- Thread starter
- #1
There is a big question I haven't seen anyone address yet, and it is closely tied to two potentially opposing features that many people are passionate about, the removability of the roof and the location of the spare tire.
How do you want to see the rear door(s) of the Bronco operate?
Once upon a time it was common to see the rear door of a SUV operate like the tailgate on a pickup, and that's how Broncos of olde worked. That method isn't used at all anymore though. Should it come back, or should the Bronco adopt some fancy-shmancy new method of opening for the 3rd or 5th door(s)?
How that rear opening operates will probably depend a lot on how the roof achieves openness or removability. Will how the roof or rear gate works be more important to you?
With so many possibilities, and times-a-changing, Which alternative could you tolerate?
Classic Tailgate (window up, door down) -- once the standard, with a lightweight top and window that hinged upward, and a simple door that would hang flat like the tailgate of a pickup. This was often paired with either a hinged swinging spare tire carrier, or a spare inside. The window went with the top when it was off.
Tailgate with Retractable Window (door down, window hidden) -- a later development shared by many SUVs was a window that would retract into the rear door, often a requirement before opening, with the door itself usually dropping flat like a pickup tailgate. Due to the weight of the spare, it usually had to swing to the side separately, or be stowed inside. The window hides away inside the door during top off.
Modern Liftgate (everything up) -- the option used today for most hatchbacks, wagons, crossover and SUVs, the entire rear door lifts up like a peacocks tail (is that the rear-end equivalent of a falcon/gull wing?). This presents a potential weight problem, if the spare tire, particularly an oversized one is supposed go up with it -- perhaps requiring on board air from the factory to power pneumatic lift. Very problematic for top off, requiring panel top or replacement half door.
Swinging Tailgate (window up, door sideways) -- the method used by Bronco's theoretical main competitor, the Jeep Wrangler. The window is attached to the top, and removed with it, while the door and potentially attached spare swing to the side. Door stays and widow leaves for top off.
Swinging Door (everything sideways) -- a method used in many foreign SUVs, the rear door is just a jumbo version of a regular door and it all swings to one side, potentially spare included. Troublesome for top off unless there is a "half-door" for the back as well.
Split Doors (doors open left and right) -- an option seen with some large SUVs, and common with vans. The spare could attach to one door or have a swing of its own. Similarly problematic for top off as the single swinging door, does it require a panel top or half doors?
OTHER (none of the above) -- you describe some alternative to us, or refuse to accept any alternative to your favorite option.
How do you want to see the rear door(s) of the Bronco operate?
Once upon a time it was common to see the rear door of a SUV operate like the tailgate on a pickup, and that's how Broncos of olde worked. That method isn't used at all anymore though. Should it come back, or should the Bronco adopt some fancy-shmancy new method of opening for the 3rd or 5th door(s)?
How that rear opening operates will probably depend a lot on how the roof achieves openness or removability. Will how the roof or rear gate works be more important to you?
With so many possibilities, and times-a-changing, Which alternative could you tolerate?
Classic Tailgate (window up, door down) -- once the standard, with a lightweight top and window that hinged upward, and a simple door that would hang flat like the tailgate of a pickup. This was often paired with either a hinged swinging spare tire carrier, or a spare inside. The window went with the top when it was off.
Tailgate with Retractable Window (door down, window hidden) -- a later development shared by many SUVs was a window that would retract into the rear door, often a requirement before opening, with the door itself usually dropping flat like a pickup tailgate. Due to the weight of the spare, it usually had to swing to the side separately, or be stowed inside. The window hides away inside the door during top off.
Modern Liftgate (everything up) -- the option used today for most hatchbacks, wagons, crossover and SUVs, the entire rear door lifts up like a peacocks tail (is that the rear-end equivalent of a falcon/gull wing?). This presents a potential weight problem, if the spare tire, particularly an oversized one is supposed go up with it -- perhaps requiring on board air from the factory to power pneumatic lift. Very problematic for top off, requiring panel top or replacement half door.
Swinging Tailgate (window up, door sideways) -- the method used by Bronco's theoretical main competitor, the Jeep Wrangler. The window is attached to the top, and removed with it, while the door and potentially attached spare swing to the side. Door stays and widow leaves for top off.
Swinging Door (everything sideways) -- a method used in many foreign SUVs, the rear door is just a jumbo version of a regular door and it all swings to one side, potentially spare included. Troublesome for top off unless there is a "half-door" for the back as well.
Split Doors (doors open left and right) -- an option seen with some large SUVs, and common with vans. The spare could attach to one door or have a swing of its own. Similarly problematic for top off as the single swinging door, does it require a panel top or half doors?
OTHER (none of the above) -- you describe some alternative to us, or refuse to accept any alternative to your favorite option.
Sponsored
