I just looked at the Kayline soft top for my '78 fullsize Bronco. The price is way more than I wanna spend. Is there any way to make your own soft top, or are there any other companys out there that offer a soft top for the Bronc for cheaper?? I drive it every day but it's already ugly, and it's main purpose is trail use. It's just a drag that when going on a more distant 4x4 trip I have to leave the top on for fear that it will rain or something cause you can't exactly fold the top up neatly and set it in the back. Any advice??? Help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!

 

A couple of years ago I made a soft top for my '79. It took a little time to lay it out but it turned out fantastic! I found a local upholstery shop and bought the vinyl and snaps. My Bronco was blue with a wimbledon white insert in the side and the vinyl I bought was also wimbledon white. I got more compliments!
1. Measure your area carfully and get about a foot more vinyl than your measurement in both directions.
2. Drill and install about 3 snaps in the area above the cab. Install snaps into the vinyl in this area. Snap it down and start pulling, tape down and soon you will see it take place.
3. Make sure you do your work on a nice sunny warm day to allow the vinyl to be workable.
4. As for bows to keep the water from puddling I drilled 3 sets of opposing holes in each side of the "bed rails" and used .250" steel rod bent at the ends to fit into the holes and arched in the middle to allow water to flow off.
****I drove this truck at highway speeds every day and never had one single snap pop off.****

 

When you install the snaps in the vinyl make sure to double the material over. You can then take your completed cover to an upholstery shop and have the edges sewn for a nice finished look.

 

Is this top a tonneau-type cover with snaps all the way around? How many snaps total?

I've been wanting to make a top for my '79, but I haven't been able to figure out how to keep the rain out from where the top would connect to the top of the cab.

Any ideas on putting a rear window in a top like this?

Thanks.