Soft top Installation

[Greenbronc]

I purchased a soft top off a 23 model, wrongly assuming that it would be an easy swap. It was more work than it should've been, not sure why Ford doesn't include the brackets from the factory or why they don't offer a standalone kit for aftermarket purchase, but after a few months and finally making time its installed. I ordered the brackets and "some" bolts from Levittown Ford (they were the cheapest). Had to source some bolts from Autozone, but the hard top bolts are the same thread, so I used a combination. I order the soft top latches from Mountains to Metal, Ford wants $400 something per latch.

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[Greenbronc]

The bolts on the Ford site show a picture of 4, but they are sold individually, which is why I bought the others from Autozone. I also ordered too many brackets, again the website isn't very clear. Once everything came in and the rain and pollen stopped I started the install. I have a Jtops cover so a few places I had to cut through the mesh for the bolts.

The B pillar bracket fits into a little groove on the black rail. I had to cut some holes in the mesh to get the bolts through

 

[Greenbronc]

The cargo area has the 2 metal brackets for the support and bolt holes on the soft top frame. The parts I purchased came with some guide pins and torx bolts and an alignment piece. I just used the guide pins and ended up using the bolts for the brackets since the alignment piece is removed afterwards. There is a left and right hand side for the alignment piece and they are marked, they can only fit one way so its fairly straightforward.

 

[Greenbronc]

After the brackets were installed I drug the soft top out of the storage building and had my wife and daughter help set it in place. Then bolted the soft top to the brackets and fought to get everything in place. The b pillar brackets might need to be adjusted, and the front seems to be a little off to right. The soft top was stored for about a year on its side, so I'm not sure if the frame sagged or bent or if it just needs to get some heat and stretch out. The back corners seem to be a little high also. It rained this morning and I didn't notice any leaks. The wind noise is a little more noticeable but not bad, and again I may have installed the windows incorrectly. It was hot and the mosquitoes were active so I called it a night.

 

[slacker83]

I just installed mine and it looks similar to yours. I did move my catch brackets as far back as possible. I lowered the rear latches as low as possible and the back corners are still raised and will not lay flight.

 

[Greenbronc]

I just installed mine and it looks similar to yours. I did move my catch brackets as far back as possible. I lowered the rear latches as low as possible and the back corners are still raised and will not lay flight.

I moved my rear latches down and it sits a little lower now. Looks more normal compared to others. I still need to adjust the middle brackets but it survived a 10 hour highway drive

 

[slacker83]

I moved my rear latches down and it sits a little lower now. Looks more normal compared to others. I still need to adjust the middle brackets but it survived a 10 hour highway drive

This morning I went out and check, it does look like the rear has dropped down since sitting in the sun all day. The seal has not quite completely touched but looks closer. The top in position 1 has a good latch on the middle brackets so I don't think they are worth adjusting any more and they are as far back as they go. The mountain 2 metal rear latches are moved down as far as they go, the only thing I could think to move is the front latches near the visors and they seem like they latch perfectly and fall right into place. I'm going to give it another week and see if it settles or stretches a little more before I go adjusting things and make it worse. I feel like I'm a serial tinker and will modify something and make it worse way before it get it better.

 

[dnutpub]

My front two latches above the driver and passenger seat wont latch unless I raise my back hatch to loosen it all. Any known solution?

 

[Easy-v]

The front latches of the soft top are adjustable, as are the latch points on the body

 

[Fast Eddie]

My front two latches above the driver and passenger seat wont latch unless I raise my back hatch to loosen it all. Any known solution?

Is it new? Mine did that until it spent a few weeks in the sun and stretched out a bit. Now it closes fine.

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