We recently caught wind of a new soft top on the market that's made by Rampage and comes with double-stitched and seam-sealed construction, a fancy Diamond-Black canvas, and 30-mil-thick windows. Rampage also offers a two-year warranty that covers all defects in workmanship and materials, so if a seam comes apart or the fabric rips, the company will replace the top for you.
We knew this top install was...
We knew this top install was going to be different from other ones we've tackled when we opened the box and found this huge canvas bag, which held all the windows, the top canvas, and even our steel half-door uppers. It also will serve to stow the top away when we take it off. Of course, it was much neater when we opened the box the first time; this is after Tazmanian Trasborg tore through the bag.
Top companies have come and gone over the years, and let's face it, replacing the soft top isn't cheap. Plus it's pretty scary to be the first guy around to buy a top from a company no one has ever used before. So we figured we'd grab one and give it a whirl for you.
We went with a full top, which includes all the bows and hardware for converting from a hard top or a soft top with damaged parts. So, follow along as we unpack and install the new complete top from Rampage Products.
A Brief Review
The top and bows install with no problems, just as the directions said they should. The header at the front of the top actually bolts down to the windshield, and then the fabric of the top slides into that header like a CJ or YJ. However, unlike the YJ or CJ, there is no bar to tension the top, just a nylon strap. So to install and tension the fabric, either you'll need to carry a 9/16-inch box-end wrench, ratchet wrench, or just yank on the back corners of the top. The middle bow assembly doesn't just swing down, so you need to remove it for true open-top Jeeping.
This really doesn't affect our use of the top; we just normally zip the windows out of the top, leaving essentially a safari bikini anyway. We are told that this material is an 18-ounce material, which is the original spec on the Jeep. The top is made outside the U.S., as are all tops nowadays, but the company is based right here in the USA, so customer service is in a language you can understand.
Overall, we are pleased with our new top, and even more pleased with the extra money still in our pockets.
The Rampage top includes all...
The Rampage top includes all the parts you will need, so no matter what you start off with, you'll be able to get this top on your Jeep. From header channel through the bow assemblies to the tailgate bar that the window slides into and seals the tailgate, it's all here. All the hardware was included and the directions are well written and easy to follow.
For our '01 Wrangler, we went...
For our '01 Wrangler, we went with PN 68535, which is called the Diamond Black color and feels very similar in weight to factory Jeep material. The MSRP on this top is $609.99, which makes the extras like the top storage bag, rear cargo tonneau cover, off-road accessory bag, and overhead zippered pockets for both driver and passenger even more impressive.
While the instructions were...
While the instructions were descriptive, the pictures in them leave a little to be desired. We had problems visualizing how the bow assemblies worked. The rear-most bow is very similar to a stock TJ bow, but the similarity ends there. Check out the picture for how it all goes together.
We like the idea of a pronounced...
We like the idea of a pronounced rain gutter to keep from getting drenched when you open the door. There is some kind of stiff foam in here to make it stand out over the door opening. When we first put the top on, the look bothered us and we tried our best to adjust it so the rain gutter was parallel to the door. No dice. The look is growing on us.
Everywhere the top canvas...
Everywhere the top canvas or zippers touch the bow, there is a heavy piece of plastic to protect the canvas from rubbing itself to oblivion. Combine the protective plastic with the wick-stop stitching and high-end materials and this top should last for a long time.
Many older Jeeps have stripped-out...
Many older Jeeps have stripped-out holes for the screws that retain the tailgate bar. Over the years, we've just stepped up the size of the sheet metal screws. Rampage figured out that if you run a small piece of weatherstripping on the bracket and attach it with nuts and bolts, it will never come loose or hog the hole out again.