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

[NC_Pinz]

Hard top...I'd be one of those weirdos that would be fine with a fixed hard top (i.e. non-removable).

My '75 has a steel top that has never been removed.

I've had soft top vehicles and just don't care for them. Having dark hair meant that in the summer sun by brain felt like it was cooking.

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[rayhil67]

My 2dr black diamond wears a sunrider fliptop in summer months and front panels in winter. The sunrider is not to bad as far as wind noise, unless your in a "head-wind" but even the HT is noisey then.

 

[BobN - USAF]

My 23 Big Bend mid came with both tops. For the first two years, I would change out the hard top for the soft top in the summer. I worked out two winch systems so that I could remove the hard top and install the soft top by myself. I would switch out the tops when we would take a longish trip too. But switching out the tops became a drag so I made the decision to just leave the hard top in place. With the Ford sun screen, well, it is more of a shade as it is solid, in place, it acts as a heat barrier which helps. So for now, I'm keeping the soft top in storage in case the cracks and cheap tricks show up on the hard top.

 

[BroncocnorB]

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.

This. No reason to have a hard top on a 2door

 

[DALOLA]

No top should be an option....

May 1 my top comes off, goes back on Nov 1, or on occasion.

 

[RSNovi]

I purchased our Bronco used and we wanted a hard top. Long story, but we ended up getting a Bronco with a Bestop manual softop installed and a hard top to go with it. We put the hard top on in the winter and it was much quieter. Also we go through the car wash weekly given our winter salt.

We are planning to put the Bestop back on for the summer. It was nice to quickly open it up when nice out and close it easily when parking.

Chris

 

[Ninjak]

I run an Armadillo top. So I can take my two panels off, and I am good to go. They even fit in the back so I can take them with me.

 

[RSNovi]

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.

I agree with all of this. I bought our Bronco for my son, but was driving it for a few months daily 100 miles roundtrip on the expressway to work. Not recommended. The hard top was better, but still started to wear on me. My son has never complained.

 

[jtgensler]

Soft top is the only one I have.
I actually prefer running safari style - top in place but no windows - as much as possible.
If someone made a modular hard top with that option - easily removable windows - I'd be super interested.

 

[Tybh88]

Soft top for the summa. Hard top eventually for the winter

 

[Luckylat]

Living in the NE without a garage leaves me with limited options to switch out tops. I like and keep the HT for the warmth in the winter, reduced road noise, and I do take the top panels off in the summer. The HT works well to use with racks: both the Ford Factory rack and the Hooke 1/2 rack. I use the OEM rack for ski season to mount my ski racks, and use the Hooke 1/2 rack for summer so I can take off all 3 of my top panels and also carry any beach/camping gear.

 

[Kevin Scarbel]

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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There's no big debate.
It's more like whatever floats your boat.

 

[CarmeloS]

soft top all year round, I got a GR86 for hardtop fun

 

[BroncocnorB]

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

Damn sorry. I’ve been in FL 6 years and have still not seen one WY plate. Top down or bikini top all year long

 

[not on the rug]

Hard top. Doors off when the weather is nice.

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