skyslider air deflector

zoso7374 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 28, 2009 10:33 am

I want to preface this for all the skyslider haters . . . I LOVE my skyslider. However, I think the noise issue could be improved. It is tolerable now, but I think a simple deflector would do the trick. So I wanted to post my finding for fellow skyslider owners. Please stay away if you are going to use one of the following lines . . .

"It's a Jeep"
"It's a convertible"
"I have owned soft tops and they make tons of noise (but, I don't own a skyslider)"
"I was smart and didn't buy a skyslider, you sir are a moron"
"I know everything about all things liberty, and even though I own a pre-2008 Jeep, I will spew facts about the skyslider"

If you have something constructive to say . . . than have at it . . . otherwise go hang out at the nitro forumz.

Phew . . .

So here is something interesting . . . and VERY incomplete
http://skysliderwindnoise.blogspot.com/

Is anyone here capable of fabricating something of this nature? Anyone else investigated this? The amazing thing is that if you google "skyslider air deflector" you primarily get results of people looking for one. I am really surprised that none of the existing deflector manufacturers have investigated this. I am going to email some of them this link, and hopefully they will register on here and comment. This could be a cash cow for some of these manufacturers. Any comments on THIS SPECIFIC SKY SLIDER ISSUE are welcome on this thread. It seems as though every skyslider thread eventually goes in the same direction (TSB's and 'you are dumb for buying a skyslider'), so lets try to avoid that.

My other recent observation is that when the roof is OPEN, it has that little popup deflector. That thing annoys me. If you reach up and hold it down, the roof is basically silent with no additional wind in your face. I actually am considering removing it. Any thoughts?

zoso7374 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 28, 2009 11:00 am

Update:

I contacted AVS, Weathertech, and ERG . . . anyone else you guys think I should contact?

Here is my email . . .

To whom it may concern:

I am writing to you in regards to a 2008 (or 2009) Jeep Liberty with Sky Slider roof. There are alot of people out there who own this roof and are really looking to find a viable option for a wind deflector for the notoriously noisy roof. I am wondering if you have any plans of manufacturing a deflector that would work . . . or if there is an existing model that would work (perhaps something for a different vehicle that would fit). I am sending you a link to a thread on our Jeep Liberty forum. Feel free to either reply to my email, or post on this thread. A simple google search of this issue will show you how many people out there are waiting for this product to enter the market. This is a potential cash cow . . . the skyslider roof is currently on 2009-2009 Libertys, and I think that most skyslider owners would be VERY interested in solving the issue with a deflector. Thanks for your time, and we all look forward to hearing from you.

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/vie ... 221#459221

zoso7374 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 28, 2009 1:04 pm

First Response:

Thank you for your interest in MacNeil Automotive.

Unfortunately, the design of the SkySlider roof does not permit the installation of our sunroof deflector product. However, we will keep your information on file and contact you if a part is developed for this application in the future.

Please let us know if you have further questions and we will be happy to help.

Best regards,

Derek
MacNeil Automotive
1.800.441.6287

wingnuts · **Posted:** Tue Apr 28, 2009 1:12 pm

Well so far that is a bummer, you can add me to the list of the interested in this. only just over 1000 miles on the KK and don't notice anything yet, but from looking at it it is just the outside front corners that are exposed to the elements

BrendonR · **Posted:** Tue Apr 28, 2009 1:12 pm

Add me to the list.

I recently had TSB RevB applied and... while the noise seems better, I also haven't been up to 130km/h, or in a headwind since having it applied.

I've worked with fiberglass before - it's really not all that difficult. Alot like paper-mache. I've thought about trying to make something myself, and it still might happen one of these days. I remember HATING working with fiberglass though.... *explative* that was itchy work.

RPM007 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 28, 2009 8:27 pm

Most of my posts on this forum have been related to complaining about my noisy friggin' SkySlider, but I do love that thing when it's open. I am still pursuing a complaint with Chrysler, but I am getting the runaround (surprising, I know.)

I do agree that a deflector could drastically reduce the noise. I have searched exhaustively with no success. I drove out to MacNeil (WeatherTech) in March and spoke with them about the SkySlider. They told me they would speak with their engineers and get back to me. I explained to them the untapped market and offered free advertising, but I am yet to hear from them.

Please let me know if you find anything. I will continue my search for a solution to this miserable f*cking aggravating stupid noise and keep everyone posted on my results.

RPM

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 28, 2009 8:46 pm

Why don't you just get some measurements and find a pre-existing deflector made for another vehicle that has about the same dimensions and use that?

Oh and you bought the dang thing,living with the bad part is part of the price,there I said it.

RPM007 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 28, 2009 9:07 pm

There currently isn't anything on the market that is wide enough.

And I will not just live with it. I have no intention of settling for an inferior product. Chrysler did a horrible job engineering the SkySlider and I am not going to give up until they make ammends. This is America. Demand satisfaction.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 28, 2009 9:31 pm

RPM007 wrote:

There currently isn't anything on the market that is wide enough.

And I will not just live with it. I have no intention of settling for an inferior product. Chrysler did a horrible job engineering the SkySlider and I am not going to give up until they make ammends. This is America. Demand satisfaction.

And you wonder why it's going to s$%t,better hurry your warranty may be voided soon anyway.

You know that Chrysler did not design the skyslider right? The skysliders have been around for years before the KK from aftermarket company that I don't remember the name off.JBA when it was owned by the original owner sold skyslider kits about 4-5 years before the KK came out.

Your not going to get a low noise skyslider,that's a big hole that is plugged with canvas,there's going to be noise when that canvas ages just like convertibles.And what did the skyslider cost? About a $800 option I bet so you got what you paid for,the KK is a entry level vehicle and not a hand built $300,000 Bentley,there's going to be squeaks,groans,and noises.

Mr Nick · **Posted:** Tue Apr 28, 2009 9:59 pm

zoso7374 wrote:

My other recent observation is that when the roof is OPEN, it has that little popup deflector. That thing annoys me. If you reach up and hold it down, the roof is basically silent with no additional wind in your face. I actually am considering removing it. Any thoughts?

I agree 100%, I hate that thing. I'm going to look at removing it, or making a clip to hold it down. I'm on vacation next week and can't afford to go anywhere, so I'll have plenty of time to tinker!

Mr Nick · **Posted:** Tue Apr 28, 2009 10:01 pm

My thought on the Sky Slider noise... Has anybody pinpointed exactly where the noise is coming from? What I mean is...

Is it the rubber seal the the metal roof, or the rubber seal to the canvas top?

zoso7374 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 28, 2009 10:37 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

RPM007 wrote:

Your not going to get a low noise skyslider,that's a big hole that is plugged with canvas,there's going to be noise when that canvas ages just like convertibles.And what did the skyslider cost? About a $800 option I bet so you got what you paid for,the KK is a entry level vehicle and not a hand built $300,000 Bentley,there's going to be squeaks,groans,and noises.

Ugh. I will never understand the need for people to make statements like this. I mean if you enjoy being an abrasive a** then I guess your mission has been accomplished. The last part about the $300,000 Bentley is one of the most unintelligent and ridiculous statements you can make. The purpose of this thread is clearly stated and I am not sure what exactly you are contributing to this conversation. But I have been on this forum long enough to identify the hand full of self-important individuals that have some need to chime in just to hear themselves talk. Do you really think any of us hold our Jeep to the Bentley standard?

zoso7374 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 28, 2009 10:41 pm

Mr Nick wrote:

zoso7374 wrote:

My other recent observation is that when the roof is OPEN, it has that little popup deflector. That thing annoys me. If you reach up and hold it down, the roof is basically silent with no additional wind in your face. I actually am considering removing it. Any thoughts?

I agree 100%, I hate that thing. I'm going to look at removing it, or making a clip to hold it down. I'm on vacation next week and can't afford to go anywhere, so I'll have plenty of time to tinker!

Mr. Nick - If you do this, let me know. Its funny too because I never really noticed last summer, but recently I find myself reaching up and pushing it down just to see the difference. I actually notice though that at highway speed it tends to eliminate the thumpy, reverby, pulsing that comes sometimes when you have a window or two open at a slight crack. But I would be curious if this part can just be removed. As long as it doesn't affect the seal when closed.

zoso7374 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 28, 2009 10:46 pm

RPM007 wrote:

Most of my posts on this forum have been related to complaining about my noisy friggin' SkySlider, but I do love that thing when it's open. I am still pursuing a complaint with Chrysler, but I am getting the runaround (surprising, I know.)

I do agree that a deflector could drastically reduce the noise. I have searched exhaustively with no success. I drove out to MacNeil (WeatherTech) in March and spoke with them about the SkySlider. They told me they would speak with their engineers and get back to me. I explained to them the untapped market and offered free advertising, but I am yet to hear from them.

Please let me know if you find anything. I will continue my search for a solution to this miserable f*cking aggravating stupid noise and keep everyone posted on my results.

RPM

Hey RPM, that is awesome that you got them face-to-face. Hopefully my email to them today reinforces what you had already told them. Like I said, a simple google search will yield their market research. They make a great product, so I would be thrilled if they came up with something.

Also, did you have both TSB's applied to your vehicle? After the second one, I really can't complain too much, I just think a deflector would all but eliminate the issue. I drive to work everyday at about 75 MPH and only if I am driving into a headwind is the slider noisy beyond a normal level. I also think that the TSB's effectiveness has a lot to do with the skills of the technician performing it. Sorry to hear you are having a hard time though . . . but I am with you, the few noise issues I have are well worth the everyday use it gets in three out of four seasons. I love that noisy bastid.

skyslider air deflector

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