Soft top issues

kmdelmonte

Hi all,
On my soft top back window, the inner clips like a small T broke. Yes, I will own it was my fault as I was learning how to take the top off. It’s been about 3 months. My dealership tells me it’s all on back order to get the parts/new back window. Has anyone else run into this issue? Clips breaking and ordering a replacement?
Thank you!
T

I have not personally. But if you ever travel to the "other" Bronco forum, you'll find quite a few people have snapped those clips.

I just haven't taken out my rear windows yet, prefer to just flip the top back and not go all the way down with it.

I think I've seen this posted at least a couple of times, maybe more. You're not alone.

I've recently done this as well, 3 of the 4 clips broken on drivers side.
I used Gorilla Glue 5min Clear Epoxy:
1. Mix the Epoxy
2. Add small amount of epoxy between the fabric and plastic skeleton
3. Clamp fabric to the plastic skeleton
4. Add more epoxy to the negative space where the plastic would have clipped in. (be sure to get some surface area around that negative space)
5. Let sit and cure

There may be a better way that's also prettier, but for a $5 fix it's hard to beat. The bond seems to be holding up fine so far.

Can anyone share before/after pictures. I believe I have the same issue and I am planning on using this fix tonight.

I don't have any before pictures, but here are a few after pictures. I marked them up to help illustrate the process.
Notes
#2 markups in one of the images is reference step 2 from my instructions above.
The other inked image for the clamps is in reference to step 3. And you only need to clamp hard enough to keep the fabric to the plastic.

jhavens

I don't have any before pictures, but here are a few after pictures. I marked them up to help illustrate the process.
Notes
#2 markups in one of the images is reference step 2 from my instructions above.
The other inked image for the clamps is in reference to step 3. And you only need to clamp hard enough to keep the fabric to the plastic.

Thank you! This is perfect and this is my exact same problem. I'm going to fix my soft top tonight. I'll try and take some before and after's as well to help others coming behind us. To be honest, Ford should look into making the soft top a bit more durable.

Whale shoot! I'm installing my JTops Bimini top next weekend. I'm scared because there are a lot of people that have broken clips. Watch videos and go slow the 1st time and hope for the best.

It happens a lot. Gotta go VERY slow. Watch all videos on youtube twice. Its worse removing windows in colder weather.

If NT ever sells its bronco, one big selling point will be never removed rear plastic windows on soft top lol

I agree to be easy with the back window till you get used to it. This wasn’t my first attempt just a knuckle head move. Hopefully Ford will have a better solution. Until then Gorilla Glue to fix it. ( I have Gorilla tape on it now ha! Thank you all!

NT AUTOMOTIVE

It happens a lot. Gotta go VERY slow. Watch all videos on youtube twice. Its worse removing windows in colder weather.

If NT ever sells its bronco, one big selling point will be never removed rear plastic windows on soft top lol

Thanks @ NT AUTOMOTIVE I will watch the videos again and have them pulled up on my lap top and out in the garage with me. I'm making my husband help. I really want this bimini top on! But, going slow the 1st time to take off the soft top would be much better! So, waiting until next weekend when I will have more time.

Monday: 1st attempt - I didn't properly mix my epoxy before applying it to my soft top. Clamped for 36 hours. It was my 1st time using epoxy and like a bonehead I didnt read the full instructions. (fail)
Wed: Removed epoxy as it wasn't holding my soft top in place.
Thursday: 2nd attempt - After reading and watching a youtube video on epoxy I mixed my epoxy for about 90 seconds and then applied the epoxy to my soft top. Clamped the soft top for 90 minutes. (worked like a charm)