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

[bschack]

Not sure if anyone has done both, but what is the consensus as to which is easier to swap back and forth? OEM soft top or Bestop?

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[Interior guy]

Not sure it was covered here but I have badlands 4 door hard top and I bought the soft top and all brackets cargo panels and installed oem soft top all good but question is I’m gonna put the hard top back on for winter does anyone know if I need to remove any of the middle or rear roof locking brackets or can I leave them on when I put hard top back on? I was gonna put soft top back and unbolt three bolts on each side in cargo area was hoping to leave all other stuff in place for easier swapping and storage. Didn’t want to take off side channels or other stuff hoping someone can chime in Thanks in advance

 

[Papa Smurf]

Not sure it was covered here but I have badlands 4 door hard top and I bought the soft top and all brackets cargo panels and installed oem soft top all good but question is I’m gonna put the hard top back on for winter does anyone know if I need to remove any of the middle or rear roof locking brackets or can I leave them on when I put hard top back on? I was gonna put soft top back and unbolt three bolts on each side in cargo area was hoping to leave all other stuff in place for easier swapping and storage. Didn’t want to take off side channels or other stuff hoping someone can chime in Thanks in advance

You do have to take off the side channels on the C pillars. The brackets on the top of the roll bars can stay on with the hardtop.

 

[Interior guy]

You do have to take off the side channels on the C pillars. The brackets on the top of the roll bars can stay on with the hardtop.

The plastics that are pictured up top? Oh though the guy said he forgot he left his on and wasn’t a problem? I was more worried about the brackets where the top pivots ?

 

[Papa Smurf]

The plastics that are pictured up top? Oh though the guy said he forgot he left his on and wasn’t a problem? I was more worried about the brackets where the top pivots ?

Those brackets are just fine. No need to remove.

 

[moockd]

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

Question - moving from hard top to soft top. Do I need 6 bolts? (3 on each side), or do I need 10 bolts (5 on each side, 2 for bracket and 3 for the soft top itself).
Thanks!

 

[Papa Smurf]

Question - moving from hard top to soft top. Do I need 6 bolts? (3 on each side), or do I need 10 bolts (5 on each side, 2 for bracket and 3 for the soft top itself).
Thanks!

Likely, only 4. 2 on each side for the support bracket. The other 6 SHOULD come with the soft top.

 

[Interior guy]

So getting ready to put hard top on and to be clear is it necessary to remove those side channels to put hard top on? Do they get in the way? Don’t mean to be difficult but would like to leave on if possible so I don’t lose them or damage them

 

[Strykerwsu]

So getting ready to put hard top on and to be clear is it necessary to remove those side channels to put hard top on? Do they get in the way? Don’t mean to be difficult but would like to leave on if possible so I don’t lose them or damage them

No issues, Ford just saved cost in not including on hard tops originally.

 

[huey]

No issues, Ford just saved cost in not including on hard tops originally.

yeah that is shitty. Why did Ford not save themselves money and only design one style of panels. This makes no sense to me

 

[rguest3]

So getting ready to put hard top on and to be clear is it necessary to remove those side channels to put hard top on? Do they get in the way? Don’t mean to be difficult but would like to leave on if possible so I don’t lose them or damage them

You will not need to remove any Brackets or those side panels to install the Hard Top. I just did this last week. The side panels are still installed and do not interfere with the Hard Top Install.

This makes it very easy to convert back to the Soft Top is you choose to in the future.

 

[Catmandu]

So getting ready to put hard top on and to be clear is it necessary to remove those side channels to put hard top on? Do they get in the way? Don’t mean to be difficult but would like to leave on if possible so I don’t lose them or damage them

I can confirm. When we originally did the swap, we installed the hard top over the brackets and didn't realize they were missing. Since the original plan was to have a dual top option from the start, I suspect they were designed to stay in place.

 

[RyanP]

Great write-up! Thank you!

For these side brackets - If you’re keeping your soft top too (I.e. - switching between seasons) can you leave these installed with a hard top on?

Thanks!

That's really helpful, thanks. Along those same lines, If you're going from a soft top to a hard top, do any of the brackets need to be changed or adjusted?

 

[Catmandu]

That's really helpful, thanks. Along those same lines, If you're going from a soft top to a hard top, do any of the brackets need to be changed or adjusted?

If I remember correctly, the HT prep kit included all of the brackets and we did not have to make any adjustments.

 

[Interior guy]

You will not need to remove any Brackets or those side panels to install the Hard Top. I just did this last week. The side panels are still installed and do not interfere with the Hard Top Install.

This makes it very easy to convert back to the Soft Top is you choose to in the future.

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