Correct way to install hard top ?

[Rox Crusher]

Sorry if this seems like a dumb question but I want to know what the correct / best way to properly align the hardtop for installation is ?

The holes in the mounting flange are slotted so the top can be moved forward or back on the bed rail to adjust the fit to the windshield and window frames of the doors.

My front windshield hinge is a little sloppy so I need to push it forward to clear the top / front part of the window frames.

im just thinking there is probably a reference point on the hard top to index it to the bed rail ?

 

[DirtDonk]

Not that I've ever seen RC. Doesn't mean there isn't some place to use as a reference, but not sure.

I simply let them float at first, then line things up as I go.
Loosen the wiper motor assembly to let it sit rearward a bit to clear the front lip, so you can put the top almost straight down and the stake-pocket extensions (those thingies sticking out of the lower rear corners) will slide in easier.

Initial aligning is done on the door, but that's assuming the door is straight with the body. I will either push the top forward as needed to let the windshield frame align with the door's window frame, or push the windshield forward or rearward as needed.

It's always been either an easy thing or a finicky thing that takes a couple of hours to get right. That was ok for owners back in the day, but as trucks got newer and more people didn't cotton to that type of stuff, hard tops stopped being removable in general. Just got away from it to simplify things for us city-folk.

As for tricks, others that do it more regularly will have to chime in with their experiences. My own were always fairly straightforward luckily, but the trucks and tops in question were much newer too. I think the last one I did for myself, by myself, was 25 years ago. I've helped friends fairly recently, but didn't get stuck with the finer details on those.

Good luck.

Paul

 

[okie4570]

I'd say step one would be to remove those rear stake pocket extensions, and throw them in the parts bin lol!

 

[Rox Crusher]

I'd say step one would be to remove those rear stake pocket extensions, and throw them in the parts bin lol!

Those stake pocket extensions are a pain for sure.

I loosen them from the hard top and then angle the top nose down so the extensions are as vertical as possible, and then lower the top so they go down into the pockets. Having the truck in neutral so you can roll it forward / back helps too.

 

[Rox Crusher]

Not that I've ever seen RC. Doesn't mean there isn't some place to use as a reference, but not sure.

I simply let them float at first, then line things up as I go.
Loosen the wiper motor assembly to let it sit rearward a bit to clear the front lip, so you can put the top almost straight down and the stake-pocket extensions (those thingies sticking out of the lower rear corners) will slide in easier.

Initial aligning is done on the door, but that's assuming the door is straight with the body. I will either push the top forward as needed to let the windshield frame align with the door's window frame, or push the windshield forward or rearward as needed.

It's always been either an easy thing or a finicky thing that takes a couple of hours to get right. That was ok for owners back in the day, but as trucks got newer and more people didn't cotton to that type of stuff, hard tops stopped being removable in general. Just got away from it to simplify things for us city-folk.

As for tricks, others that do it more regularly will have to chime in with their experiences. My own were always fairly straightforward luckily, but the trucks and tops in question were much newer too. I think the last one I did for myself, by myself, was 25 years ago. I've helped friends fairly recently, but didn't get stuck with the finer details on those.

Good luck.

Paul

Thanks Paul

I fooled with it more last night. I have the anti-theft centering post on the tailgate so I adjusted the position of the top so that the lift gate was centered on it (left to right) and "felt right" front to back when closed.

Then I tightened the rear corners down. Then I moved the sides of the top in or out to fit them to the bed rails so that the little vertical leg was tight to bed rail. I had to finesse this a little to get them to fit the window frames.

Last step was to mate the front ledge to the top of the windshield. Had to push the windshield forward quite a bit.

I ended up with the gaps at the front and rear of the window frames being nearly equal. Hopefully this will allow a nice tight seal when I install the new rubber seals.

Thanks for the help guys !

 

[clarrance]

The proper and easy way to deal with the extensions is to remove them. Once the hardtop is in place reinstall the extensions through the tailight opening. This makes the install very easy with the extensions out of your way.

 

[Rox Crusher]

The proper and easy way to deal with the extensions is to remove them. Once the hardtop is in place reinstall the extensions through the tailight opening. This makes the install very easy with the extensions out of your way.

How right you are when dealing with a stock rig.

I failed to mention that I have fiberglass quarter panels that are captured by a family roll cage so I can't do it the right way.

 

[thegreatjustino]

If you use the slotted holes to install the top too far forward toward the windshield, you won't be able to close the lift gate correctly. The weather stripping on it will hit the top of the tailgate before it actually latches closed.

Ask me how I know this %)

 

[73azbronco]

Hi, bringing this back alive, closest thread I can find.

I'm installing hardtop after it being off for 9 years.

I have the top of the bed rails rubber gasket, pretty thin and small, but is that the only thing going under the top between it and the bed rails? Which side up on gasket, smooth side or ridges? I'm thinking smooth side up toward hardtop. But looking at BCB, they show ridges up,

Not going to tighten all the way until rear hatch and doors are on to ensure it's fitting right all around.

More on fore aft alignment, I'm thinking the way mine looks anyway, if the front edge of the top door gap is even with the truck bed door gap, the rear of the top is flush with rear of tailgate,. Least it looks like that/

 

[broncoitis]

The proper and easy way to deal with the extensions is to remove them. Once the hardtop is in place reinstall the extensions through the tailight opening. This makes the install very easy with the extensions out of your way.

Is this actually true? Because I messed up my corner a bit when dealing with those damn corner stakes. LOL. I would like to put the hardtop back on but it was difficult with the stakes in place. So correct me if I am wrong. Basically set the top up there without the stake installed and then remove the tail lights and slide the stakes up that way? Definitely interesting way of going about it. Thanks!

 

[Shimmy]

Is this actually true? Because I messed up my corner a bit when dealing with those damn corner stakes. LOL. I would like to put the hardtop back on but it was difficult with the stakes in place. So correct me if I am wrong. Basically set the top up there without the stake installed and then remove the tail lights and slide the stakes up that way? Definitely interesting way of going about it. Thanks!

that is how i've done it. no issues.