- First Name
- David
- Joined
- Aug 7, 2020
- Threads
- 9
- Messages
- 35
- Reaction score
- 125
- Location
- Flagstaff, AZ
- Vehicle(s)
- 17 F350, Audi Q7, Porsche Macan Turbo, 9114S
- Your Bronco Model
- Badlands
- Thread starter
- #1
In December, 2023 I installed the Anderson Composites Hardtop ordered in April, 2023. Overall, very pleased with the top and impressed with the significant wind noise reduction from my factory soft top. As seen in one pic, I have a 50" Baja Designs roof light bar (purchased from 4x4TruckLEDs.com - love those guys) with an AeroLidz light cover. The cover helped significantly with wind noise, but it remained quite loud. The hard top made a huge impact.
A few notes based on my experience:
- Very simple install - was able to do mostly myself, with my wife and daughter easily helping lift the rear piece onto the Bronco
- Adjustment of the latch bolts was required to effectively latch (loosened)
- Every 6-8 weeks I've had to tighten the latch bolts to reduce increasing wind noise. Makes a big difference, but unsure how that will impact ease of latching / unlatching when removing panels (Flagstaff has been cold! Will update post as the weather warms...)
- Pictures illustrate non-uniform gaps of rear window. Anderson customer service says this can be adjusted by reinstalling the window latches, but advises customers not to do so. I haven't yet tried. (They also offered to send me a 'wind reduction kit' when I mentioned wind noise on initial install, but never sent. Not sure what that kit entails.)
- Pictures also show underside gap in rubber trim - Anderson says this is normal and mirrors OEM tops
- While I had no complaints about the soft top, this hard top was really nice to have in the snow - easier snow clearing and more clear view through the glass windows
Of note, the surface is extremely rough. I washed it today (first time since install!) and the dirt required a good amount of scrubbing to loosen on the surface.
BIGGEST LEARNING: The rough surface absolutely tore up my white wash mitt. No amount of pressure-washing could loosen the white fluff from the rough surface and pieces dropped to / are stuck on the rough surface of my AMP running boards, which were extended for washing purposes. On the bright side - all that pressure washing and no evidence of any leaks!
Overall, pleased with the purchase and have learned a hard lesson to use a soft brush on the top instead of my wash mitt. I think I'll be reminded of this mistake for months to come...
Hopefully this is helpful. Feel free to ping me with any questions.
A few notes based on my experience:
- Very simple install - was able to do mostly myself, with my wife and daughter easily helping lift the rear piece onto the Bronco
- Adjustment of the latch bolts was required to effectively latch (loosened)
- Every 6-8 weeks I've had to tighten the latch bolts to reduce increasing wind noise. Makes a big difference, but unsure how that will impact ease of latching / unlatching when removing panels (Flagstaff has been cold! Will update post as the weather warms...)
- Pictures illustrate non-uniform gaps of rear window. Anderson customer service says this can be adjusted by reinstalling the window latches, but advises customers not to do so. I haven't yet tried. (They also offered to send me a 'wind reduction kit' when I mentioned wind noise on initial install, but never sent. Not sure what that kit entails.)
- Pictures also show underside gap in rubber trim - Anderson says this is normal and mirrors OEM tops
- While I had no complaints about the soft top, this hard top was really nice to have in the snow - easier snow clearing and more clear view through the glass windows
Of note, the surface is extremely rough. I washed it today (first time since install!) and the dirt required a good amount of scrubbing to loosen on the surface.
BIGGEST LEARNING: The rough surface absolutely tore up my white wash mitt. No amount of pressure-washing could loosen the white fluff from the rough surface and pieces dropped to / are stuck on the rough surface of my AMP running boards, which were extended for washing purposes. On the bright side - all that pressure washing and no evidence of any leaks!
Overall, pleased with the purchase and have learned a hard lesson to use a soft brush on the top instead of my wash mitt. I think I'll be reminded of this mistake for months to come...
Hopefully this is helpful. Feel free to ping me with any questions.
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