Old Bestop Issues

[Mowillie]

I recently picked up an old Bestop...I think. Im trying to put it on the bronco. Can someone get a picture of the small L-shaped brackets that go on the side rail of the bronco? I dont know which way they go. They are what the cross member go into. the sides and back snap/unsnap and roll up. what does the back flap snap to? I think I am missing that piece. I will try to take pictures as I get it somewhat on.

 

[Gerbow]

I am told mine is a Bestop as well, but I dont have any L brackets for the side rails on mine. I have 2 L brackets to hold the tailgate attachment on. Maybe somebody else will chime in that knows better. Some pics may be useful.

 

[jw0747]

http://www.bestop.com/images/installation_guides/51533.pdf

 

[Gerbow]

http://www.bestop.com/images/installation_guides/51533.pdf

Ooooohhhh, thats right. That side rail. Seen ot so long, thought it was part of the truck.;D the rise With the groove goes up and out.

My tailgate dohicky is different than the one in the pic. Maybe mine is home made.

 

[Mowillie]

Maybe its not Bestop

after looking at the instruction link, mine may not be a best top. Here are a few pictures of the side rails with the L brackets I was talking about.

 

[Gerbow]

Could be a home made set up for that rail, maybe?..... Does the top work? That's prolly all that matters.

 

[Scoop]

The black part looks like an old Kayline bracket. How tall is the windshield riser? If its short and needs a wiper motor drop bracket for the top to clear, then its an old Kayline with snaps. If it has a tall windshield riser and the side windows are set very high, then its probably a very old style Bestop with snaps.

 

[Mowillie]

The black part looks like an old Kayline bracket. How tall is the windshield riser? If its short and needs a wiper motor drop bracket for the top to clear, then its an old Kayline with snaps. If it has a tall windshield riser and the side windows are set very high, then its probably a very old style Bestop with snaps.

The windshield riser is high, so no motor drop bracket is needed. I was told it was a Bestop. Once I figure it out, I will post up some pictures.

 

[GYShah]

Looks just like my new rampage top bracket

 

[brewchief]

Parts look the same as on the one I have, not sure what brand but I'll take a look, mine only had snaps for the tailgate, no other parts.

I no longer use mine since it has shrunken a bunch and will no longer fit the hardware, and yes I've tried to get it to fit on a 90 degree day, even with the heat it's still inches from lining up.

 

[Mowillie]

Parts look the same as on the one I have, not sure what brand but I'll take a look, mine only had snaps for the tailgate, no other parts.

So were the snaps screwed directly to the tailgate?

 

[brewchief]

So were the snaps screwed directly to the tailgate?

Yes they are.

 

[Mowillie]

not too sure if i want to screw snaps directly into the tailgate. are the newer soft tops like that?

 

[Scoop]

not too sure if i want to screw snaps directly into the tailgate. are the newer soft tops like that?

The newer ones have an aluminum angle iron piece that goes across the top of the tailgate that holds the rear window tight - no snaps in the tailgate.

 

[Mowillie]

and then that angle strip screws to the edge too, right? so regardless, holes will be made?

 

[Gerbow]

Only 2 screw holes on each side on inside

 

[Scoop]

and then that angle strip screws to the edge too, right? so regardless, holes will be made?

No, on the new Bestops the "angle iron piece" attaches to brackets on the bed sides and you can open the tailgate without unfastening the rear window. On the Bestop it's not a simple angle iron piece - it's a fancy extrusion. The Rampage/STC/Kayline Fastrac uses clips that attach to the tailgate, as Gerbow points out, and you have to unclip it to open the tailgate.

 

[Mowillie]

An Update

I know that its a Bestop because it is stamped on one of the windows. As Brewchief said about his, I think mine has shrunk too.
once I get the brackets the correct direction, I could possibly short the cross members until the snap line up. here is the black side bracket again. One for each side, but which was face to the front?