Hardtop issues Painted vs MIC

[Shawngod5269]

I have seen a lot of posts lately on the cracks with the MIC hard tops. What i haven’t been able to find is if these issues are also present in the painted top. I was planning on going with the MIC top but if i can avoid the cracking i will definitely go with the painted option. Thanks for the help!

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[Lowcountry Bronco]

I have seen a lot of posts lately on the cracks with the MIC hard tops. What i haven’t been able to find is if these issues are also present in the painted top. I was planning on going with the MIC top but if i can avoid the cracking i will definitely go with the painted option. Thanks for the help!

I've had my HE since September '23, no cracks or issues, only problem I've had was a defroster lead popped off the rear glass and dealership fixed it with no further issue.

I'm not sure how different the HE tops are compared to the new gen of mod tops, know there's a few cosmetic differences like headliner and more finished interior that's white vice mine being black. Either way if I was ordering right now I'd option it.

 

[TXBronco1313]

This would be my second Bronco with a painted top and absolutely no issues

 

[RagnarKon]

General FYI...

The white-painted hard top was only available on the Heritage Bronco. We don't know how many Broncos sold were Heritage, but I'm comfortable saying that it most likely less than 10% of the Broncos currently out on the road. And if I was a gambling man I'd say it's probably closer to 5% than 10%.

The black painted hard top has only available since this past summer, less than a year of production. And the body-colored painted hard top is new for 2025.

So just to state the obvious: We're dealing with vastly different sample sizes here. And the overwhelming majority of hard top Broncos currently out on the road have the MIC hard top.

 

[Beach_Bum]

The painted mod top first became available with the Heritage editions (MY'23). For MY'24, it was available on the Raptor. And for MY'25, it will be available on other trims.

The modular painted HT has the same underlying construction, but the outer coating is a SMC(Sheet Molding Compound) sheet vs the thermoplastic coating on the MIC. The early mod tops (version 1) on the Heritage editions had the same interior finish as the MIC whereas that interior finish is much refined with a different headliner on version 2 of the MOD top.

Now due to it's limited availability, the owner sample size is much smaller compared to owners of the MIC so potential problems will also be limited in being reported. With that said, the expectation of the modular HT outer coating will be more robust as the SMC sheet is thicker than the MIC.

I would recommend ordering the painted HT if it is available.

Edit: I'm in the habit of differentiating between the two tops as calling one the MIC and the other Modular HT. But technically, the early Heritage editions are the only ones with the Modular HT. When the removable rear windows were eliminated, then it no longer is modular and is just a painted HT. I referenced a version 1 and version 2 above. But technically, there is only a version 1 modular HT and a version 1 painted HT. Hope that makes sense. Old habits are hard to break.

 

[Shawngod5269]

General FYI...

The white-painted hard top was only available on the Heritage Bronco. We don't know how many Broncos sold were Heritage, but I'm comfortable saying that it most likely less than 10% of the Broncos currently out on the road. And if I was a gambling man I'd say it's probably closer to 5% than 10%.

The black painted hard top has only available since this past summer, less than a year of production. And the body-colored painted hard top is new for 2025.

So just to state the obvious: We're dealing with vastly different sample sizes here. And the overwhelming majority of hard top Broncos currently out on the road have the MIC hard top.

wow i didn’t realize the black top wasn’t out for a while. It was there as long as i can remember since ive been looking.

 

[RagnarKon]

wow i didn’t realize the black top wasn’t out for a while. It was there as long as i can remember since ive been looking.

They had photos of the black-painted hard top at launch way back in 2021. So yes, photos have been out forever.

But it wasn't actually available for ordering until this past spring. Bronco Raptor had the option first, and then it was made available for the other trims in July.

 

[OCNORB1974]

No problems to date with my white modular top (2 door) on my ‘23 Heritage Limited.

 

[DandyMan985]

Zero issues with my shadow black painted hard top. As nice as the day I got it Sept. ‘24 (Job 2,’24) Gotten quite a few comments from other Bronco owners in my area asking to see it since I’m the only one in my area with it. One chap wigged my wife out a little bit when he pulled up along side in awe and told her nice top. I had some explaining to do.

 

[BTMI-Bronco]

I also took delivery of my shadow black hard top ('24 OBX) in September 2024. My only issue has been cosmetic, as the roof panels do not sit entirely flush. I may be the only one that notices it, but it still bugs me a little. Not enough to take it in, but I will probably ask the dealer to take a look during my first regular maintenance visit.

 

[heavyD]

General FYI...

The white-painted hard top was only available on the Heritage Bronco. We don't know how many Broncos sold were Heritage, but I'm comfortable saying that it most likely less than 10% of the Broncos currently out on the road. And if I was a gambling man I'd say it's probably closer to 5% than 10%.

The black painted hard top has only available since this past summer, less than a year of production. And the body-colored painted hard top is new for 2025.

So just to state the obvious: We're dealing with vastly different sample sizes here. And the overwhelming majority of hard top Broncos currently out on the road have the MIC hard top.

Even at that have we seen even a single complaint on one of these roofs regarding the finish or integrity? I think it's safe to say the MOD top a superior roof at this point even with a smaller sample size and well worth the additional price whether you go with the black or body matched color. The MOD top is the entire reason I waited this many years to finally pull the trigger on a Bronco as I just don't think a MIC top equipped Bronco is worth my hard earned money. They are trash and like other Ford mistakes like the powershift transmission, that should have never made the cut to production.

 

[RagnarKon]

Even at that have we seen even a single complaint on one of these roofs regarding the finish or integrity? I think it's safe to say the MOD top a superior roof at this point even with a smaller sample size and well worth the additional price whether you go with the black or body matched color. The MOD top is the entire reason I waited this many years to finally pull the trigger on a Bronco as I just don't think a MIC top equipped Bronco is worth my hard earned money. They are trash and like other Ford mistakes like the powershift transmission, that should have never made the cut to production.

I’ve heard of a few complaints about the mod (Heritage) tops.

But yeah… to your point I haven’t seen anything bad about the newer painted top design. Not sure how many people have them, but I saw a few on my dealer’s lots and they look great to be honest.

 

[brocosaurus]

Only gripe with my mod top is I’m much more scared to scratch it real bad taking it on and off vs a MIC which is silly because I’ll have pinstripes eventually anyway.

 

[heavyD]

I’ve heard of a few complaints about the mod (Heritage) tops.

But yeah… to your point I haven’t seen anything bad about the newer painted top design. Not sure how many people have them, but I saw a few on my dealer’s lots and they look great to be honest.

Out of curiosity what were the complaints? Finish, fitment?

 

[RagnarKon]

Out of curiosity what were the complaints? Finish, fitment?

Yeah. Similar to MIC top.

Which reminds me... do we know if the 2025 Bronco has the modular top or not?? I assume it's getting the newer non-modular painted hard top design that was launched last summer. But I haven't really kept up-to-date on the Heritage trim.

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