Soft Top in the Winter

[skierx728]

Hi all, I had originally ordered the dual tops but dropped the hard top in order to get my Bronco sooner. I picked my Bronco up back in late April and the summer has been awesome and I absolutely love the Bronco. Winter is fast approaching and I'm a little weary of the soft top. I'm just curious if there are any other New Englanders out there (or anyone) who's already been through a winter with the factory soft top. Any tips or suggestions? Any ways to make it warmer/quieter?
I feel like lifting the back of the soft top in icy/frozen conditions might damage the rear and side plastic windows... anyone experience that or are they fine?

On a separate note I haven't heard much about hard top availability lately. I'd still like to get either a black or matching hard top at some point. Any idea how much they'll cost and if they'll do anything for owners that originally had them as part of their build but dropped them? Or any after market hard top recommendations? I had seen the ADV one a while back but seemed pricey.

Thanks in advance!

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[BroncoSarge]

My top was fine.

 

[ColeTrain84]

i'm in MN. This is my first winter with it. I anticipate it not being bad. Mine will dry out in a garage every night anyway. The only thing i'm worried about is lifting the back up at all when its really cold. i've heard of the windows cracking if its really cold

 

[Bronco cat]

I had no issues at all with mine.

 

[Cbiggs]

excellent examples of it holding up

this is the quick and cheap sound attenuation I did last winter. Need the Bimini, obviously…

 

[ColeTrain84]

excellent examples of it holding up

this is the quick and cheap sound attenuation I did last winter. Need the Bimini, obviously…

I've got something in the works with the same idea but way better fit and finish

 

[‘21OBX]

I’ve had mine since January in Michigan. It has been plenty warm no issues there. When we got 8+ inches in snow I did go sweep it off just to keep the weight off of it. But I had no issues with it at all.

 

[rtazz17]

Soft tops have been around for decades. No worries

 

[broncoGIRL21]

Also in Michigan. No problem with the soft top. Still in perfect shape, didn't notice a loss of heat at all, and noise quality is fine.
Thought I was going to want to order a hard top, and now I'm glad I saved my money.

 

[reallifebigfoot]

Spent most of the winter in VT last year, no issues at all

 

[Dral97]

Not a Bronco owner yet, but my Jeep experience: My first Jeep (TJ) I had a hard top and soft top with plans to change them for the seasons. I ended up saying 'screw it' and just left the soft top on year round (in PA). It worked out fine for me.

Just remember that your back window will be pretty much useless (or used VERY carefully) during the winter months if you're trying to lift it up to load anything. It can be done, but obviously not rolled up like during the summer...at least that's how it was with my top. Roll of clear packing tape came in handy for that one.

 

[iwantabasebronco]

In MN. Several days of single digits with mine last year. No problem. It’s not much different than a regular vehicle. When you’re barreling through the wind in the winter, I don’t think having a soft or hardtop makes much difference. It’s all about the broncos heating system- which is awesome. Once the vehicle warms up I usually have to turn the fan to minimum to not roast inside!
Edit: to address concerns about ice and snow- I think having the flexible canvas helps because you can kind of shake or rattle it a bit and ice and snow crumbles off

 

[Big Boss]

Just outside of Chicago, soft top held up fine in the winter. It's slightly colder than a normal vehicle when you get in it for the first time that day, but the heater is amazing and is usually nice and toasty in a few minutes

 

[SevenT]

No issues in Colorado winters. Does not spend time outside except at work in an open parking lot.

 

[Murfman]

No issues in Colorado winters. Does not spend time outside except at work in an open parking lot.

Same here. Heated seats are so good that heat setting is usually on 65 and 1 on the blower.

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