Notices
1978 - 1996 Big Bronco  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Went Topless

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 29, 2003 | 11:50 PM
  #1  
mweeps's Avatar
mweeps
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
Smile Went Topless

Took the top off for the first time on Sunday. My daughter loved it and it brought back memories for my dad, brother, and I. Hadn't had the top off a Bronco since we had our 79 Ranger XLT. I think my brother is ready to take his off. Maybe have them both off to take my daughter to the Fireworks on the 4th!!!

Found out that I need to replace weatherstripping along the cab and get some different bolts!!! Obviously previous owner has had the top off and ruined the head on one of the tamperproof bolts and tore the weatherstripping with the three bolts at the top of the cab. Had to get a hold of the rounded head with channel locks to get it loose.
 
Reply
Old Jun 29, 2003 | 11:56 PM
  #2  
greystreak92's Avatar
greystreak92
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
Likes: 12
From: Gateway to the West
Club FTE Gold Member
Went Topless

FYI, the bolt thread pitch for the tamper-proof Torx bolts is 6mm x1.0mm. Hex head bolts with the same thread pitch should work just fine.
 
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2003 | 02:46 PM
  #3  
mweeps's Avatar
mweeps
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
Went Topless

Froggman lists the bolts as 8x70mm with 1.5 pitch and 8x45mm with 1.5 pitch. Are those sizes correct?
 
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2003 | 06:31 PM
  #4  
huze24's Avatar
huze24
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: West Texas
Went Topless

That's the only way to go in a Bronco, topless. That is the only reason Heeps have the appeal they do. I took my top off the day I bought it and it has never been back on.

It gets put under the carport in the rain. Luckily I have one high enough to accomodate it! I love rolling up next to Heeps and looking down on them with my top off, they look like economy SUV's.

It helps that I live in West Texas where the rainfall is minimal, almost non existent. I think the Bronco looks a lot better topless anyway.

Don't need A/C either with all windows open and the top off doing 70mph down the highway, or cruising around town. I also like hearing my dual exhaust with turbo mufflers with the top off.

Enjoy the summer time cruising topless.
 
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2003 | 06:48 PM
  #5  
AlM's Avatar
AlM
Posting Guru
25 Year Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 0
Went Topless

yo,
since we're in the top removal, here is the info on:
Extruded u nuts - these are the fasteners clipped to the body (inside, under the side window trim) they are called extruded u nuts or fold-over nuts - thanks to Chris B for the info!
http://www.geno-inc.org/English/Products/products.html
 
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2003 | 07:07 PM
  #6  
bobcf's Avatar
bobcf
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 446
Likes: 0
From: western pa,zelienople
Went Topless

http://www.creproonline.com/half_cab_conversion.htm
 
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2003 | 07:54 PM
  #7  
greystreak92's Avatar
greystreak92
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
Likes: 12
From: Gateway to the West
Club FTE Gold Member
Went Topless

Mweeps,

I took the thread pitch info. off this site: http://www3.telus.net/cbradley/Bronc...fic_Links.html

My apologies if this information was incorrect. I assumed it to be correct considering the source.
 
Reply
Old Jul 3, 2003 | 11:40 AM
  #8  
mweeps's Avatar
mweeps
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
Went Topless

grey I wasn't doubting just want to get the right info. I went to Ford and they want $4 a piece for the screws!!!!! I am clueless on the metric bolts but the ladyat the parts counter did pull up the top on the computer and it listed two parts for each bolt. One for 1980-1991 and 92-96. Tamperproof torx were the only ones she was able to order. I am just going to punch out the center on the bolt and use a regular T-40 on it.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-2

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-7

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jul 3, 2003 | 07:54 PM
  #9  
greystreak92's Avatar
greystreak92
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
Likes: 12
From: Gateway to the West
Club FTE Gold Member
Went Topless

I think I have posted this before but the Autozones (around here) sell the tamper-proof Torx bits in sets and individually in little plastic "test tube" looking packages. I was going to swap out the bolts on mine as well until I realized the bits were a stock item at the local Autozone. Maybe thats not true of them across the country but it might be worth a look.
 
Reply
Old Jul 3, 2003 | 07:58 PM
  #10  
AbadDriver's Avatar
AbadDriver
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: stafford VA
Went Topless

I got my tamper bits at autozone too but they only sell the pack. it was like $15 for t-10 to t-40 with a 1/4 drive adapter. cool lil kit but after i bought mine, i realized my dad had one in his toolbox.
Tim
 
Reply
Old Jul 3, 2003 | 10:20 PM
  #11  
justshootme84's Avatar
justshootme84
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 0
From: SE Texas
Went Topless

The coolest thing about going topless to watch the fireworks is that you can sit on top of your icechest in the rear bench seat and have the best view of all!!!
 
Reply
Old Jul 3, 2003 | 10:57 PM
  #12  
knucklehead11's Avatar
knucklehead11
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
From: Austin
Went Topless

I have a crappy Bronco II. lol, i like my Bronco II, I wish they made it with a removable top too like the big Bronco.
 
Reply
Old Jul 4, 2003 | 12:10 AM
  #13  
greystreak92's Avatar
greystreak92
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
Likes: 12
From: Gateway to the West
Club FTE Gold Member
Went Topless

mweeps,

Its all good. Was just concerned that I may have posted erroneous info..
 
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2003 | 11:00 AM
  #14  
mweeps's Avatar
mweeps
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
Went Topless

I purchased the Tamperproof bits at Advance Auto. The set was $8.99. I will check Autozone for an individual T40. It would be nice to have two bits to use when taking the top off. I have one bad bolt though that the pin in the center is bent and I can't get the bit into to get it out. So I used some channel lock pliers to get it out. I am going to leave it out for now, but get a replacement before winter. I am using minimal amount of bolts to hold it on and put all the trim in the garage for the summer to make it easier to get off.
 
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2003 | 01:57 PM
  #15  
steve83's Avatar
steve83
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
Went Topless

Just use a small drift (punch) to break the center posts out of ALL the bolts and use a normal T-40 bit. They're cheaper & more common.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:38 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-6
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE