PSA: How to fold soft top to avoid rubbing / contact damage

[RWBigBend21]

This is a follow-up regarding a post from Bronco6G member Berwolf who posted canvas failure as soft top “can fold under the frame and rub against a piece of plastic.”

I want all soft top owners to know this because the soft top on my Bronco has the same problem. I’m adding photos showing what I discovered on the Passenger side of my Bronco. YOU MUST INSPECT the roll back process and manually retract the canvas as I had because there can be an asymmetrical fabric rollback and thus rubbing which may occur against the frame. Any help from @Ford or other Bronco owners experience and feedback is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and I hope this helps everyone.

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[tjnoffy]

This is a follow-up regarding a post from Bronco6G member Berwolf who posted canvas failure as soft top “can fold under the frame and rub against a piece of plastic.”
I want all soft top owners to know this because the soft top on my Bronco has the same problem. I’m adding photos showing what I discovered on the Passenger side of my Bronco. YOU MUST INSPECT the roll back process and manually retract the canvas as I had because there can be an asymmetrical fabric rollback and thus rubbing which may occur against the frame. Any help from @Ford or other Bronco owners experience and feedback is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and I hope this helps everyone.

Good to know. Thanks!

 

[HorizonHunter]

When I was selling jeeps, this is that we taught all new buyers to do when flipping soft top back.

 

[RWBigBend21]

When I was selling jeeps, this is that we taught all new buyers to do when flipping soft top back.

Yeah I’ve never owned a Jeep before but now I know . Live and learn. Might be something for Ford to let dealerships know about .

 

[Snydermann]

Manual dressing of the top is common on many convertibles, especially when new. Once they break in, they behave better, and will usually settle into the proper position on their own.

 

[josephs6392]

This situation is not unique to the new Bronco as others have stated. I’ve owned several convertibles since the 70’s and each one had its own place that was susceptible to folding in the wrong manner with the potential to tear. My ‘71 Chevelle SS convertible was the worst but for those smart enough to read the owners manual damage could be avoided. You had to pause the top in the halfway position and adjust the pads which ran between the top irons and the material so it wouldn’t get pinched between the metal. Many GM cars of this body style drove around with a 3” slice on the sail panel behind the rear window as a result.
I realize the owners manual is so long that few will read it all the way through but this should be addressed under the section for the soft top operation.
History is repeating itself once again.

 

[710-oil-614]

This situation is not unique to the new Bronco as others have stated. I’ve owned several convertibles since the 70’s and each one had its own place that was susceptible to folding in the wrong manner with the potential to tear. My ‘71 Chevelle SS convertible was the worst but for those smart enough to read the owners manual damage could be avoided. You had to pause the top in the halfway position and adjust the pads which ran between the top irons and the material so it wouldn’t get pinched between the metal. Many GM cars of this body style drove around with a 3” slice on the sail panel behind the rear window as a result.
I realize the owners manual is so long that few will read it all the way through but this should be addressed under the section for the soft top operation.
History is repeating itself once again.

Before the top became a laughable matter of tatters underneath a tarp before I sold it - my uncle's 69 camaro ss convertible had the exact tear that you described. He was uh - not a detail oriented fella - and that explains why it had that tear all those years. In Erie, PA none the less....

 

[Vigor]

Unfortunately, this thread is only relevant to one third of the country right now. The rest of us are in winter and won't be doing much folding back. This thread is valuable information however, and should be bumped up come May so all the northerners like me can be reminded how to care for the soft top!

 

[nomnom]

Thanks for the heads up! Will inspect today

 

[RWBigBend21]

This situation is not unique to the new Bronco as others have stated. I’ve owned several convertibles since the 70’s and each one had its own place that was susceptible to folding in the wrong manner with the potential to tear. My ‘71 Chevelle SS convertible was the worst but for those smart enough to read the owners manual damage could be avoided. You had to pause the top in the halfway position and adjust the pads which ran between the top irons and the material so it wouldn’t get pinched between the metal. Many GM cars of this body style drove around with a 3” slice on the sail panel behind the rear window as a result.
I realize the owners manual is so long that few will read it all the way through but this should be addressed under the section for the soft top operation.
History is repeating itself once again.

Thanks, Yes I'm a big fan of reading. Especially the owners manual as I have to say I've read most of it including Removable Vehicle Components pages 348-350 there is nothing about 'dressing the soft top' under Partially Opening the Soft top. Regardless, I've learned and moving forward it might be a good idea for @Ford to included that in the manual unless I missed it somewhere ? Have a great weekend Bronco owners and future owners I wish you a great new 2022 model year.

 

[Dallasbronco]

So glad I got a hard top.

 

[604Bronco]

Can I ask a stupid soft-top newbie question? Is it easier to open the soft-top from outside the vehicle or from inside the vehicle?

I’ve only attempted to open mine once, from the outside, and found it challenging/awkward. Just curious.

Thanks for the tips!

 

[604Bronco]

Thanks for the tip! That makes sense; I found it very heavy and super awkward from outside and figured it can't be good for the frame of the soft-top to do this (as it adds more strain to the opposite side).

When the snow/rain stops... one of these days... I'll give it a try from inside. Appreciate it! Can't wait to see what solution/tips you come up with for closing it

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