Painted top (fundamentally different?)

[Nc211]

I’ve now seen a few broncos with the factory painted top. I’m not sure how that’s going to be any better than the MIC top, unless if it’s more rigid and stronger inside of it? Seems like the paint would crack as it flexes? What about scratches too? Piano black shows everything. Am I missing something as to why Ford would do this? Not tying to bash the new hard top, still looks great, just not sure I understand why it would be considered better than the original MIC?

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[Ducati1098]

They're completely different tops. It isn't just a MIC top painted black.
As far as flexing and cracks, painted Mod tops have been out for a while now with no reports of that. No reason to think that would be an issue yet.

 

[Lowcountry Bronco]

I’ve now seen a few broncos with the factory painted top. I’m not sure how that’s going to be any better than the MIC top, unless if it’s more rigid and stronger inside of it? Seems like the paint would crack as it flexes? What about scratches too? Piano black shows everything. Am I missing something as to why Ford would do this? Not tying to bash the new hard top, still looks great, just not sure I understand why it would be considered better than the original MIC?

All I can speak to is the HE top that I've had since 9/23 and there's no cracking or creaking with mine. I'm pretty sure the V2 painted mod tops are the same design as the white top on mine. Now as for flex stress, there's a few HE's that regularly go off road (@5GENIDN) and I've seen no issues reported. They are heavier, at least the V1's are, so I imagine that relates to rigidity/strength. There's an old infopic back from the old days that describe the then differences between the MIC and the Mod but they're not the same and they're not just a painted MIC.

As for the color, it's the same Shadow Black paint that's offered through-out the Ford range but you can option body-color if you prefer.

 

[BigFootie]

While mine is only 1 1/2 years old, absolutely no signs of any cracking. This is not just a painted MIC top.

 

[Imaginary Friend]

The painted tops are essentially like Jeep's, totally different animal than the MIC as stated.

Both my JK hardtops were flawless and never had an issue, despite one of them going through a hell of a hailstorm.

 

[5GENIDN]

All I can speak to is the HE top that I've had since 9/23 and there's no cracking or creaking with mine. I'm pretty sure the V2 painted mod tops are the same design as the white top on mine. Now as for flex stress, there's a few HE's that regularly go off road (@5GENIDN) and I've seen no issues reported. They are heavier, at least the V1's are, so I imagine that relates to rigidity/strength. There's an old infopic back from the old days that describe the then differences between the MIC and the Mod but they're not the same and they're not just a painted MIC.

As for the color, it's the same Shadow Black paint that's offered through-out the Ford range but you can option body-color if you prefer.

Nc211

Quite, drip free, awesomeness.... They will scratch so I had the sides up to the roof PPFed.... PPF is fantastic because all of my past rigs had major racing stripes by now... Not this... Zero.... And let me promise you, I have pushed a lot of branches.....

 

[Lowcountry Bronco]

Here's the old thread from '21 with the differences:

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...h”-and-confirms-removable-rear-windows.12915/

Don't forget the 2 door mod tops get the gunners hatch too but both 2/4 doors have lost the rear windows being removable ... the MIC never had either of those.

 

[5GENIDN]

Here's the old thread from '21 with the differences:

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/“bronco-dealer-playbook”-describes-mic-and-mod-modular-top-differences-shows-larger-“gunner’s-hatch”-and-confirms-removable-rear-windows.12915/

Don't forget the 2 door mod tops get the gunners hatch too but both 2/4 doors have lost the rear windows being removable ... the MIC never had either of those.

You know I did not think of that... I bet the new 2 door black or painted tops have the gunners hatch as well... You are right, they will not have the removable rear quarter windows though. That was discontinued when they had problems with the adhesive and windows were just falling out in early to mid 24...

 

[CMillBronco]

Here's the old thread from '21 with the differences:

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/“bronco-dealer-playbook”-describes-mic-and-mod-modular-top-differences-shows-larger-“gunner’s-hatch”-and-confirms-removable-rear-windows.12915/

Don't forget the 2 door mod tops get the gunners hatch too but both 2/4 doors have lost the rear windows being removable ... the MIC never had either of those.

I remember reading that thread before my '21 order and hoping the MOD would come out before my order was built, NOPE.

 

[Lowcountry Bronco]

You know I did not think of that... I bet the new 2 door black or painted tops have the gunners hatch as well... You are right, they will not have the removable rear quarter windows though. That was discontinued when they had problems with the adhesive and windows were just falling out in early to mid 24...

Yep, all the new V2 painted tops get the gunners hatch on the 2 doors! I have the removable rear windows on mine but it wasn't long after that when they were pulled from production ... I don't know if that's a good thing or not for mine but no issues with them so far.

 

[5GENIDN]

Yep, all the new V2 painted tops get the gunners hatch on the 2 doors! I have the removable rear windows on mine but it wasn't long after that when they were pulled from production ... I don't know if that's a good thing or not for mine but no issues with them so far.

Cool to hear about the gunner's hatch... Probably great for parades...LOL... I am in the same boat with my rear quarters... Windows are still in though.

 

[OCNORB1974]

Here's the old thread from '21 with the differences:

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/“bronco-dealer-playbook”-describes-mic-and-mod-modular-top-differences-shows-larger-“gunner’s-hatch”-and-confirms-removable-rear-windows.12915/

Don't forget the 2 door mod tops get the gunners hatch too but both 2/4 doors have lost the rear windows being removable ... the MIC never had either of those.

I don't why they even offered removable glass, mine has it, but I'm certain I will never remove them.

 

[Lowcountry Bronco]

I don't why they even offered removable glass, mine has it, but I'm certain I will never remove them.

Same, I've never taken them out ... I'll throw it out again, Ford or the after-market needs to offer a rear sliding window!

 

[Blackcat]

I wish they kept the removeable windows. The one and only thing I prefer one my wife's Wrangler is the sky one touch with the removeable windows. Jeep did a really good job on that top and I hope someday Ford can come up with something similar.

 

[Sparkie]

Yep, all the new V2 painted tops get the gunners hatch on the 2 doors! I have the removable rear windows on mine but it wasn't long after that when they were pulled from production ... I don't know if that's a good thing or not for mine but no issues with them so far.

Yeah, I don't think it was a good thing. Indeed, I would like to have had removable windows on my hard top, but my Bronco Heritage was one of the last built in 2024.
However, I am grateful that Ford did not push my order out into MY25 and I was still able to get my 2 door Bronco.

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