Bestop Quick Release Bow Knuckles for your Soft Top

Spagent · 02-08-2010, 08:11 PM

Finally got around to adding the Bestop Quick Release Bow Knuckles to my Soft Top frame. Here's the skinny...
VERY easy to install and have the appearance of being far sturdier than the stock hardware. Both the stock and the new Bestop Quick Release Bow Knuckles are mostly plastic but the quick release version makes life MUCH easier for assembly/disassembly.
Now here is the only down fall that I have found so far.
When I got on the highway the other day, I heard a "new rattle" from my TJ. So as we all do, I drove like a freak for a few miles trying to keep the beast on the road while I figured out what the hell was causing the sound...

Yep...The Bestop Quick Release Bow Knuckles...
Not a big deal and can be fixed with about 3 cents worth of felt but the soft top windows flap a tiny bit at highway speeds causing the bow knuckle quick release "handles" to rattle. Just annoying considering that they cost about $30 and probably cost about $1.50 for Bestop to manufacture
haha
Bottom line.... A great device and worth the cost. Just throw some felt on the end of the handle to reduce the noise.

**norville** · 02-09-2010, 04:43 AM

did you run the release knobs facing in or out?

**bolski** · 02-09-2010, 06:56 AM

Very cool, just purchased a set of these for my Craigslist soft top and was wondering how they performed. Thanks!

Spagent · 02-09-2010, 08:01 PM

Well - There are two on each side. The directions included involve one set being installed facing out and one facing in. I think it is so they dont interfere with one another as the two parts of the frame slide in a "scissor" fashion. I just did what they said in the instructions. I will add though that the rattle is an easy fix and the part is well worth installing. things work like a charm so far

southtxdstroyer · 02-09-2010, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spagent

Well - There are two on each side. The directions included involve one set being installed facing out and one facing in. I think it is so they dont interfere with one another as the two parts of the frame slide in a "scissor" fashion. I just did what they said in the instructions. I will add though that the rattle is an easy fix and the part is well worth installing. things work like a charm so far

one more reason the LJ is superior to the TJ :kidding:

Spagent · 02-10-2010, 05:39 PM

Whats an "LJ" ????
hahahah

Just teasing - My theory is that Jeeps are Jeeps.
I loved my CJ5 even though it had some retarded design features (Like stalling every time it went thru a puddle because the distributor was pointed straight down behind the wheel well). I love my TJ even with its inherent flaws. And I'm sure the LJ is riddled with nonsense as well...But its still a "Jeep Thing"

southtxdstroyer · 02-10-2010, 06:48 PM

i love my CJ5 too even though i have never driven it

and from what i hear, the LJs have a lot of overlapping body panels (future rust

)