Hard top stuck

[Darryl M]

I’m trying to remove a full top from my 69 Bronco and everything is loose except the two back corners. I have removed the bolts located just behind the glass door latch hole and the one on the front side of the same post. Still won’t budge! Am I missing something? Thanks for any advice.

 

[gick70]

Down by the tailgate,the back stake pockets !!

 

[Darryl M]

Down by the tailgate,the back stake pockets !!

I don’t know. That’s what I’m asking. I’ve never taken one off? If it had stakes , how do I get them out?

 

[Pops68]

They should be bolted in to the bed, near the tailgate. One or possibly two bolts on each side. Shouldn't be too much lower than the top: 6" +/-

 

[Darryl M]

They should be bolted in to the bed, near the tailgate. One or possibly two bolts on each side. Shouldn't be too much lower than the top: 6" +/-

I’ve taken 2 bolts out on both sides and it still won’t come off. I thought sure someone on here could tell me exactly how to get it loose. Thanks

 

[No Hay]

The stakes are wedged into the body. VERY poor design and fitment. Keep prying up carefully with some movement. Once out, grind them down or get rid of them for easier removal.

 

[okie4570]

If you're sure all the rear stake bolts are removed, put the tailgate down, lift gate up, get in the bed, put your back on the roof and slowly try to stand up. Have had to do this with a couple different broncos.

 

[AZ73]

Take all these bolts out in the first picture.
Be careful with this curve in the second picture. I missed a bolt on the top and pull up the the edge of the corner of the tailgate housing (AHHHH!!!!!) because this curve piece doesn't come straight up. It "locks" the corner post in.
Picture 3 is just of the 2 you can't really see in picture 1.

 

[DirtDonk]

And when it does come loose, if you have electric wipers make sure to loosen the mounting bracket on the motor to let it hang back a little bit. This clears the lip on the top better so you don't have to move it around so much when lifting.

paul

 

[Darryl M]

Thanks so much guys. That’s what I needed to know. I didn’t know if there was a post in there or not. I’m just gonna take all the bolts out and go with it. By the way, I’d like to trade this full top for a half cab if anyone is interested.

 

[sprdv1]

Thanks so much guys. That’s what I needed to know. I didn’t know if there was a post in there or not. I’m just gonna take all the bolts out and go with it. By the way, I’d like to trade this full top for a half cab if anyone is interested.

hopefully w/no issues..

 

[croft75]

Take all these bolts out in the first picture.
Be careful with this curve in the second picture. I missed a bolt on the top and pull up the the edge of the corner of the tailgate housing (AHHHH!!!!!) because this curve piece doesn't come straight up. It "locks" the corner post in.
Picture 3 is just of the 2 you can't really see in picture 1.

are these needed ?, I'm redoing my hardtop and they weren't on when I got the top.

 

[DirtDonk]

Lots of Broncos running around without them, but in my opinion they're not a bad thing to have. It's a decent bit of reinforcing for that corner. Not just helping the top mount to the body, but helping the body (and top) from flexing as much.
Probably more helpful if you have a tire carrier that gets swung out a lot, than just for normal use and without a tire carrier. But it's still not a bad thing.

I've never pulled them out of the top, but instead have always just unbolted them from the body end and lifted them up with the top when it came off. Never had a problem other than it takes a bit of fiddling to get them to come up and care so as not to drop them down on top of your nicely painted bed rail.

Basically if yours has been running fine without them for who knows how long, I don't see any reason to go out of your way to find and then install a set. But for my Bronco that's exactly what I've been doing. My '71 has them and I'm keeping them. My '68 does not and so far the two sets I've been given (thanks guys!) are cut short so won't do their job completely.
Still looking.

paul

 

[morencycollege]

I just went thru this on my top. I ground down the stakes a little bit at the turn where it tends to stick coming out before we put it back on. Hopefully makes it easier if I ever take it off again, which I hope I don't.

 

[sprdv1]

are these needed ?, I'm redoing my hardtop and they weren't on when I got the top.

not necessarily as P stated....