Just a curiosity question

[rusty ol ranger]

How hard is it to make the rear top on a B2 removeable? I know its been done here before but never paid much attention.

Is it just as simple as using a sawzall and making some latches? Or more involved.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Lol...

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Lol...

Way off base? Lol

 

[Uncle Gump]

I think so...

Not that it couldn't be done.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I also meant no offense...

That question just seemed way to "out of the blue" and made me chuckle.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I also meant no offense...

That question just seemed way to "out of the blue" and made me chuckle.

Lol no offense taken.

I guess i shoulda provided some context.

My brother in law and alot of his buddies have jeeps. They take the tops off and go cruising, wheeling, whatever.

Personally after seeing the rust issues with the older wranglers they all run (and, despite having a jeep, being a ford guy at heart) i tossed the idea around in my head espicially after seeing a few running, but sorta rough B2's online for not a bunch of money, espicially since wranglers seem to be worth their weight in gold espicially with the drivetrain id want (4.0/5sp).

Itll probably stay a pipe dream but it would be a fun toy to have.

Could get a FSB but they ride alot on his property and his trails are pretty tight.

Im sure a B2 with a small lift and good tires would hang just fine on what they do

 

[sgtsandman]

It would take a lot of customization and body work to do it. There is a reason guys like Bobbywalter and Lil_Blue_Ford just chopped the top off and called it good.

 

[RonD]

Article here you may be interested in: https://www.broncocorral.com/tech_library/how-to-chop-a-bronco-ii-top-by-pegalis/

Instead of a hard top you could make a custom "Bimini" type cover with sides and back that could be snapped or latched in place
Cold in the winter, but fun in the summer

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Article here you may be interested in: https://www.broncocorral.com/tech_library/how-to-chop-a-bronco-ii-top-by-pegalis/

Instead of a hard top you could make a custom "Bimini" type cover with sides and back that could be snapped or latched in place
Cold in the winter, but fun in the summer

I actually like the idea with the bedrails off a ranger

 

[Shran]

My buddy did it to one years ago. The entire body loses about 50% of its rigidity unless you add a roll bar/cage that reinforces everything. Then you have to figure out a top if you want to drive it in the three seasons that aren't summer.

Do it and do it right if you want to stay warm and have a nice rig... if you don't care about the temps/dust/etc then cage it and leave it open.

I'm gonna do something similar with my 2 door Explorer, it'll have an interior cage and I am removing all the glass from the rear as well as the hatch. Leaving the roof intact mostly for shade. I doubt I will drive it much in the winter but I can always bundle up.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

My buddy did it to one years ago. The entire body loses about 50% of its rigidity unless you add a roll bar/cage that reinforces everything. Then you have to figure out a top if you want to drive it in the three seasons that aren't summer.

Do it and do it right if you want to stay warm and have a nice rig... if you don't care about the temps/dust/etc then cage it and leave it open.

I'm gonna do something similar with my 2 door Explorer, it'll have an interior cage and I am removing all the glass from the rear as well as the hatch. Leaving the roof intact mostly for shade. I doubt I will drive it much in the winter but I can always bundle up.

Yeah if i did it it would mostly be a trail and summer cruiser. Maybe a cage would be the better option then. Not super concerned about dust and rain and shit

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

My wife's Bronco has a removable top. Generally it does nothing for me. Sitting out in the sun and dirt... eh. I crawls back into my '85 and it is so nice and cool inside.

 

[superj]

Having owned a fair number of wranglers, and still own an 03 wrangler, leave the b2 whole and enjoy noy sweating and no sunburn. Plus you have nice heat in the winter.

My wrsngker has full hard top and full metal doors and we still freeze driving it in the winter. I drove it back from colorado one january and decided i will never drive it in that cold again.

 

[bobbywalter]

Having owned a fair number of wranglers, and still own an 03 wrangler, leave the b2 whole and enjoy noy sweating and no sunburn. Plus you have nice heat in the winter.

My wrsngker has full hard top and full metal doors and we still freeze driving it in the winter. I drove it back from colorado one january and decided i will never drive it in that cold again.

i dont agree.....and yet..... i do agree.


as to rustys question....this is a strict depends.


what do you want to accomplish....and what you are willing to live with.

i have seen it done very well with the factory roof and glass windows though it looked odd with the top off and had a weird looking cut line....

i prefer bedside caps and tailgate. and that is how mark executed this when he popped the top. this is not overly difficult if it is not going to be a show car.



i plan on putting a glass top on mine at some point.

i just run canvas because it was 20-30 bux and works fine..

young bob rolled it before we could finish up the cage and took out the bed sides...and that is why the topper is not on it.

the final cage parts will protect the bronco very well on roll overs.....where the topper would get trashed but at least the bedsides would stay intact so you can pop a new topper on. theres another 60feet of tube yet to be incorporated if it ever goes to plan. i have newish bedsides that will allow stretching the wheel base....and repairing the bed rails to flatten themout again....have had them for 20 years.....lolz. maybe someday....probably not.

 

[Roert42]

Could grab a single cab ranger, cut the roof off and take the back glass out. Or install an aftermarket sun roof.

I think the back windows bolt in on some years, if you got one of those, and removed the interior trim, you could theoretically just pop the glass in and out per the mood of the day. Couple that with the aftermarket removable sun roof and you're there.