Best Top vs OEM Soft-Top vs Sunrider Top?

No personal experience with anything but the OEM 4-door soft top, which I like a lot so far.

I have a Bestop TrekTop NX for my TJ which has been a great soft top. It has many configuration options and I use them all. Bestop is widely regarded as the best soft top manufacturer and I would personally agree with that statement based on my experience. I'd limit my search to Bestop personally.

Different strokes for different folks comment: the Sunrider concept is sort of neat but I have to admit I've always thought it was a rather "thin" improvement for the time and trouble it takes to install. With the hard top, the front panels pop out and go in the cargo area pretty easily. Why not just do that? At least, that's my thinking. I've always been a bit perplexed as to why anyone would bother with the Sunrider. Personally I'd just go with a full soft top with the features you want or leave the hard top on. FWIW Bestop's soft top will allow you to pull the front section back leaving the front two seats open to the sun and air, just like the Sunrider. I use it in my Jeep all the time.

-JC

Thank you for the reply! I have had a 4 door Wrangler with both tops (Chicago so basically stuck with hard top). Now I'm in South Florida. I saw a video of the Best Top Trek Top with Bimini, and it seemed to check all the boxes.

AZ here and so far the only Bimini is the BestTop but it is mesh. Too much sun here I need a solid version. I had a shorty on my Samurai and loved it. Covered just the driver and passenger. Back was open but never really got wet if you were on the road. With the windows up the cab was surprisingly tight. AC and heat were both effective. Soft top only went on for 3 months of winter once the snow started flying.

JeepersCreepers

No personal experience with anything but the OEM 4-door soft top, which I like a lot so far.

I have a Bestop TrekTop NX for my TJ which has been a great soft top. It has many configuration options and I use them all. Bestop is widely regarded as the best soft top manufacturer and I would personally agree with that statement based on my experience. I'd limit my search to Bestop personally.

Different strokes for different folks comment: the Sunrider concept is sort of neat but I have to admit I've always thought it was a rather "thin" improvement for the time and trouble it takes to install. With the hard top, the front panels pop out and go in the cargo area pretty easily. Why not just do that? At least, that's my thinking. I've always been a bit perplexed as to why anyone would bother with the Sunrider. Personally I'd just go with a full soft top with the features you want or leave the hard top on. FWIW Bestop's soft top will allow you to pull the front section back leaving the front two seats open to the sun and air, just like the Sunrider. I use it in my Jeep all the time.

-JC

I’m not an expert at all on soft tops, but from my research, I will stick with what softtop mine comes with, and look at Bestop for anything else.

I ordered the 'Sunrider' top with mine... I may have to park outside in the winter some so didn't want to go soft top year-round here in Indiana. But I also didn't want to invest in the full hard and soft tops. The sunrider seems like a nice compromise during the summer to allow me to just flip back the front 2 seats, without really having to stop and take out panels, etc. Maybe I'll like it, or not... admittedly, it was one of the few things I didn't research a lot.

I have to admit…this is topic I am still confused about. Could anyone lay out the feature differences between the standard soft top and the sunrider top that is offered on the 22 build webpage?

And also the “retractable soft top twill” option on the build configurer?

Chase44

I have to admit…this is topic I am still confused about. Could anyone lay out the feature differences between the standard soft top and the sunrider top that is offered on the 22 build webpage?

The standard soft top IS the top (vs MIC hard top), and covers the entire length of the Bronco.The windows remove and the whole top folds back. It can fold back part-ways, or all the way. Some people use an additional “Bimini” top when folding it back all the way, as that gives some sun and wind (and bird crap) protection. The Bimini is like a mesh tarp.

The “Sunrider” top is like a soft canvas top for covering JUST the front row of seats. If you have a hard top you can fold it back to open up the roof quickly and easily. It functions in place of the front row panels when installed.

Chase44

And also the “retractable soft top twill” option on the build configurer?

I admit I do not understand this option….

Im confused too. How did someone order a hard top already? I had to get a soft top with mine but can’t find anything on when or how to get a MIC hard top.

FirstBronco

Hard top is shipped, and on the way. Looking into soft-tops and the sunrider. Anyone have any experience or suggestions?

Question. If your hardtop shipped, does that mean you had the original one that had problems? If so, what do you plan on doing with it?

We reserved a hard-top, and the vehicle was built but before shipping it was held so they could wait for the updated MIC top. The original delivery date was in mid August.

CypressBronco

Question. If your hardtop shipped, does that mean you had the original one that had problems? If so, what do you plan on doing with it?

Ford sent a lengthy emails about this and what they are doing with all them

I ordered a outer banks 2 Dr. it didn’t give me an option for the normal soft top. I could only add the Bestop soft twill top. So now I have both tops coming. Which is kind of what I wanted. What I really wanted to order was the factory soft top and then get a hard top layer when I could get a black one. Did I do something wrong or is this how it is?

Cochese

I ordered a outer banks 2 Dr. it didn’t give me an option for the normal soft top. I could only add the Bestop soft twill top. So now I have both tops coming. Which is kind of what I wanted. What I really wanted to order was the factory soft top and then get a hard top layer when I could get a black one. Did I do something wrong or is this how it is?

You did it correctly. There is not a factory soft top for the 2 door. Bestop is the option for the 2 door. It is great that you are getting both. Enjoy.

FirstBronco

We reserved a hard-top, and the vehicle was built but before shipping it was held so they could wait for the updated MIC top. The original delivery date was in mid August.

Ah alright makes sense. Yeah I was curious if anyone was purchasing the old hardtops to modify/play with them since the new ones came/are coming in.

Question: I see Ford is offering 2 options in the Bimini top. a Mesh option (I believe $340) and a Canvas Bimini for around $390. I have no experience with either type and wanted feedback. Also I've seen aftermarket versions for just over $100. Is there one out there that is most preferred? Ive got a hardtop and the Bronco (whenever it arrives) and will be garage kept so I'm looking for a Bimini to leave on for long periods to avoid regular removal of the hardtop. Thanks in advance. Im in the TN/ NC area so will primarily be used in Spring and Fall.

The “retractable soft top twill” for $2000+ is still an absolute mystery. My dealer had no clue. I decided not to worry about it and just get the soft top that comes with it. If the mystery “retractable soft top twill” has some kind of advantage worth the money then I will make the call down the road.
It is kinda weird that no one knows what this is though.

Yeah Im more interested in the fixed Bimini top like the link attached. Not so much the retractable full top. However it does appear Ford pricing has come down on them. https://accessories.ford.com/products/bronco-4dr-2021-soft-mesh-bimini-top-1