Soft Top Scratching Roll Bar

If you do it properly, you will not scratch it. IAG sells pre-cut PPG if you want for piece of mind. i put some small felt furniture pads on the metal part that I though may be an issue

It’s a legit issue, but you can avoid doing it if you paying attention to what you’re doing.

The problem is people are applying lateral pressure (perpendicular to the Bronco) when they are flipping back their soft top. That pressure bends the soft top frame, which causes it to smack the roll bars when flipping back the top.

Don’t apply that sideways pressure and it won’t hit. And as @Blitzjb mentioned, there are companies that sell paint protection film kits to help protect it. My neighbor with a Big Bend soft top just stuck a piece of clear 3M film he had sitting around from a previous project.

Blitzjb

If you do it properly, you will not scratch it. IAG sells pre-cut PPG if you want for piece of mind. i put some small felt furniture pads on the metal part that I though may be an issue

I looked at the PPF that IAG has and almost purchased it, but didn't know if this was a legit issue or just one where you need to really pay close attention to what you are doing when you take it up and down. It is always nice to have peace of mind because there is always going to end up being the one time.......... Since I am still waiting for my Bronco to get to my dealer (c'mon car hauler!!), I haven't experienced this yet, so thought I would get some insight ahead of time. I do like the idea of the felt furniture pads.

I think there is a gas strut you can add to the soft top to make it easier to open/close like this

What everyone else has said. Plus, if your fortunate enough to have a second person on the other side to assist (kinda pushing against each other gently). To keep the top square to the vehicle can help.. one person operation, inevitably you will push sideways on the top, and.skin the paint.

I find “just do it correctly” is much harder than it sounds. It’s not easy to get perfect vertical lift without pulling it pushing on it. I bought both the IAG struts and PPF.

Jakob1972

I think there is a gas strut you can add to the soft top to make it easier to open/close like this

I ordered the IAG soft top assist in hopes it would help. Fingers crossed!

My 21 BD came with the idiot scratch before it showed up.
As others have said, as long as you drop the top at a square angle (still pretty tight) the metal brackets will pass by the C Pillar without problem. If you drop it from one side, without supporting the other, there is a bit of sway which can create a contact situation.

Mine had a small scratch to the clear coat when I got it, guessing the guys at the dealership were learning how to operate it? My roll cage in the back along those potentially troublesome areas are now covered with stickers/decals from our Bronco adventures. covers and protects, plus reminds us of where we've been and what we did.

IAG makes PPF as well as plastic pieces that go over the rollbar to prevent scratches to the paint. Ironically they also claim that their soft top struts not only help with lifting the rear, they also prevent scratches when flipping the top back. I guess the struts help keep the top even when putting the top back.

TechnicalDisaster

I find “just do it correctly” is much harder than it sounds. It’s not easy to get perfect vertical lift without pulling it pushing on it. I bought both the IAG struts and PPF.

Same here except I bought the molded protection pieces. I like the look of them when the top is down.

I have side steps and find that when standing on it to lower the top provides leverage to avoid the scape.

No problem with my soft top:) scratching thank goodness. But, I have heard of this for a while now. Mine's a 21 and thought it just might be earlier models but maybe not...??

cindylou

No problem with my soft top:) scratching thank goodness. But, I have heard of this for a while now. Mine's a 21 and thought it just might be earlier models but maybe not...??

That all came out kinda wrong..lol

cindylou

No problem with my soft top:) scratching thank goodness. But, I have heard of this for a while now. Mine's a 21 and thought it just might be earlier models but maybe not...??

With me it mostly happens when parked unevenly.

robatl067

With me it mostly happens when parked unevenly.

Yeah, I can see that happening:(

My dealer warned me about not doing it with just one person. So I’ve been reluctant to put the soft top all the way back, was thinking about trying it this weekend with assistance from my wife

Garemlin

IAG makes PPF as well as plastic pieces that go over the rollbar to prevent scratches to the paint. Ironically they also claim that their soft top struts not only help with lifting the rear, they also prevent scratches when flipping the top back. I guess the struts help keep the top even when putting the top back.

I bought the IAG soft top assist struts and am looking into PPF. I saw IAG has the black plastic pieces now, too, but was hoping to get around having two big black strips on my carbonized grey roll bars. Hoping the PPF works out.

mbelding0512

I bought the IAG soft top assist struts and am looking into PPF. I saw IAG has the black plastic pieces now, too, but was hoping to get around having two big black strips on my carbonized grey roll bars. Hoping the PPF works out.

The way they make it sound is their struts prevent scratching. So is there really a need for the PPF??