Soft top vs hard top

Following as I am doing the same thing. OP where are you located?

I once owned a 2-dr Wrangler with just a soft top. People would just bend the front windows outwards (they just sat in the door frame via 2 metal prongs), reach in, unlock the door, and commence the stealing. I would just bend it back. But I could NEVER leave anything in it! I once had someone break in this way just to steel a candy bar! True Story!! It's really easy to put a knife to a soft top as well.

I ended up hating that soft top as I COULD NEVER GO SHOPPING WITH IT WITHOUT HAVING TO GO DIRECTLY HOME AND UNLOAD IT. No multiple errands could be made after I put anything in it! Christmas shopping sucked.

I am getting the dual top. I don't want the soft top slit open and my Bronco vandalized or stuff stolen. I would cry! I would REALLY cry if it were stolen (how many months to replace it! :oops: ).

Just my two cents! You will have to wait until next year though (Ford said dual top Broncos are pushed back until then), but it would be factory installed and stock. My dealer said you can leave the soft top installed (folded down) with the hardtop on. If none of this doesn't matter to you, get the soft top, get the Bronco sooner and buy an aftermarket hard top once available and hope it meets your expectations. I chose not to do that as I'm concerned aftermarket hardtops will suck because they are a module unit.:cool:

Gabz22

Originally had my heart set on the hard top but after watching videos of how easy the soft top is to pull down I changed my mind. Never owned a car with a soft top… would use this as my primary vehicle…. Pros and cons?

For me, in Colorado, a soft top is great as an AM part but would never have ONLY a soft top, plus when you go soft top first you lose all the connections for the hardtop rear window. Again another big NO for me here in CO with the winters and also the hail season

Bronco_Girl

My dealer said you can leave the soft top installed with the hardtop on.

I don't believe you can keep it on together as the hardtop connects to each other and you would be no way to reach the handles to lock it in place with a soft top on then the hard above it

Yeah I hear all that. I don't ever leave anything in my car anyway and I think I value the ability to easily throw it back when I want to and not have to worry about storing it. I will keep an eye out for an after market hard top and a roof rack for the soft top

shimmy825

Yeah I hear all that. I don't ever leave anything in my car anyway and I think I value the ability to easily throw it back when I want to and not have to worry about storing it. I will keep an eye out for an after market hard top and a roof rack for the soft top

I think any AM hardtop is years off since no top supplier can keep up with the needed supply for the auto manufactures.

ResidualGenius

I don't believe you can keep it on together as the hardtop connects to each other and you would be no way to reach the handles to lock it in place with a soft top on then the hard above it

Yeah I don't know then. My Dealer apparently doesn't either.

shimmy825

Yeah I hear all that. I don't ever leave anything in my car anyway and I think I value the ability to easily throw it back when I want to and not have to worry about storing it. I will keep an eye out for an after market hard top and a roof rack for the soft top

Wouldn't surprise me if they come out with an electric one someday. haha...that would be cool.

Bronco_Girl

Yeah I don't know then. My Dealer apparently doesn't either.

there are 2 latches connecting either front panel to the front and 2 latches to the rear on 2dr or MIddle panel to the rear on 4dr and then 4drs have the 2 extra fronts that are side and front latching. Damn if that isnt confusing to type out. Should have done each separate LMAO. But either way, you have to be able to reach the hardtop to secure the latches

ResidualGenius

there are 2 latches connecting either front panel to the front and 2 latches to the rear on 2dr or MIddle panel to the rear on 4dr and then 4drs have the 2 extra fronts that are side and front latching. Damn if that isnt confusing to type out. Should have done each separate LMAO. But either way, you have to be able to reach the hardtop to secure the latches

Oh ok, that makes sense.

Gabz22

Originally had my heart set on the hard top but after watching videos of how easy the soft top is to pull down I changed my mind. Never owned a car with a soft top… would use this as my primary vehicle…. Pros and cons?

Soft top is much easier to remove solo, and you wont be SOL when you're suddenly caught in the rain when the weathermen get it wrong once again.

Im saving $$$ just for a twill rag top, thats rhe one you want, worth the extra $$$

shimmy825

Following as I am doing the same thing. OP where are you located?

I’m in Florida!

I have had rag tops (Mustang) and hard tops/rag tops (Miata) and hard top only (Gen 5 Bronco). You will absolutely go topless more with a soft top (if that is what you want). You will need help removing the hard top (rear portion) and a place to store it while it is off.
I have never had theft or damage issues with any of the soft tops but I can't say it doesn't happen.
Road noise will be louder with soft top, hands down. Also nobody here will tell you that the soft top will have a longer lifespan than the hardtop, because it probably won't.
But as long as the vehicle is garage kept (KEY), the soft top should last you plenty long until they put out an aftermarket option. Mustang had factory top 15 yrs old and looked great, but it was garage kept.
It is not an easy choice at all. For full disclosure I opted for the soft top for early delivery. Would I rather have 2 tops if it was available today? Yep.
Am I regretting going soft top only? Nope.
Good luck!

Gabz22

I’m in Florida!

where is florida, I am on the east coast. Melbourne/Palm Bay area.

lonediver2002

where is florida, I am on the east coast. Melbourne/Palm Bay area.

Melbourne? Grimaldi Candy-Chocolate Covered Potato Chips!! Order them as gifts for friends and have stopped by the store. The stuff will kill you but it is worth it.

The number one biggest drawback to a soft top for me is road noise. They are a LOT louder, more so when you add a light bar or anything of that nature. Don't plan on holding long conversations on your phone while driving.

Have a Mustang as a convertible so that's sort of a soft top which i go out with it mostly down all the time..........otherwise nothing, but did order a soft top as an option when I placed the order back in January.......being in Michigan winters can be brutal so need a hard top for sure during those months.......will be watching posts on You Tube to learn how to remove and replace the tops when my OUTER BANKS order arrives......

Dwaine

Have a Mustang as a convertible so that's sort of a soft top which i go out with it mostly down all the time..........otherwise nothing, but did order a soft top as an option when I placed the order back in January.......being in Michigan winters can be brutal so need a hard top for sure during those months.......will be watching posts on You Tube to learn how to remove and replace the tops when my OUTER BANKS order arrives......

So you just ordered the soft top, right? Not the MIC?

I have a ragtop roadster and have had it for 22 years (the same car and bought her new). I love it. In 22 years, I had only one theft issue and that is while it was in storage while I was deployed (someone tried to rip the screen out of the dash). Never ever had an issue around town, but I have always been careful not to leave anything of value where it was not in a locked compartment. I love the ragtop, the relaxation of the open sky and airflow, and the excuse not to take calls because of wind noise. I can tell you that it has been my number one way of getting rid of stress before hitting the front door of my house. That said, I am getting both the soft and the hardtop. In the winter, even though it is only three months, and for any long-distance driving it will give me the option. I also want it wired for the hardtop, which I understand is not yet an option if you get the soft top at order. That said, if the Bronco is used like my other ragtop, the hardtop will mostly sit in storage. My two cents...