Taking the Top off

[NaturalRampage]

Heya guys, summer is finally here and its hot as **** out. I was wondering because I never done it before. How difficult is it to remove the top? And when I feel the need to put it back on, what do I need to do to reseal it to keep the water out? Im curious because when my bro had to take it off to do a paintjob on it, he said it was a complete hassle. So Im just checking with some Bronco Experts here on what Im getting myself into. Any info will be appreciated! Thanks!

Also, I keep forgetting to put this into my sig, but my Bronco is a 88.

 

[Bebop Man]

Yours will be easier, with no center brakelight or shoulder-mounted seatbelts.

Once you get the plastic trim off, there are three bolts top center. Then there are two on each forward side. And I believe 5 on each lower side. All are 8 or 10mm sized. 17 bolts total. After I took mine off, I just left it at 2 on each lower side, rather than the stock 5. 4 years of driving, and I haven't had an issue.

The seals are pretty durable. Get someone to help balance the forward edge (the light end) and you can pick up the back (the heavy end) and just set it on a couple of 2x4 set sideways. I've never had mine off for more than a weekend, since it's my daily driver and I have tools in the back for work. it's never taken me more than 5 mins to take off or put on the roof. I also leave off the plastic trim around the edges, so you time might vary.

 

[NaturalRampage]

Yours will be easier, with no center brakelight or shoulder-mounted seatbelts.

Once you get the plastic trim off, there are three bolts top center. Then there are two on each forward side. And I believe 5 on each lower side. All are 8 or 10mm sized. 17 bolts total. After I took mine off, I just left it at 2 on each lower side, rather than the stock 5. 4 years of driving, and I haven't had an issue.

The seals are pretty durable. Get someone to help balance the forward edge (the light end) and you can pick up the back (the heavy end) and just set it on a couple of 2x4 set sideways. I've never had mine off for more than a weekend, since it's my daily driver and I have tools in the back for work. it's never taken me more than 5 mins to take off or put on the roof. I also leave off the plastic trim around the edges, so you time might vary.

Its good to know that its not as difficult as I first thought, might take me longer than 5 mins since its my first time doing this haha. For the seals, do I need some kind of silicone sealant or something to keep the water out or is the weatherstrip on the top enough to handle it?

 

[Bebop Man]

I never had any problems with my seals. I just made sure not to tear them when I took off the top, or rest it on the ground. Those tops are designed to come off, so they are pretty durable.

 

[Krafty]

you just have to be careful with the top once its off the bronco, when i had my 81 I would keep the top off for a week or two at a time and after a while it took a little more effort getting the bolt holes to line up but it always made it back on and always sealed up 100% with only 5 bolts in the entire thing.

 

[miesk5]

Its good to know that its not as difficult as I first thought, might take me longer than 5 mins since its my first time doing this haha. For the seals, do I need some kind of silicone sealant or something to keep the water out or is the weatherstrip on the top enough to handle it?

yo

Maintenance from 96 Bronco Workshop Manual; "...Check all openings for water leaks and seal where necessary. Cement all usable, loose weatherstrips, using Weatherstrip Adhesive E8AZ-19552-A or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESB-M2G14-A.

Apply Silicone Lubricant C0AZ-19553-AA or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESR-M13P4-A to the weatherstripping. ..."

by Ford

I use 2x 4s w/old carpet strips to lay the top on

see my site for some top removsl & storage LINKs @ http://www.broncolinks.com/index.php?index=474

such as:

Lift, one man in a 90

Source: by 90Beater (Topher, Chris) at http://bronco.tophersworld.com/writeup_top_lift.htm

&

Lift, one man pics in a 93

Source: by John D (Classic) at http://www.supermotors.net/registry/8794/32075

one pic for example;