Ford Soft Top Install Debacle

[CDB]

So my 2024 Badlands came with dual tops. I've been trying to sell the softop on BroncoG6.com (and other forums) for a while now because I prefer the hardtop. However, since it's almost August and I've had no takers on the softop, I had the brilliant idea to go ahead and put it on and enjoy the open air for the rest of the summer. After watching tons of how to videos and reading great tips on this forum, I felt ready for the task. All the videos say "grab a friend" and it's an easy task. We had two people. The hardtop was easy! The softop, however, is ridiculously heavy. After multiple attempts and trying different techniques, we still couldn't even lift the darn thing up high enough to get it fitted and mounted. The how-to videos are deceiving. After watching them over and over, I now noticed that many of the vids actually skip over the part where they are picking up the softop from point A (ground level) and lifting it up to point B (onto the Bronco). After several hours, we gave up and put the softop back on the shipping pallet. We did note that Ford did ship it with all the bolts, windows, and infamous two trim panels that many people are missing. It's back up for sale.

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[WarthogJr]

So you’re saying the online video looks easy, but the real-life experience is difficult? Sounds right to me.

 

[710-oil-614]

For me - the soft top is just too frail for me to mess with removing or installing. Knowing Ford and my luck, I'd break something that wasn't covered.

 

[CDB]

So you’re saying the online video looks easy, but the real-life experience is difficult? Sounds right to me.

Yes, imagine that!

 

[Bugkillah]

What does your local dealer want to instal it? Or is it better to sell?

 

[CDB]

What does your local dealer want to instal it? Or is it better to sell?

Local dealer frowned when I asked about installing it, plus I can't imagine what ridiculous price they'd charge.
I'm good with selling it at this point, but just frustrated on the deception of how easy it is to install.

 

[survivormanca]

I have taken it off by myself and put it back on with one of my kids. It was incredibly difficult and won't be doing it again.

 

[Cruiser]

I guess folding it down will be as far as I go. Its always easy on the videos.

 

[Area51BS]

It’s heavy but something any 2 in shape adults should be able to do. It’s not balanced is about the only issue.

 

[CDB]

It’s heavy but something any 2 in shape adults should be able to do. It’s not balanced is about the only issue.

You would think!

 

[DriveAllNight]

It's not light, but very doable with two guys.
To make life easier, drop the spare and unscrew the 3rd brake light.

I had mine on and off at least a half dozen times trying to line up the brackets - but your brackets are already installed, so that shouldn't be an issue.

Edit:
I love having the rag top on for the summer, I think it's worth the effort. I have it open almost every day.
Before you sell it, see if you can find 2 people that can do it for you, its like owning 2 different vehicles.

 

[BigMex]

I’m in my 50’s and my dad is nearly 80 - and we’ve managed it… barely. In three years of blissful Bronco ownership, I’ve removed it completely exactly twice.

It looks sweet without the top, and because it is so difficult, I plan to remove it maybe only once every couple of years - and then mostly to clean, lube, and enjoy.

I also have the cargo enclosure and that has to be completely removed to put the soft top assembly back on.

 

[CDB]

I’m in my 50’s and my dad is nearly 80 - and we’ve managed it… barely. In three years of blissful Bronco ownership, I’ve removed it completely exactly twice.

It looks sweet without the top, and because it is so difficult, I plan to remove it maybe only once every couple of years - and then mostly to clean, lube, and enjoy.

I also have the cargo enclosure and that has to be completely removed to put the soft top assembly back on.

My husband and I are both in our mid 50s and very active. Didn't think we'd have any problems.

 

[Dral97]

Interesting. I was able to get the trektop on basically by myself. I guess it's because you attach all the framework first, then attach the 'fabric'. There are a few bars attached to the fabric part, but it's not bad. Definitely doable with two adults for sure.

I do think that the trektop at least is a little over-engineered - not sure about the ford rag top. I guess it's what people expect in this day and age. My 95 jeep has a rag top that is literally a piece of soft top canvas attached to the windshield then draped back over the roll bars. It's held on with straps and those 'tongue in groove' type things (at the windshield and back sides) and there isn't one metal bar attached to the soft top material itself.

 

[ZEN50]

What are you asking for the top? Is it posted somewhere?

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