Should Ford produce a fixed roof Bronco model

[the poacher]

Hi all,

I just read this interesting article on whether Ford should produce a fixed roof Bronco. For me, I would not be interested in this option as I love being able to drive without a top, but the article, of which I will link below, brings up some very valid points as to why Ford should produce one. Have a read of the article and let me know your thoughts...

Ford Bronco Lineup Needs A Fixed Roof Option: Opinion (fordauthority.com)

 

[quornee]

Not for me, but I think the option should be made available

 

[ChuckO]

I'm surprised they don't. I'm assuming they sell a removable hardtop although I wouldn't know, I've never ordered anything highway. Everything I've ever owned was bought off the lot

 

[FatbikerJo Bronco]

That was Toyota's biggest mistake when they brought back the FJ 40. Or whatever the new one was called.

 

[ChuckO]

That was Toyota's biggest mistake when they brought back the FJ 40. Or whatever the new one was called.

Yeah, the FJ didn't do well. I think Toyota's biggest mistake was to kill the MR2

 

[Oldhippie]

NO!! NO WAY!! NEVER!!! There are plenty of tin box vehicles out there for folks to hide from the outdoors! Don’t take the outdoors away from us!!!

 

[AcesandEights]

The Bronco has to have a removable top, or it's an Explorer.

 

[NickP]

I am riding with the top down 90% of the time, so no thanks here. I'd rather they put that engineering time into improving the tops we have. (Honestly I love the soft top though.)

 

[Rydfree]

The Bronco has to have a removable top, or it's an Explorer.

Yeah , I thinking just beef up the Explorer Timberline and call it a day .

 

[the poacher]

That was Toyota's biggest mistake when they brought back the FJ 40. Or whatever the new one was called.

I could not agree more BJS,
Toyota would have had a much more successful FJ Cruiser (you were close) on their hands if it had a removeable top. Big fail on their part.

 

[Thetank]

I think the fixed top option is called the bronco sport

 

[FatbikerJo Bronco]

I could not agree more BJS,
Toyota would have had a much more successful FJ Cruiser (you were close) on their hands if it had a removeable top. Big fail on their part.

Yeah and they made it too big and bulky. I looked at one and then I went and got a Ford Ranger 4x4.

 

[Mandogus]

I am riding with the top down 90% of the time, so no thanks here. I'd rather they put that engineering time into improving the tops we have. (Honestly I love the soft top though.)

this is me right now. of course driving at 70-80 mph on the highway I am wondering if that could damage the soft top.

 

[Hodg]

I wonder if they made a fixed top Bronco (took current Bronco and made it a fixed roof) if there would still be large enough of a market for the current line of Broncos - how many of the mall crawlers would only go for the fixed top vs. modular/ragtop

 

[the poacher]

I wonder if they made a fixed top Bronco (took current Bronco and made it a fixed roof) if there would still be large enough of a market for the current line of Broncos - how many of the mall crawlers would only go for the fixed top vs. modular/ragtop

I would think too many would take this option. For most owners, I believe the hard top will not come off once.

 

[tlowell01]

Nah, if you want a fixed roof off-roaders, get a 4runner.

Besides Ford has a hard enough time building it's current portfolio.

 

[AcesandEights]

I would think too many would take this option. For most owners, I believe the hard top will not come off once.

I agree, but the thought of taking off the roof is what sells, just like everything being "modular", or "lockers" or "Sasquatch" or any number of other things. Most people don't need a locker, but they think it sounds cool, like taking the top off in the summer and heading to the beach...yeah, once. But it sells vehicles.

 

[AcesandEights]

Nah, if you want a fixed roof off-roaders, get a 4runner.
,,,

This. The Bronco and the 4Runner are pretty closely matched, with one having the ability, whether you ever do it or not, to take the roof off.

 

[MarkPS]

Nah, if you want a fixed roof off-roaders, get a 4runner.

Besides Ford has a hard enough time building it's current portfolio.

See, I don't agree. A 4runner is a 4runner, and looks nothing like a Bronco. The hard top option doesn't appeal to me in the slightest, but the hard top option probably would appeal to folks who want a Bronco, but don't care about a topless version (weirdos for sure, but hey viva la difference) .

Obviously this won't happen until it proves to be a long term winner, and the supply chain sh*t is taken care of. I can see a white top hard top /contrasting body color being a good looking vehicle.

 

[AcesandEights]

See, I don't agree. A 4runner is a 4runner, and looks nothing like a Bronco...

Therein lies the real difference when it comes to buying. A lot of people care more about what a vehicle looks like than its underpinnings. The Bronco and 4Runner are very closely matched, the 4Runner having a very proven platform, with reliability, solid build quality, appropriate power, handling and drivability, etc. The 4Runner is a fixed-roof Bronco without the overly hyped marketing. If a person wanted a fixed-roof Bronco, they'd probably get a (subjectively) better vehicle by buying a 4Runner...but people buy, vote, love, based on looks.