Removing the entire hardtop of a 4-door by yourself is not an easy task. You may be much stronger than me, but doing it by myself is incredibly difficult. I've done it a couple times and nearly injured myself badly once, so I prefer having someone else to at least spot me and lend a hand. And putting it back on by myself is impossible; I'm not sure I know anybody who can put a 4-door hardtop back on entirely by themselves, no matter how strong they are.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the total weight of the Bronco hardtop is heavier than the Wrangler’s because of the additional joints/seals/hardware
It appears to be a means to do a couple of things but I think that chief among them is this:
I highly doubt it. You think a couple more rubber gaskets are gonna add any meaningful weight? If any, as you say, it would be through "hardware," though I'm struggling to think of what more they would need aside from some bolts here and there.
Where are the excuses and complacency you speak of from Jeep guys? Serious question as it's always brought up. There's plenty of Jeep ripping on this forum for it's issues and Jeeps complacency has been complained about long before the JL ever came out. People have long begged for better gearing options, a lift from factory, factory half doors, a V8, etc. In fact I've seen nothing but praise that competition is coming to make the Wrangler better.
Didn't mean doing it solo. It's very easy with 2 average people. If a 2nd set of hands isn't an option, there are too many ceiling mounted or roll around devices to make use of.
when I first looked at the Bronco, I thought “oh, they are trying to emulate a Jeep. Cool.’
For the sake of future hardtop bronco owners, I hope so. It won't be leaps and bounds heavier, but a total weight difference would be felt between the 2 vehicles. The separate panels would reach require added material and profile, to add rigidity and to provide a solid support for its mated panel. They removed the roofs crossbar, so that loss of weight carrying and wind buffering support would need to be picked up by the panels themselves. Again, it probably won't be a huge weight difference but it will certainly be a felt one.
The one main thing that Jeep has refused to change over the years, is its willingness to sacrifice so much as an ounce of off road capability for the sake of on road comfort. At the same time, on road comfort has been a very close secondary priority made obvious by its big changes on the last 2 generations.
Mirrors on the frame, oh and make them removable too, if needed. I know I have heard some people on this forum don't like the mirrors when they off road, they may get knocked off by a whipping tree branch. I'm sure there are many other needs, different engines, etc.... but that's out of my knowledge range (love my V-6)
Yea, if I get one I'd be getting a 2-door, so some of this is moot.
Yea, I think that's the bottom line. Even if the entire hardtop overall ends up being a smidge heavier, the individual pieces will be much more manageable for the average joe by himself, and that seems to be the whole point.
Ford Bronco Has Amassed 230000 Reservations in a few weeks. Yea, but what a stupid question.
