Hey

I have an 1989 EB 302, and i like it a lot. But i've always wanted something to take the top off. Does anyone on this forum have any experience with the 77 and earlier broncos? Im seriously considering selling my truck to get an older one. The soft tops for the big ones dont look so good and theyre expensive!!

Comments, flames, go ahead.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 11-Nov-02 AT 01:36 PM (EST)]You can take the top off your 89! The bolt heads are under all the interior trim in the back and across the ceiling but the top on EVERY Bronco is removable. 91 and later madels have "tamper-proof" Torx head bolts holding the top on. This is because of the Federally mandated High-mount stop light that is mounted in the top. But what cop is gonna stop and ask what model year your Bronco is?

Since you asked though, my brother has a '76 and loves it. Has a soft top for it. Looks good on it. They are much simpler, more "utility" than anything else. Not unlike the older CJ's and Scouts. But with a LOT of power considering the 302 was available and people have stuffed 351's and bigger into them. Finding one that hasn't rusted away badly isn't always an easy task but there are some out there. A friend of mine's family collectively own two 73's, a 74, a 66, and a 69. Unfortunately, most in mid restoration. Funny thing is the 66 is the only one running right now. Check the EB (early Bronco) forum, there has to be someone looking to let go of one.

 

I do not have the owners manuel for my 96. I know the tops can be removed and I plan to remove mine next summer. Does anyone know if the owners manuel gives instructions on top removel? not that I do not no how to unbolt it but I guess what I am getting at is did ford count the removable top as a feature, or was it just built that way not realy thinking people would remove the top. this question applies to late model broncos.

 

Yeah i know you can remove them. You can take off the bumpers, doors, and pull out the gas tank, too. Just ain't as purty. Besides, I'm scared it might leak if I take it off.

 

Mine has never leaked & I install and remove it alone. It's a feature, but that doesn't mean it was a marketable one when the owner's manual was written. For later Broncos, you may need to break the center pin out of the bolt heads so you can use a normal Torx bit on them. Otherwise, you have to buy a set of Tamper Torx bits.

 

Let me dispell the MYTH that removing the top on your Bronco will somehow cause it to never seal again. Do the Bronco-top-leak-fairies come by and poke holes in it or something? I have had mine off and back on the truck no less than 25 times in the two years since I bought the truck and I'm not even supposed to remove mine.

Take the top off and you will be able to see that getting the top to leak would require some serious effort considering the way the top marries to the truck. Truthfully, I'm more concerned about those cracks at the end of the rain gutters leaking than the top.

The top removal procedure is NOT covered in the owners manual from 1991 up because Ford put the high-mount (federally mandated) stop light in the top. So they took out the instructions and made getting the top off a bit harder. Once you have removed the interior trim that covers the bolts that hold the top to the truck, all you will have to do is disconnect that pesky high-mount stoplight (near the top left of the tailgate) and get out your trusty T-40 tamper-proof Torx bit to remove the bolts. What? you say you don't have one of those nifty bits. All is well, Autozone sells them individually or in sets. You will also have to remove the shoulder harness for the seat belts. I think this is 92 and up (T-50? regular Torx). Make sure you put the rear glass down. Lift up slightly as there are at least two guide pins near the rear of the top. Some people say they can do this alone. Personally I prefer an extra pair of hands.

Now, if you are concerned that the local constaulary will be just bored enough some summer evening to stop and ask what model year your Bronco is on the off chance they will nail you for a federal offense, an enterprising Bronco owner might wire a temporary third stoplight to that connector that isn't doing anything right now but flop around in the left rear corner of the bed. All this said....GO TOPLESS!

(My wife says its been at least 35 times for the top coming off and back on. She oughtta know, she is the "extra pair of hands" every time).

 

"Tamper Torx bits"?
That sounds like some kinda feminine hygiene thing!

 

Redbob, LOL,

Tamper-proof Torx bolts have a pin in the center of the head that prevents a standard Torx bit from working. Of course if you have the equipment to do it and the patience, I suppose you could take a regular T-40 Torx bit and drill a hole in it so it will remove the bolts.

 

I've had 2 fullsize broncos and both were very good to me but I have since got rid of my 88 in order to buy my 73 and I wouldn't trade it for nuthin. Sure it doesn't look like much right now but its as solid a truck as they come and will make a good starting point for a more extreme off road machine once the funds show up.