Review: BroncoBikini

[jensht]

With the prolonged lack of rain I figured why not try a Bikini top for the Bronco. After looking at the various options I decided on BroncoBikini (BroncoBikini.com) since it can stay on with the hardtop installed. I wanted something that provides shade and handle the occasional unexpected rain. An added bonus is being able to be used at highway speeds as well. The time between the order and me receiving it here in Germany was 9 days! I was expecting a much longer timeframe. Dan (the owner) was super responsive to questions and managed to reduce the package size so we could save on international shipping. Of course when I got it, we suddenly had two weeks of rain...

Now that it is on, and I was able to use it for several weeks, I am really impressed by the quality and fitment. Installation was a breeze, the YouTube videos Dan made show every step of the process very clearly. It took me longer to remove the hardtop than to actually install the bikini top. I decided on Sea Gull Gray and I am very happy with the choice. It seems a perfect blend between sun shading, making the inside a lot less dark, and resistance to regular dirt (at least so far). I tested the 100 mph claim multiple times. Where I live, one of the stretches of Autobahn has no speed limit, cruising speed has me sitting on the speed limiter regularly. While I won't claim that it is quiet at top speed, the Bronco isn't quiet with either the top on or off at those speeds, but the top has minimal flapping and is pretty taught. I would say that for more normal speeds up to 50-60 mph the top doesn't cause any noticeable noise and isn't really different than without the Bikini top.

I haven't had a chance to test the rain resistance as we are in the midst of a drought, but my gut feeling after having the top, is that the claim that Dan makes, and the videos he has posted, are legit.

Overall, I would highly recommend this if you are looking for a Bikini top. Service, quality of materials, and fitment are top notch. Being able to leave it on with the hardtop and not having to drill or tape anything on the Bronco was a major selling point for me.

Sponsored

 

[jbob5059]

Dan is great to work with and an easy person to want to support. I have his new tight weave mesh option and echo everything you just said (minus the Autobahn stuff lol). High quality product and most importantly... No Velcro!

 

[Lifeliberty]

Can I get some pics of what it looks like from the inside? When you're sitting in the cabin? Looking back? That'd be great.

Most of the pics of tops is if what others see/view. I want pics of what the operator views

 

[jensht]

Can I get some pics of what it looks like from the inside? When you're sitting in the cabin? Looking back? That'd be great.

Most of the pics of tops is if what others see/view. I want pics of what the operator views

I'll get some when I am back from a business trip.

 

[jensht]

Can I get some pics of what it looks like from the inside? When you're sitting in the cabin? Looking back? That'd be great.

Most of the pics of tops is if what others see/view. I want pics of what the operator views

I actually just noticed that there are some interior pictures in their gallery https://photos.google.com/share/AF1...?key=ODc3V05yQWg0UEpHMnNSYXRTQXpQb2tLUDNsSHFR

Let me know if you want any specific pictures and I'll get them once I am back home.

I also remembered that they had a rain testing video that I watched when I was looking into the different products:

 

[pquinn10182]

Been eyeballing these, but am curious how they would fit if you also had an overhead molle panel (eyeballing those as well). Just curious if anyone has a set up like that. Thinking maybe a higher midline on the bikini would help with shedding the water.

thanks for the review and any info.

also, new member (first comment) and was wondering if anyone knew where to find the “welcome here’s the rules” thread. Showed up when I registered, but when I went back to read it was gone.

 

[DALOLA]

I took a chance on this one, figured even if it sucked, for 35 bucks, worth a shot.

AND, it's shockingly good! Certainly not of the quality mentioned here, but for $35, it's an outrageous value. I can't believe how well it works as a sun filter....lets some sun in, but blocks enough to not feel hot. Also doesn't flap at all, and can stay on under the hard top, by just removing a couple bungees.

It's a great option for those of us not wanting to spend a fortune on a mesh bikini top.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BVBJN2KG?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

 

[doubleabeepbeep]

Dan is great to work with and an easy person to want to support. I have his new tight weave mesh option and echo everything you just said (minus the Autobahn stuff lol). High quality product and most importantly... No Velcro!

I am looking REAL hard at this option. Does the tight weave still let a decent amount of light in?

 

[Fargrim]

It is debatable whether or not the Bronco Bikini can remain on under your hard top. When properly installed you CANNOT place your front panels back on the truck (I have a 2DR so I have no idea about the middle panel on 4DRs.) You CAN remove the canvas from the 4 front posts and either loosely secure it or fold it back toward the back of the truck. The part under the large rear roof section can remain permanently installed.

If you are the kind of person that wants to take their front panels on and off a lot or you live in a region where you cannot afford to leave the front panels off for long stretches of time, consider the following experience I’ve had if you are looking at the Bronco Bikini.

When you want to take your hard top back off, you need to reinstall the canvas to the 4 posts up front and because the fitment is extremely tight, you will have to use significant force to reinstall it, especially since you are now fighting against rearward tension too. Dan suggests that the fabric will relax over time but I haven’t had mine long enough to experience that.

I’m a bit miffed that everything I read about this bimini states it can be installed under the hard top. I expected it to be fully installed and taut under the roof based on what others have said. I learned that was wrong after fully installing mine.

So, I’m not sure what I’m going to do with mine and I don’t know if there is a return policy. Dan is so great and the product is top notch quality that I’m wary about giving up on it but if it doesn’t relax a sufficient amount, all I’m going to experience is frustration when I want my roof off. The Bronco roof panels are so quick and easy to remove that it would be a shame to have to spend more time and more energy to have a shade.

 

[doubleabeepbeep]

It is debatable whether or not the Bronco Bikini can remain on under your hard top. When properly installed you CANNOT place your front panels back on the truck (I have a 2DR so I have no idea about the middle panel on 4DRs.) You CAN remove the canvas from the 4 front posts and either loosely secure it or fold it back toward the back of the truck. The part under the large rear roof section can remain permanently installed.

If you are the kind of person that wants to take their front panels on and off a lot or you live in a region where you cannot afford to leave the front panels off for long stretches of time, consider the following experience I’ve had if you are looking at the Bronco Bikini.

When you want to take your hard top back off, you need to reinstall the canvas to the 4 posts up front and because the fitment is extremely tight, you will have to use significant force to reinstall it, especially since you are now fighting against rearward tension too. Dan suggests that the fabric will relax over time but I haven’t had mine long enough to experience that.

I’m a bit miffed that everything I read about this bimini states it can be installed under the hard top. I expected it to be fully installed and taut under the roof based on what others have said. I learned that was wrong after fully installing mine.

So, I’m not sure what I’m going to do with mine and I don’t know if there is a return policy. Dan is so great and the product is top notch quality that I’m wary about giving up on it but if it doesn’t relax a sufficient amount, all I’m going to experience is frustration when I want my roof off. The Bronco roof panels are so quick and easy to remove that it would be a shame to have to spend more time and more energy to have a shade.

Curious which version you went with. I am looking at the tight weave mesh.

I feel like having to pull the top tight is worth NOT having the huge gap at the windshield most of these bimini/bikini tops have. I was thinking if I pick one of these up I would go with shorter bolts to make it a little easier to get the top stretched over them. I don't know how long it will take the Broncobikini to 'relax', but it took my rear cargo cover from ford a few months to relax enough to get it on without some serious pulling.

The real PITA in my opinion is getting access to all the latches when the bimini is on. Especially those center ones on the front panels. Loosening the top to reach in works, but it seems like you would have that droopy headliner feel leaving it like this.

The best solution in my opinion is zippers like the BestTop has. The BesTop lost me with that bolt in support rod. I want to be able to go completely topless without busting out the torx.

If Dan had put zippers in his, I would have already bought one. I wonder how much a good upholstery shop or similar would charge to add zippers?

 

[Fargrim]

Curious which version you went with. I am looking at the tight weave mesh.

I feel like having to pull the top tight is worth NOT having the huge gap at the windshield most of these bimini/bikini tops have. I was thinking if I pick one of these up I would go with shorter bolts to make it a little easier to get the top stretched over them. I don't know how long it will take the Broncobikini to 'relax', but it took my rear cargo cover from ford a few months to relax enough to get it on without some serious pulling.

The real PITA in my opinion is getting access to all the latches when the bimini is on. Especially those center ones on the front panels. Loosening the top to reach in works, but it seems like you would have that droopy headliner feel leaving it like this.

The best solution in my opinion is zippers like the BestTop has. The BesTop lost me with that bolt in support rod. I want to be able to go completely topless without busting out the torx.

If Dan had put zippers in his, I would have already bought one. I wonder how much a good upholstery shop or similar would charge to add zippers?

I got the canvas version. I agree that I don’t want a gap at the front and that is a benefit of how the bikini installs. The only latches currently accessible with the bikini fully installed are the two outside latches. The 4 middle latches (front and back) and the front corner hook latches are all blocked by the canvas.

JTops apparently solved the front coverage thing with some fold back section but I have no idea how good it is. Plus I don’t really want to put acrylic adhesive Velcro on my truck to install a shade.

I don’t have any problem with Bronco Bikini as a product. I just have a problem with it being touted as a “install under hardtop” option. Granted, the store page does not state this but a lot of reviews I have read about it do state this.

Sponsored