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

[CC23]

How was anyone able to get this part.....Brackets inside tailgate that back/bottom of top snap into
M2DB-S515A54-AE ......with out buying the whole frame assembly for $446??? I cant find just the Latch buy itself. Or is it just that much??

How was anyone able to get this part.....Brackets inside tailgate that back/bottom of top snap into
M2DB-S515A54-AE ......with out buying the whole frame assembly for $446??? I cant find just the Latch buy itself. Or is it just that much??

I am also interested in in this and exactly where it is? Is it visible or inside trim?
Small chance I may be able to get from seller but I’d need to know what to look for. Pretty sure I know where the rest of the needed parts are thanks to this post. Thanks for any help.

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[CM22]

I found them aftermarket. Someone posted a link to the company that sells them. Don't remember if it was in this in this thread or another one.

Below is the part I'm talking about.

 

[Baboontyme]

Hey everyone, bumping up this great thread. A few pages back I posted about my experience doing the swap from hard top > soft top and having a hard time getting it to close and lining everything up. I couldn't get all of the 3 bolts on one side in as the holes didn't line up. Then (in the opposite direction) I had a hard time getting the hook into the latch on the front passenger side. Eventually I figured out that if I released the rear cargo hatch area by unhooking the top from the latches and letting the aftermarket shocks lift the back of the hatch up. I could then get the hook latched at the front passenger, and then go back and forcefully slam the cargo area back down into the latches. It wasn't great but it got me through the summer and fall.

It's cold now, and I finally got the vehicle into the dealer a couple of weeks ago so that they could service/replace those broken tabs on the rear window, so it was time to put the hard top back in. Much easier than getting the soft top on but once again, nothing lines up. Guiding pins, particularly on that front passenger side don't go in, the hook won't latch shut etc. Did I mention it's cold?? I finally got it battened down by completely loosening the bracket on the roof that sits up above the b pillar, loosening the the clasp that the hook latches on to, and loosening the actual screws that hold the hook into the front passenger roof panel. Only problem is there is now no way to tighten them, and they are loose-loose, all 3 brackets. Any ideas?

Also I have a 22 4 door wildtrack and I DID have to remove those c pillar panels on the outside that the rear windows tuck into in order to get the middle piece to sit flush with the rear roof piece.

 

[dinglehead]

So just picked up a secondhand soft top. I got it super cheap, so figured I would need to pick up additional hardware to do the install.

After going through the threads I can't figure something out. This top came with two brackets (M2DB-s245A26-BA is the part number. I've attached a photo). These are the only brackets that were included with the top.

However I don't see these brackets listed in any of the part lists here. What are these brackets for and why do they seem to not be needed in any of the other installs? Any ideas?

 

[Stevenson James]

I've got my part list for going from hard top to soft top... I'm purchasing a "new" OEM, still on-pallet, soft top from a local guy here and was wondering which parts are included on the pallet and which parts are already installed on his Bronco?

Assuming that the palleted accessories will only contain the following :
Exterior Window Trim Panels
M2DZ-78255A34-BA
M2DZ-78255A35-BA

Is that a correct assumption? All the brackets (2x roll bar M2DZ-78515A52-B/M2DZ-78515A53-B, 2x cargo area M2DZ-7829452-A), access panels (2x cargo area M2DZ-7831288-BA / M2DZ-7831289-BA), and cargo latch (M2DZ-78515A54-D /
https://mountains2metal.com/tailgate-window-catch-set/ ) will be pre-installed on his bronco and he either has to remove them to provide for me, or i need to buy them separately? Is this a correct assumption?

 

[Just1Jack]

I've got my part list for going from hard top to soft top... I'm purchasing a "new" OEM, still on-pallet, soft top from a local guy here and was wondering which parts are included on the pallet and which parts are already installed on his Bronco?

Assuming that the palleted accessories will only contain the following :
Exterior Window Trim Panels
M2DZ-78255A34-BA
M2DZ-78255A35-BA

Is that a correct assumption? All the brackets (2x roll bar M2DZ-78515A52-B/M2DZ-78515A53-B, 2x cargo area M2DZ-7829452-A), access panels (2x cargo area M2DZ-7831288-BA / M2DZ-7831289-BA), and cargo latch (M2DZ-78515A54-D /
https://mountains2metal.com/tailgate-window-catch-set/ ) will be pre-installed on his bronco and he either has to remove them to provide for me, or i need to buy them separately? Is this a correct assumption?

I'm in the same boat as you. Im buying a new soft top off a 2024 4dr bronco to put on my 2025. The top is still on the pallet but the seller didn't know there were pre installed parts on the 2024 bronco and he sold the car. From what i've read in other post. The parts you listed would have to be removed in order for you to install it on your car. Im just hoping that the top off the 2024 will fit on the 2025. I can't find a definite answer on this.

 

[Papa Smurf]

I'm in the same boat as you. Im buying a new soft top off a 2024 4dr bronco to put on my 2025. The top is still on the pallet but the seller didn't know there were pre installed parts on the 2024 bronco and he sold the car. From what i've read in other post. The parts you listed would have to be removed in order for you to install it on your car. Im just hoping that the top off the 2024 will fit on the 2025. I can't find a definite answer on this.

For those looking, I have the complete hardware needed to add a soft top. I sold the top only.

 

[Just1Jack]

For those looking, I have the complete hardware needed to add a soft top. I sold the top only.

Where are u located?

 

[Papa Smurf]

Where are u located?

FL

 

[Stevenson James]

I'm in the same boat as you. Im buying a new soft top off a 2024 4dr bronco to put on my 2025. The top is still on the pallet but the seller didn't know there were pre installed parts on the 2024 bronco and he sold the car. From what i've read in other post. The parts you listed would have to be removed in order for you to install it on your car. Im just hoping that the top off the 2024 will fit on the 2025. I can't find a definite answer on this.

Does anyone know if the removed hardtop clamshell will, in any way, fit in the cargo area?

 

[Papa Smurf]

Does anyone know if the removed hardtop clamshell will, in any way, fit in the cargo area?

It will not

 

[Stevenson James]

It will not

well...damn.

 

[Mcobble1]

Does anyone know if the removed hardtop clamshell will, in any way, fit in the cargo area?

Do you have the part numbers. I just did the same thing.

 

[Mcobble1]

I've got my part list for going from hard top to soft top... I'm purchasing a "new" OEM, still on-pallet, soft top from a local guy here and was wondering which parts are included on the pallet and which parts are already installed on his Bronco?

Assuming that the palleted accessories will only contain the following :
Exterior Window Trim Panels
M2DZ-78255A34-BA
M2DZ-78255A35-BA

Is that a correct assumption? All the brackets (2x roll bar M2DZ-78515A52-B/M2DZ-78515A53-B, 2x cargo area M2DZ-7829452-A), access panels (2x cargo area M2DZ-7831288-BA / M2DZ-7831289-BA), and cargo latch (M2DZ-78515A54-D /
https://mountains2metal.com/tailgate-window-catch-set/ ) will be pre-installed on his bronco and he either has to remove them to provide for me, or i need to buy them separately? Is this a correct assumption?

Is this the correct parts list? I'm in the same boat as you. Purchased new top and didn't realize I needed them to uninstall these components.

 

[Mcobble1]

I've got my part list for going from hard top to soft top... I'm purchasing a "new" OEM, still on-pallet, soft top from a local guy here and was wondering which parts are included on the pallet and which parts are already installed on his Bronco?

Assuming that the palleted accessories will only contain the following :
Exterior Window Trim Panels
M2DZ-78255A34-BA
M2DZ-78255A35-BA

Is that a correct assumption? All the brackets (2x roll bar M2DZ-78515A52-B/M2DZ-78515A53-B, 2x cargo area M2DZ-7829452-A), access panels (2x cargo area M2DZ-7831288-BA / M2DZ-7831289-BA), and cargo latch (M2DZ-78515A54-D /
https://mountains2metal.com/tailgate-window-catch-set/ ) will be pre-installed on his bronco and he either has to remove them to provide for me, or i need to buy them separately? Is this a correct assumption?

Is this the correct parts list? THe internal panel are supposed to have a cut out, correct?

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