JUNK Hard Tops......and a question

[buzzcutt2]

I've stated it elsewhere...I'm on my 3rd top and it started cracking about a week after it was replaced, but I'm out of warranty now.

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[TPadden72]

I've stated it elsewhere...I'm on my 3rd top and it started cracking about a week after it was replaced, but I'm out of warranty now.

Maybe Ford puts all the defective ones in a pile to be used as warranty replacements...

Tom

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Not sure how PPF and ceramic would ruin my top.

It's an old running joke from one of the first known bad hardtops in 2021 ... somebody asked "Did you wax it?"

 

[VirginiaHeritage]

I’ve been curious about the hard tops.

would be interested to see the breakdown between painted and unpainted hard tops experiencing cracks, etc. over time.

my theory is that the composite plastic they’re made out of gets brittle from the sun over time. The painted ones still experience heat damage, but not UV nearly as much.

White painted should get the least UV and heat damage in theory, due to greater reflectivity and staying cooler in the sun.

 

[Bruzer22]

If you don't see any cracks, you aren't looking hard enough. That's my opinion, I was pretty darn convinced I had a good one, until I saw the first cracks. I still didn't put in a warranty claim, as I don't have any faith that a replacement would be any better, or it may even be worse.

 

[GoHawks63]

Seems like that should be a sticker left for the customer to remove, similar to the airbag sticker on the glovebox. I'd love to see a picture of that, on the top, as it comes from the assembly plant. I will also search my digital owners manual again....I went thru it pretty thoroughly, don't recall seeing anything like that, but I may have missed it.

Bottom line, if it was really so important, Ford should have done a better job warning against it, and making it known to the customer.

When I picked up my new '24 WildTrak last January, the sticker was still on it and my salesperson made sure to point it out to me.

 

[Beach_Bum]

If you don't see any cracks, you aren't looking hard enough. That's my opinion, I was pretty darn convinced I had a good one, until I saw the first cracks. I still didn't put in a warranty claim, as I don't have any faith that a replacement would be any better, or it may even be worse.

And that is the crux of the matter - there is no guarantee that the replacement is better.

I've have/had 2 Broncos and the noise difference between the 2 was very pronounced. I never bothered to complain about the louder top as I knew it was just a temporary Bronco until my original order was built. My current Bronco is much quieter than the first. It has shown bubbling on the top. The hairline cracks around the rear window is very minor - only visible under scrutiny with bright light.

I'm hesitant to bother with a warranty claim (the bubbling alone would qualify) as the replacement might be worse regarding noise levels.

 

[Deleted member 64921]

And that is the crux of the matter - there is no guarantee that the replacement is better.

I've have/had 2 Broncos and the noise difference between the 2 was very pronounced. I never bothered to complain about the louder top as I knew it was just a temporary Bronco until my original order was built. My current Bronco is much quieter than the first. It has shown bubbling on the top. The hairline cracks around the rear window is very minor - only visible under scrutiny with bright light.

I'm hesitant to bother with a warranty claim (the bubbling alone would qualify) as the replacement might be worse regarding noise levels.

My 2025 Base is much quieter than my 2024 BD was - it's strange

 

[GoHawks63]

My 2025 Base is much quieter than my 2024 BD was - it's strange

Well I thought I read that there was some sound deadening added. I also thought I read that the design on the tire treads was modified, although that might have been specifically for the Goodyears on the SAS models.

 

[Beach_Bum]

Well I thought I read that there was some sound deadening added. I also thought I read that the design on the tire treads was modified, although that might have been specifically for the Goodyears on the SAS models.

In my case, they both had the headliner. But near the passenger B pillar, the noise was terrible. I even implemented the B6G ideas on additional weather stripping to no avail. There is always going to be more noise than compared to a solid roof and that is to be expected.

My current top is a warranty claim candidate, but I'm unsure of submitting the claim as the replacement can be worse.

 

[GoHawks63]

In my case, they both had the headliner. But near the passenger B pillar, the noise was terrible. I even implemented the B6G ideas on additional weather stripping to no avail. There is always going to be more noise than compared to a solid roof and that is to be expected.

My current top is a warranty claim candidate, but I'm unsure of submitting the claim as the replacement can be worse.

Sound deadening is not limited to the headliner. They could've added foam in the A-pillars and header above the windshield and the floorpan.

 

[Beach_Bum]

Sound deadening is not limited to the headliner. They could've added foam in the A-pillars and header above the windshield and the floorpan.

I get that. The noise was evident from the B-pillar on the 2-dr where the front panel meets the rear clam shell. I believe the variance in the gasket was the culprit. I don't expect a silent cabin, but that was beyond what should be expected. My current 2-dr is night/day difference that is why I'm hesitant to replace the defective top as I very well might get one that is noisier and I'm not willing to make that trade.

 

[heathw101]

Anyone try the B -C brace kit yet?

Yes and it makes a huge difference in body sway and internal rattles.

 

[23OBX2.7]

Did it eliminate hard top rattles? On my soft top it eliminates all noises sound like a vault now except for rattling AIG tonneau cover.

 

[2023bronco]

If you've ever handled a MIC clamshell without the glass in it, you know why they consistently crack around the windows. I'm sure the engineers erroneously believed that the glass would provide sufficient structural rigidity. Not to mention the bubbling, honeycombing, and all the other problems with these tops.

MIC tops are garbage and it's an insult to our intelligence that Ford keeps replacing them with the same garbage.

It's disheartening to hear so many people on the forums say they're waiting to make a warranty claim for one reason or another. If you want something to happen, get off your duff and tell your dealership and Ford your top is defective. You're helping nobody, including yourself, by just bitching about it on a forum. Ford isn't going to do anything about these tops unless a bunch of people make them feel financial pain.

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