Who makes a bikini top that fits right

[bones]

I bought a CJ5 bikini top from bestop and they do not fit right. The top would not fit in the header on outer edges where its sewed. I called bestop and they tried one off of there shelf and it would not fit either. They recomended i open the header up to get it in. Tried that but by doing so the full top will be to loose in the header. After the bending of the header it doesnt look right. The end piece with the snap is also to short to use the snap. So if the top did fit in the header the end with the snap will just flop in the wind. They offered to send me a new header since they recomended to open it up. They also said they were going to try and find out what happend with the tops. Has anyone bought a top they can recomend that fits.

 

[BajaEdition]

Sorry, but mine are Bestop and work
however this year bestop went off shore, guess that means Chinese junk. I wonder when we will learn not to buy anything not made in the USA

 

[GoldenEagle36]

Buy an older one that was made in America


Thats what im gonna do when i get a bikini for mine

 

[Jet]

I bought a Bestop strapless bikini,& it fits good. Also says "Made in China". on a tag. But mine is a CJ7 .

 

[gillmore]

I've got a 79 CJ5 and put one of the traditional tops (w/straps) on my Jeep last month. I had to open up the edge of the retainer rail a very minimal amount. I found it helpful to put that thick, folded-over edge into the retainer about six inches from the end -- and slide it into place. You might also want to make sure you've laid the top out in the sun for a while prior to install.

 

[bones]

Gillmore. Did your top go beyond the header on the edge or was it inside. Also did you use the snap on the edge. I just talked to redding 4 wheel drive and they installed one recently and they said the top should not go outside of the header. He also said he didnt have a snap on the edge. I dont know if they changed there production line or what.

 

[gillmore]

I have the Bestop 52507-01 Traditional Bikini Black Top (w/straps).

I installed the base snaps into the windshield frame right at the edge of the retainer, but I'm not extending past it. I had to pull it pretty tight to get it to reach the edge. On mine, the retainer does wrap around the curve of the windshield. I'm wondering if you might have a top for a different group of model years, a different windshield frame, or a different retainer bar. --Glen

 

[bones]

When I contacted bestop they said they only make one header. I described mine and they were sure it was one of theres. My full top was also a bestop. If the snap tab would have been long enough to use I would have kept the top after opening the header and used the snap. By the way, bestop said not to use the snap. It looks to me that this bikini top was made for the older cjs with the narrower windshield frame. If your not supposed to use the snap what are they putting the snap in it for. I will definitely know if the header is right when they send me a new one.