BesTop Skyrider…. Has anyone installed?

Bluestreak57

May 12, 2023

Was chatting last night about this product with @EGBronc and other, and am wondering how difficult (or possible) it is to re-install the hard top panels for harsh winter months…

Anyone out there running this product yet?
TIA

Riding OB1, 23 4- door Outer Banks, SAS, MOD, MIC, Lux, Ordered 10/20/22, delivered 1/13/23

Laura, Roughstock11

Last edited by a moderator: May 12, 2023

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May 12, 2023

There are. I've seen pics! But, I can't remember who and if it was here or on FB. I will do my best to remember you if I see one again. But, don't hold your breath! We don't want to lose you. I've got things working against me that don't help me at all to remember what I want to remember. 😪

Hi y'all, Lauri here and I am the proud owner of a MY21 Badlands, SAS, 2.7 auto, 4 door, soft top, Cactus Gray, no reservation, ordered 9/11/21, Took delivery 1/8/22!

LR48, Roughstock11

May 12, 2023

FWIW, my dream setup is a power one-touch top (like Jeep's Sky OneTouch), but with winter panels you can place over the soft top.

Bluestreak57, Roughstock11

May 13, 2023

Thanks for asking this question @Bluestreak57 I watched the install video and I think it should be pretty easy to remove this and reinstall your hardtop panels for winter. I will be doing the same!

I will be ordering one but now I have questions as well. Can you run it through an automatic car wash??

@alyd09 I know you have this product, do you run yours through an automatic car wash with brushes?

Is there a huge difference in the Twill or Black diamond fabric?? TIA

Roughstock11

May 13, 2023

Took us about 4 hours. We love it. Only been on for about 3 months so no winter use. Plan on switching back to hard top in the fall. Only home wash so no drive thru car wash. Ours is the twill top.

Chief Ron, Laura

May 13, 2023

Also you will need torx plus bits for any bolts on the bronco, regular torx on bolts that come with the skyrider. Ordered on Amazon.

Chief Ron, Laura

May 13, 2023

Put my soft top back on yesterday. IMO it’s so much more fun than opening up the hard top.

Hard top is still available for sale 😁

Bluestreak57

May 13, 2023

Sulley
Put my soft top back on yesterday. IMO it’s so much more fun than opening up the hard top.

Hard top is still available for sale 😁

Whoever is going to buy your Bronco would most likely buy it with both tops.

Chief Ron, Darrel

May 13, 2023

adcam
Whoever is going to buy your Bronco would most likely buy it with both tops.

Maybe, there are still a lot of people that only care about a soft top, and others who want one of the fugly aftermarket tops. If I can sell it separately that reduces the amount of extra cost I have to justify.

May 14, 2023

Sulley
Maybe, there are still a lot of people that only care about a soft top, and others who want one of the fugly aftermarket tops. If I can sell it separately that reduces the amount of extra cost I have to justify.

If someone close by was selling an oem hardtop I would have bought that a long time ago. I’ve been searching since I got my Bronco in Dec 2021. I had to settle for the fugly aftermarket tops :)

Bluestreak57

May 14, 2023

#10

Fugly is in the eye of the beholder, i personally don't like the appearance of the stock softtop with the wavy rear plastic panels.

May 14, 2023

#11

Anyway sorry to hijack the thread for a minute. the point I wanted to share is that it’s so much more fun to have a wide open soft top IMO than just an open top. If you’re looking at something now, it may be worth looking at going full soft top for summer (either Bestop or OE) than the skyrider.

EGBronc

May 15, 2023

#12

EGBronc
Thanks for asking this question @Bluestreak57 I watched the install video and I think it should be pretty easy to remove this and reinstall your hardtop panels for winter. I will be doing the same!

I will be ordering one but now I have questions as well. Can you run it through an automatic car wash??

@alyd09 I know you have this product, do you run yours through an automatic car wash with brushes?

Is there a huge difference in the Twill or Black diamond fabric?? TIA

Yes you can run it through the car wash. I had no issues. I hand wash my Bronco at all costs but I was in a bind and had to take it in an automatic car wash and had 0 issues.

Chief Ron, Deano Bronc

May 15, 2023

#13

alyd09
Yes you can run it through the car wash. I had no issues. I hand wash my Bronco at all costs but I was in a bind and had to take it in an automatic car wash and had 0 issues.

Thanks Aly!!

May 16, 2023

#14

WABA

Took us about 4 hours. We love it. Only been on for about 3 months so no winter use. Plan on switching back to hard top in the fall. Only home wash so no drive thru car wash. Ours is the twill top.

Nice! Any pics with the top down?

May 19, 2023

#15

I'm on the fence with the Skyrider.
I know it is my decision, just want to throw out my thoughts and get some feedback.
1, buy a Jtops Bimini and keep the hardtop, removing as weather allows. (keep in mind the Jtop will not clear any aftermarket top)
2, buy a Skyrider, and use as weather allows. There are no known Bimini tops that will work with the Skyrider, including the Bestop Access. (I spoke with them at length yesterday).
3, buy a Bestop Trek Top and the Access Bimini, and run them together.
4, buy the OEM softop (not a fan) and run either the JTops Bimini, or the Access Bimini.

Thoughts, and positive feedback please?

In the garage: 2022 Indian Super Chief Limited
2022 Bronco Badlands

May 19, 2023

#16

I got the sunrider, but then again I have a 2 door. So easy to use and works with some cheap front bimini I got off of ebay that I popped on today

notajeep!

Aug 05, 2023

#17

Not to revive a 3 month old post or anything...

But for anyone who has installed the Skyrider, did you have an issues with your hinges/arms? I managed to break mine during the install. To Bestop's credit... they replaced it under warranty. But... concerned about long-term durability since I managed to break it.

21:42 mark is where I broke it.

2022 4dr Badlands, 2.3L Manual, Mid pkg
YouTube: youtube.com/@ragnarkon
Instagram: @ragnar.kon

Chief Ron, Darrel

Mar 21, 2025

#18

RagnarKon
Not to revive a 3 month old post or anything...

But for anyone who has installed the Skyrider, did you have an issues with your hinges/arms? I managed to break mine during the install. To Bestop's credit... they replaced it under warranty. But... concerned about long-term durability since I managed to break it.

21:42 mark is where I broke it.

@RagnarKon after what looks like 1-1/2 years I’m wondering what you think of the Bestop Skyrider? How are the hinges holding up? What is your overall experience with functionality and enjoyment? Would you buy it again?? Obviously I have an interest as I’m thinking about buying one for my WildTrak 4 door.

‘23 Hot Pepper Red Wildtrak 2.7L-V6 4 dr. MIC Sas Lux and Lovin’ it!!

Mar 21, 2025

#19

Sam I Am 1966
@RagnarKon after what looks like 1-1/2 years I’m wondering what you think of the Bestop Skyrider? How are the hinges holding up? What is your overall experience with functionality and enjoyment? Would you buy it again?? Obviously I have an interest as I’m thinking about buying one for my WildTrak 4 door.

I had mine for over 2 years and I traded it and left it on my last Bronco (I regret this so much) I had 0 wear and tear issues and on top of that I had the pre-production model I tested for them so it wasnt even perfect yet.

Sam I Am 1966

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