Bestop Tailgate Insert

Bestop Tailgate Inserts: Purpose-Built for the Trail and Beyond

When it comes to Jeep accessories, few names carry the same weight as Bestop. Founded in 1954 in Boulder, Colorado, Bestop has spent over seven decades engineering products specifically for the demands of open-air, off-road driving. That same design philosophy — precision fit, durable materials, and no-nonsense functionality — carries directly into their line of tailgate inserts.

What Is a Tailgate Insert and Why Does It Matter?

A tailgate insert is a critical interface between your vehicle's tailgate and its soft top rear window system. Without a properly functioning insert or retainer bar, the rear vinyl window cannot seal correctly, leaving your interior exposed to dust, rain, and wind. For Jeep Wrangler owners who rely on a soft top, the tailgate bar and its associated retainer hardware are essential components — not optional add-ons.

Bestop's Approach to Tailgate Inserts

Bestop's tailgate insert products reflect the same engineering standards that have made the brand the exclusive Original Equipment supplier of soft tops to Jeep for more than three decades. Their tailgate bars and retainer components are manufactured to work in direct concert with their soft top systems, including the Supertop Ultra, Trektop Ultra, Trektop Slantback, and JL Halftop product families.

Key features across Bestop's tailgate insert lineup include:

• Corrosion-resistant construction — black-finished steel that holds up to trail abuse and harsh weather conditions
• Custom retainer mounts — hardware engineered for a secure, precise fit against the tailgate, sealing out dust and moisture
• Direct soft top integration — designed to work seamlessly with Bestop's own soft top systems, ensuring the rear vinyl window seats and seals properly
• Straightforward installation — replacement components are designed to drop into place without complex tooling or modifications

Replacing Worn or Damaged Tailgate Hardware

Tailgate bars and corner retainers are among the most wear-prone components on a soft top system — rubber seals crack, steel parts corrode, and retainer clips break over time. Bestop's tailgate insert parts are available as targeted service replacements, so owners don't need to replace an entire top assembly just to restore a proper seal. The corner retainer, for example, is available separately for driver and passenger sides, keeping the bar locked firmly in place across Wrangler JL-compatible tops.

Whether you're restoring a worn setup or completing a soft top system rebuild, Bestop's tailgate inserts deliver the fit and durability that Jeep owners have trusted since the brand's earliest days. Explore the full Bestop brand catalog or browse all tailgate insert options to find the right components for your build.