Soft Top <--> Hard Top Swap : Tips & Lessons Learned - UPDATED

[JCdrivesPA]

No idea what the hell that is but there's a national stop sale and nearly 160 on back order. For that price I'd almost have to believe it includes the trim panels but wouldn't rule out their pricing is way off.

Thanks, Flip. I almost assumed it was something like that and am hoping it will come back down when some stock comes in. In the meantime my soft top will have to sit in the garage. But still hoping someone has a couple sitting around.

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[flip]

Thanks, Flip. I almost assumed it was something like that and am hoping it will come back down when some stock comes in. In the meantime my soft top will have to sit in the garage. But still hoping someone has a couple sitting around.

I just checked our inventory because I thought we stocked a few but guess not. Looks like Ford updated our listing to show the new price and part number too.

 

[JCdrivesPA]

I just checked our inventory because I thought we stocked a few but guess not. Looks like Ford updated our listing to show the new price and part number too.

Very Much appreciated that you checked. I’ll keep my fingers crossed something changes.

 

[BroncoBoy22]

Put them back in so I wouldn't lose. Soft top will go back on when it's time to sell.

As usual, you’re the man FLIP THANK YOU!!!

 

[GRONKO]

Does anyone have the two tailgate latches for a soft top from a dual top bronco available? I need these 2 brackets to convert from a hard top to a soft top.
Thanks
Part number M2DZ-78515A54-C. Or (B)

I was waiting as well, but found them at mountains 2 metal.
Tailgate Window Catch Set (mountains2metal.com)

 

[JCdrivesPA]

I was waiting as well, but found them at mountains 2 metal.
Tailgate Window Catch Set (mountains2metal.com)

Gronko, you are a legend. Thanks very much!

 

[GRONKO]

It is very strange for that part to be so limited. Also crazy prices when you search for the updated ‘d’ part number. The m2m brackets are steel and include bolts. It appears the ford parts may be plastic, but I am not sure.

 

[cbrenthus]

I'm in the same situation, bought a soft top last week and didn't realize how many parts were needed. I knew I was going to need the rear window brackets, but didn't think there was anything else. I texted the seller and explained there are several parts they no longer need, and offered more money plus my trim panels, and sounds like they are cool with that and we just need to find a time for me to head back there and swap everything out.

However, I thought I share my comprehensive list for everyone:

Edit: I wanted to add that the prices are ROMs I got quickly from various sites, mostly so I'd know how much to offer the seller:

Group	Part Number	Description	QTY	Unit Price	Total Price
Rollbar Bracket	W707288-S442	Bolt for Rollbar bracket	4​	$ 4.00	$ 16.00
Rollbar Bracket	M2DZ-78515A53-B	Rollbar Bracket Left	1​	$ 30.00	$ 30.00
Rollbar Bracket	M2DZ-78515A52-B	Rollbar Bracket Right	1​	$ 30.00	$ 30.00
Side Window Channel	M2DZ-78255A35-BA	Left C pillar window channel	1​	$ 35.00	$ 35.00
Side Window Channel	M2DZ-78255A34-BA	Right C pillar window channel	1​	$ 35.00	$ 35.00
Side Window Channel		*Bolts not needed because they already are there
Quarter Panel Brackets	M2DZ-7829452-A	Left and Right Brackets for Quarter Panel	2​	$ 25.00	$ 50.00
Quarter Panel Brackets	W721070-S450B	Bolts for Bracket to 1/4 panel	4​	$ 3.00	$ 12.00
Quarter Panel Brackets	W721070-S450B	Bolts for soft top to brackets	6​	$ 3.00	$ 18.00
Quarter Panel Brackets	M2DZ-7831289-BA	Trim panel with bracket cutout left	1​	$ 50.00	$ 50.00
Quarter Panel Brackets	M2DZ-7831288-BA	Trim panel with bracket cutout right	1​	$ 50.00	$ 50.00
Rear Window Brackets	M2DZ 78515A54C	Rear Window Brackets	2​	$ 35.00	$ 70.00
Rear Window Brackets	W721070-S450B	Bolts for Brackets	2​	$ 3.00	$ 6.00

 

[cbrenthus]

And I think the bolts for the rear window brackets might actually be W707288-S442

 

[Snake_venom]

So I’ve read the whole thread and I think I’ve got most of it figured out. I’m working to buy the soft top from a forum member that ordered dual tops and never installed the soft top. So in addition to everything that came on the pallet I need him to take off the two pre-installed latches in the cargo area and to take off the side window panels (will he need my hard top panels?). And do I also need to swap the roll bar or just the two parts above?

im fine with just leaving the cargo cover exposed or cutting my panel later for that plastic piece.

I just want to make sure I’m super clear and let them know in advance any parts that are pre installed that I’d need taken off their dual top config.

any help on exactly what to ask for?

 

[Papa Smurf]

So I’ve read the whole thread and I think I’ve got most of it figured out. I’m working to buy the soft top from a forum member that ordered dual tops and never installed the soft top. So in addition to everything that came on the pallet I need him to take off the two pre-installed latches in the cargo area and to take off the side window panels (will he need my hard top panels?). And do I also need to swap the roll bar or just the two parts above?

im fine with just leaving the cargo cover exposed or cutting my panel later for that plastic piece.

I just want to make sure I’m super clear and let them know in advance any parts that are pre installed that I’d need taken off their dual top config.

any help on exactly what to ask for?

You’re pretty spot on. Seller will not need your window channel panels- they unbolt off of the hardtop pieces.

Quick run down of everything that you need to leave with-
soft top
Roll bar brackets- left and right
Window channel c pillar plastic moldings- left and right
Cargo latches and bolts- left and right but they are the same
Cargo supports (the black bars hidden behind the trim)- left and right but again interchangeable.
4 bolts for cargo supports
6 bolts for soft top
4 bolts for roll bar brackets
If you can get the foam skid that the soft top is delivered on, take it. It makes storage of the soft top much easier.

 

[Baboontyme]

It fits. Hauled it several times. Be careful with the little black plastic guides on the frame near the front on both sides. They break easily.

@Papa Smurf I need to transport the soft top down to the shop tomorrow to try to swap it out for my hard top. I finally got all of the parts and brackets. Any other tips on how you fit it into the cargo area?

 

[Papa Smurf]

@Papa Smurf I need to transport the soft top down to the shop tomorrow to try to swap it out for my hard top. I finally got all of the parts and brackets. Any other tips on how you fit it into the cargo area?

Rear seats down. Open the rear doors. Have 2 able people. It goes in sideways. Have a towel or blanket down so that it slides easier. Extreme care around those ends. If you have the foam skid, that makes the job immensely easier.

 

[Baboontyme]

Rear seats down. Open the rear doors. Have 2 able people. It goes in sideways. Have a towel or blanket down so that it slides easier. Extreme care around those ends. If you have the foam skid, that makes the job immensely easier.

Thanks, this helped a lot. I was able to get it in no problem using this method and then once we had the hard top off it was very easy to go straight out the back with it.

Putting the hard top on to me was about 20x easier than the soft top. I had a really hard time lining everything up properly. The first time we set the soft top down in place I realized that it wasn't going to sit flush with the bolts from the hard top back in place on the frame. I swore I read somewhere that the best thing to do with the bolts was put them back into place after removing the soft top just so you don't misplace them. That was attempt 1. Attempt 2 we couldn't get the brackets to line up with the bolt holes on one side. I got all 3 bolts in on the other side no problem but on the one side the bolts would only go about 1/4 of the way down and then major resistance to the point that I was going to strip them if I forced it. Nevertheless we carried on, and tried to fully close the soft top but the front passenger pin was about 1/4" back of the guiding hole and we couldn't get it to budge.. Figured it had something to do with the bracket not lining up so we took it off again and I readjusted the bracket. Of course by this point I had forgotten all of the warnings I carefully heeded the first time around and sure enough I lost a bolt down the quarter panel cavity. Luckily I had extras. The last attempt we still had a hard time lining up the brackets with the bolt holes on the same side but I was at least able to get two of the three fully tightened. I left the other one out because it wasn't going in without stripping it. Barely got that front passenger pin in by putting some major weight behind the folding arms by the rear quarter panel on that side and trying to force them forward. The last obstacle was that those stupid flaps on roof on either side of the rear window wanted to sit on the outside of the vehicle. I was able to force them in and under but something didn't seem right, they should have tucked in much more naturally it seemed. At any rate, the job is done and it took us about an hour 15. I don't look forward to doing that again but maybe it will get easier with practice. Good tips by everyone to protect the roll bars. At least that went ok.

 

[Baboontyme]

Follow up. You can see the bracket on the driver's side. The bottom hole for the bolt is not aligned and I couldn't get the bolt in there. If anyone has any ideas what may be going on, I would love to hear them. Hopefully make this process a little easier in the future.

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