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[UPDATED to include the rear cargo panel location reference and frame bolt/bracket section]
[UPDATE2 to include the roll bar brackets and the rear latch brackets]
2 group members decided they wanted to swap tops. For the most part it was pretty straight forward, however there were a few items not covered in the resources I've seen to date. This is largely due to the resources covering top removal, not swapping. There are a few parts that need to be swapped than planned. While not a big deal with a straight swap with both vehicles on site, it is a bigger deal for anyone with a hard top opting to get the soft top. These additional parts would need to be sourced in addition to the top.
Soft Top Side Window Channels:
After swapping the tops and moving on to the victory lap of installing the side soft top windows, we realized that Ford does not include the front side window channel (shown below) brackets on the hard top models:
With window channel:
Without window channel (Note the @GearShade Jeep lurking in the background):
It is a simple 3 bolt swap for each bracket.
Rear Cargo Access Panel Covers:
The final step in the process was to reinstall the rear cargo access panels. When trying to reinstall the panels on the hard top donor, we could not get the panels to fit properly. That is when we noticed the panels are different between the models.
Notice the relief cuts on the bottom covers from the soft top:
The relief area is required for the soft top frame:
Additional noteworthy items:
Frame Bolts and Bracket:
The 3 bolts highlighted were not included in the hard top as well as the bracket the top 2 bolts attached to:
Top bracket location (sorry no pic if the bracket itself):
Roll Bar Brackets:
Both the brackets and the screws will need to be swapped over. These do require some adjustment. Our approach was pretty simple and seemed to be affective. We simply left the screws loose enough to allow for lateral bracket movement. We then closed top and adjusted the brackets to where the top latch and side silver post matched. It took a few ups and downs to get it set. In the end both brackets were pretty much adjusted to the rear as much as they would go.
Rear Latch Brackets:
The 2 rear latch brackets were the last items we needed to swap. They too needed some adjustment. Again we left them a bit loose, closed the top, let them latch and tightened accordingly.
Everyone pitching in @GearShade @mtap:
THE END (FL6G Meetup
)
[UPDATE2 to include the roll bar brackets and the rear latch brackets]
2 group members decided they wanted to swap tops. For the most part it was pretty straight forward, however there were a few items not covered in the resources I've seen to date. This is largely due to the resources covering top removal, not swapping. There are a few parts that need to be swapped than planned. While not a big deal with a straight swap with both vehicles on site, it is a bigger deal for anyone with a hard top opting to get the soft top. These additional parts would need to be sourced in addition to the top.
Soft Top Side Window Channels:
After swapping the tops and moving on to the victory lap of installing the side soft top windows, we realized that Ford does not include the front side window channel (shown below) brackets on the hard top models:
With window channel:
Without window channel (Note the @GearShade Jeep lurking in the background):
It is a simple 3 bolt swap for each bracket.
Rear Cargo Access Panel Covers:
The final step in the process was to reinstall the rear cargo access panels. When trying to reinstall the panels on the hard top donor, we could not get the panels to fit properly. That is when we noticed the panels are different between the models.
Notice the relief cuts on the bottom covers from the soft top:
The relief area is required for the soft top frame:
Additional noteworthy items:
Frame Bolts and Bracket:
The 3 bolts highlighted were not included in the hard top as well as the bracket the top 2 bolts attached to:
Top bracket location (sorry no pic if the bracket itself):
Roll Bar Brackets:
Both the brackets and the screws will need to be swapped over. These do require some adjustment. Our approach was pretty simple and seemed to be affective. We simply left the screws loose enough to allow for lateral bracket movement. We then closed top and adjusted the brackets to where the top latch and side silver post matched. It took a few ups and downs to get it set. In the end both brackets were pretty much adjusted to the rear as much as they would go.
Rear Latch Brackets:
The 2 rear latch brackets were the last items we needed to swap. They too needed some adjustment. Again we left them a bit loose, closed the top, let them latch and tightened accordingly.
Everyone pitching in @GearShade @mtap:
THE END (FL6G Meetup
)
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Last edited:
