Hard top removal question

[Banjer Picker]

Helping a friend remove a hard top over the weekend. The last time I removed one 30 years ago it seems like the sides on the rear posts in the top kept wanting to grab the metal in that rear corner body panel and bend the metal up pretty harsh l. As I recall it was right at that vertical seam between the quarter panel and the corner body piece. Is this a common occurrence or am I just not remembering correctly? If this is an occurrence, is there a trick/tip to avoid that?

Thanks!

 

[Steve83]

279C44? It shouldn't grab anything when the bolts are removed.

(click this text)

 

[bigmuddy]

Anyone recall the bolt size for the stakes?

 

[Steve83]

My vague recollection is that they're the same as all the other bolts for the roof.

 

[DirtDonk]

Maybe they shouldn’t on paper, but in reality it’s far too easy to tweak the rear corner stake pockets with the rear reinforcing bars.
My trick that I learned over the years, or at least one of them, was to loosen the wiper motor bracket if the Bronco In question has electric wipers.
If so, then loosening the wiper motor will allow it clear the front lip of the top as it comes up. Then you can simply lift everything straight up without having to rock back-and-forth and move around the wiper motor.

 

[SLOWnEASY]

Don't forget there are two posts that ford put in the back corners. You have to remove a few bolts lower than obvious.
Pull the 4 bolts in the picture
Also pull the 3 phillip head screws holding the weatherstrip to the body. Then the top should release.

 

[SLOWnEASY]

Anyone recall the bolt size for the stakes?

Bolts are 5/16x18 TPI about 1 inch long with a 1/2 inch head.

 

[bigmuddy]

Bolts are 5/16x18 TPI about 1 inch long with a 1/2 inch head.

Thanks! I need to get my top back on so it doesn't sit out all winter.

 

[Banjer Picker]

Maybe they shouldn’t on paper, but in reality it’s far too easy to tweak the rear corner stake pockets with the rear reinforcing bars.
My trick that I learned over the years, or at least one of them, was to loosen the wiper motor bracket if the Bronco In question has electric wipers.
If so, then loosening the wiper motor will allow it clear the front lip of the top as it comes up. Then you can simply lift everything straight up without having to rock back-and-forth and move around the wiper motor.

Ah, maybe that’s what I missed 30 years ago. Thank you sir!

 

[AZ73]

279C44? It shouldn't grab anything when the bolts are removed.

(click this text)

Not true. If you leave those stakes bolted to the top when you pull the top (just unbolting the 4 bolts on each side in the tail light housing) they are too wide because of that little curb in them. You'll bend the edge of the stake hole up. You must pull the top WITHOUT them, and then you can pull the stakes from the tail light housing. Ask me how I know

 

[SLOWnEASY]

At the risk of invoking the wrath of Murphy and his laws I have pulled and replaced my top at least a dozen times over the years. I always only unbolt the 4 bolts and remove the top leaving the stakes still attached to the top without damage. The stakes in the body are straight. But the stakes in the top are bent forward causing issues during removal. Then again it might be as Dirtdonk says and I get away with it because I always remove the wiper motor and bracket first.

 

[Jwredneck]

At the risk of invoking the wrath of Murphy and his laws I have pulled and replaced my top at least a dozen times over the years. I always only unbolt the 4 bolts and remove the top leaving the stakes still attached to the top without damage. The stakes in the body are straight. But the stakes in the top are bent forward causing issues during removal. Then again it might be as Dirtdonk says and I get away with it because I always remove the wiper motor and bracket first.

I do it the same way, but also loosen the bolts holding the stakes in the hard top. This allows the stakes to have some wiggle. when pulling the top.

 

[Vegas68]

Helping a friend remove a hard top over the weekend. The last time I removed one 30 years ago it seems like the sides on the rear posts in the top kept wanting to grab the metal in that rear corner body panel and bend the metal up pretty harsh l. As I recall it was right at that vertical seam between the quarter panel and the corner body piece. Is this a common occurrence or am I just not remembering correctly? If this is an occurrence, is there a trick/tip to avoid that?

Thanks!

I've had numerous fun, NOT, removals. Get 3 guys minimum cuz the weight is so much heavier in the rear, obviously right? If not done the way I have found, the body of the truck gets scratched!. One guy on each side at the end and standing on the ground, the third guy is in the truck bed to catch and balance that forward part. Sometimes it's best the guy in the truck bed balances it on his back flat and on all fours, walks it out.
Moving blankets are your friend! I always have about 4 to do different heavy projects that you don't want any scratches.

 

[Banjer Picker]

Thanks for all the input. Successful removal and was surprisingly way easier than I remember!

The CB group never disappoints.

 

[DirtDonk]

Well, don’t leave us in the dark then!
How did you end up doing it? Just lift straight up? A lot of back-and-forth? Three or four people?
Enquiring minds need to know

 

[Speedrdr]

Wish I had been in the Classic Bronco “know” with my 1st EB. I removed and replaced the wagon top by myself. I was certainly stupid for undertaking that endeavor and found an alternative solution.

 

[Banjer Picker]

Well, don’t leave us in the dark then!
How did you end up doing it? Just lift straight up? A lot of back-and-forth? Three or four people?
Enquiring minds need to know

Hahah. Good point.

3 people an 1 2x4 in total.
I got inside and pressed my back against the roof and pushed with my legs to break it loose.

Second person slid the 2x4 between the body and top

Pushed up on top over windshield to break that loose.

Then one person on each end of the 2 x 4 and one inside the bronco area (front driver/passenger area.

All 3 lifted at the same time and did an awkward shuffle, dance walk routine until we cleared the Bronco.

Not the most eloquent process but yielded the right results and no scratches/damage to my friends bronco.

Thanks again team. Have a great weekend!

 

[BronCowie]

Hahah. Good point.

3 people an 1 2x4 in total.
I got inside and pressed my back against the roof and pushed with my legs to break it loose.

Second person slid the 2x4 between the body and top

Pushed up on top over windshield to break that loose.

Then one person on each end of the 2 x 4 and one inside the bronco area (front driver/passenger area.

All 3 lifted at the same time and did an awkward shuffle, dance walk routine until we cleared the Bronco.

Not the most eloquent process but yielded the right results and no scratches/damage to my friends bronco.

Thanks again team. Have a great weekend!

This is basically how I did it too 15 years ago, having failed the 1st time attempting it by myself.

The 2X4 (times 2) also can be used for overhead storage.

 

[SLOWnEASY]

I do the same for mine except I use 2x2 instead of 2x4 lumber. I also park under it like that.

 

[Blitzen72]

Question... now that I've rebuilt my top.
Are the two stakes at the rear really necessary to reinstall the top, or are the dozen or so body-to-top bolts sufficient to hold that lid in place? I've always wondered if I could take the stakes off the lid and just leave them on the 'old Bronco shelf'... I worry about scratching the paint when I pull the top off and put it back on.