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

[Big6]

I purchased a soft top from a guy which had both soft and hard top.

the soft top kit came with:
The complete assembled top
5 bolts to mount to body (1 bolt missing)
The side plastic pieces with window groove

the below pieces were pre-installed on his hard top 4 door.
top bracket for release
Rear piece for back soft top release
Side bracket to accommodate for 6 bolts to mount to soft top to body

see pics

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[Black_Stallion13]

So I didn't read through the entire thread, but is it safe to say if you already have a softop, there is not anything extra you need to replace it with a hardtop other than the actual hard top panels?

It seems you need extra brackets/bolts and such to go from hard to soft but am I correct that all hardware needed for hardtop install is already on softop broncos?

 

[Papa Smurf]

So I didn't read through the entire thread, but is it safe to say if you already have a softop, there is not anything extra you need to replace it with a hardtop other than the actual hard top panels?

It seems you need extra brackets/bolts and such to go from hard to soft but am I correct that all hardware needed for hardtop install is already on softop broncos?

Everything you said is correct

 

[mikeheel]

I have a 23 Wildtrak with the hard top and am buying a used soft top from a local seller. He is including everything, even the brackets and window trim pieces, EXCEPT the Rear Cargo Access Panel Covers.

Am I able to just leave those off while running the soft top?

TIA

 

[Papa Smurf]

I have a 23 Wildtrak with the hard top and am buying a used soft top from a local seller. He is including everything, even the brackets and window trim pieces, EXCEPT the Rear Cargo Access Panel Covers.

Am I able to just leave those off while running the soft top?

TIA

Yes. Or trim your existing ones. Or buy them from the parts counter.

 

[mikeheel]

Thank you!

I'm looking for the PN for the soft top version of the rear cargo access panel covers, but if anyone has it handy, I'd appreciate it.

 

[Papa Smurf]

Thank you!

I'm looking for the PN for the soft top version of the rear cargo access panel covers, but if anyone has it handy, I'd appreciate it.

 

[mikeheel]

Again, thank you, @Papa Smurf !

 

[JHawk]

Thank you!

I'm looking for the PN for the soft top version of the rear cargo access panel covers, but if anyone has it handy, I'd appreciate it.

I would like the PN for the same cover for the hard top. Please post if you have them otherwise I can check at the parts counter

 

[kcbronco]

I'm going to pick up a soft top tomorrow from someone that got dual tops. I got a pretty good idea what I need to get from this thread and the seller agreed to send all the parts. Wanted to check though will the soft top fit inside my 4 door hard top. I've searched and only find it should but nobody saying they did it. I'd rather take the Bronco cause its fun and so I make sure I get what I need. Also what tools do I need to bring with. Looks like maybe a 10mm, 8 mm, and is it a T30 or T40 for the top bracket.

 

[WILDcardOD]

@ADV Fiberglass Not sure if you’re already aware of these differences, but something to consider since most of your customers will be Soft-Top Broncos

I think the only thing that a soft top person needs is the top brackets. Most of this is needed changes to help the soft top fit. I kind of think if you get the hard top brackets for the top of the bronco put on, the rest of the soft top stuff can stay and the hard top will be fine. Not certain but it seems that way.

 

[Papa Smurf]

I'm going to pick up a soft top tomorrow from someone that got dual tops. I got a pretty good idea what I need to get from this thread and the seller agreed to send all the parts. Wanted to check though will the soft top fit inside my 4 door hard top. I've searched and only find it should but nobody saying they did it. I'd rather take the Bronco cause its fun and so I make sure I get what I need. Also what tools do I need to bring with. Looks like maybe a 10mm, 8 mm, and is it a T30 or T40 for the top bracket.

It fits. Hauled it several times. Be careful with the little black plastic guides on the frame near the front on both sides. They break easily.

 

[jp925]

Can anyone confirm if the bolts used to mount the rear support brackets to the car, are different than the bolts used to mount the soft top to those brackets? I have a Factory MIC and I’m buying a used soft top that doesn’t come with any hardware.

 

[davel94]

I bought an OEM soft top from dual top Bronco. Brand new on pallet/sled with 6 bolts and side panels that windows slide into.

Spent a ton of time trying to find a definitive list of part numbers for the rest of the parts. Guys in Ford dealer parts department know NOTHING. One guy even said it is not possible to swap from hard top to soft top...and Ford sells as dual top!

Anyway, here are my notes I'm going to dealer with that I'm still not 100% sure about. For instance, I see mostly M2DZ... but actual pics of parts have M2DB... ???

IF ANYONE HAS A 100% DEFINITIVE LIST, PLEASE PLEASE POST

This is all consolidated from other posts which were great but most were concerned with one part or another so hopefully this saves some time.

Nice pic of most important parts

Support Bracket for behind rear cargo cover (long brackets above)
- looks like 2 identical parts

M2DZ-7829452-A x2

Bolts for support bracket

W707288-S442 (looks like comes as pack of 4 bolts)

Brackets inside tailgate that back/bottom of top snap into

M2DB-S515A54-AE

MISSING BOLT #'s

brackets above the back seats mounted to the roll bars

M2DB-S515A52-AD right
M2DB-S515A53-AD left

The bolts for the brackets above

W721070-S450B (total of 4 bolts, 2 each side)


Looks like GG86C is a group number for the parts




Rear cargo trim panels with cutout for soft top would be nice but not show stopper to use top

M2DZ-7831288-BA (right)
M2DZ-7831289-BA (left)

 

[Papa Smurf]

Can anyone confirm if the bolts used to mount the rear support brackets to the car, are different than the bolts used to mount the soft top to those brackets? I have a Factory MIC and I’m buying a used soft top that doesn’t come with any hardware.

They are the same.

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