ADV Production Modular Hardtop!

[3175375]

Ordered: 3/1/2022
"In production": 2/16/2024

As much as my patience is running thin, I feel like I'm too far into the process to cancel and start over with another company. ‍

I have a timer on Advanced Fiberglass Concepts. They get 2 updates per their statement to show 1) they say that they will provide an update every 7-10 business days, whether or not any progress occurs, and 2) any actual progress and details associated with such are provided.

I subscribe to the approach that if you measure something, you will learn and the process will change (either improve or go away - stop)…

it would be absolutely amazing if they documented how many tops they delivered each week.

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[Eroc88]

The cost of $7k+ for a hardtop that requires assembly is excessive. Given the numerous seals, I could be mistaken, but I see a possibility of wind and water infiltration because the top is constructed in multiple sections rather than a single mold, especially during the winter months.

 

[swanjonson]

This has been a bolt together design since day one. As for assembly, it takes us about 45-60 minutes. The parts self clock and locate, it is as easy as it gets. One huge reason is to keep the shipping costs lower, the bolt together design allows it to ship flat. Second reason to have our customers assembly is that way they know every detail about their top, if they need to adjust rubber, tighten j-clamps, turn handles, etc then they know exactly what to do. Third reason is because our customers can store the hardtop flat if disassembled (It takes up a lot less space when disassembled). There are more reasons but those are three important ones.

Bolt together is bolting the sides to the top and mounting the glass. This is build a top.

This is full assembly. For $7+k. The seals should be installed, the alignment pegs and all latches should be attached to their respective panels. Any potential adjustments required should be in the instructions.

Bolt the sides to the top, bolt the top to the Bronco. Bolt Together.

 

[WILDcardOD]

Bolt together is bolting the sides to the top and mounting the glass. This is build a top.

This is full assembly. For $7+k. The seals should be installed, the alignment pegs and all latches should be attached to their respective panels. Any potential adjustments required should be in the instructions.

Bolt the sides to the top, bolt the top to the Bronco. Bolt Together.

I think if at least most of the seals were already attached I honestly wouldn’t have any complaints about it aside from length of development.

 

[Dadsquatch]

But it can be disassembled for easier storage.

I realistically don’t see anyone disassembling this thing for storage once it’s initially built & whole. Plus, the gaskets/rubber will wear big time during every disassembly / reassembly. They will be compressed too much and not be as tight as the initial assembly. So between the amount of work required to disassemble & reassemble + the risk of wear & tear on the seals, not practical IMO.

 

[BUCKIN6VA]

Shipping disassembled to reduce cost on a $7k top is not ideal, but I can understand it. Shipping without the seals attached? Seems very silly. That’s one of - if not the - most important factors in water-sealing the top. Leaving that to the customer who will do this once in their lifetime is an odd choice.

 

[USSCajun]

Count down to stripped or over tightened bolts, lost hardware, poorly aligned rubber gaskets, broken glass, stripped rear window defroster wiring, cracks from shipping company handling……

The $7,000 IKEA special. This $hit show has just started.

 

[1986Bronco]

I have no skin in this game. But I do have an OEM hardtop with cracks/delamination/whatever that Ford has done NOTHING about.

To me...a hardtop that goes together and comes apart in true modular fashion does not sound so bad. For example, if Ford had done this from the get-go, they could be replacing individual pieces instead of entire hardtops.

I also think that if anyone is creative enough... that the ability to unbolt sections introduces the capability of adding mounts, harnesses, solid side pieces, etc.

And if one part has a branch go through it and ADV has any common sense, they will sell just that part to replace it.

But ADV will probably make the cost of that one part outrageous.

And the price tag for the full top is ridiculous.

But I am still intrigued by the possibility of what this offers.

 

[604Bronco]

Installation video looks good - Very detailed and easy to follow along. Probably one of the best videos ADV has put out.

Although this hardtop has the ability to be stored unassembled and flat, I'm curious the longevity of such a modular hardtop. I’m more of a fan of the other hardtops which require less assembly and have less points of entry for water.

Regardless, it looks like a nice design, and hopefully customers who held on are happy with them and receive them soon. You’ve definitely been patient.

 

[lapazleo]

This has been a bolt together design since day one. As for assembly, it takes us about 45-60 minutes. The parts self clock and locate, it is as easy as it gets. One huge reason is to keep the shipping costs lower, the bolt together design allows it to ship flat. Second reason to have our customers assembly is that way they know every detail about their top, if they need to adjust rubber, tighten j-clamps, turn handles, etc then they know exactly what to do. Third reason is because our customers can store the hardtop flat if disassembled (It takes up a lot less space when disassembled). There are more reasons but those are three important ones.

And it's an easy way to deny warranty claims the most important reason.

 

[adcam]

So glad I didn’t get this top!

 

[Razorback]

adv question
when the soft top is removed, prior to putting the adv hard top on,
does the plastic pillar caps on both sides have to be unbolted (3 bolts) each side and removed and then the 3 bolts put back in place. the hard top would then slip in.
I ask this because the TOR install shows that this must be done.
or am I mixing apples and oranges

top looks good. I will be taking it slooooooow

My guess is you would need to remove the piller caps. Those are specific to the soft top. The top would end up sticking out an inch or 2 with it still in place, since the ADV top shows to go the the 2nd row window.

 

[CTwaterfowler]

My guess is you would need to remove the piller caps. Those are specific to the soft top. The top would end up sticking out an inch or 2 with it still in place, since the ADV top shows to go the the 2nd row window.

thanks for the quick response. I was thinking the same thing but ADVS install is so quick you don't see the pillar.
of course I'm jumping the gun getting ready for the install FINALLY.

waiting to see the 1 piece instructions, should be simpler than the Mod top.

If my buddy is monitoring this, he's probably getting excited that he might have my soft top to put on his bronco soon and enjoy it with the top down.
thanks again
roger

 

[604Bronco]

thanks for the quick response. I was thinking the same thing but ADVS install is so quick you don't see the pillar.
of course I'm jumping the gun getting ready for the install FINALLY.

waiting to see the 1 piece instructions, should be simpler than the Mod top.

If my buddy is monitoring this, he's probably getting excited that he might have my soft top to put on his bronco soon and enjoy it with the top down.
thanks again
roger

If your buddy’s buying your soft top, he’ll need those pillar trim covers you noted. The side windows of your soft top attach to them. Without them, he’ll need to buy these from Ford. There’s no reason to keep them under your hard top.

Don’t quote me on this, but I believe once you remove those trim covers you should reattach the 3 bolts (per side) on your Bronco. He should already have those bolts on his vehicle.

 

[67BroncoG1]

As a 2-Door owner, I don't have a horse in this race. The bolt together design makes sense to me even if it is only for shipping reasons. If all you had to do was bolt the two sides and the rear glass to the main roof than you wouldn't have two many complaints. However, installing all the seals, gaskets, hinges, and latches is a total fail.

You are claiming 45-60 minutes of assembly time. That would suggest that the "manufacturer" could install all the little bits in maybe 30 minutes. I might be a smart move to install all those small parts in your warehouse before shipping to the customer unless these are being shipped direct from China. That would seam a dangerous move from a quality control stand point. You are putting a lot of trust in your manufacturing partners if that is the case.

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