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The 2021 Bronco almost had a fold down windshield

BroncoBuckaroo

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Here is why it didn't make it on the production version.

2021 Ford Bronco Almost Had A Foldable Windshield

“We looked at that. In the original vehicle, you could do that,” Paul Wraith, Bronco chief designer, told Ford Authority executive editor, Alex Luft, in a recent interview. “But it brings with it some problems. It does provide the user with a fairly rare event, since you start getting into things like flat windshields, which is a compromised construction around pillars.”

“So what we actually really wanted to do is to provide a very open-air feel, thin out the pillars as much as we could, which is why we have the airbags in the sport tubes,” Wraith explained. “That provided people a very safe envelope for people to sit within. So when you look at tradeoffs, we think we made the right one – but it’s very safe, very open, and a good experience – and I think we made the right tradeoff.”

https://fordauthority.com/2020/10/2021-ford-bronco-almost-had-a-foldable-windshield/
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Toccoa

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So glad it doesn’t have one.
 

High Proof

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BroncoBuckaroo

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Interesting. I bet the Bronco windshield doesn't get cracked as easily as the Wrangler's. I'm on my third or fourth windshield now. Roadtrips are bad for Wrangler windshields.
I was wondering about that - first gen broncos didn't seem to have that problem
 

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BroncoJay

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Ya no thanks
 

NoDoorsNoProblem

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So glad it doesn’t have one.
Same here. This feels like the most gimmicky feature on Jeeps IMO. I don’t think anyone who enjoys and wants the open air driving experiences takes off their doors and roof and decides “you know what would be better? Wind directly in my eyeballs at 45mph”

I also don’t really see the merits of it for off roading. It’s glass...putting it down isn’t going to increase visibility like taking doors off does.
 

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I have my doors off all the time. I've never once put the windshield down. I can see the attraction in a few very limited cases. Maybe on a slow trail with beautiful views or something like that. I've just never found it worth the effort personally. Add in that you need a flat windshield to do it and it's really not worth having the capability.
 
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BroncoBuckaroo

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Same here. This feels like the most gimmicky feature on Jeeps IMO. I don’t think anyone who enjoys and wants the open air driving experiences takes off their doors and roof and decides “you know what would be better? Wind directly in my eyeballs at 45mph”

I also don’t really see the merits of it for off roading. It’s glass...putting it down isn’t going to increase visibility like taking doors off does.
Supposedly the original Jeep had fold down windows to fit in crates in aircraft, in addition they could fold down the window and transport wounded on a transport board or litter.

Probably just continued in on and it really is usesless
 

NPBronco91

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Cool read but very happy they did opt into this. I honestly would have loved to have seen the rear window with a motor if they were trying to bring out older Bronco concepts.
 

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High Proof

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I remember when there was talk that the latest model (JL) Wrangler might not get a fold down windshield. People went crazy! You would have 1000 people screaming but in reality only 1 or 2 had ever put their windshield down.
 

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WOW!!!

A lot of people in this thread have never offroaded in a convertible before.

The advantage of a folding windshield is that the dust kicked up doesn't swirl back over the back and sides, covering you and the interior with dirt.

It's as simple as that.
 

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Not like Jeep really does it anymore either. I mean, the JL still has a full window frame with the glass down. ?

Ford Bronco The 2021 Bronco almost had a fold down windshield 1602461970283
 

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WOW!!!

A lot of people in this thread have never offroaded in a convertible before.

The advantage of a folding windshield is that the dust kicked up doesn't swirl back over the back and sides, covering you and the interior with dirt.

It's as simple as that.
I've off-roaded in a convertible. Never thought of this though. Interesting take. Thanks.

Might feel differently if you are second in line on the dusty road though...
 

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I've off-roaded in a convertible. Never thought of this though. Interesting take. Thanks.
(y)

Cars stopped having folding windshields standard once most of the roads were paved.
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