I'm trading my 96 4.0 Splash for a 95 E.B Bronco.VERY nice vehicle with low miles and was wondering...does the top come off??I hope so,the dealer won't let me try to find out..but it will be a deciding factor!Thanks.

 

Yes, it does come off. You just need a Torx bit to take the bolts out. Also, I think its techinically illegal to remove the tops on broncos with third brake lights. I dont know if its by state, or federal regulation. I see guys run them without the top, I just wanted to let you know.


Rich

 

might have to go get me a Bronco tomorrow!!

 

two- Yes, it does come off.

wheel- did you get the email I sent? My ISP is driving me nuts.


Erik

 

All "Bronco"s ('66-96) are full-sized convertible wagon-body 4WD 1/2-ton trucks built on ladder-frames. Early Broncos ('66-77) are slightly smaller, but still use full-size drivetrains and are full-convertibles. Some were sold without tops, and others with half-cabs, but the bodies are the same. '78-96 are half-convertible. '66-80 Broncos had solid front axles; '80-96 have an IFS called the "Twin Traction Beam", which is a variant of the Dana 44. '87-96 are EFI. '93-96 have 4WABS. '94-95 had the option of MAF. '96 were MAF OBD-II.

You need a T-40 tamper-Torx to remove the top, and also a normal T-50 to remove the shoulder belts from it. If you can't find a tamper T-40, just use a punch to knock out the tiny posts in the middle of the bolt heads and a normal T-40 will work fine.

Bronco IIs are NOT Broncos.

 

Steve, Bronco II's are what I can put in the back of my '78 to keep as a spare!

 

yo tworangerted,
If you're not having a mechanic ck the EB out prior to purchase, besides the usual visual, driveability and leak checks, look for:
oil pan rust
radiator plastic side seam leaks esp. during engine cool-down period/overnight
auto tranny and transfer case operation-electric transfer case motor/connectors are a prob. area
auto hub operation (get it in sand or mud and try the 4x4 system)
rust in inner rear fender lips and bottom of tailgate
seat track integrity
and ck out the E4OD O/D cancel switch on the right hand stalk
...
and here is Ken's "top removal" article w/pics:
http://www.froggmann.com/Tech/Topremoval.htm

My web page has more top removal info by Steve and other Bronco owners as well.

Good luck and post some pics when you get the Bronco.

 

Oops, thought better of the idea and went with a new thread.

 

I have heard that if you want to put the top back on it is hard to seal up and make weather proof

 

Thats a lot of malarkey. I know guys who have only replaced four of the bolts and they have no leak issues whatsoever. I bet when the top leaks its due to operator error (ie, ruin the weather seal, not seat it correctly, etc..).


Rich

 

All I am saying is that ford did not design the Bronco top to be taken on and off, thus making any modifications prone to leakage and improper sealing, not to say it couldnt be done correct, just difficult to be sure how things will fit back up and to me not worth the risk

 

Uh, sorry to disappoint you but YES, Ford did design the top to come off the Bronco. From the day the first 1966 Bronco rolled off the assembly line, ALL Broncos had removable tops. In fact, until 1992 when the high mount stop light was put into the top, there were instructions for removing the top IN the owners manual. Ford tried to discourage its removal after 1991 because of the stop light being federally mandated safety equipment. That MYTH about the top leaking or needing to be stored correctly etc. once its been removed is just that, A MYTH!

I have had mine off and back on more times than I can recall in the three years I've owned the truck. It NEVER leaks and I NEVER put more than four bolts back in it to hold it down. Its a steel frame with fibreglass molded over it! I store mine flat but I know for a fact that Steve83 and a few others store theirs standing on end.

Besides, why build a seperate section out of fibreglass and steel for the back portion of the truck if you aren't going to make it removable? It would be cheaper and structurally simpler to have made the entire roof one piece of steel if Ford didn't want the top to come off. Ford wouldn't have wasted all the hardware and made all those mounting brackets etc. if they didn't intend for the top to be removable. Why pay the engineers to make that whole operation if it serves no purpose? I'll get off my soapbox now. But the idea that the top wasn't designed to come off is completely contradictory to the very design of the top.

 

You used to be able to get a "half-top", that would essentially turn a Bronco into a very short bed pickup. Have you seen one of them?

 

You mean something like this?

http://www.creproonline.com/half_cab_conversion.htm


Rich

 

I have to agree with Greystreak92.I've taken the hardtop off every spring and put my ragtop on since 2000.Have had NO
problems.And I live in the Northeast(harsh weather changes).And yes,in my '91 owners manual it gives instructions for removal and storage.It's one of the reasons I bought the Bronco.

Sudsrat
Go Fish!