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XT Staff
/ Oct 14 2024
There's a time and a place for your Ford Bronco hard top. Not only do they look great, but you'll find that they offer better insulation, support for roof accessories, and protection from theft.
While we know you love your hard top, sometimes it's time to let your soft top take over, or perhaps you don't want to have a top on at all.
Whatever your motivation, we’re here to take you through the Ford Bronco hard top removal process.
Having the right tools and parts is essential if you want to remove your Ford Bronco hard top. While you can get away with removing small portions of the top without any tools, you'll need them to remove the entire top.
The tools you'll need include:
Once you have these tools you can start to hard top removal process.
You can find all of these parts in the factory tool kit that Ford offers underneath the central floor panel in the trunk. It will be there for all Ford Broncos that come with a hard top from the factory.
Rocking something like the Barricade PR1 Platform Roof for Hard Tops? While these accessories are great at helping you haul more cargo or customize your off-road experience, you shouldn't leave them on your top when you remove them.
Doing so can lead to scratches and other types of damage, so while you can store them together, don't do so right on top of each other.
Most Ford Bronco hard tops will have two panels for the cabin. These are smaller pieces that cover the cabin, and they have less hardware than the single piece with the window that covers the back of the vehicle and trunk.
To remove these panels, unhook the latch on the interior and rotate the three L-brackets running along the edge of the front panels. Then, remove the panels from the vehicle and set them aside.
Depending on how many doors your Bronco has, the process will vary slightly. Four-door models have a rear center panel that you have to remove before getting to the back area. This panel comes off the same way as the front panels, so you only have to twist the L-brackets. For two-door models, you only have to worry about the rear portion of the hard top because it's only one piece.
To remove the back portion of the hard top, start by disconnecting the rear wiper and any wire harnesses connected to the wiper. Then, remove the hose that supplies the washer fluid and other accessories you have installed inside. Once these pieces are disconnected you can use the P-50 Torx driver and remove the four bolts that secure the rear portion of the hard top in place. It's important to note that four-door models will have two more bolts in the back that engage the roll-over protection ring.
Whenever you attempt to remove a Ford Bronco hard top, we recommend having an extra pair of hands because they can get heavy. If you don't have anyone to help out, don't panic, you can use a hoist.
Next, it's time to clean your Ford Bronco hard top. The last thing you want is a dirty hard top that's collecting more dust over time. To clean your hard top you should wash it by hand using warm water and car soap.
Avoid using household cleaners and don't take it through an automatic car wash because the brushes can damage the paint. If you are using a brush, make sure it's a soft bristle brush.
Hard top storage is important. It's always a good idea to store the top in mild conditions including a temperature range that's around 55 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, if you’re storing your top in a basement or garage it helps to use a dehumidifier or humidifier to keep the humidity range around 40 to 60%.
It's also a good idea to store your Ford Bronco hard top on a cart to make moving it into place easier, especially if you're moving the top alone. One of the best carts for the job is the RedRock Hard Top Storage Cart, and it should fit most hard tops and hard top styles.
Missing some of your factory parts for your Ford Bronco hard top? Or perhaps you need a hoist or a cart to remove the top and move it into storage?
Regardless of what you need, at ExtremeTerrain we make the hard top removal process trivial, even for just one person. Order online today for fast and convenient shipping options on all of our 2021-2024 Ford Bronco hard tops and hard top storage options.