soft tops
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Joined: Mar 2003
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soft tops
I am in the process of customizing a beautiful '89 eddie bauer bronco . Lately i've been looking for a soft top. I've found several in various online catalogs. PROBLEM: Most of them require drilling holes in my <a href="http://www.motorhaven.com/">tailgate</a>, and all of them require keeping my rear window rolled down in favor of a plastic one. I can deal with the drilling. But, if i wanted my rear window to fog up every time it rained, I would buy a jeep. Does anyone out there know where i can find a top that makes use of the original window?
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
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From: Gateway to the West
soft tops
There are none (short of having something custom-made) that I know of. The difficulty is the necessity for a frame to support the window when raised. The stock hard top is the only top that has this capacity. I don't think there are any after-market manufacturers going to all the trouble.
Last edited by greystreak92; Mar 28, 2003 at 03:33 PM.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
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From: Gateway to the West
soft tops
Have considered doing this myself but haven't done a very thorough search locally for a spare top. Anyone near enough to St. Louis willing to part with an extra one...let me know.
Anyone ever seen the steel frame inside the fibreglass? i.e. a burned out top? Was considering what it may look like and if modifications would yield a suitable frame for stretching a canvas top over. One from a 92+ would be ideal since then my rear seat shoulder belts would still have a place to mount.
Anyone ever seen the steel frame inside the fibreglass? i.e. a burned out top? Was considering what it may look like and if modifications would yield a suitable frame for stretching a canvas top over. One from a 92+ would be ideal since then my rear seat shoulder belts would still have a place to mount.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 89
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From: Garland, TX
soft tops
Great idea about cutting down an old hard shell. I may try it!
I had also been thinking about adapting one of the cage/roof rack frames that mount into pickup beds. My thought was to buy or build one, then make canvas panels (some with plastic windows) for each flat portion of the frame. One for the back, one for the top, and one for each side. I think you could put together something that was waterproof and could stand up to highway speeds. If you did things right, you could also have a roof rack for carrying extra baggage - and who doesn't have some extra baggage?
Anyone tried either of these?.
I looked for hard-top prices - are they really only $300, or am I looking at something wrong???
I had also been thinking about adapting one of the cage/roof rack frames that mount into pickup beds. My thought was to buy or build one, then make canvas panels (some with plastic windows) for each flat portion of the frame. One for the back, one for the top, and one for each side. I think you could put together something that was waterproof and could stand up to highway speeds. If you did things right, you could also have a roof rack for carrying extra baggage - and who doesn't have some extra baggage?
Anyone tried either of these?.
I looked for hard-top prices - are they really only $300, or am I looking at something wrong???
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
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From: Gateway to the West
soft tops
I saw that pricetag at the Graveyard too, RMbros. Thinking I need to call them and find out. If its true and this is JUST a top with no windows or headliner, wiringharness, light(s), or gaskets then it would be an ideal place to start to make a custom top.
AlabamaBronco posted a link the other day (and for the life of me I can't find it now) to a site that specializes in custom roll cages and I was thinking of calling them with an idea I have had for a while about making a "cage top". Basically making an open frame top that will bolt in just like the full hard top but you could run with it "open" yet still have some roll protection for rear passengers and for 92+ you would be able to keep your rear shoulder belts. Heck who knows you might even be able to work in the window channels from an original top in the rear and keep your back glass functional. Then if you wanted to enclose the "cage top" it would just be a matter of doing like you said and making canvas sections that would zip or snap together. I'm thinking three pieces. Two sides and the top. Then you could remove the sides altogether and run with something of a "bikini top".
AlabamaBronco posted a link the other day (and for the life of me I can't find it now) to a site that specializes in custom roll cages and I was thinking of calling them with an idea I have had for a while about making a "cage top". Basically making an open frame top that will bolt in just like the full hard top but you could run with it "open" yet still have some roll protection for rear passengers and for 92+ you would be able to keep your rear shoulder belts. Heck who knows you might even be able to work in the window channels from an original top in the rear and keep your back glass functional. Then if you wanted to enclose the "cage top" it would just be a matter of doing like you said and making canvas sections that would zip or snap together. I'm thinking three pieces. Two sides and the top. Then you could remove the sides altogether and run with something of a "bikini top".
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Garland, TX
soft tops
Greystreak, thanks for the confirmation.
Seemed odd to me that a soft top would cost more than a replacement hard top, but I guess you're right about the lack of hardware, etc. If you find anything out, please post. It does sound like exactly the right place to start.
I ran across the custom cage/rollbar website. It was under "Roll bars for a 1990 Bronco":
http://www.cachassisworks.com/cages.htm
Their custom cage worksheet looks interesting. Again, please post results if you go through the process. More knowledge=more choices.
Hell, if the hard top conversion goes well/easy and looks good, maybe we can talk someone into doing it professionally.
Seemed odd to me that a soft top would cost more than a replacement hard top, but I guess you're right about the lack of hardware, etc. If you find anything out, please post. It does sound like exactly the right place to start.
I ran across the custom cage/rollbar website. It was under "Roll bars for a 1990 Bronco":
http://www.cachassisworks.com/cages.htm
Their custom cage worksheet looks interesting. Again, please post results if you go through the process. More knowledge=more choices.
Hell, if the hard top conversion goes well/easy and looks good, maybe we can talk someone into doing it professionally.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
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From: Gateway to the West
soft tops
Ok, guys, the Top Shell at the Graveyard is the selling price for a used fibreglass top that they have yanked from another Bronco. I talked to Mark this morning about it. So the part listed as #34098 is actually a complete USED, not new, top. Three bills for a used top sounds like a pretty darn good deal if you ask me. Especially if you are going to remove the glass and sell them or keep them (just in case) and start tearing it apart to make a custom top.
Chassisworks will custom build the "cage top" if provided the necessary information as to location of bends in the hoops and mounting plate necessities. They will only bend the hoops and provide the straight materials for connecting the hoops. The actual welding of the top would have to be done by someone else. I am off to take some measurements! HEHEHE...almost bouncing at the thought of seeing this idea become a reality!
Chassisworks will custom build the "cage top" if provided the necessary information as to location of bends in the hoops and mounting plate necessities. They will only bend the hoops and provide the straight materials for connecting the hoops. The actual welding of the top would have to be done by someone else. I am off to take some measurements! HEHEHE...almost bouncing at the thought of seeing this idea become a reality!
Last edited by greystreak92; Apr 7, 2003 at 12:32 PM.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 89
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From: Garland, TX
soft tops
That sounds great!
Think you are going to get one and start a teardown?
I'd really like to find out what's inside the fiberglass. Please continue to keep us posted.
Thanks for the update.
Think you are going to get one and start a teardown?
I'd really like to find out what's inside the fiberglass. Please continue to keep us posted.
Thanks for the update.
New User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 9
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From: Virginia Beach
soft tops
Here's something I thought of on the way home today.
I noticed that the ridges for the steel reinforcement are visible from the underside, and it occurred to me that there has got to be a way to trim the firberglass out from the inner sections, then replace it with plexiglass or something similar. If you then figured out a way to make the side windows removable, (well, a way to put them back in fairly easily), then you would have the soft top benefits, without having to worry about weather on the back at all.
A rubber gasket in the shape of a T would probably work to seal around the plexiglass inserts, and then if it leaked you could find some clear sealant junk to put under it. If it didn't leak you would have removable sections as well.
Also the weight reduction from the windows and the roof would be considerable, so it may even make it more easy to go totally open when possible.
I am now eyeing my parts truck with something along these lines in mind.
I noticed that the ridges for the steel reinforcement are visible from the underside, and it occurred to me that there has got to be a way to trim the firberglass out from the inner sections, then replace it with plexiglass or something similar. If you then figured out a way to make the side windows removable, (well, a way to put them back in fairly easily), then you would have the soft top benefits, without having to worry about weather on the back at all.
A rubber gasket in the shape of a T would probably work to seal around the plexiglass inserts, and then if it leaked you could find some clear sealant junk to put under it. If it didn't leak you would have removable sections as well.
Also the weight reduction from the windows and the roof would be considerable, so it may even make it more easy to go totally open when possible.
I am now eyeing my parts truck with something along these lines in mind.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 643
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From: Lorain,Oh USA
soft tops
i have a spare top in good shape. ill sell it for 100.00 maybe 75.00.
its the top thats on my bronco in my gallery. my parts bronco had a top with tinted windows and i like the color of it over my old black one. the black one is in good shape, just faded from the sun.
its the top thats on my bronco in my gallery. my parts bronco had a top with tinted windows and i like the color of it over my old black one. the black one is in good shape, just faded from the sun.
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Joined: Oct 2009
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Soft Top
Hey, just wanted to say, that I have actually done a custom hard top of my own. Worked out great, I'll try to post pics. Was a great experience and lots of fun if you like doing your own thing. Also there are soft tops out, I bought one at the beginning of summer for my '87 Ford Bronco. I love it, found it at this site here, FastTrac Soft Top, Black Complete, 80-91 Clear Windows
should take you right to the soft top to order it.
Jordan, '87 Ford Bronco
should take you right to the soft top to order it.
Jordan, '87 Ford Bronco
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
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From: Gateway to the West
Would love to see photos of yours... here are a couple shots of the one I did.
More detailed photos in my gallery Old TOPic New Twist.
More detailed photos in my gallery Old TOPic New Twist.