Yet another mod change to my Bronco...

[digger159]

My Bronco has gone through several mod changes in the 4 years I have owned her...

Hardtop...



...to soft top...



....to a fiberglass constructed pickup top....



...now, I am making a pattern for the Skyler - type of tonneau back that encloses the complete rear of the vehicle...



I'm an upholsterer, so the making of the tonneau isn't the tough part, its the getting of the hardware to attach it so that it can be undone when someone wants to go back to the original style.  I am thinking about starting up a side business that would supply these tops to places like JBG, etc. First I have to get one on my truck...

 

[miesk5]

yo Digger,

I have seen your mods over the years in SM and other Bronco site;

I figure you have seen many Skyler installs over the years; here is one for posterity;

Skyler Installation (Skyler is out of business) in an 84

Source: by justshootme84 (Randy Z, Casual Mudder), RIP BRO!

at http://www.supermotors.net/registry/1133/7823

Jeff's Bronco Graveyard Full Top Fasttrac Zipper for 80-91; Jeff's design is a copy of the old STC (Specialty Top Company; out of business now); miesk5 NOTE; Jeffcityguy wrote; Just off the Phone with Rampage, the CO. They make the top for JBG. Said 78-79 is still in development, and 92/93 and up have no provision for seat belts. I did not ask about tinted windows. They did say this was their own design, not a copy. No pictures that he could email, said go look at JBG's site.

Soft Top, Kayline Installation Instructions (download Link) (STC purchased Kayline tooling & patterns)

Source: by Dustin S (Dustball, Mellow Yellow, Mr. Laser Boy) http://api.viglink.com/api/click?format=go&jsonp=vglnk_14153674853517&key=6ed47b392b9edfe394b9e89b72717104&libId=4c0c1e2d-ad49-4782-8016-5ccdf51bacac&loc=http%3A%2F%2Ffullsizebronco.com%2Fforum%2Fshowthread.php%3Ft%3D72755&v=1&out=http%3A%2F%2Fylobronc.users.superford.org%2Fdocuments%2Fkayline.zip&title=Uploaded%20Kayline%20soft%20top%20instructions%20-%20FSB%20Forums&txt=http%3A%2F%2Fylobronc.users.superford.org%2F...ts%2Fkayline.zip

 

[digger159]

miesk5,

Thank you for the pics...I need as much in picture form that I can get.  I'll show my progress as this goes on....

 

[miesk5]

yo D,

YW!

btw, I have;

Skyler Tonneau Style Installation Instructions - Skyler is now OUT-of-BUSINESS

Source: by Skyler









========

Tonneau Fabrication & Installation pics in a 96

Source: by FNTZMA (Dead reckoning) at http://www.supermotors.net/registry/19593/69545

Tonneau Fabrication & Installation (cargo area cover) pics in a 91

Source: by PaulT (Paul T) at http://www.supermotors.net/registry/5355/18537

 

[digger159]

m5, you are a plethora of information....thank you for your time...i think I can actually make one that is simpler to install and yet sturdier.  Where to do you get this info ???  LOL....

 

[miesk5]

yo D,

I began collecting Bronco & Ford F series and VAN 4x4 info back in pre-WWW days in 77; I had MS WORD files then participated in News Groups/e mail List sites, such as; http://web.archive.org/web/20060507074233/http://www.chucko.com/fordnatics/fordnatics-list.html

Then I est. my first Bronco Links site @ Comcast; http://web.archive.org/web/20041022010915/http://home.comcast.net/~miesk5/

Our #2 Son developed a program and moved all Links to http://web.archive.org/web/20130410162529/http://www.broncolinks.com/index.php?

But, in Apr 2013, my Host in Germany decided to delete the site after receiving annual payment in full. Host refuses to reply to e mail and phone calls; Host also deleted data base and back up files that was on their server(s); I and son could not support the data base due to size, so all back-ups (3 times a day) were also lost.

However, I was able retrieve the last archived copy as of 10 APR 2013 - it is not complete for all sub-categories though; such As ENGINE category is very limited; all V8 sub-categories are not available exc. for a very old date.

See my signature and instructions for seeing the archived site;

Here is the Body, Bronco & Ford Trucks -> Top, Soft & Cut-Out (for fabric, etc. insert) & T-Top Archived Page;

http://web.archive.org/web/20101224131547/http://www.broncolinks.com/index.php?index=467

 

[digger159]

Today I finished with some last minute items before I make  the pattern for the tonneau...

Installed some rubber on fender edge exposed with top off...



Painted the top section of my tailgate which had long gone without no love...



Here's my baby posing for me....



Tomorrow is pattern making day.....

 

[Seabronc]

Nice!!  /

 

[digger159]

Thanks sir... >-

 

[digger159]

Got the tonneau material in...pattern is made...time to cut and sew....

 

[digger159]

Okay, so I have been hard at work cutting and fitting the tonneau top...at least the cab portion. 

Here's the top on the cutting table in my shop...



The top being put on the truck for the first fit...



I used the natural rain trough created by the Bronco top to weather seal the tonneau..



I have some more cutting and fitting to do then I cut and fit the cargo piece onto the cab portion...After all of the material fits nice and snug, I can cut for the window, (I won't be putting a window in this prototype unit due to cost of materials)...

I will be installing a smaller window more accustomed to the old hot rod styles that are more an elipse shape then a full square window...and it will be tinted. I'll keep you up on the progress...

 

[digger159]

Today I finished putting on the second soft top...still have to snap the back stretcher bar into place but I need a really hot day with sun to get the vinyl supple enough.  Had to put the tonneau on hold because my upholstery shop is backed up with car seats....wanted to make sure the rainy winter weather didn't become an issue until then.







/

 

[miesk5]

yo D,

Thanks for the update and pics!

Looks like winter is here and some of our projects will be on hold until spring.

Be Well!

 

[digger159]

Hey m5...

Hope the holidays see you and yours safe and happy...yeah, the top I got this time from Rampage was way better tailored then the last one.  My wife even recognized it immediately that the top fit better then the last one.  I have the cab over portion of the tonneau finished and the connecting tab is done that joins the cab and rear portion.  Just need more time now...LOL.