As summer approaches i feel the urge to just take it all off, ya know...the top to the bronco. But unfortunatly our heavy bulky bronco tops are NOT as easy to change as a convertable or a little jeep wrangler top. I hear alot of guys talkin about how cool their new "Kayline Softtops" are and that they are so easy and convenient. Well i dont know about the rest of yall but i just dont have a spare $600 dollars lying around to get a kayline softtop (i know there are others for around $400 but with those you have to drill holes for snaps). I have been taking a couple measurments and the top would need to be approx. 6.5x6.5'. Is there anyone who has attempted to make their own soft top with a tarp or other material. I was thinking:
take a 6x8 tarp (take the longer 8' side to be at the front & rear of bronco and fold it over a time or two for extra strength) and either use the factory hardtop screws to screw it in the same holes as the hard top. OR maybe buy a bulk role of 3M velcro and line the bronco with one side and the tarp with the other side (has adhesive backing).
Now i know nobody wants to look weird with a bright blue tarp on the back of their bronco, but this was an idea for those (like myself) who love to have the top off alot but need something just incase it rains and dont have the 'funds' to buy a $400-600 softtop. If anyone has anyother suggestions then postem', and if yall got some homemade pics please share em'.

 

many have suggested butchering a car cover for this purpose. not as cheap as a tarp, but not $600 :-). If you are already measuring and cutting, you might as well put in a section of clear plastic (clear showercurtain if you can't find raw materials) so that you have some visibility out the back. I wouldn't trust velcro, though. FYI - when I'm topless, I keep a floor drop (like for painting) in a ziplock bag. it's no use when driving, but if I'm stopped, I can use the doors and spare rack to secure it enough to keep the rain out. plus, it folds up better and easier than a tarp.

I've been planning on designing a custom soft top, but have yet to find the time. As it is, I just put my hardtop back on today. With daily highs over 90, it's too damned hot for no AC.

-Josh

 

Speak for yourself, I still have no AC, better to have ventilation

I'm starting to get more hours at work, as long as gas doesn't take another $0.20 jump I'll be able to try what I was wanting to do. I was going to do a tarp (with either all clear, or a clear section) and roll it around PVC molded to fit the sides and top, then screw the PVC into the stock holes... But as it is I don't even have money for gas

 

Just a thought on your top problem. What I plan on doing is Line-Xing the floor and the sides in the back on the inside of my truck. Then add a little drain hole right behind the front seats. I know your trying to avoid water getting in but hey if you can't beat it ... Join it!!! ... I've checked on the Line-X and its going to run $300 to do the entire inside. Not cheap but not the $600 for the top. Plus you don't have to worry about getting the top on ... just let it rain!!! There are also do it yourself Line-X type kits for around $100 ... But if you go that route MAKE SURE you follow the instructions and get everything clean before applying.

Just my thoughts.

 

I checked out this idea a couple of months ago. I went to a canvas/tent maker here in town and they looked at the my rig and they said they didn't want to try it. I think someone who builds/makes boat covers would be more inclined to tackle it. I have some ideas using old tent poles and a clear window of some type. It doesn't seem like rocket science but just about everything involving a Bronco is going to be time consuming and/or expensive.

 

i was thnking of making my own top before my engine died a couple of weeks ago. I was going try something similar to the old CJ-7's that had the old style roll bars in them. they had a top that was held up in the top back corner by a U-shaped pipe that made the corner. i was thinking of using EMT and anugahide for the material. still might do it. just trying to figure out how to attach the edges without drilling into the body.....maybe angle iron bent around when the hard top bolts down with snaps or something and bolts into the existing hard top mounting holes... just my idea.......

 

In response to raging redneck's post: Until I figure out what I'm doing for a soft top, I have done something simliar to your idea.

I took the carpet out of the back, and when it rains, I fold the rear seat forward and wrap a tarp around it. That way, most of the rain hits the now bare floor in the back. I have the luxury of parking uphill at work, so it all just runs out the back. The back seat stays dry underneath the tarp.

I still have the forward carpet in there, so if it rains really hard, the runoff from the tarp will get that carpet wet. However, I have solved that problem by taking out the insulation (that flashing-looking piece of silver cardboard under the carpet). Having that out allows the heat from the transmission to come through the floor and hit the bottom of the carpet, quickly drying it out.

It's not the perfect solution, but it has kept things pretty dry during the downpours, and I thought I'd share.

P.S. This only works for rain that falls straight. It doesnt work for Colorado's sideways rain storms

 

Oh, one more thing since were mentioning the removal of carpet and adding or not adding Line-X ... Make sure you have something covering the rear window slit or your going to be hating life with a rusted out bottom of the tailgate .

 

I have made the custom soft top out of a canvas tarp. I have had it for about 3 years now. I made mine in the L-shape. I can't use the back seat with it on. I made the rails out of 1x2's and attached the velcro to that. I ordered clear plastic 40 mil for the window. I did not drill into the tailgate. I attached straps to the back of the tailgate and clips to the bumper. I will get pictures for you guys later.

Luke

 

What was your final time/cost Luke?

 

Cost:
Tarp was about $25 from harbor freight
Velcro was about $25 from ahh.com
Window was about $15 from ahh.com, but only used 1/3 of the yard
Wood was about $6 from lowes
Nylon Straps and buckles were about $10 from strapworks.com

Time:
Had to make a template out of an old sheet. Cut the sheet and then put the sheet up against the tarp. Cut the tarp a little longer so I could hem the edges. I then used a heavy duty paper stapler to attach the velcro to the tarp. I started to sew it on, but it was going to take to long. It worked out well for me to do this. I also attached snaps to the tarp and the wood strips for a secure fit. I would say you can get this done in about 4-5 hours with some planning.

I have to make one for my brother because he got a Bronco yesterday. 1984 351 HO bored out 30 over, with the usual rust spot, $600. 12,00 miles on the rebuilt engine.

Luke

 

ahh.com takes me to an investing site???

 

Type in americanhomeandhabitat.com or do a search for it.

Sorry,

Luke

 

Awesome! Thanks a lot!

 

So here's another idea. I've got another Bronco for parts and I had this brainstorm.(Did anyone else see the bright flash?) I cut apart the other hard top. I removed the side windows, took out an angle grinder and proceeded to cut the top apart so that all I have is the frame that mounts to the body. I cut it just so that you could mount 3/4" wide metal rails along the frame and can attached snaps or velcro or whatever you want to use for a fastener, I can see it in my head of what it should look like finished. Your still using the same holes as the original top and you can use the same hardware. I even went so far as to paint it to match the body. My E.B. is the Dk. Blue with Tan 2tone scheme. The frame is the blue and I wil get a cover that is the tan. So far it sure seems like it's going to work. The details of how I want the top to mount and look nice is the biggest part. I think having some kind of overlap so the cover actually lays down over the edge of the frame and having an extra piece sewn in just inside that to attach the snaps to would look the best. Along the back I'm thinking of having a custom tonneau rail made so that it has rigidity and can lay down across the tailgate just past the window opening and let water run off. Those can be made with the soft foam base so that it doesn't scratch the paint and no holes need to be drilled into the already rust prone body. Anyone have any other ideas? My biggest advantage was having another top to work with. I don't know how much they would be from a junk yard.