My top is leaking on my '96 EB, I plan on taking it off soon and checking the seals. I have a couple questions concerning this. First one, Is the top held in place with a size 40 tamper proof torx bit? If not what size is it? Second, My top is looking a little dull, what can I put on the top to put some life back into it and also protect it? Lastly, is there anything else I need to look for while my top is off and I can take care of while I am there?

I know the seat belts and third brake light need to be disconnected, but is there anything else?

Thanks for all the help, I have had the truck just a few months, but have been doing little things to get the truck in A1 shape, so far the only major problem is the ABS system, it decided to quit and will cost way to much to repair. I love the truck other than that and I am enjoying working/fixing it up.

Thanks again

FLETCH

 

My Dad tried all kinds of stuff on his top before finally deciding to just get it painted. It looked really good after he got it painted.

 

First, yes, the bolts are T-40 tamper-proof Torx. You will also need a regular T-50 Torx to remove the seat belts and a Phillips screwdriver if the interior trim is still in place. The electrical connector is at the driver's side rear corner of the top right above the bed rail. When you remove the top make certain that you keep track of the spring nuts that slide int to bed rails under the edge of the top. These are what the bolts run through to hold the top in place. They have a tendancy to slide out of there slots and down inside the bed rails especially if you run around with the top off. My advice, take them out as soon as the top is off or put the bolts back into them to keep them from clattering and chattering while you drive. I take the top off my 92 often enough that I only put four bolts in it when I install it again. The two in the top corners and the two in the rear corners.

Actually I'm surprised to hear of a leaking top especially on a '96. But, once the top is off you can check out the seal. There is really only one and it runs over the rear of the drivers compartment roof just under the top. Its one of the kind that slides over the edge of a metal seam and has a bulb on it that faces the rear of the truck. If you look at it from the end of the gasket the cross section looks something like this... /\O The inverted V slides over the metal edge and the O is the gasket bulb. Other than two small strips of foam about an inch wide in the lower curved edges where the B posts curve down into the bed rails of the truck there are no other gaskets or seals. The possibility exists that the rubber gasket has simply dry rotted or hardened. It should be available through Ford or Jeff's Bronco Graveyard. As for the finish, many people have had good results from a repaint. I have never done anything but wash mine but mine is black....flat black is flat black is flat black.

 

Use Silicone Lubricant spray to rejuvenate & protect all the rubber seals. There is a molded foam strip glued to the bottom of each side of the camper shell, but it's sometimes the window gaskets that leak, so check them.

If you can't find a T-40 tamper bit, just use a small punch to break out the tiny post in the middle of each bolt head. That turns them into regular T-40s.

If you want a low sheen on your top, try some more Silicone spray.

 

Thanks for all the great help/information. I am glad that there is a place for us 'newbies' to go and get so much help from more experienced owners. Thanks again for all the advice.

FLETCH

 

Fletch
Are you sure your top is leaking. I thought mine was too until after advice from this list I looked a little closer. It was the infamous rain gutter cracks that most Broncos get. Look at the back of the gutter over the doors and if you see a crack there that is most likely you problem.

 

vaseline or petroleum jelly works great on the rubber seals,even door seals.what color is the top.mine is black i used sprayable truck bed liner in aerosol cans worked great and has the texture of the factory paint.

 

Oil and grease ROT rubber. I know...hard to believe since gaskets are made out of it but the reason they get brittle is the exposure to the oil.