- Joined
- Apr 3, 2022
- Messages
- 544
Just thought I would put up some info regarding the Bronco Hardtop. Maybe someone else that is starting their resto journey can garner some insights that will help them decide. I have always really liked how the Bronco looks with the white hard top. Pretty much settled on restoring the one that came on the Bronco rather than going with a soft top. Here are some things I have learned:
1. The tops are subject to rust as much as any other part on the truck. The front lip in particular is easily rusted out or rusted thin. I spent a lot of time cutting out and replacing rusted parts on the front edge.
2. I felt it was important to add additional support inside the top to strengthen the top and and keep it from tin canning so much.
3. I built a rolling frame for it to sit on either upside down or right side up so it would be easier to work on.
4. Had it sand blasted to bare metal then I painted it with two good coats of epoxy primer.
5. Lots of waves that have required a lot of high build and block sanding.
6. The gutters are another place where these things retain water and rust out. I filled all the gutters with epoxy resin and then used seam sealer everywhere two pieces of metal came together (top, sides, etc.).
7. I'm about to put on the final paint and will do it by first painting the inside then turning it over upright and painting the outside/top.
8. I'm planning on making my own headliner (we'll see how that goes...may end up buying one)
9. Getting all new glass. I have found that new glass really makes a stark difference to the final build.
10. The top then requires you to add door rubber and tailgate rubber, and top to qtr panel seals.
11. Will likely need to buy all new hardware for the liftgate. After blasting everything in a cabinet, they all seem pretty pitted.
12. Finally, these things are heavy (more so with added structure to roof) and it will be hoisted up onto a fresh new paint job and carefully lowered into place. Not to be removed again.
13. Will run wires for a dome light to center of roof.
14. I have the interior qrtr panel trim that goes up above the qrt panels so it can bend over the top of the top mounting bolts. That then requires a metal bar that goes the length of the top mounting area inside that you then attach the panel to. I plan on making those bars for each side.
15. Once installed, paint will be cut and buffed to match gloss of body.
Conclusion...tons of work and way more cost than I ever thought before starting. Given this is to be a show quality resto, every detail matters. I will have a total of $1800 just in materials. I will have spent probably 100 hours working on it. This does not include the cost of the original rusty top (mine came with the rig so no additional cost). While I'm hopeful it will be everything I hope when done, looking back I think a softop is what I would have done knowing what I know now. That would have cost less, had just a couple hours of work, and I could have lowered it down on nice days.
Hope this helps folks make a decision regarding their top choice.
1. The tops are subject to rust as much as any other part on the truck. The front lip in particular is easily rusted out or rusted thin. I spent a lot of time cutting out and replacing rusted parts on the front edge.
2. I felt it was important to add additional support inside the top to strengthen the top and and keep it from tin canning so much.
3. I built a rolling frame for it to sit on either upside down or right side up so it would be easier to work on.
4. Had it sand blasted to bare metal then I painted it with two good coats of epoxy primer.
5. Lots of waves that have required a lot of high build and block sanding.
6. The gutters are another place where these things retain water and rust out. I filled all the gutters with epoxy resin and then used seam sealer everywhere two pieces of metal came together (top, sides, etc.).
7. I'm about to put on the final paint and will do it by first painting the inside then turning it over upright and painting the outside/top.
8. I'm planning on making my own headliner (we'll see how that goes...may end up buying one)
9. Getting all new glass. I have found that new glass really makes a stark difference to the final build.
10. The top then requires you to add door rubber and tailgate rubber, and top to qtr panel seals.
11. Will likely need to buy all new hardware for the liftgate. After blasting everything in a cabinet, they all seem pretty pitted.
12. Finally, these things are heavy (more so with added structure to roof) and it will be hoisted up onto a fresh new paint job and carefully lowered into place. Not to be removed again.
13. Will run wires for a dome light to center of roof.
14. I have the interior qrtr panel trim that goes up above the qrt panels so it can bend over the top of the top mounting bolts. That then requires a metal bar that goes the length of the top mounting area inside that you then attach the panel to. I plan on making those bars for each side.
15. Once installed, paint will be cut and buffed to match gloss of body.
Conclusion...tons of work and way more cost than I ever thought before starting. Given this is to be a show quality resto, every detail matters. I will have a total of $1800 just in materials. I will have spent probably 100 hours working on it. This does not include the cost of the original rusty top (mine came with the rig so no additional cost). While I'm hopeful it will be everything I hope when done, looking back I think a softop is what I would have done knowing what I know now. That would have cost less, had just a couple hours of work, and I could have lowered it down on nice days.
Hope this helps folks make a decision regarding their top choice.
