Drove w/ Front Hard Top Panels Only

[CUZICAN]

I did this just this past week, but I didn't trust it at interstate speed for the trip I needed to make, so using some scrap 1x1 aluminum angle I fabbed up a couple quick hold downs for the rear roof section. Used factory roof bolts and some random spacers I had in the garage.

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[Shane78]

Waiting to hear anyone with a 2dr that’s tried this

I do it all the time with my 2 door. Ran it for weeks at a time with no issues.

 

[Anvilair1973]

2 door, just did roundtrip to Miami and back through the everglades. 650 miles of everything from highway to 2 lane to dirt from 35 mph and up to 80mph with just the 2 front panels. Those suckers never moved a bit. I will be running her like this until December I think!

 

[HotLap]

I also did that this past weekend while at the beach. Liked it like that and will do it often. I also had my front doors off at the same time. Didn’t hit 80 though, lol, but I don’t see a reason not to do this as the pull down latches are engaged.

Looking good, VB FTW and liking your bumper lights. How in the world does your buddy w/the Rubi keep all those duck on the dash from flying out at freeway speeds?

 

[KyleD]

We’re running the mid panel, but yes it doesn’t have all the attachment points so I agree with your point.

Reviving this with a different angle: Fabricating a part to make this a more secure / safe configuration.

I'm currently running with this setup (4dr with front and mid panels but no rear cap). I love it. You get the sun protection without the flapping of the bimini top.

BUT, the midpanel is only attached with 2 of the 5 attachment points. The 2 j-hooks on the front end are connected but the 3 latches in the back are loose. 80+MPH is a good test and the bungee to the car seat connections is a good idea, but I'd feel better with those remaining attachment points connected to something firm.

Anyone know someone who could fabricate a part that would sit on top of the rollbar to replicate the 3 attachment points the rear clamshell provides? I would think the 2 boltholes the rear clamshell uses on top of the rollbar could be repurposed to secure this fabricated part.

Thanks, Kyle

 

[Fordified1]

Reviving this with a different angle: Fabricating a part to make this a more secure / safe configuration.

I'm currently running with this setup (4dr with front and mid panels but no rear cap). I love it. You get the sun protection without the flapping of the bimini top.

BUT, the midpanel is only attached with 2 of the 5 attachment points. The 2 j-hooks on the front end are connected but the 3 latches in the back are loose. 80+MPH is a good test and the bungee to the car seat connections is a good idea, but I'd feel better with those remaining attachment points connected to something firm.

Anyone know someone who could fabricate a part that would sit on top of the rollbar to replicate the 3 attachment points the rear clamshell provides? I would think the 2 boltholes the rear clamshell uses on top of the rollbar could be repurposed to secure this fabricated part.

Thanks, Kyle

The 2 side ones would be more than enough, and I thought about making some brackets. But those j-hooks are badass, and unless we’re going to run 50+mph backwards. I see no reason for anything.
It’s also attached to the front panels which have lots of their own attachments, so there’s also that.

 

[The Canadian]

I am also looking into getting a way to secure the middle panel to the bar. I am discussing some ideas with a local machinist for something sturdy. In the mean time I used some leftover hardware I found in the basement. Not fully reliable (I'll definitely have to keep an eye on it) but it is fairly stable and the panel is not moving. I didn't go for a drive yet. I'll test it later.
Otherwise, in order to play safe, I secured the middle latch with a strap.

 

[Fordified1]

I really don’t think it’s gonna go anywhere without extra holddowns. Have you tried to pull it up with those Jay hooks latched down I mean come on. You’d have to break the top. Maybe in a rollover collision lol.

 

[cbrenthus]

Tried this myself yesterday. The rear clamshell is hanging from rafters in the garage, but the front panels and doors were all on the floor in the basement, and I wanted to get them off the floor to make room. I need to finish my garage and then I can mount brackets and such to store everything, and the safest place to store the doors and roof panels until I finish the garage is on the Bronco itself.

Took a quick drive, no issues. But those latches holding the rear panel on are not going to let go, unless a major collision as suggested and its not like the MIC is going to protect you anyway. If someone really wants it to be secure, all they need to do is put a strap or 2 around the whole thing securing it to the side roll bars, same way you'd strap anything to the roof!

 

[TheLawnDart]

Tried this myself yesterday. The rear clamshell is hanging from rafters in the garage, but the front panels and doors were all on the floor in the basement, and I wanted to get them off the floor to make room. I need to finish my garage and then I can mount brackets and such to store everything, and the safest place to store the doors and roof panels until I finish the garage is on the Bronco itself.

Took a quick drive, no issues. But those latches holding the rear panel on are not going to let go, unless a major collision as suggested and its not like the MIC is going to protect you anyway. If someone really wants it to be secure, all they need to do is put a strap or 2 around the whole thing securing it to the side roll bars, same way you'd strap anything to the roof!

That’s exactly what I did when I still had my OEM top, just strapped the back to the roll bar and it had no issues!

 

[cbrenthus]

That’s exactly what I did when I still had my OEM top, just strapped the back to the roll bar and it had no issues!

Yup, and my Bronco is now mostly a toy since I bought a RAM for towing, so I wouldn't really do much highway speed. Plus, the direction of the wind way these panels latch means there really isn't any upward pressure trying to lift the panels. I think the clamp latches hold the panels to the vehicle, and the 90 degree latches are simply for sealing them together for water resistance

 

[MORaptor1]

Anybody make progress on some actual bars that bolt to the roll cage and allow the middle panel outside clips to engage?

 

[Stevdug]

Anybody make progress on some actual bars that bolt to the roll cage and allow the middle panel outside clips to engage?

Isn't that what was done in post #16

 

[MORaptor1]

Isn't that what was done in post #16

that was a rather crude setup.

 

[Rydfree]

Waiting to hear anyone with a 2dr that’s tried this

There are pics on forum somewhere of my 2dr running just the front panels. Personally I would not run without something securing the rear latches as when you meet a semi it can buffet and move some. It works fine until the day it doesn't. I purchased a length of 1" square tubing from Home Depot and did not even have to cut it. Painted it black and it sit right on the metal brackets on either side. I just wrapped a zip-tie around the bracket and tubing then the rear panel latches locked to it perfectly.

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