Seriously, Hardtop Removal/Installation????

[broncoitis]

Ok, I know that there are some on here that like to take the hardtop off in the spring and put it back on in the fall. In all honesty how much of a pain in the ass is it for those on here that do it all the time? Also, I assume that you leave the rear locating posts in the hardtop and just simply slide them back in place to locate the rear of the hard top when you put it back on. Any and all advice helpfull. I wanna use my hardtop and just wondering if there are any tricks to make putting it on or off any simpler?

I tried once before to put the top back on and i just about pulled all my hair out! LOL! The posts in the corner didnt want to come back out and were stuck and all kinds of stuff seemed to go wrong so it came back off. However I would like to put the hardtop back on for the colder months. Please enlighten me with wisdom. ;D

P.S. I didnt think of it at the time but i suspect that the crappy replacement gaskets that we get from the vendors werent making it any easier. I was only using the gasket that goes between the top and bed initially.

 

[Bradsp8]

It sucks to some extent but it's one of those things that must be done. I always love removing it knowing I'm going to ride topless all Summer long. Then I always dread Fall when I know I have to put it back on. I usually wait until around Halloween when it's getting too cold to ride around even with a coat on. Takes me about two hours by myself to remove it/hang it and probably three to put it back on. I lift it and hang it with 4 ratchet straps and it's time consuming but not too difficult. Much easier if you have another set of hands to assist with balancing, ratcheting, etc... and to guide the posts into the holes. I find loosening the posts so they wiggle freely helps when installing the top. It helps prevent scratching the paint with the posts and it offers more wiggle room when getting the front lip over the wiper motor. I also loosen my wiper motor which helps to offer an extra quarter inch of play. Every year I curse and swear while installing it and think about going to a soft top but I have yet to see one I'm in love with.

 

[cs_88]

I've never had to deal with the rear posts (my top didn't have them when I bought the Bronco). I'm sure they make the whole process trickier.
As far as lifting and lowering the top I use two come-alongs (one for the front, one for the back), some 3/8 rope and some 3/8" eye lags secured into my ceiling trusses.
A couple of hours to take it off and a couple to put it back on. Not too bad.

 

[section525]

I have four eye bolts in the garage ceiling as well. Mine isn't too bad of a job to put on and take off. It's just lowering it back onto the body when it's suspended by four ratchet straps is the tricky part. Also, if you're going to leave it hanging from the ceiling during the summer, I'd suggest getting some pipe insulation to wrap the rear posts. You'll hit your head or back on those posts more than you'd think.

 

[broncoitis]

I guess the more you do it the easier it gets ;D

The rear posts seemed to be the biggest pita when I attempted to put it on last time. Definitely gonna go back on though. I have some stuff i wanna do with it to make it better I think.

 

[DirtDonk]

Always loosen the wiper motor as much as you can, like Brad suggested. It makes a HUGE difference. Maybe even more than loosening the rear stakes.

I never bothered with covering the bed rails on mine, but always highly recommend it to others. Especially those with nice paint. Just put a temporary pad (towel or moving pad works great) over the bed rail before you move the top into place. Very easy to pull them out as the top goes down, or even after it's settled and you just lift up a bit at each corner.

As said, one person can do it, but it's a lot of work even with hoists. Two is doable, but three would be the minimum I'd recommend for a relatively easy install. If your Bronco has big tire carriers and a full cage, I'd say four good athletic friends can be a big help.
We just did it yesterday on a friends '69 for it's first time since the full restoration and the four of us made it a breeze.
Of course, smaller than normal corner posts and a good lunch afterward made it all the better!

But remember, no matter how you try it, loosen those '69 and later electric wiper motors!

Paul

 

[xcntrk]

The hardest part is getting the top from wherever it's stored - to on top the rig. For that I use an electric winch hung up in the rafters. Made it a one hand job on the remote to raise and lower it in place. As for messing with all the mounting HW, total PITA, especially with a roll cage and front A-pillar hoop.

 

[g8rb8t]

I swapped mine for 1 year and it was such a PITA that I've been running my soft top year round for 2 yrs now. Of course I'm in GA and she's garaged most of the winter....(and winters are mild)

 

[broncoitis]

Ok then it sounds like i have to round up some people. My truck isnt huge but 35's a 3.5sl and 1bl make it just high enough to be a PITA! LOL!

 

[canzelc]

What is the best way to attach the strap to the top?

I used a small c clamp on the drip rail before I had my top painted, now I need a new solution that is more paint friendly.

 

[g8rb8t]

Here's how I did mine, think it'd be pretty paint friendly (and I can remove/install myself).

Need help to be paint friendly on the install!

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=202908

 

[canzelc]

Thanks for the pics, I thought I might have to come up with something similar.
Did you wrap the rope around the rear posts during the lifting process?

 

[broncoitis]

Here's how I did mine, think it'd be pretty paint friendly (and I can remove/install myself).

Need help to be paint friendly on the install!

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=202908

Nice setup! Nice Lubr as well. The biggest problem i had when i last attempted to put mine on was the rear posts. Dont know why but just didnt go smoothly! I think that the new rubber seals were not helping things. Hopefully this time it goes better because change is coming! Happy New Year all you Bronco Nuts! ;D

 

[g8rb8t]

Biggest pain was the family cage as you can't leave the rear support in the whole time you're lifting it. Based on that I put straps across underneath so the sides don't spread and either use the posts or lift above the cage and slide the rear cross piece.

Rear posts putting back in are very delicate operation.

Rope ratchets are your friend. Mine are quarter inch road with 300 lb rating. Added a safety chain just in case.

 

[Unknown]

The easiest way to deal with the rear post bracket is to remove your rear taillights and taillight buckets. If removing the top, just take all the bolts related to the post bracket out and drop it down into the rear light housing area. Then you're not monkeying around with the brackets protruding out of the top while trying to lift it - ultimately scratching your paint. For installing, drop the brackets back in the holes, set the top on and then reach through the light housing area and bolt them back up.

 

[WARDOG]

I took my hard top off for the first time this summer. OFF was the easy part.
ON was a different story. Not so much as getting four buddies to help, but putting on new weatherstrip and getting it reasonably water tight.
It's coming off again in the spring, but a BC Broncos soft top is going on, to stay.

 

[67RT]

Mine is never going back on. I am still mad at it for the stitches I put in my head removing it the first time. And the bubble wrap on the rear braces is a great suggestion as I can only raise it so high in the garage and I have drilled my head several times again..

 

[jonmelton]

I do mine by myself a couple times a year. Now it only takes me a few minutes to get it on or off. When I rush too much that's when I cause problems, but once you get used to it, it's easy. I agree with everyone, loosen the wiper motor, and I have shorty posts in the back (they only stick up about 1 inch) and that makes it easy.

 

[g8rb8t]

It's more of a pain with a Family cage to navigate around too...

 

[dingodog]

Gents. All good info on top removal. I picked up an uncut 74 last year. Best i can tell top has never been off. I've searched this site, and the web, and cannot find a step by step (w/ pictures) how-to on taking top off. I also have a 1st Gen 4runner, and there are writeups with photos that telling how many bolts, what trim pieces need to go, ect. Anything out there for the Bronco? I'd like pics showing which screws on the wiper to loosen, what the pillars in the rear look like, do i need to remove interior quarter trim, how many bolts and where, ect? Some people dive in, some (like me) read and overplan. Thanks in advance.