Will a top from an 80's Bronco fit on a 94? I realize it won't have the shoulder belts or third brake light, but other than that, will it bolt on?

 

It should line up easy peasy

 

Nick,
Swap, between 66-77, 78-79, 80-91, 92-96; "...78-79 fiberglass with integral steel roll bar inside rear lip; sliding or fixed side windows; 80-91 fiberglass with integral steel roll bar inside rear lip; sliding (up to 83) or fixed side windows; 92-96 fiberglass with integral steel roll bar inside rear lip attached to mounting plate & alignment pin; fixed side windows; The only groups that you can interchange are 80-96 with some modifications. 80-83 sliding side windows directly fit 80-96 shells. 78-91 Broncos use 4 short bolts (8mm head, 6x1.00x40mm) on each bedrail & 5 long bolts (8mm head, 6x1.00x70mm) in the upper sections. All bolts thread into U-nuts, except the 2 upper corners & the 2 rear corners which use captive nut plates. The bedrail bolts each use a clip stamped "L" or "R", but the rearmost bolts use the opposite clip. The clips for the B-pillar bolts are not marked, but the smaller tab goes down. 92-96 Broncos use 5 short bolts (tamper T-40 head, 8x1.25x30mm) on each bedrail & 5 long bolts (tamper T-40 head, 8x1.25x60mm) in the upper sections. All bolts thread into U-nuts, except the 2 upper corners & the 4 rear corners which use captive nut plates. The bedrail bolts each use a clip stamped "L" or "R", except the rearmost bolts. The clips for the B-pillar bolts are not marked, but the smaller tab goes down. There are also nut plates in 4 of the camper shell bolt holes: the 2 rearmost, and the 2 outboard at the top of the cab. They're just a heavy plate (1/4"?) with a threaded hole...."; AlM
NOTE; 92-96 have rear seat shoulder belt mounting points & 3rd brake lights.

Swap, between 78-79 & 80-96; "...NO, the 78-79 has a curved seam line going across the top and the 80-96 seam line is straight..." by Trent R

Swap, between 78-79, 80-91, 92-96; "...There are very few differences between the 80-91 and 92-96 tops. Some alignment pins is what it boils down to I think..."by Dobs

 

Wow that's a lot of info. Thanks! I found a top on CL with a missing window. I just want it for the shell, to bolt in without windows for cruising to the beach. I know the seat belts won't work and no third brake light.

The guy selling it doesn't know exactly what year it is, just "80's".

 

Basically the 80 - 91 tops are all the same and 92 - 96 tops are all the same.

The 80 - 91 tops have a pin in the body that lines up with a slot/hole in the shell.

The 92 - 96 tops have a pin in the shell that lines up with a hole in the body.


This just keeps you from swapping an older shell onto a newer Bronco because it is federally illegal to remove a shoulder strap belt and third brake light from a vehicle equipped with them.

But, If you put a 92+ shell on an 91 and prior Bronco, neither will have the alignment pin and you shouldn't have any issues.

 

Pins aside... (because they can be cut off). The only difference with the 92-96 (4th Gen.) tops is the addition of the shoulder harness rear seat belt mounts and the high-mount stop light. They will fit all the way back to 1980. Fortunately for 80-91 (3rd Gen.) owners, this makes it possible to add should harness rear belts and the stop lamp if you find yourself a 4th Gen. top to put on the truck and are willing to add some wiring.

Strictly speaking, if you are dealing with the removal of a 4th Gen. top with the original hardware still installed, you need the Tamper=proof T-40 Torx driver to remove it. Any top prior to 1992 should still have hex-head hardware holding it down.

 

Thanks guys!

 

The guys stayed on TOP of it