Hard top question... put front panels on without the main rear?

[ChrisB351]

Im still waiting on my 2dr BD to ship and currently have a JKU Wrangler hardtop. I got rained on this weekend but I had the freedom panels (front panels) with me and was able to put them on to keep semi dry.

What I want to know is if the Bronco is capable of the same. Can you put just the front panels on without the main rear?

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[mpeugeot]

You probably could, but it wouldn't be suitable for anything over 30 MPH or any serious wind. I could see them potentially drooping in the back potentially as well. This would be an excellent opportunity for a simple aftermarket bar to facilitate that possibility though. In which case, It would work.

 

[ChrisB351]

You probably could, but it wouldn't be suitable for anything over 30 MPH or any serious wind. I could see them potentially drooping in the back potentially as well. This would be an excellent opportunity for a simple aftermarket bar to facilitate that possibility though. In which case, It would work.

I was wondering since theres no cross bar on the cage like my Jeep has. The way its designed, theres a tab that flips down to support it on the frame and has 2 screw in pieces that come up thru it into the top panels.

 

[Frappy608]

I'm currently in process having a bracket fabricated that would secure the back of the front panels OR the mid panel (I have a 4 door). Will post when it is finished.

 

[JoshuaPrieto]

Im still waiting on my 2dr BD to ship and currently have a JKU Wrangler hardtop. I got rained on this weekend but I had the freedom panels (front panels) with me and was able to put them on to keep semi dry.

What I want to know is if the Bronco is capable of the same. Can you put just the front panels on without the main rear?

While you could latch in the front, you cannot latch the back - very unsafe.

 

[ChrisB351]

While you could latch in the front, you cannot latch the back - very unsafe.

Thats what I was wanting to know is there was a way to secure them since theres no rear mounting point.

 

[1979]

There’s a few accounts on Instagram saying they’ve run with the front panels only installed at highway speeds with no issues.

At least 1 also claims to be developing a crossbar to secure the panels.

 

[zio]

I just ran my 4 door without the rear cargo panel and it was fine at 90 mph.

 

[zio]

The panels installed without rear clamshell are solid. The middle section clamps down on the sides and the fronts add stability.

 

[ChrisB351]

The panels installed without rear clamshell are solid. The middle section clamps down on the sides and the fronts add stability.

I have a 2dr coming so no mid panel

 

[Mrjohndon]

I'm currently in process having a bracket fabricated that would secure the back of the front panels OR the mid panel (I have a 4 door). Will post when it is finished.

did you get this made?

 

[ChrisB351]

Since this post was revived Ive had my Bronco 10mo and over 15k miles. Ran it many times with just the front panels with no issues.

 

[Mrjohndon]

I think the front is easy, even at high speeds. curious about the mid section though. like idea of a bracket, but not sure how.

 

[81arctic]

There’s a few accounts on Instagram saying they’ve run with the front panels only installed at highway speeds with no issues.

At least 1 also claims to be developing a crossbar to secure the panels.

I actually do this semi-regularly with no issue whatsoever. I leave the bolt on rear section in the garage from may-october and keep the 3 front panels with me in the bag jut incase I run into some rain. The flip latches in the front, 2 twist latches in the middle and a twist latch on the side/rear of each is PLENTy to keep them from flying off, and they are way too rigid to "droop" but I did start carrying a 12" section of pvc pipe that is the right diameter for the rear swivel latches to grab onto sometime last summer. Its just a little bit of added rigidity which keeps them from rattling while off road or and holds a good seal for more conventional driving. Pretty simple "mod" and really no issues at all on my second summer doing that with 30k total miles on the truck.

 

[rblock50]

I had all of my panels off, but it got sunny so I put just the front ones on without the mid or rear, and it worked just fine at all speeds. I didn't try the middle section, but I've seen other posts in here with folks doing it. They didn't seem to have problems. Would be good to be able to secure it to the "rollbar" just in case.

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