Bad hardtop alignment on brand new HE

[VirginiaHeritage]

So far I love this Bronco and I almost regret doing an early morning getting-to-know-you scrutiny of my 2 week old HE as I was contemplating accessories. It looked beautiful on the lot, and while I saw minor fitment issues with the trim piece around the taillight then, I definitely didn’t notice this. Note the mid panel fit on the passenger side (dandy) vs drivers side (groan).

I popped the front panels off, and then unlatched, lifted, and relatched the middle panel to see if it shifted to align better. It didn’t. My wife hasn’t noticed and might not ever. I’m on the fence between saying “oh well, f-ck it” and caring enough to see what Ford might do for me. Anyone else get a new roof, MIC or painted with a gap like this?

Is mid panel alignment adjustment possible to split the gap between both sides?

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[GPPBronco]

This is normal. I know. Odd. But try not to look too closely at your bronco. I’d advise against looking too closely at the arrow stripe/crease alignment across the quarter panels and doors.

 

[TXBronco1313]

They don’t sit flush. My previous Bronco had a MIC top and my new one has a black painted top and both look similar to yours. You should be fine as long as there are no leaks

 

[Sgt Badlands]

This is mine. It depends on what angle you look at it. Not totally flush, but I see what you are saying in regards to the drivers side. Have you taken it off and repositioned it?

 

[VirginiaHeritage]

This is mine. It depends on what angle you look at it. Not totally flush, but I see what you are saying in regards to the drivers side. Have you taken it off and repositioned it?

I hadn’t taken the mid panel off before seeing this. Only one short ride with front panels off. After seeing it this morning, I unlatched the mid, lifted it, reseated and relatched it and no difference. Looks like the mounting brackets on the roll cage have peg holes that the top piece sits in so those would have to be adjusted to change alignment.

Edit: it may be this panel has a bit of a flare molded into that isn’t going to be fixed with bracket adjustment (if that’s even doable).

 

[GPPBronco]

Looks like the mounting brackets on the roll cage have peg holes that the top piece sits in so those would have to be adjusted to change alignment.

I have a 2 door but the peg holes for my front panels are misaligned and it means I have to angle the panels “just so” to get them off. Especially the driver’s side. There is a way to adjust them but it involves taking the interior trim off and repositioning the metal piece that has the peg holes. Call me crazy but this isn’t something that should need adjustment by the owner. Ford should build their vehicles properly in the first place.

I’ve never loved a piece of junk more than my Bronco. Maybe someday it will feel romantic like owning a Land Rover Discovery 2. A labor of love.

 

[Dadsquatch]

Normal….unfortunately.

 

[rgraphic]

Yeah on mine what I finally realized is the top panel of the rear shell (2 door) is glued on slightly off. I feel your pain. This just shouldn’t be on a new vehicle. It’s completely reasonable to expect them to align. It’s laziness on the manufacturing side. Unfortunately very American in terms of standards in manufacturing. Mine I could actually see daylight from inside because the gasket didn’t cover completely. Loosening the top two bolts will give you some realignment wiggle room. Not a ton but it can help.

 

[VirginiaHeritage]

Well, sounds like it’s common, so I’m just going to get over it and keep on enjoying my Bronco. Thanks for the replies.

 

[rgraphic]

Well, sounds like it’s common, so I’m just going to get over it and keep on enjoying my Bronco. Thanks for the replies.

Yeah. I wish I would have never started looking too closely at it as advised by others. It’s so fun to drive and the design in and out looks great. Just don’t get into the details too much I guess because you’ll find a ton of things that are off about it construction wise.

 

[TheShark]

The fit and finish of my Bronco looked so much better before my cataract surgery

 

[jrollo7]

The fit and finish of my Bronco looked so much better before my cataract surgery

🫣

 

[Sparkie]

Well, sounds like it’s common, so I’m just going to get over it and keep on enjoying my Bronco. Thanks for the replies.

My Bronco had some similar alignment quirks as yours.
However, the panels have never leaked, even after a few rides with the panels out and back in again.
At my age, my chassis has a few "alignment issues" of my own and my Bronco has never judged me. So, I stopped looking so closely at my Bronco -- except when I discover another Easter Egg.

 

[VirginiaHeritage]

The fit and finish of my Bronco looked so much better before my cataract surgery

If you’re married, be careful not to say the same thing about your wife. At least not where she can hear you.

 

[Geno Bam Beano]

Mine looks just like that.

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