[Updated 7/20] Early Delivered Bronco MIC Top Developing Honeycomb / Snakeskin Pattern

[bytheway]

Making that soft top prep pacakge look like a deal right now.

Sponsored

 

[DETT]

Mine was delivered 3 weeks ago tomorrow with no visible problems. Even the "raw" (non-rolled) edges were uniform in color and texture and the headliner fit was great.

As of today, we have the headliner separating from the roof panels in two spots, raw edges fading to light gray / white with small cavities visible from obvious material loss, the clamshell reveal line flexing to uneven width across the passenger side rear quarter, and warping / flexing around the roof mounting bolts in the cargo area.

If this much can happen on these things in 3 weeks, I anticipate a rough few months ahead for those of us with early MIC builds. They just weren't ready for prime time.

Damn Ross, that blows. Trying to find a silver lining. At least I'm in good company...

 

[PREMiERdrum]

Damn Ross, that blows. Trying to find a silver lining. At least I'm in good company...

They'll get it sorted, but I assume that means a total replacement roof for all these early MIC builds down the road. Those raw edges are going to be a mess once we get into cold weather season here. We have super rainy Octobers and Novembers with lots of freezing and thawing.

 

[BroncoPls!]

None of this make sense without knowing how these are made. You can't mold in a color (MIC) on a fiberglass cloth/resin top. FIBERGLASS needs a gelcoat; epoxy needs a polyurethane or epoxy paint coating. But some hypothesize that they're seeing the cloth lamimate.

If they're a laminate of 3 plastic layers, as others have suggested, that would suggest a heat press mold process with several material sheets. What is that? Is that used?

A third possibility is an injection mold process or a rotomold process. Is that used here?
https://3dinsider.com/rotomolding-vs-injection-molding/
Whats going on?

The tops appear to be multilayer composites that are compression molded for final assembly and appearance. They are not rotomolded (makes hollow parts), and they are not injection molded (makes solid parts and not to mention the size of the injection machine required is such that there are only a handful in existence in the world)

 

[rutherk1]

Am I the only one that wishes a complete non removable steel hard top was an option? I don't even want the top to come off.

 

[5280Bronco]

Mine was delivered 3 weeks ago tomorrow with no visible problems. Even the "raw" (non-rolled) edges were uniform in color and texture and the headliner fit was great.

As of today, we have the headliner separating from the roof panels in two spots, raw edges fading to light gray / white with small cavities visible from obvious material loss, the clamshell reveal line flexing to uneven width across the passenger side rear quarter, and warping / flexing around the roof mounting bolts in the cargo area.

If this much can happen on these things in 3 weeks, I anticipate a rough few months ahead for those of us with early MIC builds. They just weren't ready for prime time.

Yeah, we will have to be the guinea pigs for the rest of the group. I'll take it and deal with. I'm sure my wife would disagree with that statement though. Lol. I'll just plan on filing a warranty claim at some point so I'm not disappointed. Ford has to be ready for this, because the claims will be coming.

 

[5280Bronco]

Am I the only one that wishes a complete non removable steel hard top was an option? I don't even want the top to come off.

You're in the VERY small minority on that. Most of the reason people are buying the bronco is the removable top and doors. They'll just tell you to get a 4runner or Explorer. Be prepared.

 

[drive21bronco]

They'll get it sorted, but I assume that means a total replacement roof for all these early MIC builds down the road. Those raw edges are going to be a mess once we get into cold weather season here. We have super rainy Octobers and Novembers with lots of freezing and thawing.

Tops being put on Broncos going through production today/this week/ even August, would you consider those "early MIC tops" as well.

 

[survivormanca]

Mine was delivered 3 weeks ago tomorrow with no visible problems. Even the "raw" (non-rolled) edges were uniform in color and texture and the headliner fit was great.

As of today, we have the headliner separating from the roof panels in two spots, raw edges fading to light gray / white with small cavities visible from obvious material loss, the clamshell reveal line flexing to uneven width across the passenger side rear quarter, and warping / flexing around the roof mounting bolts in the cargo area.

If this much can happen on these things in 3 weeks, I anticipate a rough few months ahead for those of us with early MIC builds. They just weren't ready for prime time.

That's crazy - ecstatic that I switched to a soft top. I'll stop bitching about the prep kit now. I really hope an after market company comes out with a hard top.

 

[calgecko]

Mine was delivered 3 weeks ago tomorrow with no visible problems. Even the "raw" (non-rolled) edges were uniform in color and texture and the headliner fit was great.

As of today, we have the headliner separating from the roof panels in two spots, raw edges fading to light gray / white with small cavities visible from obvious material loss, the clamshell reveal line flexing to uneven width across the passenger side rear quarter, and warping / flexing around the roof mounting bolts in the cargo area.

If this much can happen on these things in 3 weeks, I anticipate a rough few months ahead for those of us with early MIC builds. They just weren't ready for prime time.

That 'finish' is absolutely horrible, and Ford should be embarrassed.

 

[bytheway]

Seeing this makes me think for the first time that my Day 1 reservation could very likely become a '22 delivery. Lux, tow, 2-door, 2.7 was already an obstacle, but these hard tops may become unicorns.

I've been thinking that for months now on mine. Which seemed insane a year ago. Reserve a truck in July 2020 and get it 2 years later.

 

[Liberty]

Mine was delivered 3 weeks ago tomorrow with no visible problems. Even the "raw" (non-rolled) edges were uniform in color and texture and the headliner fit was great.

As of today, we have the headliner separating from the roof panels in two spots, raw edges fading to light gray / white with small cavities visible from obvious material loss, the clamshell reveal line flexing to uneven width across the passenger side rear quarter, and warping / flexing around the roof mounting bolts in the cargo area.

If this much can happen on these things in 3 weeks, I anticipate a rough few months ahead for those of us with early MIC builds. They just weren't ready for prime time.

Thanks for sharing Ross. Do you sense that Ford is on top of this now (np pun intended) or is this a new tsunami ready to hit MICs again?

 

[Dr.Detroit]

Why is everyone calling it German supplier and German quality...
It's made by low-wage earning, high turn-over employees in Michigan and managed by a bunch of clowns

This statement could not be more spot on the money.

 

[rutherk1]

You're in the VERY small minority on that. Most of the reason people are buying the bronco is the removable top and doors. They'll just tell you to get a 4runner or Explorer. Be prepared.

Haha. I figured so much.

I'm buying it because it's probably the last body on frame "truck" based 4x4 SUV we are going to see from Ford.

Speaking of Explorer. Yes. I am trying to relive my 1992 Ford Explorer I bought new!

But this hard top rubbish is hard to see. Although, mine is just going to get beat to hell driving it through the woods.

 

[Wineguy]

I stopped by my local dealer to check out the Black Diamond Sas. 2 door after reading about the complaints here about open edges and loose fibers on the top. Seems the mannequin was no different. The edge over the rear hatch was uneven, and all the exposed edges were raw. I didn't see any telegraphing of the fiber underneath, though. I'm glad this was pointed out, as i would not have thought to look. Kinda nervous about getting a '21 now. I still don't have a build date, so i may end up with a '22 anyway.

Sponsored