'69-77 liftgate (and latches) on a '66-'68 top?

[eBronc2]

I finally found a full top (with no liftgate, or any hardware) for my project Bronco, but since my truck has never had a top, I'm finding all the little differences between early ('66-'68), and later ('69-'77) top and liftgates - like the liftgate latches and striker plates in the top. The liftgate I have is brand new, '69 - '77, but is bare, no hardware at all. Not aware of the differences, I purchased all new hardware - (locking handle, spider, rods, latches, striker plates, etc - for '69 - '77). Apparently the top is '66 -'68, because the '69-'77 stainless striker plates are too large, the bolt holes in the striker plates don't match up with the existing holes in the top.

I can return the striker plates and get ones for a '66 - '68 top, but my question is, with the '69 - '77 latches (that fit the liftgate), work with '66 - '68 striker plates? Will they line up when the liftgate is closed? Will the spring-loaded latch pins fit into the rectangular hole in the striker plates?

 

[Oldtimer]

Note that the gasket that the lift gate close against is different. The earlier tops at square corners where top & sides meet. The later top has corner gussets and the gasket follows the curve.

 

[DirtDonk]

Was going to mention the same thing about the gasket/seal.
Unfortunately, I have no idea about the compatibility of swapped parts.

 

[eBronc2]

Well, I ordered some '66 - '68 striker plates (which fit the top), and tried the larger '69 - '77 latches (which fit the liftgate) - and no, they don't work together.

Not quite.

Very close, though - the later ('69 - '77) latch pins are exactly 1/2" wide - just a smidge too wide to fit into the rectangular holes in the striker plates, and the internal threaded plate inside the top. So, I grabbed my Dremel and a file and spent a few minutes opening up the slots in the stainless striker plates and the internal plate inside the top. Didn't need much, just a hair - I opened them up to about .53", which is plenty of room for the latch pins to slide in easy, but not wobble around and (hopefully not) rattle.

Luckily, the position of the striker plate openings in the '66 - '68 top, and the latch position in the sides of the '69 - '77 liftgate are the same vertically - the centers are exactly 2 inches above the bottom of both the bottom of the top and the bottom of the liftgate, so they line up fine.

Now, I've just got to figure out how to get the latches into the openings in the liftgate - try as I might, they don't quite fit. I've turned, twisted, flipped, and wedged the latches, but they refuse to fit into the liftgate. Assembled, apart, you name it - they don't go. Guess a little more grinding will be needed.

 

[DirtDonk]

Thanks for being the guinea pig! Looks like you’re close to making it work.