ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Model Specific Suzuki Forum => Suzuki Sidekick, Vitara, Geo Tracker (Gen. 1 Platform) 1989-1998 => Topic started by: Trackr97 on February 21, 2012, 09:21:27 PM
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looking for a new top. I'm debating between a Bestop which i have now that needs replaced or a rampage with tinted windows. My tracker has tinted windows. I cant seem to find bestop selling tinted tops for the 97 tracker!?
Is rampage quality decent?
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I went with the rampage top. Not bad at all, i actually prefer the denim material over the vinyl used by bestop, I had several large rips in the bestop from sharp sticks on the side of the trails, the rampage has endured fine so far without any damage on the same trails that ate up the bestop vinyl.
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I have the Bestop. The quality and fit is second to none. However, it does not have tinted windows.
- Andy
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I am too looking for a top for my truck as I have gone through two Smittybilt tops in a year. I will be watching.
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I have a Bestop and I love it. It is a great fit and very easy to take off and keep rolled up on the rear bar, and easy to put on.
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i just replaced my rag with a bestop.
very nice fit- i think my old one was an original, but not sure.
i had to replace some of the plastic corner(rear) pieces for it to be tight around the rear window(trail tough), and i think the window zipper arrangement seems more durable.
i almost went rampage.
we'll see........
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I don't know if you already ordered your new top or not. I would say that the "Bestop" is a really good one as I have had two of them. The first one was original to my 96 and only reason I replaced was my daughter being quite young at the time didn't understand that sharp sticks can poke holes in the roof real easy when you are crawling on it. ??? Dad moment I guess.
If your main focus is tinted windows then go with Rampage and make sure and let us all know how it fits. Other option is what I finally broke down and got. I bought a removable hard top from Rally tops. It took about 3 weeks to arrive from order date. The top came in and honestly took longer to get the old stuff out of the way than to put the new one in, about 2 1/2 hrs. I opted for the sliding windows and have absolutely no complaints. The windows are factory style tint so no scrapes or fade outs later. They had sent me the wrong keys for the back window with the top but I called and told them and in 3 days had the correct ones. Very on top of the customer service in my book.
Yeah the glue was still fresh the first week and smelled but it is gone now 4 weeks in. The noise level is so much better when driving on the highway. My wife really likes that part. You can carry on a normal level conversation while doing 70-75. The other part is the heater does work a whole lot better and I bet that the A/C will be the same. I do plan on removing it though for prime "topless" driving season as that is why I bought this one over a tin top to begin with. ::)
Brad
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That is exactly why I got the rampage top off of ebay, 129$ and two days later I at least was watertight. This gives me some time to save up for a hard top.
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I think my plan is to buy the bestop, Just waiting on my tax return.
I'd rather buy a quality product then take a gamble with rampage.
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can't say as I blame you on that thinking.
I did also see these guys
http://www.convertibletopguys.com/convertible/1210/1995-98-Chevrolet-Tracker-Geo-Tracker (http://www.convertibletopguys.com/convertible/1210/1995-98-Chevrolet-Tracker-Geo-Tracker)
I have ordered some top parts from them a couple of years ago for a Trans Am and had no issues. I am also looking into their carpets for my Tracker.
The top is a crush vinyl (like Bestop) but you can get tinted windows for the same $$$. The price is around what I remember getting my last soft top for a few years back that only had the clear ones.
It is about 1/3 the cost of the rally top but completely understand if you must wait. Heck I had to wait to get mine for about 8 years. :)
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I have had both the Bestop & the Rampage...For the $$$ the Rampage is a better purchase. I bought the 1st one for my 99 Vitara and loved it. It is the tinted window version is vinyl. It looks absolutely great and is every bit as well built as the Bestop.
My 2nd one was purchased for my 87 Samurai. Both Tops fit perfectly right out of the box. No tugging or pulling trying to make them fit.
Neither top has shrunk and both can easily be put on when it is cold. Both tops were purchased from Ebay suppliers. I am not going to beat up on the Bestop product line. All I can say is that from someone who has owned both tops I would highly recommend the Rampage Top to be considered. Keep the extra $$$ and spend it on another wanted Zuki mod.
(http://inlinethumb06.webshots.com/47749/2323022120081905758S600x600Q85.jpg)
(http://inlinethumb12.webshots.com/48267/2782889880081905758S600x600Q85.jpg)
Tux... 8)
Here are a couple of older photos of my Samurai with the Rampage top on it. If there is an interest I will take a couple of the Vitara photos (I gave the vehicle to my daughter) in the next feww days.