Good points - but my list can be referenced for anyone with a hard top that bought just the soft top and now needs all the pieces
Thanks for the help, the soft top is still on the original pallet with a box from the factory. Hopefully everything is in it. I appreciate the help and advice.I installed a factory soft top on my hard top Bronco last weekend. The person I bought the top from provided me with all the brackets. The install was fairly easy but I had to remove the top a couple times to adjust the cargo brackets so the top would latch over the windshield and the side windows could be put in. Unfortunately you don't know if the cargo brackets are adjusted correctly until after you put the top on and the only way to adjust them is with the top off. They have about a 1/2" of adjustment and just a small adjustment can make a big difference.
What I found on my Bronco (I'm sure each one is a little different).....the brackets should be adjusted so they are pushed more toward the front of the Bronco. When you mount the soft top to the bracket (shown in the pick with the red arrow) the soft top frame has a lower bolt cutout and the bottom bolt threads (red circle in picture) should be right at the edge (front to back) of the soft top frame. This closes the distance between the front Bronco roof latches and the rear and also makes the side window panel opening smaller so the windows fit easier. My first attempt the roof would not even come close to latching in the front. I removed the top and slid the cargo brackets forward. The top would then latch in the front but I could not stretch the side windows enough to go in. I removed the top again, slid the cargo brackets as far forward as I could without covering the lower bolt hole with the soft top frame, mounted the top and I could latch the front roof latches and was able to stretch the side windows enough to install them.
@timstrong20 this was the annoying part of the install. When done in the factory, they know exactly where these brackets need to be. It may take a little trial and error ... make sure you have strong dudes to help you life the soft top into place. If not, you'll scratch the crap outta your rear roll bars. Ask me how I know and why I now have the Mabbett covers on themI installed a factory soft top on my hard top Bronco last weekend. The person I bought the top from provided me with all the brackets. The install was fairly easy but I had to remove the top a couple times to adjust the cargo brackets so the top would latch over the windshield and the side windows could be put in. Unfortunately you don't know if the cargo brackets are adjusted correctly until after you put the top on and the only way to adjust them is with the top off. They have about a 1/2" of adjustment and just a small adjustment can make a big difference.
What I found on my Bronco (I'm sure each one is a little different).....the brackets should be adjusted so they are pushed more toward the front of the Bronco. When you mount the soft top to the bracket (shown in the pick with the red arrow) the soft top frame has a lower bolt cutout and the bottom bolt threads (red circle in picture) should be right at the edge (front to back) of the soft top frame. This closes the distance between the front Bronco roof latches and the rear and also makes the side window panel opening smaller so the windows fit easier. My first attempt the roof would not even come close to latching in the front. I removed the top and slid the cargo brackets forward. The top would then latch in the front but I could not stretch the side windows enough to go in. I removed the top again, slid the cargo brackets as far forward as I could without covering the lower bolt hole with the soft top frame, mounted the top and I could latch the front roof latches and was able to stretch the side windows enough to install them.
Did you order all of your parts from Ford?
| 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 |
Yeah, I ordered from a dealer in FL and then the said these were back ordered. So I found the on eBay, but they were quite a bit more than $30!
My dealer went to order some for me the beginning of May and they were backordered until 5/31.
good to know, that’s not too bad. I have a few projects in front of the soft top so should be an issue. Plus, I really only got the soft top as an emergency backup, and doors will be off, so the side window isn’t a big deal
Tim, I just picked up a used soft top and these brackets came with the top (after I previously ordered a set due to seller saying he didn’t have them). I’ll let them go for less than the dealer wants and include the 4 bolts
Great, can you UPS them and I send you a check or certified check (obviously pay for mailing/shipping)?
I have the styrofoam pallet to store it, so I won't need anything for storage. Thanks though.
