2 Door Hardtop Replacement Options?

[mmorgan]

I will also advocate for the Armadillo Designs top. I am coming out of a soft top, so the biggest change is the noise. Its is waaaay quieter than my soft top. The way its design is very nice. You start to notice the little things........this is quality.

The gullwings can lock. I am using DV8 pocket molle's and the work great. I also have room to put things in that location. I have the slant back version, love it. People say I lost room, but not really, at least for my needs. I did lose the space a drop actict shelf would go, but meh no biggie. I did not buy it when I had the soft top. The Havoc shelf I may pick up.

At anyrate I feel theArmadillo top is the BEST aftermarket top now. Strength, quality, I know this top will last the life of my Bronco. As for the wait, I like others in this thread bought early on. I went through revisions and delays. Now that they have the proccess ironed out, and have highered more people, I think they wait times may be a lot shorter, or closer to what they say the times are.

On another subject, who made the interior lighting upgrade in your truck?

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[DUSTYcazOREGON]

More of a warranty question than a hardtop specific one but any advice is appreciated. I have an open claim for a replacement 2-door MIC top, just waiting on it to be delivered to the dealer. In the meantime I’ve exceeded 36k miles. How long should I expect the new top to be warrantied since this is bound to happen again?

My understanding is once your warranty is up, your new top, if it fails is not covered. This is I plan to get an Armadillo top. My MIC is OK so far but my guess...it will eventually fail. Why replace it with another inferior product? Armadillo; one and done, no more worries.

 

[Ninjak]

On another subject, who made the interior lighting upgrade in your truck?

I have these handles, which are basically the Mabett ones before they were branded as such, and the AIGMUX ceiling light.

https://www.amazon.com/Tempsnow-Han...o+grab+handles+with+led+lights,aps,126&sr=8-5
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DK2WC6BM?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

 

[MOBLRN]

I don't own a Bronco, but if it's a known issue with the tops as I believe it is, a good dealership would assist you in any way possible to get it covered, especially if you have used them for any other services and they had an opportunity to potentially see the issue prior to the expiration of your warranty. I did not read all of the 6 pages of replies.

I recently test drove a 2023 that spilled water out of the top onto the passenger (salesman) and it hadn't rained in several days in Norman, OK. It was not a Ford Dealer ship and if I would have had the opportunity to purchase the unit, it would have first gone to the closest Ford Dealership for inspection before I would have signed the documents. They still wanted over MSRP for a used unit with 6000 miles on it. I'm glad for some that they have held some of the value, but the reason why I have yet to purchase one is they are still over priced.

Rod

 

[Sandcruiser]

I took mine to the dealer for the tiniest hairline crack in removable passenger panel. Only two weeks old to me though likely was on lot for several months. 24MY Badlands.
Dealer took pic and said Ford will replace that panel.

 

[Southside_Ray]

I have some questions that thus far the search bar cannot provide me answers to..
1. Does anybody have any evidence/pictures of what happens to these cracks overtime? Do they get worse? I only ever have seen the hairline cracks that are also on my Bronco. I have had a few since I picked it up almost 2 years ago. I have recently noticed more, all on my passenger side around the clam shell window.
2. Proof of taking the clam shell off causing any additional stress to these. I am wanting to purchase a top lift pro this year to finally take my top completely off, but this is what started all my questioning.

Further questions have been answered on this thread. I'm definitely in on a CA lawsuit as this is crazy to see so many warranties for individuals for these tops.

I would like an aftermarket hard top that would be simple to take completely off, this is why I am against the armadillo designs option, it looks cool though!

 

[Orange_Bronc]

Update: As expected, dealership and Ford gave me the runaround. Long story short, Ford saying even if they cover some of the replacement, it would only be a percentage. And I'm just not willing to cover even 30% of a new, possibly defective, $7k hard top.

At the end of the day, while I don't think it unreasonable to expect a hard top to last more than a few years, it was my fault for letting the 3yr warranty lapse.

So off to find the solution. I emailed Armadillo a few days ago and they say they are starting production of the 2 door tops as we speak. Lead time of about 16 weeks from time of order. That's a strong possibility. I also spoke with the guy who does the Line-X here locally. I'm going to take it out to him for an estimate once this cold snap passes through. He ballparked it around $1500-2000. That would be less painful on the wallet. Just need to hear his confidence level in putting a good seal on the defective gap.

I've read as much as the search function gave me but if anyone with Line-X experience wants to chime in I'd love to hear your thoughts.

They denied me too at 58,000 miles expected but it seems to be a common issue!! I did a report with the NHSTA or whatever it’s called so maybe a recall will happen one day.

 

[Ducati1098]

They denied me too at 58,000 miles expected but it seems to be a common issue!! I did a report with the NHSTA or whatever it’s called so maybe a recall will happen one day.

Recalls are for safety related issues.
Ford may release a customer satisfaction program one day, but I wouldn’t hold your breath.

 

[MFP2241]

I did a report with the NHSTA or whatever it’s called so maybe a recall will happen one day.

Same story here. Noticed the first cracks in my 2DR top just outside 3 year warranty with 10,200 miles on the clock.

- Contacted Ford, they gave me a case number and said take it to the dealer.

- Called my dealer, they said its not worth coming in, Ford absolutely will not cover it.

- Filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau referencing known manufacturing defects that surfaced just outside warranty. Ford responded that I should have brought it in within warranty... I didn't happen to have my fucking crystal ball handy, so not sure what good that response is.

- I rejected Ford’s response to BBB. They responded with (I'm paraphrasing here), tough shit.

BBB’s official “File a Complaint” page:
https://www.bbb.org/file-a-complaint

- I then submitted a complaint with the NHTSA, specifically calling out that its a safety hazard to have water intrusion so close to the air bag systems and electronics.

How to File:
https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem

Phone: 1-888-327-4236

- I also filed a complaint with my State Attorney Generals Consumer Protection Division.

How to File (West Virginia):
https://ago.wv.gov/consumerprotection/Pages/default.aspx

Consumer Hotline: 1-800-368-8808

- I also filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, due to Ford advertising quality that doesn't match the delivered goods.

How to File:
https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/

I will also be doing the following this week;

- Contacting the U.S. Department of Transportation – Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

- Filing a complaint with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), due to the defective roof potentially causing electrical failure, fire risk, or mold intrusion into personal property.

File a Complaint: https://www.saferproducts.gov

- Filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice – Civil Division (Consumer Protection Branch). They don't have a form, you just need to email.

Submit a complaint to:
[email protected]

 

[Orange_Bronc]

Same story here. Noticed the first cracks in my 2DR top just outside 3 year warranty with 10,200 miles on the clock.

- Contacted Ford, they gave me a case number and said take it to the dealer.

- Called my dealer, they said its not worth coming in, Ford absolutely will not cover it.

- Filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau referencing known manufacturing defects that surfaced just outside warranty. Ford responded that I should have brought it in within warranty... I didn't happen to have my fucking crystal ball handy, so not sure what good that response is.

- I rejected Ford’s response to BBB. They responded with (I'm paraphrasing here), tough shit.

- I then submitted a complaint with the NHTSA, specifically calling out that its a safety hazard to have water intrusion so close to the air bag systems and electronics.

How to File:
https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem

Phone: 1-888-327-4236

- I also filed a complaint with my State Attorney Generals Consumer Protection Division.

How to File (West Virginia):
https://ago.wv.gov/consumerprotection/Pages/default.aspx

Consumer Hotline: 1-800-368-8808

- I also filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, due to Ford advertising quality that doesn't match the delivered goods.

How to File:
https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/

Lastly, FUCK YOU FORD!

Nowhere was it stated in the advertising material during the initial launch, that the MIC tops would disintegrate under normal use.

Perfect! I will fill those out too!

 

[mpeugeot]

Ya, once mine cracks, I will replace it with the Bestop in my garage, while I wait for the Armadillo top. The only question is how long will it last... I am currently at 116k miles and approaching 4 years since my Bronco was built/born (5 Aug 2021) or tomorrow in other words.

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