Hardtop vs. Soft Top — What are you running this summer? ☀️🏜️

[Mabett]

With summer right around the corner, I’m really curious how everyone is setting up their Bronco for the season!

Especially on the big debate: Hardtop vs. Soft Top

What are you running right now?

It’s one of those decisions that really shapes how you experience the Bronco in summer: airflow, noise,and overall driving feel.

If you’ve made a switch before, I’d especially love to hear what changed your mind!

Drop a photo of your Bronco setup below!

Would be great to see how everyone is configured for the summer trail season. Let’s see those rigs!

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[Headsong]

So glad that when I ordered, they were having so much trouble with the hard top. I wanted the dual top option, figuring I'd just change them out twice a year. But no. Got the softtop. I'd never ever go back. Had no idea how much more enjoyable that is....yes, wind noise can be a drag, esp. in the rain on the big roads. Earplugs.

 

[Fast Eddie]

I just swapped the HT for my ST 2 weeks ago. When I bought the truck it had the 2 top option and I thought I would never use the ST, I actually put it up for sale (thankfully it never sold). I enjoyed running without the roof panels so much I eventually decided to give the ST a chance and I loved it (I just wish the factory ST allowed for the windows to stay in when fully reclining it). When fall comes around I will put the HT back on for the winter...

 

[mk7tristan]

We run a mesh bikini top all summer while the hard top sits in our shop. My mom has a soft top on her black diamond and she runs it safari style all summer with the rear windows taken out. That's a nice open air option with rain protection still. We prefer ours completely naked, if we get caught in the rain, it's just a free interior wash

 

[Mabett]

So glad that when I ordered, they were having so much trouble with the hard top. I wanted the dual top option, figuring I'd just change them out twice a year. But no. Got the softtop. I'd never ever go back. Had no idea how much more enjoyable that is....yes, wind noise can be a drag, esp. in the rain on the big roads. Earplugs.

That’s how it usually goes
Trade a bit of noise for a lot more fun.

 

[Mabett]

I just swapped the HT for my ST 2 weeks ago. When I bought the truck it had the 2 top option and I thought I would never use the ST, I actually put it up for sale (thankfully it never sold). I enjoyed running without the roof panels so much I eventually decided to give the ST a chance and I loved it (I just wish the factory ST allowed for the windows to stay in when fully reclining it). When fall comes around I will put the HT back on for the winter...

Starting to sound like dual top might be the best of both worlds

 

[Mabett]

We run a mesh bikini top all summer while the hard top sits in our shop. My mom has a soft top on her black diamond and she runs it safari style all summer with the rear windows taken out. That's a nice open air option with rain protection still. We prefer ours completely naked, if we get caught in the rain, it's just a free interior wash

The “free interior wash”… bold strategy

 

[BroncoAdventure]

I had dual tops for my BD but ended up selling the soft top because I just like the look and quiet of the hardtop. Removing the 3 top panels gives the same feel of a convertible. I have a garage hoist for the rear shell...easy on/off. I run a mesh bimini top to cut down on the sun.

 

[MilesTeg]

I got a Bestop for my 2DR last summer, and.. have just left it on. Might actually not put the hard top on even next winter. It was plenty fine for driving even in the cold, and the ability top open it all up on a warm late winter & spring day was very nice.

 

[joes bronco]

Liked my soft top on my old 2021 bronc so well that I had the dealership swap my old soft top with the hardtop that was on my new bronc

 

[wheretheheckisjoe]

I had dual tops for my BD but ended up selling the soft top because I just like the look and quiet of the hardtop. Removing the 3 top panels gives the same feel of a convertible. I have a garage hoist for the rear shell...easy on/off. I run a mesh bimini top to cut down on the sun.

Would you mind expanding on just how big of a difference the noise is between the HT and ST? I feel like there is a lot of soft top praise on this forum, but I frequently drive 75mph highways (so the flow of traffic is typically 85-90mph) and at those speeds the soft top noise is pretty much painful. I downloaded a flakey decibel meter app on my phone and it said 92 decibels, which is about equivalent to a lawnmower or motorcycle in your ear. At these sound levels, you can get permanent hearing damage in under a hour. So I'll be switching to a HT soon, but I just want to make sure it will really make a difference before I drop the coin. I've seen some comments say the HT is every bit as loud as the ST and I just can't imagine that's true at all.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Would you mind expanding on just how big of a difference the noise is between the HT and ST? I feel like there is a lot of soft top praise on this forum, but I frequently drive 75mph highways (so the flow of traffic is typically 85-90mph) and at those speeds the soft top noise is pretty much painful. I downloaded a flakey decibel meter app on my phone and it said 92 decibels, which is about equivalent to a lawnmower or motorcycle in your ear. At these sound levels, you can get permanent hearing damage in under a hour. So I'll be switching to a HT soon, but I just want to make sure it will really make a difference before I drop the coin. I've seen some comments say the HT is every bit as loud as the ST and I just can't imagine that's true at all.

There is no comparison. You can drive at 75 with the HT and have a conversation at normal volumes. The ST is a summer top to have fun, the HT is for winter and for those who can't deal with the noise.

 

[23OBX2.7]

Definitely soft top down on hwy must have a wind blocker solution a I ordered Jtops transparent mesh bimini plus I have a couple of mesh panels I can use on the rear diagonal roll bars.

My Mustang was brutal as well until used the flip up wind blocker then was pure joy could drive in the rain >50 and not get wet.

 

[BroncoAdventure]

Would you mind expanding on just how big of a difference the noise is between the HT and ST? I feel like there is a lot of soft top praise on this forum, but I frequently drive 75mph highways (so the flow of traffic is typically 85-90mph) and at those speeds the soft top noise is pretty much painful. I downloaded a flakey decibel meter app on my phone and it said 92 decibels, which is about equivalent to a lawnmower or motorcycle in your ear. At these sound levels, you can get permanent hearing damage in under a hour. So I'll be switching to a HT soon, but I just want to make sure it will really make a difference before I drop the coin. I've seen some comments say the HT is every bit as loud as the ST and I just can't imagine that's true at all.

Yeah don't let anyone tell you different, there IS a significant difference in noise levels between the two. It's ridiculous for anyone to say otherwise. I used the soft top for 2 years during the summer months and have gone on a couple of long 19 hour and 12 hour hwy driving road trips and it was unbearable, for me, personally it affected the quality of the trip for my lady and I. The hardtop is MUCH quieter compared to the soft top. It's not car quiet but you can hold a conversation and the comfort level increases. My OEM top has the factory padded insulation panels as well.

With the soft top installed, If someone is standing outside of your truck, having a conversation, you can hear the conversation as if the back windows were rolled down...I clearly remember this happening on a couple of occasions, thinking my back window was actually down.

If you value comfortability while driving on long trips, get a hard top.

 

[telenerd]

I live in Wyoming where the wind blows faster than the speed limit on I80. Hard top is the only option for me.

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