New soft top

[moralsco]

Hello everyone just recently joined the forum and wanted to see if anyone had any knowledge about soft tops. I am currently using my dad’s 74 bronco and am about to update the soft top he has on it. The current one is an old Specialty Top Co on her and I read online that STC was bought out by Rampage, so I bought a new one from them. After opening the box and examining the hardware they look identical. Does anymore know if I can just keep the old hardware from STC on and pop on the new soft top to it or will I run into some problems? Thank you in advance for any info!

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[m_m70]

After opening the box and examining the hardware they look identical. Does anymore know if I can just keep the old hardware from STC on and pop on the new soft top to it or will I run into some problems?

Welcome to the madness! Lots of great folks here and always happy to help!

With that said, I honestly don't know lol ............but I would at least give it a try. Just don't force anything that might screw the new top up.
I'm sure someone will chime in that knows. Good luck and enjoy your Dads truck!

 

[BronCowie]

Agree with m_m... give it a shot. If not, use the new hardware.

 

[jamesroney]

Hello everyone just recently joined the forum and wanted to see if anyone had any knowledge about soft tops. I am currently using my dad’s 74 bronco and am about to update the soft top he has on it. The current one is an old Specialty Top Co on her and I read online that STC was bought out by Rampage, so I bought a new one from them. After opening the box and examining the hardware they look identical. Does anymore know if I can just keep the old hardware from STC on and pop on the new soft top to it or will I run into some problems? Thank you in advance for any info!

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You will run into trouble. The old Kayline / STC top uses a different mounting method over the doors and on the tailgate. The new system is not backward compatible. The windshield riser is similar enough. But there’s no reason not to “upgrade” to the newer hardware to match the newer material.

Prepare to be very disappointed in the new method. It is vastly worse. Somebody that doesn’t own or use a Bronco thought it was important to get rid of the tailgate crossbar. Thus destroying one of the best features of the old top.

 

[moralsco]

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You will run into trouble. The old Kayline / STC top uses a different mounting method over the doors and on the tailgate. The new system is not backward compatible. The windshield riser is similar enough. But there’s no reason not to “upgrade” to the newer hardware to match the newer material.

Prepare to be very disappointed in the new method. It is vastly worse. Somebody that doesn’t own or use a Bronco thought it was important to get rid of the tailgate crossbar. Thus destroying one of the best features of the old top.

Ah bummer ok. Tailgate cross bars, what exactly was removed from the old version to the current? Apologies for the stupid question, I have watched a couple of videos on the rampage version and from a little of trial and error the functionality seemed identical.

 

[jamesroney]

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Ah bummer ok. Tailgate cross bars, what exactly was removed from the old version to the current? Apologies for the stupid question, I have watched a couple of videos on the rampage version and from a little of trial and error the functionality seemed identical.

There’s a little plastic “fin” sewn into the edge of the new top that folds around and under the rail. It is held in by friction and tension. VERY similar to the mechanism used on the 97+ jeep TJ top.

The old top used Velcro on the door frames, and a piece of aluminum angle bar captured in a fabric loop. The old way was cumbersome, and probably expensive. But it was super simple.

 

[moralsco]

There’s a little plastic “fin” sewn into the edge of the new top that folds around and under the rail. It is held in by friction and tension. VERY similar to the mechanism used on the 97+ jeep TJ top.

The old top used Velcro on the door frames, and a piece of aluminum angle bar captured in a fabric loop. The old way was cumbersome, and probably expensive. But it was super simple.

Gootcha, ok that’s a bummer. Well I’ll be getting up early tomorrow and installing the new hardware. Thank you for your knowledge on the topic.

 

[DirtDonk]

Since it’s winter, you’ll likely need to warm up the top material. Keep it in the house in the warmest room, or if you’re in an area that has sunshine, leave it out in the sun before you try to install it. It needs to relax quite a bit, or it just won’t line up with things.
Maybe it’s not as critical on the new version as it used to be on the old snap type, but you’d be shocked at how much shrinkage there is!

 

[moralsco]

Since it’s winter, you’ll likely need to warm up the top material. Keep it in the house in the warmest room, or if you’re in an area that has sunshine, leave it out in the sun before you try to install it. It needs to relax quite a bit, or it just won’t line up with things.
Maybe it’s not as critical on the new version as it used to be on the old snap type, but you’d be shocked at how much shrinkage there is!

As a dude I 100% understand/appreciate shrinkage. Luckily I am in socal but tomorrow it is suppose to be raining. I think I have a few outdoor heaters I can set up. Fingers crossed that will be enough. Thank you for the tip!

 

[DirtDonk]

When I did my Kayline, I did it in the dead of winter here in northern CA too.
I had a semi-secret weapon though. Made me a little worried, but I did it anyway.
Ran an extension cord out to the truck, hooked up an indoor floor heater inside, draped a tarp over the whole vehicle, then went off to work at Dick Cepek.
Came home that night, hoping I hadn’t melted anything, or burned down my Bronco(!) and lo and behold, the nice warm temperature inside had let the material relax enough that the snaps just easily lined up.

One of my sketchier ideas, perhaps, but it worked like a dream!
If I had to do it again, or if I recommended it to anyone, I’d be sure to do it when I could stay home and not run off to work all day.

 

[rocknhorse76]

You’ll be able to reuse the windshield frame header, wiper motor drop bracket, and the mounts for the bows. I’m using all of those items from my old Kayline top with my current Rampage top.