ADV vs OEM Hardtop Comparison

[Wark]

They should stick to marketing this for what it is. A consolation prize for folks who couldn't get a factory top and are wiling to live with something that has functionality drawbacks.

The timing for releasing the tops would have been better back when the original MIC 1.0 was found to be bad. Getting product to market at that time would have been key, but nearly impossible for a quality product.

The market price that would sell tops is closer to $3k than $6k for selling something that people already have when they purchase the Bronco. $6k pays for a lot of upgrades. They are competing with not just other tops, but other product upgrades, including ones that support the activities that people plan to use their bronco for -- bike racks, roof racks, cargo haulers, and also functional and visual upgrades.

They would also be helped out if the MIC 2.0+ performed even more poorly than it actually does. If the top wears out or fails prematurely, they will sell more tops.

ADV target markets for their top:

Initial markets:
1. The target market for aftermarket hard tops are those that felt they could live with a soft top for now and buy one later.

2. The target market that wants to redefine the look of their bronco on the high end, with a prime or white top to achieve a different look.

Future markets:
3. Insurance market for damaged tops when there are supply chain issues for OEM replacement.

4. Prematurely failing tops out of warranty period.

The lower the price point of their top, the less it competes with other upgrades.

It looks like a decent replacement top, and I hope ADV still carries it when my MIC 2.0 wears out.

Sponsored

 

[_Nelson_]

In this video we compare a Ford Bronco Factory OEM hardtop with our Aftermarket Hard Top.

Highlights

Our hardtop comes in textured black to match the Bronco trim or in a primed finish for painting, while the OEM hardtop is only available in gray
Our hardtop is stronger because the rear section is one consistent panel, while the OEM hardtop is four pieces that flex
Our hardtop has a rubber seal for complete and consistent sealing, while OEM hardtop has gaps that create airflow and moisture
Our hardtop has the wiper washer assembly in a better location to reduce stress on components, while the factory hardtop stresses components
OEM hardtop can have issues with moisture entering the laminate and paper core, causing mold and separation, while our hardtop uses closed cell foam to prevent these issues

Do you make this for a two door? And can you make a two door soft top that doesn't look like crap?

 

[huey]

In this video we compare a Ford Bronco Factory OEM hardtop with our Aftermarket Hard Top.

Highlights

Our hardtop comes in textured black to match the Bronco trim or in a primed finish for painting, while the OEM hardtop is only available in gray
Our hardtop is stronger because the rear section is one consistent panel, while the OEM hardtop is four pieces that flex
Our hardtop has a rubber seal for complete and consistent sealing, while OEM hardtop has gaps that create airflow and moisture
Our hardtop has the wiper washer assembly in a better location to reduce stress on components, while the factory hardtop stresses components
OEM hardtop can have issues with moisture entering the laminate and paper core, causing mold and separation, while our hardtop uses closed cell foam to prevent these issues

I do like the mild slant back feature of the ADV top, but for the price difference and losing the ability to remove the rear passenger section its a no for me. I have yet to encounter leaks and the wind noise is fine(as expected) with me on the OEM. I am sure others will jump on this and hopefully they are happy with their choice.

 

[Slick85]

I don't plan to take off the panels at all so the one piece is completely fine for me... I also like the slight slant back compared to the more boxy OEM version.

 

[Zstngz]

Cons of the ADV top:

1) its not 4 pieces and way less modular... (biggest blunder here)
- you can only remove the front row or the whole thing
- design limits compatibility with other aftermarket accessories
- not able to remove the front and second row (leaving cargo area covered)
- not able to cover the front two rows (leaving just the cargo area exposed)
- the 4 piece design is what makes the Bronco top superior to the Wrangler, yet they decided to go with the Jeep approach which is actually the #1 reason most hardtop Jeep owners rarely remove the top (the combined 2nd row/cargo area is more difficult to manage)

2) fit issues (alignment of the panels and seals) is mediocre compared to factory (not surprising considering their fender fitments)

3) "splotchy" inconsistent finish all over the panels (if the best ones they are publicizing photos of look like that, can you imagine what the worst ones will look like?)


They should stick to marketing this for what it is. A consolation prize for folks who couldn't get a factory top and are wiling to live with something that has functionality drawbacks.

Attempting this spin of trying to market this as a superior product is going to backfire (as already evidenced here).

I agree

 

[Finbox]

Thanks for the video.

But for the love of God, what are the differences in the noise levels between your top and the factory top?
This is the number one reason people complain about the bronco hardtop. sure there a hard top that have delaminated and print trough, but all of them are noisy.

Basically I’m waiting on the noise difference in your top and the factory top before I even consider it

 

[JediMcMuffin]

Cons of the ADV top:

1) its not 4 pieces and way less modular... (biggest blunder here)
- you can only remove the front row or the whole thing
- design limits compatibility with other aftermarket accessories
- not able to remove the front and second row (leaving cargo area covered)
- not able to cover the front two rows (leaving just the cargo area exposed)
- the 4 piece design is what makes the Bronco top superior to the Wrangler, yet they decided to go with the Jeep approach which is actually the #1 reason most hardtop Jeep owners rarely remove the top (the combined 2nd row/cargo area is more difficult to manage)

I thought they covered their reasons for this pretty well, but also seems clear this solution is for people who hardly if ever remove their top. I put my soft top down every single day and have nowhere to store a hard top.

2) fit issues (alignment of the panels and seals) is mediocre compared to factory (not surprising considering their fender fitments)

This is just flat out not true. It’s clearly a tighter spec design with better deals.

3) "splotchy" inconsistent finish all over the panels (if the best ones they are publicizing photos of look like that, can you imagine what the worst ones will look like?)

Plenty of threads right here on 6G of mismatched MIC colors. I’ve seen this in person it’s pretty flawless.

They should stick to marketing this for what it is. A consolation prize for folks who couldn't get a factory top and are wiling to live with something that has functionality drawbacks.

Attempting this spin of trying to market this as a superior product is going to backfire (as already evidenced here).

So I do agree, it’s less modular than a MIC top, but that’s half the point. I don’t think it’s fair to be so critical when the only way to acquire a MIC is to pray for a private sale that will be 6K or more or to spin the dice and order an entire second Bronco. The real bullshit here is that FMC told folks they’d be able to order a MIC afterwards and you really can’t.

 

[Kjbeggs]

But nice try and interesting marketing approach considering folks have been so quick to point out the flaws and disadvantages of the ADV top.
[/QUOTE]
Can you elaborate on these "flaws and disadvantages"? I know some people don't like the slant, or the positioning of the wiper (which they explain their reasoning behind), and some people like having that removable second row (which they also explain their reasoning for not going with), but those are design choices, not flaws...

 

[Kjbeggs]

"OEM colors aren't consistent, I've seen many broncos"
*Shows one Bronco for 5 seconds*
then changes trajectory lol.

I get what you're selling, and I like it, but the us vs. them is kinda moot, I think.

I think most of us have seen tons of examples of OEM tops with mismatched panels...

 

[ICUGAZN]

"We're not going to talk in a negative light"
~Proceeds to talk in a negative light~

lol. The top looks good though.

LOL, yeah that was my thoughts too.

 

[ADV Fiberglass]

I don't get his very first point point about scratches in MIC. If you scratch MIC, you still see gray, not primer or bare steel.

If you scratch your OEM top, you can not touch it up (unless you paint the entire top to cover the scratch). The scratch will always be there. If you scratch our top, you can touch it up with texture in that scratched area.

 

[ADV Fiberglass]

What about accessories such as the Sunrider or Skyrider? Do they still fit?

We contacted Bestop to get a sunrider and test with our top. We are very confident that it will work but will report back once we confirm.

 

[ADV Fiberglass]

"We're not going to talk in a negative light"
~Proceeds to talk in a negative light~

lol. The top looks good though.

Just pointing out the differences

 

[ADV Fiberglass]

Any plans for a 2-door hard top?

Not at this time.

 

[ADV Fiberglass]

I think most of us have seen tons of examples of OEM tops with mismatched panels...

Yes, we thought this was already widely known (like you mentioned) which is why we did not bother showing more content about it.

Sponsored