Bestop Bikini

May 24, 2005 13 Replies

For Christmas, I got a Bikini top, for my 98 Wrangler. I SHOULD have opened it and checked it out when I got it. Unfortunately I got my first look at it this past weekend, and found that I need the "retainer channel" yet I can't find it on their website.



My question to the group is.. Where does this "channel" bolt to, and can I simply fab my own? Has anyone else done this?



they make 2 kinds one that you drill holes in the windshield and one that bolts in to the factory latch spot.. I reccomend the one that bolts in but it is more expensive if there is a 4 wheel parts near you they have them!

Thanks for that link, I was looking in the completely wrong spot...

I'm thinking of going with the drill-type, since then I can leave the channel on there with the soft-top up. Does anyone have experience with this? Does the drill-type channel look really strange when there is no top on the vehicle?

Thanks!

No, it's not even really noticable, and it's great for putting on a bikini top. Only problem is if you let your tops be loose and flap in the wind alot, it will eventually rip the channel out at a most unfortunate time, like when your on the highway..... Keep your top tight, and if need (from experience), get self tapping metel screws and go crazy on your channel... Nick

Thanks for your response Nick, I'll now be purchasing one.

I searched 4wd & quadratec, and was unable to find it.. I Froogled

51210 however, and it turned up for $14.75 from a Yahoo! store called "Inclined Vehicles" .. anybody heard of these guys?

Have you tried to see if it fits in the header channel for the soft top?

On Tue, 24 May 2005 12:18:49 -0700 in , "Nick" graced the world with this thought:

I'm trying to figure why you would leave your top on so it was flapping around... I've had a channel on my CJ5 for more than fifteen years, never had a problem.

Are you interested in a hardtop for your CJ5?

Good question. I have one channel - works for bikini top and soft top.

Steve

95 YJ 98 ZJ

Jeff Strickland wrote:

Mine is the same, one channel for both.

Mike

86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

Steve Landis wrote:

I just found out that the bikini-top that I was given as a gift is a "header-bikini" .. the type that requires the bolt-on channel. I really hate the idea of having this type, since I'd have to disconnect the thing every time I want to put the soft-top back on.. And I'd have to carry it with me all the time if I want the option of going bikini anywhere I want..

I think I'll just Ebay the one I've got, and purchase a strapless & the drill-type header:

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-Dave

I just purchased the Bestop safari top for my Unlimited with the header that bolts in to the 2 latches, very easy to put on but you will still have to remove it if you want to place you full soft or hard tops back.

All cost me $200.00 includng shipping, it will be a lot cheaper for you if you go bikini and shipping will be less that for this poor canadian

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