These roof panels are garbage and Ford should be ashamed of themselves.

[ManSquatch]

I finally got my hard top after 2 years with the soft top. Its 10x better, hopefully when I remove the panels it wont become a problem.

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[crenca]

If several of us download the same app and test on similar roads at the same speed, we might get a fairly accurate measure. Would be even better if we used the same phone mounted in the same location. That might be asking too much though.

Unfortunately those DB apps are all over the place, in part because of limitations of the software but also because each phones mic's read differently. Also, hardly anyone actually calibrates them, and of those who do even fewer do it correctly.

Then you have the issue that sounds are percieved differently by each person. To one person a certain panel gap ''whistle' is very annoying, to another it is hardly noticed. Same DB rating in both cases...

To the OP, I would say you purchased a convertible 4X4 without really understanding the consequences. Your probably better off trading in for something like a 4Runner than chasing down a non-existent solution to your annoyances.

 

[Black_Stallion13]

I’ve had two hard tops now… one was a late ‘22 and now I have a ‘23 that was taken off an OBX with 5000 miles on it. Sold my original one and then bought the newer one after I got tired of running soft tops. My original ‘22 was slightly quieter than my ‘23 is. Feel like most noise on both comes from the joint between the two front panels. Wish Ford would have just done a 2 piece design like Turn Offroad/Rallytop… would have helped immensely with noise. I also find if I want more than the front panels off I just take the whole thing off so middle section is just kind of another thing to deal with most of the time. Not having an integrated rain gutter like the jeeps have is also a major fail.

 

[Imaginary Friend]

I’ve had two hard tops now… one was a late ‘22 and now I have a ‘23 that was taken off an OBX with 5000 miles on it. Sold my original one and then bought the newer one after I got tired of running soft tops. My original ‘22 was slightly quieter than my ‘23 is. Feel like most noise on both comes from the joint between the two front panels. Wish Ford would have just done a 2 piece design like Turn Offroad/Rallytop… would have helped immensely with noise. I also find if I want more than the front panels off I just take the whole thing off so middle section is just kind of another thing to deal with most of the time. Not having an integrated rain gutter like the jeeps have is also a major fail.

That's what we call a colossal oversight where I work. Jeeps even have gutters on their soft tops.

 

[Black_Stallion13]

That's what we call a colossal oversight where I work. Jeeps even have gutters on their soft tops.

For sure. Gutters would have also given us more traditional roof rack options rather than having to use Ford’s idiotic factory design or one of the many heavy/ugly bro-fab options out there.

 

[JediMcMuffin]

For sure. Gutters would have also given us more traditional roof rack options rather than having to use Ford’s idiotic factory design or one of the many heavy/ugly bro-fab options out there.

TrailRax, Prinsu, and RCI are pretty darn slim, strong, and lightweight. Which ones are you referring to?

 

[Ksjrb03]

Yes the hardtop is complete garbage. Its the ambitious amount of panels and seals, horrible design. I just put my hardtop back on this week because I'm trading it in, after using a Trektop for over a year. I couldn't believe how much louder the hardtop is than a freaking piece of cloth. When I put the Trektop on I knew it felt quieter, and told people as much, and defiantly confirmed that this weekend.

 

[Black_Stallion13]

TrailRax, Prinsu, and RCI are pretty darn slim, strong, and lightweight. Which ones are you referring to?

Referring to all of those lol. Might be an unpopular opinion but I like the look and compatibility of a sleeker factory setup like Thule, Yakima, Rhino Rack offer for literally every vehicle except the Bronco bc of its roof design.

 

[monsterfd]

Referring to all of those lol. Might be an unpopular opinion but I like the look and compatibility of a sleeker factory setup like Thule, Yakima, Rhino Rack offer for literally every vehicle except the Bronco bc of its roof design.

you are right, it is an unpopular opinion

 

[mpeugeot]

Ford should call up Mazda and ask them how to make a proper removable hardtop, because they made a better removable hardtop over 30 years ago!

You would think that in 30 years removable hardtop technology would have advanced.

 

[harpo]

There are a series of steps to fix this:

1. Enlist in the military
2. Get a job around Arty or EOD or jets
3. Ensure you get leadership that doesn't give you proper PPE nor the time to properly use it (easiest part)
4. Eventually, the resulting hearing loss will eliminate most of it and the remaining wind noise just kinda harmonizes beautifully with the tinnitus.

5. only drive with a tailwind

virtually eliminates top noise plus you get bonus mpg!

To the op - I agree the noise can be overwhelming. when people ask me if I like my bronco I say "it gets terrible gas mileage, it's absurdly noisy, but I like it".

 

[RoLyMa27]

If Jesus himself came down and designed a top that morphs with a flip of a switch into a fixed top that achieved a 50db rating at 90mph, and back to a multi-piece top that you can remove in 15 seconds and can store itself, there would still be people on here bitching about it.

 

[RoLyMa27]

Ford should call up Mazda and ask them how to make a proper removable hardtop, because they made a better removable hardtop over 30 years ago!

You would think that in 30 years removable hardtop technology would have advanced.

Can you imagine the outrage had Ford offered the Bronco with a fixed top only! How many threads would we be up to by now?

 

[MadMan4BamaNATL]

When my roof rails are on or off of my 2 door, there is for sure some wind noise. However, guess it's not such a big deal since I accept that it's so cool to have a removable top.

Another point I'll make about the seals and panels. I'm guilty of not thoroughly washing my Bronco much since I off-road rather often and it's either dusty or muddy as hell when I'm done, but I've noticed that after the 3 times that I've taken the time to properly clean the seals and crevices on the Bronco and roof panels and around the glass, it has helped with a somewhat better seal; never any water leaks so far.

No, I don't remove my panels too often, as even in Summer rain in Georgia just pops up and it's hot as hell and I've yet to get my JTop (plan to!), but again, when a top can come off, such panels will be a little louder. Is Bronco overly loud? Sure, but it's an off-roader, not a people mover, so when you use it as such, there will be compromises. Just like you wouldn't normally take your X3 to run an OHV park.

 

[RBF 1401]

Can you imagine the outrage had Ford offered the Bronco with a fixed top only! How many threads would we be up to by now?

People just like to gripe.

I don't understand all the people calling the MIC "complete garbage" and similar such labels. My MIC top withstood a golf ball of unknown velocity head-on with my Bronco traveling in the opposite direction at over 60mpg. Do some quick physics calculations... serious impact. Sounded like a gunshot; made all four occupants ears ring. And the MIC didn't crack or anything! Just a tiny scuff mark.

They need to drive an EB. Solid metal removable top. Probably less wind noise. But you need a couple of strong men in their 20s to pick it up.

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