Thoughts on roofless and weather

magicrobots

I took the hard top and doors off the other day. It's winter here in Savannah which means ... lovely weather! :) I don't have a garage, so I typically park in the car port when it's going to rain, because that just seems like the smart thing to do.

Sometimes, like this morning, it was just SUPER foggy and when I went out to the car it was pretty much covered in droplets of water. No big deal, just wipe off the drivers seat with a towel and go.

I know this thing was designed to handle weather and mud and stuff, I am just curious about others' thoughts on driving with no roof in the rain or mudding and hosing it out, etc.

I do have the carpeted interior, which wouldn't have been my choice if I'd spec'd this thing out myself, so I'm guessing I have to treat that a little differently. I can't just remove it and replace with the rubberized, can I? :) Does the carpeted even have the drain plugs? I haven't checked!!

Happy Thursday y'all

Sounds like a great time!
Carpeted has passive drain plugs, but I wouldn't rely on them. Guide: The Washout Flooring Feature of the Ford Bronco

magicrobots

I do have the carpeted interior, which wouldn't have been my choice if I'd spec'd this thing out myself, so I'm guessing I have to treat that a little differently. I can't just remove it and replace with the rubberized, can I? :) Does the carpeted even have the drain plugs? I haven't checked!!

You totally can. I think this is the part number M2DZ-7813010-AA. Its like $800 or so though.
If it were me, I would get some quality floor mats (weathertech or whatever) and call it a day. Those give plenty of coverage. I have the ford rubber mats in mine and I can hardly see the carpet.

If you wait, Im sure the aftermarket will eventually offer a kit that will be cheaper.

Nice; thanks y'all!

Mal

If it were me, I would get some quality floor mats (weathertech or whatever) and call it a day.

I did actually order the ford rubber mats the other day; they should arrive tomorrow! Glad to know they are working well for you.

Laura

Carpeted has passive drain plugs, but I wouldn't rely on them. Guide: The Washout Flooring Feature of the Ford Bronco

This link is really useful - thank you! Cool to know where the drain plugs are and the relationship between models and features here. I was totally curious about that stuff.

Cheers!

You could also use this:
https://accessories.ford.com/products/bronco-4dr-2021-full-vehicle-cover-for-soft-cockpit-1

magicrobots

I took the hard top and doors off the other day. It's winter here in Savannah which means ... lovely weather! :) I don't have a garage, so I typically park in the car port when it's going to rain, because that just seems like the smart thing to do.

Sometimes, like this morning, it was just SUPER foggy and when I went out to the car it was pretty much covered in droplets of water. No big deal, just wipe off the drivers seat with a towel and go.

I know this thing was designed to handle weather and mud and stuff, I am just curious about others' thoughts on driving with no roof in the rain or mudding and hosing it out, etc.

I do have the carpeted interior, which wouldn't have been my choice if I'd spec'd this thing out myself, so I'm guessing I have to treat that a little differently. I can't just remove it and replace with the rubberized, can I? :) Does the carpeted even have the drain plugs? I haven't checked!!

Happy Thursday y'all

Computers and electronics and water don’t really seem like a good mix. 🤷‍♂️ for long-term use.

Irishdore

You could also use this:
https://accessories.ford.com/products/bronco-4dr-2021-full-vehicle-cover-for-soft-cockpit-1

Oh neat that's an interesting alternative. Cheers!

magicrobots

I took the hard top and doors off the other day. It's winter here in Savannah which means ... lovely weather! :) I don't have a garage, so I typically park in the car port when it's going to rain, because that just seems like the smart thing to do.

Sometimes, like this morning, it was just SUPER foggy and when I went out to the car it was pretty much covered in droplets of water. No big deal, just wipe off the drivers seat with a towel and go.

I know this thing was designed to handle weather and mud and stuff, I am just curious about others' thoughts on driving with no roof in the rain or mudding and hosing it out, etc.

I do have the carpeted interior, which wouldn't have been my choice if I'd spec'd this thing out myself, so I'm guessing I have to treat that a little differently. I can't just remove it and replace with the rubberized, can I? :) Does the carpeted even have the drain plugs? I haven't checked!!

Happy Thursday y'all

I have a Badlands with MGV. Same as you, just need a towel. The biggest problem, when driving, is the inside of the windshield does not have a wiper!

magicrobots

Oh neat that's an interesting alternative. Cheers!

No worries. It only makes the claim to keep out the dew, and maybe some sideways indirect rain, etc. But you had said you park under a covered car port, so I think it would be super applicable to you. You could park under the port, leave everything off (doors, top, etc.), and then put the cover on your Bronco and you should be set.

It is less than 1/2 the cost of swapping out your carpet flooring for rubberized floor with the part number suggested by Mal ( M2DZ-7813010-AA ).

Irishdore

...I think it would be super applicable to you. You could park under the port, leave everything off (doors, top, etc.), and then put the cover on your Bronco and you should be set.

It is less than 1/2 the cost of swapping out your carpet flooring for rubberized floor...

Agreed; this should fit my use case nicely. I also found this product, which is made right across the river from me in South Carolina, which appears to be made a little more solidly:

https://www.broncover.com/shop/p/broncover2d

Bronco 202?

Computers and electronics and water don’t really seem like a good mix. 🤷‍♂️ for long-term use.

Agree, I have enough "Electrical Glitch's" with out leaving the top off in the rain. Had a YJ that use to sit with no top all summer, always started right up with no problems. Not going to take that chance in a 50K bronco

rayhil67

Agree, I have enough "Electrical Glitch's" with out leaving the top off in the rain. Had a YJ that use to sit with no top all summer, always started right up with no problems. Not going to take that chance in a 50K bronco

Yeah I have to admit I'm emotionally torn. My instinct is to take great care of this car (truck?) which is the most expensive vehicle I've ever owned. I'm pretty type-A when it comes to stuff like cars and computers etc.
But on the other hand, a large part of the reason I got it was to enjoy its ruggedness and enjoy every scar it receives with the story that created it. Get it muddy. Get it wet. Clean it out over the weekend.
I have a feeling I'll go back and forth between the two methods forever. :)

Level3Looper

I have a Badlands with MGV. Same as you, just need a towel. The biggest problem, when driving, is the inside of the windshield does not have a wiper!

Was that Bear Mountain?

Since the thread is bumped, I thought my experiences with rolling topless might help others.

I live in the PNW where it rains, rains, and rains some more. I do the same with my Bronco as I did with my previous Jeeps. My hardtop comes off in the Spring and stays off until Winter.

Get a canvas bikini top, not a mesh one as that will just create a rain shower experience inside the vehicle. I use the www.broncobikini.com canvas bikini and it's been great! Also, keep the windows rolled up.

It will keep water off the dash area and off you and front seat passengers. Rear seat passengers, at least in the 2dr, are gonna get a little more wet as there are no windows back there to add protection. Rear passengers won't get doused but they will get rain from the sides.

If you need to park for any extended period of time you have a few options.

• Get a boat cover telescoping pole and prop the bikini up using it so the water can flow off.
• Park at an upward or downward angle so water rolls to the front or rear.
• Mall crawl park so the water can roll to the sides.

For longer term parking use a rain cover. I have the Rain Gear Trail Cover that I use on my overnight camping trips and it has worked great. It is however thick and bulky. https://www.raingearcovers.com/product-page/ford-bronco-2-door-2021-2023-trail-cover

If water in the rear cargo area get excessive, pull the drain plugs. I also carry a few towels to wipe down seats and the insides door areas as they will get wet.

I have the vinyl seats in my Badlands and rubberized flooring so I am not worried about them getting wet. If you have cloth seats then I'd suggest getting some seat covers like Bartact or something similar. https://www.bartact.com/products/br...1-2022-2023-2024-for-2-door-or-4-door-bartact I had the Bartact's in my previous Jeep and they were fantastic!

My .02

Johnny Mo

Was that Bear Mountain?

Yep! Crossed again this past weekend to visit Perkins Memorial Tower.

Level3Looper

Yep! Crossed again this past weekend to visit Perkins Memorial Tower.

I know it well - usually out on the bikes with the moto crew. That did NOT look like a fun drive.

Part of me feels like if it were to get wet inside -- SOMETHING would stop working as a result .. the radio, seats, charger... so it's a HARD no for me personally ..

MWNew

Part of me feels like if it were to get wet inside -- SOMETHING would stop working as a result .. the radio, seats, charger... so it's a HARD no for me personally ..

I hear ya. Though, after four heavy rains and many regular rain with no top and 40k miles in - so far - no issues. Admittedly, I'm a bit careless because I'm trying to see who will last longer, me or my Bronco :)

MWNew

Part of me feels like if it were to get wet inside -- SOMETHING would stop working as a result .. the radio, seats, charger... so it's a HARD no for me personally ..

I have been caught in those "0% chance of rain days" with the doors off, I have a sunrider so the top is easy fix. One time I had to drive about 10 miles till I got to a underpass during a pop up thunderstorm. storm was traveling from west to east and I was on RT222 north. I had a inch of water on the seats and floor, no issues

rayhil67

I have been caught in those "0% chance of rain days" with the doors off, I have a sunrider so the top is easy fix. One time I had to drive about 10 miles till I got to a underpass during a pop up thunderstorm. storm was traveling from west to east and I was on RT222 north. I had a inch of water on the seats and floor, no issues

This is good to know.. Will definitely look into a sunrider. Thanks so much for sharing!