Looking for some feedback on a possible trade

[Warchild]

I currently have a 2024 Bronco Big Bend with the SAS package. It's been great so far but I test drove a Badlands last week with a hardtop and 2.7 and didn't realize how much more insulated it feels inside. Are all hardtops insulated like the one I test drove was? It had like a felt black liner. Also I have seen too many posts even on Facebook about issues with the hardtop cracking among other issues. Is this a common thing with hardtops? I was looking at possibly trading in for a Heritage knowing that it has the painted hardtop but can't find any with the auxiliary switches. A factory hard top is 5k which seems stupid, maybe trading and gaining some other features for the money is smart. Any feedback would be great. I don't care much about the 2.7 just the hard top and aux switches.

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[jehines3]

Pointing out the obvious. Trading in a year old anything will be a massive hit, to then trade it and restart another massive hit. Assuming you otherwise love your Bronco, Buy a hard top if you want one. You will lose more than $5k on the trade.
I have a Badlands and did a dynomat upgrade in the back and it helped. I’m a soft top guy and holding out for a black painted mod top. I wasn’t settling in 2021 and 2022 and surely not settling now.

 

[Lowcountry Bronco]

Early MIC tops didn't have the headliner standard and then Ford added it to all of them, think this changed back for '24 or '25 where the headliner is an option again. Just a quick note, the HT on the HE is different than the gray MIC top and doesn't have the cracking issues like the MIC does.

I do have a question for you ... you mention a Badlands then say you want a Heritage ... the standard Heritage is based on the Big Bend you already have but with the Mid package so what is it that you're looking for besides an actual hardtop? you have the sasquatch package on the one you have now so getting an HE gets you nothing except the appearance items.

 

[Warchild]

Early MIC tops didn't have the headliner standard and then Ford added it to all of them, think this changed back for '24 or '25 where the headliner is an option again. Just a quick note, the HT on the HE is different than the gray MIC top and doesn't have the cracking issues like the MIC does.

I do have a question for you ... you mention a Badlands then say you want a Heritage ... the standard Heritage is based on the Big Bend you already have but with the Mid package so what is it that you're looking for besides an actual hardtop? you have the sasquatch package on the one you have now so getting an HE gets you nothing except the appearance items.

I like the painted hardtop on the Heritage because it is different than the hardtop on the standard bronco being that it is painted. If I can get a painted hardtop in black I would just buy it from Ford, not a fan of the original gray top with the issues it seems to have. Also really want the auxiliary switches but looks like they do not come on the Heritage unless you order one and select it as an option. Also the Heritage has the V6 and even though I am happy with the 2.3 it may be more versatile in the future if I needed to tow something. Most likely just sticking with what I have and wait for the painted hardtops to be available. Looks like a nightmare to have the auxiliary switches installed after purchase.

 

[jehines3]

I like the painted hardtop on the Heritage because it is different than the hardtop on the standard bronco being that it is painted. If I can get a painted hardtop in black I would just buy it from Ford, not a fan of the original gray top with the issues it seems to have. Also really want the auxiliary switches but looks like they do not come on the Heritage unless you order one and select it as an option. Also the Heritage has the V6 and even though I am happy with the 2.3 it may be more versatile in the future if I needed to tow something. Most likely just sticking with what I have and wait for the painted hardtops to be available. Looks like a nightmare to have the auxiliary switches installed after purchase.

There are excellent aftermarket options to do aux switches. I have the aux switches and have yet to even hook anything up to them. I was gonna add strobes on #3 since I also use my truck for work, but I got the BCM module to run factory lights as strobes so that problem was solved in 10 minutes.

Oracle mirrors is my next project so I’ll start loading up the switches next.

 

[Lowcountry Bronco]

I like the painted hardtop on the Heritage because it is different than the hardtop on the standard bronco being that it is painted. If I can get a painted hardtop in black I would just buy it from Ford, not a fan of the original gray top with the issues it seems to have. Also really want the auxiliary switches but looks like they do not come on the Heritage unless you order one and select it as an option. Also the Heritage has the V6 and even though I am happy with the 2.3 it may be more versatile in the future if I needed to tow something. Most likely just sticking with what I have and wait for the painted hardtops to be available. Looks like a nightmare to have the auxiliary switches installed after purchase.

Might be awhile before the painted tops become available to order separately but it looks like you're enjoying the soft top, it's allot harder to pull everything off with the hardtop on a whim. I'm happy with my 2.3 + manual + 2 door trifecta but if I had wanted a 4 door I probably would have optioned out for the 2.7. As for the aux switches, yes, you have to choose them when you order but there's a few companies out there that make controllers and there's threads from people that have installed them if you really need to control more than a few set of lights, don't forget you can easily add the factory fog light switch if you're only wanting to add those.

https://iagoffroad.com/iag-auxiliar...i0Y9Cw0_fMFwtIC9_JGJ7VTretD6iMRCI9XeyVg&gQT=2

Either way, good luck, I'd keep what you have for the time being unless you have the cash to spare.

 

[Warchild]

Might be awhile before the painted tops become available to order separately but it looks like you're enjoying the soft top, it's allot harder to pull everything off with the hardtop on a whim. I'm happy with my 2.3 + manual + 2 door trifecta but if I had wanted a 4 door I probably would have optioned out for the 2.7. As for the aux switches, yes, you have to choose them when you order but there's a few companies out there that make controllers and there's threads from people that have installed them if you really need to control more than a few set of lights, don't forget you can easily add the factory fog light switch if you're only wanting to add those.

https://iagoffroad.com/iag-auxiliar...i0Y9Cw0_fMFwtIC9_JGJ7VTretD6iMRCI9XeyVg&gQT=2

Either way, good luck, I'd keep what you have for the time being unless you have the cash to spare.

Yeah the soft top is good, my only issue is the rear window and not having enough access to the entire trunk space like a hardtop does when you open the tailgate. Yeah the rear window props up but not enough. Those auxiliary switches look nice, have to look into those at some point.

 

[Lowcountry Bronco]

Yeah the soft top is good, my only issue is the rear window and not having enough access to the entire trunk space like a hardtop does when you open the tailgate. Yeah the rear window props up but not enough. Those auxiliary switches look nice, have to look into those at some point.

Another link for you, there's top struts out there for the back, still not as open as the hardtop but you don't have the hassle of the prop rod when you're trying to load something.

https://iagoffroad.com/iag-performa...89rt0Oo6sKml_6s7ELC2j4g91Cc2KD9xoCKa4QAvD_BwE

 

[GoHawks63]

I have to say though, the Aux switches really make things easy. I installed the tri-fog lights in my modular bunper along with the nudge bar with four spotlights on my WT and wiring was a breeze.

 

[Warchild]

I have to say though, the Aux switches really make things easy. I installed the tri-fog lights in my modular bunper along with the nudge bar with four spotlights on my WT and wiring was a breeze.

You can buy the auxiliary switches from Ford but they are expensive and having them installed looks crazy, they have to take half your dash apart and who knows if everything goes back correctly. Looks like there are some after market options but I do like the placement of the ones from Ford up top.

 

[GoHawks63]

You can buy the auxiliary switches from Ford but they are expensive and having them installed looks crazy, they have to take half your dash apart and who knows if everything goes back correctly. Looks like there are some after market options but I do like the placement of the ones from Ford up top.

Would never go through that post build. I meant if you order it that way brim the factory.

 

[Unfortuitous]

If the hit on a trade in is really bad and you really want the Aux switches, the install is really not that bad. You don't have to touch the dash. It is just a few bolts and the plastic panels along the "A" pillar and the sunvisor area. (ok, a lot of small panels, but take it slow with a good trim tool and they should all pop out in a few minutes).

This shop is selling all the OEM parts for 900, which although pricey, may be way more economical than going the trade-in route. This video is great and gives you an idea of what you would be up against. I'm seriously contemplating ordering the kit myself for my BB.

Ford Bronco OEM Upfitter Switches Install

Hope that helps and good luck

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