[Updated 7/20] Early Delivered Bronco MIC Top Developing Honeycomb / Snakeskin Pattern

[Atomicdog]

If it helps, Webasto isn't just horrible with their MIC tops. The $5k diesel heater option on my camper continuously has had issues and malfunctions in its first 2 yrs. But at least I don't have to stare at it every time I walk past the camper like you do with a Bronco MIC top.

Sorry, but you couldn't pay me to have a MIC top at this point knowing that I'd have to look at every day and know that a replacement top wouldn't be coming any time soon.

But then again, you get the choice of looking at the stupid wavy soft top windows or a snakeskin/delaminated/exposed edges/misalignment of lines of the MIC top.

I'm also out on the MIC top. As bad as Webasto has been in this scenario I also have doubts about Fords design and engineering on it. I will be waiting for '23 with MOD tops.

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[Bronco21fan]

I don't work for Ford in any way, shape, or form. Once I hear something on this y'all will be the first to know.

Sorry I thought you were a Ford employee I apologize

 

[PREMiERdrum]

Sorry I thought you were a Ford employee I apologize

No worries!

 

[Cheshire]

My 2 cents: What a DISASTER!

 

[BroncoBoy22]

The wait for a MOD top is gonna be KILLER now. There was already pent up demand, and now people that don’t wanna risk the MIC (and rightfully so), want a MOD too so it will be worse

Ford: let us option and pay for dual tops starting now. We get the bronco now with a soft top, then when the mods are ready we get those shipped in large quantities to the dealer and we pickup there.

That way we get guaranteed price and production and you can get Broncos out of the factory NOW

 

[lakesinai]

Lol you know how much boats cost? Everything having to do with a boat is a fortune.

They wouldnt put a MIC top on a boat because tje UV rays and seagull poop would destroy it in 5 years. Made of either epoxy or vinylester/polyester laminate, with or without a core, it would have a gelcoat (vinyl/polyester) or a 2part polyester or other paint.

 

[lakesinai]

The wait for a MOD top is gonna be KILLER now. There was already pent up demand, and now people that don’t wanna risk the MIC (and rightfully so), want a MOD too so it will be worse

Ford: let us option and pay for dual tops starting now. We get the bronco now with a soft top, then when the mods are ready we get those shipped in large quantities to the dealer and we pickup there.

That way we get guaranteed price and production and you can get Broncos out of the factory NOW

Thats a good idea, now that there's a HT install kit, starting with September production. Remember, all Spring, people here were pushing for that to happen, because until now, if you order the soft top, you won't have rear window functionality.

 

[Bdisco]

Updated 7/20: @PREMiERdrum's MIC top exhibiting further issues:

The gift that keeps on giving. New today I have the "snakeskin" texture on both sides of my clamshell and signs of delamination all the way down the drivers side rear clamshell seam. There is also a dark rubberized vinyl streak that has obviously peeled off from somewhere clinging to the top of the raw edge, I'm wondering if this is the material they used to cover those edges to look properly finished?

My MIC roof hasn't been waxed or treated with any product in the 3 weeks since delivery.

The snakeskin texture is difficult to photograph but is quite obvious to the eye. It cannot be felt, only seen.

Updated 7/19: @PREMiERdrum now also reporting issues with his MIC hardtop:

Mine was delivered 3 weeks ago tomorrow with no visible problems. Even the "raw" (non-rolled) edges were uniform in color and texture and the headliner fit was great.

As of today, we have the headliner separating from the roof panels in two spots, raw edges fading to light gray / white with small cavities visible from obvious material loss, the clamshell reveal line flexing to uneven width across the passenger side rear quarter, and warping / flexing around the roof mounting bolts in the cargo area.

If this much can happen on these things in 3 weeks, I anticipate a rough few months ahead for those of us with early MIC builds. They just weren't ready for prime time.

Updated 7/18 with more info from @PREMiERdrum:

The first of many we'll see of these. It's becoming apparent that many tops were delivered that had their outer laminate layer cast too thin. Commodity intake procedures weren't able to tell because they looked fine. This - along with other laminating issues - are what spurred the additional inspections that held so many units over the last 2 weeks.

FWIW my roof is still 100% fine, and I'm realizing just how lucky I havr been with this build.

A bit more info: Issues with thickness uniformity of the 3 layers is what's behind the lamination issues (and these unsightly "thin" spots). There isn't an easy fix at this point.

Watch this space.



Original post:

I haven't seen any mention or photos of this phenomenon yet. Just today I noticed a honeycomb or snakeskin like pattern starting to appear on most of the rear shell.

Anyone else also experience this? Is it UV related? Reaction with Meguiars Hybrid Ceramic Wax? Something internal?

You can't feel the texture, it's strictly visual.

Interested in hearing some theories...

Add me to the list of MICkey mouse tops.

was the yellow sticker supposed to be removed? Other spots on rear clam shell similar to what others have posted such as unfinished edges etc…

 

[rtaylor]

The wait for a MOD top is gonna be KILLER now. There was already pent up demand, and now people that don’t wanna risk the MIC (and rightfully so), want a MOD too so it will be worse

I'm calling it. The MIC top is a failure in its engineering and in its production, I won't be getting it. I'm holding both my orders for the '23 mod top.

It is amazing that Ford was unable to catch these issues in testing. The pre-production units must have been very different.

Assuming Ford doesn't cancel all hardtop and 2dr production, I don't really want to wait until 2023 for 2dr Bronco.

I now consider the MIC hardtop disposable (just like softtop). Aside from the embarrassing patterns and rough edges, it is obviously a fragile piece of junk that has no place in an offroad vehicle competing with Wrangler. Very disappointing.

 

[navi]

I'm calling it. The MIC top is a failure in its engineering and in its production, I won't be getting it. I'm holding both my orders for the '23 mod top. I didn't pay much attention to mod tops since I was originally going with the utilitarian version. Was the mod top available on all trims? I have a base sasquatch and a Badlands ordered.

Jeez, you won't see a Bronco until '24 then. Why not get the crappy mic now and switch to mod later?

 

[Atomicdog]

Jeez, you won't see a Bronco until '24 then. Why not get the crappy mic now and switch to mod later?

My guess is that '23 models start arriving Sept/Oct of '22. So it's about 8 months longer for me.

Also: a standalone mod top will take even longer to become available and what would the price be? $3500-$4000? I'm not paying for Fords error.

 

[navi]

My guess is that '23 models start arriving Sept/Oct of '22. So it's about 8 months longer for me.

oh boy, that means the new MOD top manufacturer only has a year to be in full production.

 

[Atomicdog]

oh boy, that means the new MOD top manufacturer only has a year to be in full production.

As a 2-dr order, I'm not happy with any of my options at the moment.

 

[navi]

Add me to the list of MICkey mouse tops.

was the yellow sticker supposed to be removed? Other spots on rear clam shell similar to what others have posted such as unfinished edges etc…

That's it, I'm changing my handle to primer leak.

 

[dcg2]

My MIC roof hasn't been waxed or treated with any product in the 3 weeks since delivery.

Well that's obviously the problem. You failed to take basic preventive maintenance!!

(Just practicing my Ford apologist spin...)

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