4 years in, finally see a crack in hardtop!

[DarthLincoln]

To me, what one does after the top is out of warranty and we’re on our own is the question. Do they continue to crack, delaminate and ultimately completely fail requiring total replacement or stop short of that and remain usable? Why are they failing? Is the outer shell too thin? Or is the shell delaminating from the substrate. Personally I’m convinced twisting, whether from Moab type driving or crossing the curb gutter into the gas station or doctors offIce over and over again combined with a design or manufacturing defect is the cause.

There’s nothing that I can find on YouTube, here or anywhere else for that matter where someone has cut a top apart and taken a good look.

Ford’s investigation mentioned in the recall was that the outer skin has areas of delamination and this gets progressively worse with thermo cycling and stress that results in cracking.

The MIC top is a paper honeycomb (PHC) form that is milled, then covered top and bottom by glass fibers and polyurethane to make the base structure. You can see this polyurethane fiberglass surface on the bottom surfaces of the hardtop parts. Then an outer skin of poly-methyl methacrylate (PMMA) is added to get the consistent texture and color.

More here: https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...-delamination-may-15-2026.132966/post-2884016

There have been some examples of extreme delamination - the fiberglass structure underneath the pealed outer skin looks intact, but without the skin, moisture maybe able to get into the cardboard if it is not fully covered by the polyurethane.

Mine is out of warranty and i haven’t been able to find any cracks, but do see some subtle delamination spots on the top surface. So I think it is only a matter of time. I’ll probably just attempt to seal any spots where it cracks or peels away, but still looking for a good replacement option.

Sponsored

 

[23OBX2.7]

Living in Southern Arizona shows me what parking a vehicle outdoors in the sun does to it. Clear coat is burned off, plastic and vinyl trim pieces are cracked. Vehicles parked in a garage don’t show those kind of problems.

I put on a $40 amazon cover on that fits perfectly and takes less than a min with 2 people when parked outside for more than 1 hr just to block acidic bird droppings and tree stickies.....cars always look new at 48th mth

 

[Bugkillah]

My two door came with a cracked top, and not just a little but a lot.

 

[Dan-O]

Of course it’s no question that Sun can cause premature aging and issues to man made objects, but garage kept MICs and new MICs cracking kind of kills the theory of MICs cracking because they’re parked outside.

'UV does worse than no uv'
Empirical
There is no argument.

Here's yer sign:

Of course it’s no question that Sun can cause premature aging and issues to man made objects, but garage kept MICs and new MICs cracking kind of kills the theory of MICs cracking because they’re parked outside.

 

[Phil B]

You made me go look. Not quite 38 months, garaged, 14,000 miles. Guess what. Cracks that were not there 2 months ago when it was still under warranty. Anybody know if the the Ford Protect extended warranty will cover this?

 

[Ducati1098]

Anybody know if the Ford Protect extended warranty will cover this?

No, it will not.
Hardtop is only covered under 3/36

 

[mrjking2000]

i've been able to garage it since i bought it. and i run through touchless automatics quite frequently. i haven't combed over every inch of the top just yet, but the sides seem fine minus these two small cracks at the hinges. will investigate more tomorrow.

 

[Eldowerks]

I put on a $40 amazon cover on that fits perfectly and takes less than a min with 2 people when parked outside for more than 1 hr just to block acidic bird droppings and tree stickies.....

Link please?

 

[Rydfree]

Do you park your Bronco outside or do you park it in a garage. Broncos that are parked in a garage last longer without cracking.

My 4 replacement tops in 3 years and the one Ford never installed due to it being cracked straight out of the crate would argue that is incorrect.

Most vehicles that are garaged, like mine, are garaged mostly during night hours anyway.

 

[Jakob1972]

I Raptor liner’ed my top my self. I thought it would look totally different than the mic with the texture and being black. I really don’t notice it and most folks I have to tell them it is different than stock.
But I am surprised how much that rear section where the hinges attach flexes when closing the rear glass.

 

[TPadden72]

Many people on this forum over the years have posted MIC hardtop cracking issues...

Certainly enough that every new cracked MIC discovered (with no new information or solution) doesn't require another thread.

Tom

 

[Atthelake152]

Certainly enough that every new cracked MIC discovered (with no new information or solution) doesn't require another thread.

Tom

Just wait until November to see how many will start once the solution for the current recall comes out.

 

[Braptor23_CO]

I agree. IMO, all these tops are going to eventually crack or delaminate. Since I plan to keep my Bronco forever....I dumped the MIC and purchased an Armadillo top. No more worries and a peace of mind.

Armadillo? Please explain or Link.

 

[Dral97]

I'm five years in and I think mine's still ok. I'm going to give it a good check tonight after work though.

 

[DUSTYcazOREGON]

Armadillo? Please explain or Link.

It is a solid all aluminum replacement hardtop, strong as heck. Can customize it as far as colors and add ons. They make it for the 2 door, 4 door and Raptor. Link added here and photos of one on my 2 door.
Armadillo Designs

Sponsored