Stubborn soft top

[FormerBigDaddy]

So I just recently installed an oem soft top on my Bronco. After a bit of trial and error I got it on working somewhat well. The only issue I have is with the middle latches on the roof rails. They are really stubborn and the top doesn’t want to latch down and I really have to apply some force to get them to latch. It’s almost like the entire top isn’t forward enough. I have to really jam it down and forward to latch and then half the time the other side won’t latch or then comes unlatched. At least on mine, if both middle latches aren’t clicked in the forward latches don’t reach to secure the top down. Usually after a few trips around the truck I can get both middle latches locked in and then the forward latches reach and I’m good to go.

When I did the initial install, I did have to make sure the rear backets in the cargo area were both as far forward (towards the front of the truck) as possible to even have a chance for the middle latches to reach the middle bracket on the top rail. Also, the top middle brackets are installed as far back (towards the rear) as possible. I guess what I’m saying is there’s not really any adjusting of the rear or top/middle backers I can make to resolve the issue I’m having. Unless I’m missing something.

Has anyone else struggled with those middle latches? Any suggestions?

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[Brian_B]

Seems like the latch on the roof has a bit of slop for adjustment as well

 

[Saltwater Junkie]

Yeah, Initial installation is a bit of a P.I.T.A. A 30 minute install and 2 more hours of fine adjustments. I had the same issue with the middle locks.
What worked for me was 1. Open the rear part of the soft top and keep it open using the "kickstand" 2.Folding only the front section back, get in the Bronco and looking where the middle roof pins were in relation to the locking mechanism and marking with a grease pencil where the pins need to be. 3.Lock both pins sides down. 4.Close the top back to the windshield locking the front part above the windshield and verifying the middle has locked on both sides (may have to pull top down from inside to hear clicks) 5. Then close rear top by pretty much slamming it down to catch.(the rear side tailgate pins will need adjusting as well).
Search "soft top adjustments" on here, there is a thread on here somewhere that shows All the brackets/parts that will need to be adjusted. After all that was done my soft top has opened and closed smoothly.
Good luck.

 

[FormerBigDaddy]

Yeah, Initial installation is a bit of a P.I.T.A. A 30 minute install and 2 more hours of fine adjustments. I had the same issue with the middle locks.
What worked for me was 1. Open the rear part of the soft top and keep it open using the "kickstand" 2.Folding only the front section back, get in the Bronco and looking where the middle roof pins were in relation to the locking mechanism and marking with a grease pencil where the pins need to be. 3.Lock both pins sides down. 4.Close the top back to the windshield locking the front part above the windshield and verifying the middle has locked on both sides (may have to pull top down from inside to hear clicks) 5. Then close rear top by pretty much slamming it down to catch.(the rear side tailgate pins will need adjusting as well).
Search "soft top adjustments" on here, there is a thread on here somewhere that shows All the brackets/parts that will need to be adjusted. After all that was done my soft top has opened and closed smoothly.
Good luck.

I think I get what you’re saying… I thought about unlatching the far rear latches where the kickstand is to allow for more slack. Which would hopefully allow the top middle section to lock in and latch easier. Again, once I have the middle latches both secured the front is not issue. I can’t move the top bracket further back and I cannot move the cargo brackets further forward. But unlatching the rear latches with the kickstand and securing them last might help. Just a bit annoying that I would have to do that every time I close the top but I guess it’s not a big deal.

 

[Fast Eddie]

You need to give it time. When people buy a truck with the ST installed it has been under the sun and had a chance to stretch. When you first install it the top is tight. I had the same exact thing. I had to open the back to lock down the front latches. 2-3 weeks in the sun and all was well. Now, lol, it's a little loose.

 

[Brian_B]

Just a bit annoying that I would have to do that every time I close the top but I guess it’s not a big deal.

It doesn't stay that tight forever. Especially once it gets good and warm out. That, and at least for me, I don't roll the top all the way back to where you need to re-seat the mid-latches all that often, since it requires taking the windows out to do that, and it's kind of a pain to walk it back over the C-pillars solo.

I had to adjust mine after I had done something to jack the alignment up - yeah, pop the back end up, loosen the middle, latch the front, then get the center bracket where it needs to be and tighten it down. Rinse and repeat until it gets as good as it gets. Then if you need to adjust the rear latch brackets on the tailgate, those are easy to get at fortunately (but super expensive for some stupid reason, so don't break them or lose them).

The back latches love to wander if you don't keep an eye on them, them drifting is usually the culprit once the back end gets hard to latch back down.

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