Seriously, Hardtop Removal/Installation????

[gotdads68]

Guess I had it a little easy with my '68. Just unbolt everything, pull the door window frames, lay the windshield down and pull it right off, nothing in the way. Of course I didn't have interior quarter trim panels, rear stake pocket brackets or nice paint. ;D

 

[67RT]

So mine is up on ratchet straps too. How do you work it getting down? Just do each one a few inches at a time? What a pain..

 

[SHX669]

Gents. All good info on top removal. I picked up an uncut 74 last year. Best i can tell top has never been off. I've searched this site, and the web, and cannot find a step by step (w/ pictures) how-to on taking top off. I also have a 1st Gen 4runner, and there are writeups with photos that telling how many bolts, what trim pieces need to go, ect. Anything out there for the Bronco? I'd like pics showing which screws on the wiper to loosen, what the pillars in the rear look like, do i need to remove interior quarter trim, how many bolts and where, ect? Some people dive in, some (like me) read and overplan. Thanks in advance.

Ya back when these things were built people knew how to work on "cars" . The local gas station would do brake jobs and replace axle bearings and etc.
So the instructions were pretty much - loosen all the bolts and take the top off.
Pretty simple concept ; putting it back on there are a few tricks - like don't tighten any bolts untill they are all in and align the the windshield frame with the doors BEFORE you tighten bolts.

 

[SHX669]

So mine is up on ratchet straps too. How do you work it getting down? Just do each one a few inches at a time? What a pain..

I use my "straps " to store the top out of the way AND keep it raised so I/we dont have to pick it up. I don't lower the top ONTO the Bronco with straps . I back into top as far as possible then lift/ move/walk/jockey the top into place .

 

[JAFO]

Ya back when these things were built people knew how to work on "cars" . The local gas station would do brake jobs and replace axle bearings and etc.
So the instructions were pretty much - loosen all the bolts and take the top off.
Pretty simple concept ; putting it back on there are a few tricks - like don't tighten any bolts untill they are all in and align the the windshield frame with the doors BEFORE you tighten bolts.

Now manuals for cars are written for non-mechanical drivers. The owner's manual that comes with a new car is worthless. Wife has an Audi Q5. The owners manual, for EVERYTHING, states to take the vehicle to your dealer. Of course with the internet all the info I need to do my own servicing is available. I enjoy doing the service. I am in touch with my vehicles. And my wallet doesn't get raped by a mechanic.
The Audi engine has no dip stick. Just a oil level sensor. I bought a nice aftermarket dip stick for when I do the oil changes. I'm ranting.

 

[Ethansdad73]

Just a thought since you are going to have the top off anyway put nutzerts in the bed rails to replace the nut and bolt process. I have them along the bed and windshield frame and its a breeze to bolt it down.

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[DirtDonk]

The bolts you loosen on the (electric type only) wipers are the ones that hold the motor bracket to the windshield frame. Loosening them enough to let the motor hang back just a bit will let the lip of the top clear it so you can concentrate on the rear posts not scratching your paint.

Paul

 

[pcf_mark]

I am spoiled I use my lift! On my 68 I take the window frames off back under the lift with the arms up at windshield height. Slip the front arms under the top through the window opening. In the rear I lift it up enough to get a strap under the top on each side then wrap them around the rear lift arms. Lifts it straight up or down. Getting it back on requires a little maneuvering to get the truck right under it but you can push the top side to side to line it up. That top is HEAVY. I use it in winter because it is warmer and quieter plus every soft top option is garbage in my opinion.

 

[Bonefizz]

I have one of these.

https://www.langeoriginals.com/lang..._id=13&zenid=fe9963b76ee7512edce1eb632ba3058c

It takes a while to get one, since it needs to be built, but worth the wait! It allows me to remove the top by myself.

 

[Specracer]

I did it each year for about 3 years. Decided that once it was too cool to want the top on, was close to the salty winter, so it now is parked topless for winters. When I did I used ratchet straps and a boat trailer hand winch to a pulley off the ceiling.

 

[450rbronco]

Right or wrong I don't use the factory rear posts. I just set it on and off and use 4 truck cap clamps on bedsides and a few bolts across windshield. Been working fine for 6 years


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[broncoitis]

Honestly forgot that I ever posted this but the one trick that I have taken from this and another thread covering this topic is installing the rear posts through the tail light housings! I will attempt this and get the top back on! The truck has been resting for a long time lets just say. Im embarassed to say it but its the truth.(

 

[DirtDonk]

Sounds like a good way to do it when you don’t have extra friends (or hoists!) to maneuver things.
I never had any trouble doing mine with the steak pockets attached, as long as I loosened the wiper motor and let it tilt back enough to clear the front lip on the roof.
Doing that let you concentrate almost entirely on the angle of the stake pockets and anchors going in the holes.

 

[73azbronco]

2 strong sons. And a wife. And a few snarky words. It's only been off to put the roll bar on. Next owner can try all this. My Jeep Jl is simple and light compared to the muscle men days of the 70's real steel.

 

[DirtDonk]

2 strong sons. And a wife. And a few snarky words.

And heavy on the snarky words!

 

[DirtDonk]

I take that back. Heavy on the strong sons and a wife!

 

[73azbronco]

Ha, no, I just stood back and made comments about how they looked like monkeys at the zoo... Needless to say, it's never been off again. Thank god.