Soft Top <--> Hard Top Swap : Tips & Lessons Learned - UPDATED

[Catmandu]

Ok great! Are there any brackets or hardware from the soft top that need removed other than the soft top itself to get the hard top back on? looks to me like the only part might be the brackets up on the roll bar section but those might be able to stay on?

I believe everything can stay on without issue.

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[Trilifter7]

I believe everything can stay on without issue.

Awesome!!

 

[skhubbard93]

Now I wish I had a soft-top prep kit.

Honestly, I'm a bit surprised that Ford took a modular vehicle and made single-purpose components like that side panel that could have been dual-purpose. It's one thing if there's a substantial amount of hardware involved. But it's totally another if it's a panel that simply has a different appearance.

 

[mtap]

Now I wish I had a soft-top prep kit.

This was my thought during the swap. Ford did a good job prepping softies to take on the MIC, but not vise versa. Im hoping when purchasing the ST from the factory it will come with all the necessary parts. Like i mentioned before, if purchasing from an individual, make sure it has all the necessary parts you need to convert from MIC to ST.

 

[wtcrabtree]

Good to hear that is a pretty easy switch. Everyone complaining about the "soft top prep kit", all of the parts mentioned are easily installed and should come with a soft top when you buy it. The hard top prep kit is wiring and other parts that may never be installed (at least easily) if it didn't come from the factory. Having a dual top TJ prior, all the parts mentioned are not a surprise to me at all.

 

[Bestop_Team]

I reached out to bestop and asked if this was in dev. They said no, but the more of us that ask for it,maybe they will do it. I would never take the top off I had a 2 row sunrider

Hi there!
Keep checking our website and sign up for emails to be the first to know about our new products!

- Eryn@Bestop

 

[BroncoDymond88]

Going to put this here because I didn't know where else to put it lol. The bolts for the brackets above the back seats mounted to the roll bars are part number W721070-S450B

 

[Boonie]

Just did a roof swap on these two today, thanks to your post it went smooth as butter. Appreciate the write up. Cheers

 

[CTBronco21]

Rear Cargo Access Panel Covers:

The final step in the process was to reinstall the rear cargo access panels. When trying to reinstall the panels on the hard top donor, we could not get the panels to fit properly. That is when we noticed the panels are different between the models.

Notice the relief cuts on the bottom covers from the soft top:



The relief area is required for the soft top frame:

Top bracket location (sorry no pic if the bracket itself):

Any chance you have the part numbers for the rear cargo access panel covers with the cutout for the soft top? Also looking for the part number for the top bracket for bolting on the soft top. Thanks, great writeup.

 

[CTBronco21]

Rear cargo cover removed on hardtop

Bolts for bracket behind rear cargo cover

Bracket for behind rear cargo cover

Bracket installed

Rear cargo panel with cutout for softtop, Right Side

 

[Cable Guy]

But hard toppers don’t get a soft top prep kit — oof

If you bought a soft top it would be easy enough for the kit to include those pieces needed. The Bestop offering does this for example.

 

[Evolkidbell]

@Catmandu great write up.
Any chance you might have taken a note of the PNs for the soft top side panels?

 

[ObsessiveDetail]

Would trade my soft top for a hard top here in east central Illinois.

 

[Catmandu]

@Catmandu great write up.
Any chance you might have taken a note of the PNs for the soft top side panels?

Sorry I did not, @flip ….can you provide help on this?

 

[thatsmydad]

Sorry I did not, @flip ….can you provide help on this?

M2DZ-78255A34-BA - Right Hand
M2DZ-78255A35-BA - Left Hand

From: https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/soft-top-help.33785/#post-1339935

And I am looking OEM Soft top hardware only - looking for these install parts if anyone has them. I already have a Frame/Fabric/Windows, just need mounting hardware. Thanks!

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