ADV vs OEM Hardtop Comparison

[Kjbeggs]

If you scratch your OEM top, you can not touch it up (unless you paint the entire top to cover the scratch). The scratch will always be there. If you scratch our top, you can touch it up with texture in that scratched area.

On that note, will you be offering touch-up "paint"?

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[ADV Fiberglass]

Thanks for the video.

But for the love of God, what are the differences in the noise levels between your top and the factory top?
This is the number one reason people complain about the bronco hardtop. sure there a hard top that have delaminated and print trough, but all of them are noisy.

Basically I’m waiting on the noise difference in your top and the factory top before I even consider it

We are releasing the video for sound comparison between our hardtop and the OEM next week.

 

[JONNEE]

Not sure what flaws and disadvantages you are referring to, but I'd prefer the ADV closed cell foam interior construction. I guess we'll see over time how the ADV holds up, but the OEM top clearly has had issues. Questionable what Ford and Webasto were thinking with some of the design and material choices.

Agree completely with the poor choice of honeycomb for the OEM top. Sure, honeycomb has its advantages, but in a product that will encounter a huge amount of stress and repeated handling, Ford should have gone with an inner core material that has the desired stiffness w/o the significant drawbacks of paper.
Nonetheless, I prefer the flexibility of the OEM hardtop, the variation of configurations, and especially ability to have a real rooftop rack for stowage.

 

[ADV Fiberglass]

Agree completely with the poor choice of honeycomb for the OEM top. Sure, honeycomb has its advantages, but in a product that will encounter a huge amount of stress and repeated handling, Ford should have gone with an inner core material that has the desired stiffness w/o the significant drawbacks of paper.
Nonetheless, I prefer the flexibility of the OEM hardtop, the variation of configurations, and especially ability to have a real rooftop rack for stowage.

Our hardtop accepts roof racks as well.

 

[ADV Fiberglass]

On that note, will you be offering touch-up "paint"?

Yes

 

[604Bronco]

Ugh, don’t you just hate watching a video and it turns into a science experiment and you learn something?

I mean this would be a first place winner if your kid did this in school…

 

[ADV Fiberglass]

Cons of the ADV top:

1) its not 4 pieces and way less modular... (biggest blunder here)
- you can only remove the front row or the whole thing
- design limits compatibility with other aftermarket accessories
- not able to remove the front and second row (leaving cargo area covered)
- not able to cover the front two rows (leaving just the cargo area exposed)
- the 4 piece design is what makes the Bronco top superior to the Wrangler, yet they decided to go with the Jeep approach which is actually the #1 reason most hardtop Jeep owners rarely remove the top (the combined 2nd row/cargo area is more difficult to manage)

2) fit issues (alignment of the panels and seals) is mediocre compared to factory (not surprising considering their fender fitments)

3) "splotchy" inconsistent finish all over the panels (if the best ones they are publicizing photos of look like that, can you imagine what the worst ones will look like?)


They should stick to marketing this for what it is. A consolation prize for folks who couldn't get a factory top and are wiling to live with something that has functionality drawbacks.

Attempting this spin of trying to market this as a superior product is going to backfire (as already evidenced here).

To go through your points:


1) its not 4 pieces and way less modular... (biggest blunder here)

- you can only remove the front row or the whole thing
- You can keep the front two modular pieces installed while removing the rear portion of the hardtop if wanted.


- design limits compatibility with other aftermarket accessories
- There are not many accessories that are constrained by removing the rear modular piece (not saying none). We plan to offer a wide array of accessories for our hardtop in the future. We are happy to take into considerations any accessories that is limited by our 3-piece design.


- not able to remove the front and second row (leaving cargo area covered)
- Yes, this is correct. We are a 3-piece design, not 4-piece like the OEM. However, you can remove the front modular pieces and have both the rear seats and cargo covered.


- not able to cover the front two rows (leaving just the cargo area exposed)
- Yes, this is correct. However, you can have the rear seats and cargo area exposed while covering the front seats.


- the 4 piece design is what makes the Bronco top superior to the Wrangler, yet they decided to go with the Jeep approach which is actually the #1 reason most hardtop Jeep owners rarely remove the top (the combined 2nd row/cargo area is more difficult to manage)
- The 3 piece design has been proven to be viable on vehicles for decades. The OEM 4 piece design has been proven to cause issues with flexing, sealing, noise, etc. This is the main reason for removing the 4th removable piece from our design.


2) fit issues (alignment of the panels and seals) is mediocre compared to factory (not surprising considering their fender fitments)
- Our panel and seal fitment is extremely good. It for sure gives the OEM a run for their money.



3) "splotchy" inconsistent finish all over the panels (if the best ones they are publicizing photos of look like that, can you imagine what the worst ones will look like?)
- We are very happy with our smooth and consistent texture. There is nothing else like it on the market.

All in all, it is very obvious that you (boomboomthump) personally like the OEM top more, which is totally fine. To each their own, we personally believe that our engineering and build quality tops anything on the market. We appreciate your response and were happy to write up our response as well! Have a great day!

 

[ADV Fiberglass]

Do you make this for a two door? And can you make a two door soft top that doesn't look like crap?

We do not offer a 2-Door hardtop at this time.

 

[ADV Fiberglass]

I don't plan to take off the panels at all so the one piece is completely fine for me... I also like the slight slant back compared to the more boxy OEM version.

 

[ADV Fiberglass]

Ugh, don’t you just hate watching a video and it turns into a science experiment and you learn something?

I mean this would be a first place winner if your kid did this in school…

Love this

 

[604Bronco]

Cons of the ADV top:

1) its not 4 pieces and way less modular... (biggest blunder here)
- you can only remove the front row or the whole thing
- design limits compatibility with other aftermarket accessories
- not able to remove the front and second row (leaving cargo area covered)
- not able to cover the front two rows (leaving just the cargo area exposed)
- the 4 piece design is what makes the Bronco top superior to the Wrangler, yet they decided to go with the Jeep approach which is actually the #1 reason most hardtop Jeep owners rarely remove the top (the combined 2nd row/cargo area is more difficult to manage)

2) fit issues (alignment of the panels and seals) is mediocre compared to factory (not surprising considering their fender fitments)

3) "splotchy" inconsistent finish all over the panels (if the best ones they are publicizing photos of look like that, can you imagine what the worst ones will look like?)


They should stick to marketing this for what it is. A consolation prize for folks who couldn't get a factory top and are wiling to live with something that has functionality drawbacks.

Attempting this spin of trying to market this as a superior product is going to backfire (as already evidenced here).

Do you work for Webasto?

Asking for a friend.

 

[Slick85]

I imagine ADV will rattle a hell of a lot less than the OEM one... if I REALLY wanted a convertible would have bought a Mustang LOL

 

[pakrat]

I don't plan to take off the panels at all so the one piece is completely fine for me... I also like the slight slant back compared to the more boxy OEM version.

Same here but we are clearly in the minority. I just can't figure out the love of the modular design. Especially with the poor sealing quality of the OEM version. Wind noise, leaks, and creaking especially off-road. Not like it will get better over time. If you have to have a modular top, less is more.

Never once wanted to remove just a few panels to get scorched and fill the trunk space with panels (not to mention on a road trip there is no room for them anyhow). Top entirely off or not at all. Takes less than 5 minutes to put on or take off completely. Even with the soft top you have wind flapping around the fabric when it is open. Since college days when my gen 1 4runner had the removable top its the way to go. All last summer top was off with a shade mesh (of course I don't live where it rains in summer). Even drove over 6 hrs. like that to San Diego and it was great though you couldn't do that with kids. Gotta admit being out west we have the option, east coast is probably a different beast. Geography plays a big part here.

To me it's just a gimmick that gets used less and less the longer you have a Bronco or Jeep. I'll take the quietest ride, leakless design, and strength of a one piece when I want it or remove it completely for a true open air experience.

 

[Slick85]

Same here but we are clearly in the minority. I just can't figure out the love of the modular design. Especially with the poor sealing quality of the OEM version. Wind noise, leaks, and creaking especially off-road. Not like it will get better over time. If you have to have a modular top, less is more.

Never once wanted to remove just a few panels to get scorched and fill the trunk space with panels (not to mention on a road trip there is no room for them anyhow). Top entirely off or not at all. Takes less than 5 minutes to put on or take off completely. Even with the soft top you have wind flapping around the fabric when it is open. Since college days when my gen 1 4runner had the removable top its the way to go. All last summer top was off with a shade mesh (of course I don't live where it rains in summer). Even drove over 6 hrs. like that to San Diego and it was great though you couldn't do that with kids. Gotta admit being out west we have the option, east coast is probably a different beast. Geography plays a big part here.

To me it's just a gimmick that gets used less and less the longer you have a Bronco or Jeep. I'll take the quietest ride, leakless design, and strength of a one piece when I want it or remove it completely for a true open air experience.

Yup! I live in Texas so most of the time it's way too hot and humid anyway, if I want to get fresh air I will just go to the park or something haha.

 

[mC.242]

I guess I'm the only one with a factory MIC 1.0 top that after almost two years is still leak-free, looks good, showing no lamination issues, etc.?
But hey, people that want to replace their soft-top need options and here is a fairly nice one. As long as you don't mind that giant panel to remove.

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