Custom Bronco Half Cab

[BigMeatsBronco]

Edit.. well after a bunch of post were deleted.....here we have bits and pieces now...


After a bit more research, I've been able to determine that the roll bars ARE removable! (With a sawzall)
This is fantastic news for those few of us looking to do a pickup or half-cab. .

I'm very close to finishing up my own version of the half cab.

I'll post up when finished.

Who else out there would be interested in a BOLT-ON half cab that requires permanent modification to your steed? My setup would allow the trucks tops to be swapped out, you could have full top AND half cab and switch back and forth depending on your needs or style.

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[Bronco cat]

By taking out the roll bar you are losing structural rigidity how are you making up for that? Also what about the side airbags?

 

[Brianstrange]

After a bit more research, I've been able to determine that the roll bars ARE removable!
This is fantastic news for those few of us looking to do a pickup or half-cab. No need to Sawzall your shit up.

I'm very close to finishing up my own version of the half cab.

I'll post up when finished.

Who else out there would be interested in a BOLT-ON half cab that requires NO permanent modification to your steed? My setup would allow the trucks tops to be swapped out, you could have full top AND half cab and switch back and forth depending on your needs or style.

Just because they show the service part doesn't mean it is. They look like weld on panels that are part of the structure.

 

[Dusty]

I like where you're going. Will be following with interest.

By taking out the roll bar you are losing structural rigidity how are you making up for that? Also what about the side airbags?

For what it's worth, my '71 doesn't have side curtain air bags

@BigMeatsBronco have you taken a close look at what BDS did to achieve their half cab?

 

[Tricky Dick]

Very interested to see what you come up with. Looks like drilling out some hard spot welds will be needed. I just drilled into my B pillar and found that to be pretty hard steel.

I have my airbag covers off right now if you want any pics.

 

[Mirth]

After a bit more research, I've been able to determine that the roll bars ARE removable!
This is fantastic news for those few of us looking to do a pickup or half-cab. No need to Sawzall your shit up.

I'm very close to finishing up my own version of the half cab.

I'll post up when finished.

Who else out there would be interested in a BOLT-ON half cab that requires NO permanent modification to your steed? My setup would allow the trucks tops to be swapped out, you could have full top AND half cab and switch back and forth depending on your needs or style.

Incredibly interested in a bolt on half-cab option for a 2-door!

My wallet is ready

 

[BigMeatsBronco]

Very interested to see what you come up with. Looks like drilling out some hard spot welds will be needed. I just drilled into my B pillar and found that to be pretty hard steel.

I have my airbag covers off right now if you want any pics.

Yes sure ...I've taken mine off before too. How do you see the attachment to the window frame?

 

[BigMeatsBronco]

I like where you're going. Will be following with interest.



For what it's worth, my '71 doesn't have side curtain air bags

@BigMeatsBronco have you taken a close look at what BDS did to achieve their half cab?

Yes I've been in contact with BDS and their outsourced bodywork shop that did their Bronco as well....I'm all over this!
(They don't have the side airbags installed in theirs)

 

[BigMeatsBronco]

By taking out the roll bar you are losing structural rigidity how are you making up for that? Also what about the side airbags?

Great questions....

I don't plan on completely omitting it...I plan on building similar one or cutting 1 that I acquire from a junkyard.... the idea is not to destroy my factory FE unit and keep it in bolt on condition, so I can swap them back-and-forth from the half-cab style roll bar to the full cab style roll bar. Yes I have an airbag solution from a 2dr pickup.

 

[Tricky Dick]

Yes sure ...I've taken mine off before too. How do you see the attachment to the window frame?

Not sure I follow. Looks like the roll bar is the frame. Windshield frame you mean?

 

[BigMeatsBronco]

Not sure I follow. Looks like the roll bar is the frame. Windshield frame you mean?

Yes the roll bar appears to bolt onto the windshield frame from the pic...can you confirm? I'll be tearing mine back apart this weekend to determine this and a few other things.

 

[Silver-Bolt]

You have you work cut out for sure. Between the spot welds and panel adhesive it will be extremely difficult to remove the factory without damage or damaging adjacent parts. It can be done but it is not going to be fun. Look forward to following your project.

 

[Ksjrb03]

No, the roll bar is not "bolt on". LMAO. Dont toss your sawzall.

 

[Tricky Dick]

Yes the roll bar appears to bolt onto the windshield frame from the pic...can you confirm? I'll be tearing mine back apart this weekend to determine this and a few other things.

It's hard to see much without further disassembly but yes, I do see at least one bolt.

 

[flip]

What am I missing here? Everything is welded together. How is a sawzall not come into play here? You're dealing with boron steel, HSLA steel and bake hardened steel in the horizontal bar, rear down tube and cross reinforcements. No bolting here, it's going to be cut and weld and there is no procedure to weld on boron without screwing it up.

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