What windshield header is this?

[tJKrider]

I've been contemplating getting a soft top although the jury is still out.

I'll probably pick up a used one and try it out to see if it's to my liking or not. Many for sale locally don't include the rollbar brackets and/or door surrounds. One popped up with worn out fabric that I grabbed mainly to get the aforementioned components. For $25 I couldn't resist.

Question is about the windshield header... This one is mounted on top of the fabric and it looks like the fabric was replaced at some point - best I can tell its a Bestop Supertop w/ replacement Quadratec fabric. I haven't seen any like this before - can anyone shed some light for me?

Top front (outside):

Bottom front (inside)

Trying to learn and understand if I can get a replacement top for this framework or not...

Thanks!

 

[tJKrider]

After staring at this a bit longer I'm thinking whoever replaced the top did so incorrectly... The header has the Bestop insignia stamped into it so I don't think there is anything weird going on there.

 

[tJKrider]

Took it apart and indeed, the PO installed the header totally wrong. I took the opportunity to install it the right way just to learn how to do it, even though that fabric is trashed even more than I thought. It has ~27 screw holes in the front from the incorrect install.

So that's good though, I figured out the header is pretty standard and I think I can utilize the entire frame if I choose to just replace the fabric.

 

[tJKrider]

For reference... Header installed correctly, but now with "custom" vent holes. Just have to laugh sometimes at what people hack up.

 

[WSS]

Yikes, PO's can be a lot of headaches. It is like archeology, you can see the methods of the different owners throughout the build.

edit: is there any iron on material for a short time fix? Like the denim jean patches from the 70's??

 

[tJKrider]

edit: is there any iron on material for a short time fix? Like the denim jean patches from the 70's??

It's a good idea, but I wasn't planning on using this material anyway. There are a few soft top skins for sale cheap that have all the windows and are in good shape. I'll marry one of those to this frame and try it out to see if I like it or not. If I do, I'll keep my eye out for a twill/premium fabric one long term.

 

[stefanrobin]

I've been contemplating getting a soft top although the jury is still out.

I'll probably pick up a used one and try it out to see if it's to my liking or not. Many for sale locally don't include the rollbar brackets and/or door surrounds. One popped up with worn out fabric that I grabbed mainly to get the aforementioned components. For $25 I couldn't resist.

Question is about the windshield header... This one is mounted on top of the fabric and it looks like the fabric was replaced at some point - best I can tell its a Bestop Supertop w/ replacement Quadratec fabric. I haven't seen any like this before - can anyone shed some light for me?

Top front (outside):
View attachment 129558

Bottom front (inside)

View attachment 129559

Trying to learn and understand if I can get a replacement top for this framework or not. While researching a polaris ranger xp 1000 rear view mirror for another project, I started wondering if a replacement top is available for this framework as well.

Thanks!

For $25, that's a great deal just for the hardware. From your description, it sounds like the frame is likely a Bestop, but the replacement fabric may not be the original style, which would explain why the windshield header looks different. The important thing is identifying the exact frame model, as replacement skins are usually frame-specific. If it's a genuine Bestop Supertop frame, you should be able to buy a compatible replacement fabric once you confirm the model. I'd check the frame and header for any part numbers or labels before ordering a new top.

 

[tJKrider]

For $25, that's a great deal just for the hardware. From your description, it sounds like the frame is likely a Bestop, but the replacement fabric may not be the original style, which would explain why the windshield header looks different. The important thing is identifying the exact frame model, as replacement skins are usually frame-specific. If it's a genuine Bestop Supertop frame, you should be able to buy a compatible replacement fabric once you confirm the model. I'd check the frame and header for any part numbers or labels before ordering a new top.

I ended up finding a used Quadratec replacement cover that fit this frame and used it for most of last Summer. Worked great! I found a great deal a Black Twill top with everything except the roll bar brackets so I swapped over to that one long term. I paid it forward and gave the other away to another Jeep owner in need.