very well with no leaks. I'd like the hard top for noise and security reasons but I just keep the speed under 75 and park in my garage to solve those problems. Both are a compromise, I elect to save the money and have the convenience of just tossing the front of the top back to have a Bronco "Targa" for a 3rd of the cost of a new 911!

 

[A585]

I have the hard top with the skyrider. Like the convenance of the skyrider don’t have to haul roof panels around with me. Keep them in the bags in garage. Skyrider is definitely noisier. Takes about 30 minutes to install or remove skyrider.

 

[eski15]

2 dr hardtop with Skyrider and love the ability to throw it back anytime and just as easy close it up when you have to. Going to be installing the Hotheads headliner for the sky rider and think that will solve any noise issues with the Skyrider.
Install was really easy too!

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