top removal
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs, CO
top removal
1) Lower tailgate glass!
2) Take off paneling around that covers the bolts. it is metal and about 4 inches wide and follows all the way around where the hard top hits the body(on my 88). Should be held down by phillips head screws.
3) Mark and number the bracket and bolts so it will go back on tight.
4) Use correct size wrench to take off bolts. On a 92 or later I think you need a special tool.... but I'm not positive about that.
5) Lift it off.
6) Get a soft top!
2) Take off paneling around that covers the bolts. it is metal and about 4 inches wide and follows all the way around where the hard top hits the body(on my 88). Should be held down by phillips head screws.
3) Mark and number the bracket and bolts so it will go back on tight.
4) Use correct size wrench to take off bolts. On a 92 or later I think you need a special tool.... but I'm not positive about that.
5) Lift it off.
6) Get a soft top!
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
Likes: 12
From: Gateway to the West
top removal
'92 and later requires a T-40 size tamper-proof Torx driver. Available at most parts stores these days. Don't forget the wiring harness at the driver's rear corner of the top too. There is a connector clipped to the lower edge of the top under the inner trim.
The owner's manual had these instructions up until 92 when Ford put the mandated High-mount stop lamp in the top and tried to discourage removal of the top...hence the tamper-proof Torx hardware too.
The owner's manual had these instructions up until 92 when Ford put the mandated High-mount stop lamp in the top and tried to discourage removal of the top...hence the tamper-proof Torx hardware too.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs, CO
top removal
Didn't know about that wiring. I have an 88 with no wiring or shoulder straps.
What is the point of having a fiberglass top you're not supposed to take off? That seems pretty stupid.
What is the point of having a fiberglass top you're not supposed to take off? That seems pretty stupid.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
top removal
Originally posted by yosemite
What is the point of having a fiberglass top you're not supposed to take off? That seems pretty stupid.
What is the point of having a fiberglass top you're not supposed to take off? That seems pretty stupid.
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New User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Houston
top removal
Originally posted by greystreak92
'92 and later requires a T-40 size tamper-proof Torx driver. Available at most parts stores these days.
'92 and later requires a T-40 size tamper-proof Torx driver. Available at most parts stores these days.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
top removal
***HINT: if you can't find a Tamper T-40, just get a small punch and break the tamper stud sideways in the bolt head so it becomes a NORMAL T-40. 
It's very brittle metal and breaks easily.
It's very brittle metal and breaks easily.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: ALABAMA
top removal
now that I got removal down lets get to putting it back on. what kind of seals are around the top? as far as I know mine has never been off. I really want to take it off this summer but I dont want it to leak when I put it back on. Has anyone had trouble with the top leaking after you have put the top back on? Just wandering...
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
From: The South
top removal
no seals...
In fact. I didnt even put all the bolts back in it when I re-attached the top. A buddy of mine only put like 3 bolts in it when he put his top back on... I went a few more for the added assurance that it wouldnt come off on I-75 somewhere!
Anywho, no seals and even without all the bolts I have never had a leak... and today is the first day it hasnt rained here in Knoxville in two weeks.
Happy cruising...
PS-> a wise man once said... there are two things that look great with their tops off.... broncos and .... you get the idea
In fact. I didnt even put all the bolts back in it when I re-attached the top. A buddy of mine only put like 3 bolts in it when he put his top back on... I went a few more for the added assurance that it wouldnt come off on I-75 somewhere!
Anywho, no seals and even without all the bolts I have never had a leak... and today is the first day it hasnt rained here in Knoxville in two weeks.
Happy cruising...
PS-> a wise man once said... there are two things that look great with their tops off.... broncos and .... you get the idea
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
top removal
treehugger
My mom lives in Oak Ridge - if you ever see a gray Grand Marquis with a black spotlight on the driver's A-pillar, wave.
VIBR8R
There are foam rubber seals between the fiberglass & the body, all the way around. Once you get them to unstick (since they haven't been disturbed in over a decade), spray some silicone lubricant on them to soften them up and so they don't re-adhere.
My mom lives in Oak Ridge - if you ever see a gray Grand Marquis with a black spotlight on the driver's A-pillar, wave.
VIBR8R
There are foam rubber seals between the fiberglass & the body, all the way around. Once you get them to unstick (since they haven't been disturbed in over a decade), spray some silicone lubricant on them to soften them up and so they don't re-adhere.
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis USA
top removal
while on the topic of going topless has anyone built their own soft top? I am looking for the full top style and 600 for it seems like a lot. Anyone have pictures of what the full style comes with for supports? Any details?
Thanks,
Tim
Thanks,
Tim