I would demand a new, painted hardtop. A body shop can make it right, but it will require extensive sanding, painting, and baking and it isn't economically worth it to do all of that.No one painted the hardtop except FCA. Like I stated, its a 2021 and the build sheet, sticker, etc. all state it came factory painted.
When you do an engine swap, you drop out the old engine (motor), you put in the new engine and then you connect the new engine to the original electronics, etc.Could you explain a little more I am old school. If you keep the pen taster and computer with the electronics you would have the stop start crap and associated weight.
No! Electronics must go and a custom computer made to order with new custom wiring harness etc. really a lot involved electronically speaking.When you do an engine swap, you drop out the old engine (motor), you put in the new engine and then you connect the new engine to the original electronics, etc.
Quick update (and thanks to all for the feedback, suggestions, etc.).Just picked up a 2021 JLU Rubicon with the color matched hard top on Saturday. It was pouring rain so I didn't spend any time looking at Jeep before I signed the purchase contract. Washed off the Jeep yesterday in my driveway and noticed that the painted hardtop is absolutely terrible. There are globs of paint running down the seams and channels of the hardtop. In some spots, the black base coat is bleeding through.
I am visiting my dealership tonight after work. Has anyone had a similar experience/problem with their painted hardtop? What was the resolution? Should I be dealing with the dealership or FCA directly? I would not have bought this Jeep had I noticed these paint issues (would've looked for another one without issues). How something slips past quality control on a $56K (msrp) vehicle is beyond me.
Jamrock! I like to 4wheel alone. It’s so nice to enjoy the great out doors with out the noise of people. The amount of wildlife you can observe is amazing when you are by your self. The problem that Jeep has caused is you can’t trust their vehicle anymore. You need at least one other vehicle in case of electrical or other problems. So sad. What was once a no worries enjoyable off road adventure when you went off road is no more. I hope FORD recognizes this and produces a Bronco that is reliable. If they do, word of mouth advertisement will spread like wildfire and Jeep will get what they deserve.I understand why you would want this. You want an off road vehicle that has few potential points of failure. You don't want electronic components to fail when you are 100 miles from civilization. I get that.
However, the world is moving in a different direction. In a few years, gas and diesel vehicles will be banned in several countries in Europe. Other countries are likely to follow.
Some of these countries already apply higher taxes to gas and diesel engines in order to encourage the purchase of electronic vehicles.
I like this ad from Car Shield. Look at 1:18.
"It's not like the old days when you could fix anything with a wrench and a screw driver. Now you need to be a rocket scientist."
I am on jeep #9 or 10 and I am going to take a look at the (Bronco) for the wife. She likes pu trucks and Jeeps etc. she also can really drive a stick shift. One of her vehicles was a stick shift Jeep. Well let’s see what happens as you say with the Bronco.I have heard this concern before. Especially from people who have owned earlier model Jeeps.
FCA has done a very good job of expanding the market for Jeeps. They have maintained the image of the brand. I give them full credit for that.
I don't think the move to more electrical components is the issue. Other vehicle manufacturers have been doing this as well.
It is easy to get complacent when you dominate the market you are in. FCA would not be the first company to do so. Let us see what happens when the Bronco is released. Ford stands to earn quite a bit of revenue if they can exploit the dis-satisfaction of long time Jeep owners like yourself.
There are signs of hope. A fix for the long standing steering issue has been released. The reviews so far have been good. Let us see what happens next.