Half Cab/Soft Top Ideas

[SWFLABRONCO]

Getting close to finishing this thing and trying to plan out my top choices. The Bronco is an original Half Cab and the cab is in great condition, minus some dings and dents to work out. I really want to stay on that path to keep the half cab look, but having two kids that already know where they are going to sit, it almost necessitates a full soft top. Given that I'm going to need shade and protection for them in the back, I'm pondering the fabrication of a smaller canvas top that would somehow integrate into the original cab. I know this is kind of off the wall but I searched but really didn't come up with much. Anyone have any experience or input on this.

 

[73stallion]

here's what bax came up with;

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=128598&page=13

 

[SWFLABRONCO]

Thanks 73stallion,
That was the one post I found that was closest to what I was looking for. It just doesn't integrate in with steel half cab. I suppose I could fabricate something similar from the cab back. I'll need to figure out a way to delete the rear window in the cab and replace with a removeable/opening option too. This is why the work on these trucks never end. The owners keep thinking and tinkering.

 

[bax]

My half cab soft top has a removable back / divider window. No it wont work with an original top But if you want to talk to the persons sitting in the back. my top has a good option for that. My top was built to keep the half cab part of the truck dry. With factory weather-stripping and the divider in place it does that. the shade over the bed zips on or off. Take that off along with the cab divider and your truck is very open. The cab canvas can come off to in 20 seconds. So if you want to run with nothing you can.

Bax

 

[SWFLABRONCO]

Bax,
I really like that setup, and forgive me as I've been out of the loop for a while, do you have these currently for sale? I may just go this route.

 

[bax]

I would be happy to make a few tops for people. However there are a few limits and critical areas that I have spent hours designing around. First off the top really only fits a half cab configuration. If there are any roll bars that pass thru the stock half cab area this top will not work. same goes for pushed back seats and any other part that passes thru the half cab confines. But the main problem I have is getting the weather-stripping perfect. It's not the design, it our trucks. I have 2 broncos at my house. Guess what, they are both different in size around the door and window areas. One window frame is 4 degrees different on one side than the other. Our trucks are tweaked in many different ways. This forced me to make all the top attachment points adjustable. It also made me make the weather-strip mounting flanges adjustable. Some of these adjustments have to be made by the installer. There is no way around this if you want it right. I want it right. This adjustment necessity moves right on to the canvas. The canvas can be made to fit in general kit form and the snaps can be installed on it. However since there is as much as a half inch of adjustment built into the top's frame there is no way to install all the snaps into the frame and come up with a satisfactory, no wrinkles / tight fit, on the canvas. Some snaps will need to be installed by the end product installer. There is no way around this if you want it right. I am sure most all of us can perform this install, heck were Bronco owners, I just want you all that this top needs to be fitted to you truck. This is not a cheap top. It uses good canvas (Top Gun) stainless hardware and aluminum slide tracks. The frame is steel box and rectangular tubing. All sheet metal is 18 gauge.
If I sell a few on here I will do the right thing and sign up as a vender. But for now we will see how this goes. No top will be paid for until it is ready to ship. I am still working on a fair price however it will be more than the Korean full tops. No way around that.

Bax
http://www.broncobax.com/