Bikini Top

[Ando]

Can someone tell me if a Bikini Top can be folded away small enough to fit in the Jeep? I suspect that it may be rigid along the section that secures above the windscreen but I haven't seen one so can't be sure.

Thanks.

Ando

[Steve]

Mine can be folded away. There's a plastic like tubular piece that slides into the header. It's flexible. But that's a Kayline Top(No longer available). Not sure about other brands but I suspect they would have a similar setup.

[Ando]

Thanks for that. Does that mean you could store it away in the Jeep? I want to take one away on a long trip but not use it the whole time.

I have been quoted $242 for one at the stealership. doesn't sound too bad.

[Steve]

Yeah you should have no probs storing it away. Mine fold up into a carry bag about 500mm X 200mm as a guess. And is only say 15mm thick. Not sure about the dealer one though. Might want to ask them. BTW the dealer ones are Bestop.

[Ando]

My conversation with the accessories manager at the dealer:

Me: can you tell me if the sun bonnet is able to be folded up or is it rigid?

Dealer: Don't know. Haven't seen one. (this is the Jeep accessories manager!!!)

Me: How do I find out?

Dealer: Silence........then...Don't know.

Me: Who do you order them from?

Dealer: Direct from Chrysler.

Me: Perhaps you could ask them?

Dealer: They wouldn't know either.

Me: stumped.

So. I ordered one and when it arrives I will check it out. If it's rigid I won't buy it.

[hoppy]

ando
what did they want to charge you for this
is it the header style bikini top
no drill the holes
hoppy

[97TJSport]

If you are talking about the bikini for the TJ:

The no drill header bikini has a plastic part that runs along the front and sides and fits into the channel in the header and the door surrounds, similar to what is already on your soft top for the door surrounds and bottom of the side soft windows. It folds about as well as your soft windows will, and you still have the header bolted to your windshield frame--if you want to take that off (to put the soft top on), it doesn't fold at all.
The drill header bikini has a flexible tube thing similar to the rear soft window that fits into a channel similar to the channel in the bracket that holds down your rear window. It still has the plastic bits that fit into the door surrounds. It may fold a bit better than the no drill header. It is not necessary to remove the brackets to put your soft top up, so one less piece of stuff to figure out where to pack.

Personally, I went with the no drill header bikini, since I: a)didn't want to drill holes in my windshield frame (too many people having problems with the holes wearing out); and b)think the no drill header fits/seals the area around the windshield better than the drill header.

Cheers,

Mike

[hoppy]

mike can i ask what you payed for your header style bikini
hoppy

[AussieCJ7]

I have mine folded up and under the passenger seat no prob

[Ando]

fantastic. will nick down to the dealer to see if I can check one out before I hand over the hard earned cash!!

[Ando]

Hoppy,

They want $320 I think. I am not sure what type of setup the top is either. Speaking to the dealer was like speaking to a brick wall.

I am waiting until it arrives so I can check out what type it is. Certainly if it doesn't fold up then I don't want it.

Mike - thanks for the info on the different versions. I don't really want to be drilling into my frame.

[Steve]

Ando,

You also may want to consider checking the prices for the Bestop Bikini top from the various Jeep Shops like USA4X4, Suburban, or 4WD USA in Perth. Same product and you'll probably get it cheaper than the dealer and the person on the phone from these shops will know what they are talking about.

[Ando]

You read my mind. I already have emailed Tony at USA4X4 and am waiting to hear from him.

[Jeeps]

I'd like to know what price USA4x4 can do too. :D

[Ando]

got my bikini top from the dealer on the weekend.

It requires drilling the channel plate onto the inside of the window frame. Took about ten minutes.

Put it on and looks great/works great. Can fold up under the seat. So good for travelling. Although it is NOT waterproof only sunproof.

TW at USA4x4 sells Bestop ones which are waterproof but were more expensive and probably better quality. I don't think they fold up as easily though which is what I wanted.