Why is there no option for a soft top 2 door?

Im trying to still figure that out.

Alot of the frustration is we wouldn’t have bad batches if they just offered it, plus some of us had plans to drive it and show it off this summer, and rather than compromise, they just wanna fix a problem when there was at least two solutions

Trenton Webber

Hi Ford, BroncoNation, and everyone, my only question I have for the group is WHY is there not a soft top option for the 2 door Broncos? I owned a 73 and want the iconic look of the Bronco which is not the 4 door. I sold my 73 12 years ago and have been waiting for a new gen to be built and I will continue to wait which is fine because it is what I want but the why question never gets answered just skirted around or avoided. I may have missed the answers for this but I can’t find it anywhere.
The iconic Bronco was a 2 door, help me out with this answer. Please no negative comments on this thread, I never post because I hate the negativity or rudeness. I just want the why answered.

-Trent

Trent-
There are many of us out there asking the same question, unfortunately the majority are purchasing the 4 door , so the concern is overwhelmingly four door concerns.
I , like you have chosen the iconic “look” of the 2 door.
The reality is , build constraint should have been legitimate across the lines as Ford originally offered the packages.
What I’m saying “in my opinion” is it should have been “much, much” harder to recieve an mic top for a 4 door since a soft top is “STANDARD” on a 4 door.
Just like Ford is saying “first Editions “ are first.
-2 Door MIC tops should be the first mic tops available before others. As MIC is “STANDARD” on a 2 door.
I fully realize how much even “this comment” peeves the other 70% of people here that ordered 4 doors.
- according to all of the other “me first” perspectives.
I can’t answer “why ?” The most iconic build ,
“The 2021 - 2 Door Bronco”
Is now the stepchild of the Bronco line.
Seems to me a soft top would be Wrather simple to build.
“I would guess it’s some rollover safety standard,
If not it’s just laziness in fords part.
“Just My Opinion “

Just remember, when someone cites Ford hired experts, just go watch the evening news and remember what the “expert” said months ago vs now

it would be rather simple, but probably went the accessories route with the soft tops, so instead of paying $500 extra for the twill doucheknot softtop, you’re paying $2200

Is there a patent on a 2 door soft top? If so, who owns the patent? Maybe it’s a patent infringement issue which is why the 2 door is not available with a soft top directly from the factory?

Trenton Webber

Hi Ford, BroncoNation, and everyone, my only question I have for the group is WHY is there not a soft top option for the 2 door Broncos? I owned a 73 and want the iconic look of the Bronco which is not the 4 door. I sold my 73 12 years ago and have been waiting for a new gen to be built and I will continue to wait which is fine because it is what I want but the why question never gets answered just skirted around or avoided. I may have missed the answers for this but I can’t find it anywhere.
The iconic Bronco was a 2 door, help me out with this answer. Please no negative comments on this thread, I never post because I hate the negativity or rudeness. I just want the why answered.

-Trent

There is no logical reason.

SlashRacer

Is there a patent on a 2 door soft top? If so, who owns the patent? Maybe it’s a patent infringement issue which is why the 2 door is not available with a soft top directly from the factory?

Your Guess is as good as anyone’s.
The articulation would be much easier for a 2 door build because the reach from windshield to tailgate is much shorter.
I would assume “best top” contract was chasing the specialized build of the 4 door reach and don’t wanna bother with competing with aftermarket prices for the 2 door.

“all speculation “ as it seems to be a poisonous topic for Ford.

The only plausible reason that I have seen is it is Ford's attempt at staying true to the first generation. It might have been cool if they offered roadsters, ute and the wagon style, but they went with wagon style only with hard tops.
The roadster had soft tops and soft doors as options that the dealer installed. I am sure we will see it in the future, maybe a limited offering or something.
No other bronco has ever had a factory or semi factory soft top option. Iconic is in the eye of the beholder, although the Bronco is definable as an icon and iconic brand, which generation best represents the brand is debatable.
The staying true may just be a bit of marketing bs, with the real truth being they just bit off much more than they could chew.......
The two door is the lesser chosen vehicle by a long shot. Of this group most seem to want the hard top. Some wanted the soft top from the get go, but were happy with the hard top order knowing they can get an aftermarket softie elsewhere.
Move along many months and many more disappointments and yes, not being able to change to a soft top is a real dilemma for 2 dr order holders. I believe at this point, it is simply because Ford has held ground this long that they can't get a factory 2 door soft top up and going to really make a difference.

[
Hi Ford, BroncoNation, and everyone, my only question I have for the group is WHY is there not a soft top option for the 2 door Broncos? I owned a 73 and want the iconic look of the Bronco which is not the 4 door. I sold my 73 12 years ago and have been waiting for a new gen to be built and I will continue to wait which is fine because it is what I want but the why question never gets answered just skirted around or avoided. I may have missed the answers for this but I can’t find it anywhere.
The iconic Bronco was a 2 door, help me out with this answer. Please no negative comments on this thread, I never post because I hate the negativity or rudeness. I just want the why answered.

-Trent

I know it's not as easy as it seems and all that but in light of the current situation ... why hasn't FORD contracted with a reputable soft top manufacturer to offers a soft top option to 2DR buyers. Not for free but as an option. Then we can order the MIC later on or not at all.

I think it comes down to one thing...volume, and the document below really tells the story.

2 door is a much smaller volume than 4 door. When buyers have the choice, they overwhelmingly pick hard top (the below was before Ford started encouraging 4 door owners to purchase soft tops to get their vehicles faster).

I would imagine that that is probably in line with what Ford expected from their market research when they green lit the Bronco. The tiny volume of projected 2 door soft top 2 door buyers simply didn't warrant the investment of offering a soft top option.

Unfortunately, when the hard top problems hit, they just didn't have a soft top option on standby they could swap out, and by the time they could either design one or subcontract it out and get all the various federal safety certifications required for selling from the factory, the hard top lines would probably be producing closer to normal.

tlowell01

I think it comes down to one thing...volume, and the document below really tells the story.

2 door is a much smaller volume than 4 door. When buyers have the choice, they overwhelmingly pick hard top (the below was before Ford started encouraging 4 door owners to purchase soft tops to get their vehicles faster).

I would imagine that that is probably in line with what Ford expected from their market research when they green lit the Bronco. The tiny volume of projected 2 door soft top 2 door buyers simply didn't warrant the investment of offering a soft top option.

Unfortunately, when the hard top problems hit, they just didn't have a soft top option on standby they could swap out, and by the time they could either design one or subcontract it out and get all the various federal safety certifications required for selling from the factory, the hard top lines would probably be producing closer to normal.

You can get the 2 door Bestop now from Ford accessories. You just can’t get it from the factory. Why, is the million dollar question. Most likely it has to do with contractual conflict between Ford, Webasto and Bestop. It could also possibly be that Ford knows Bestop couldn’t ramp up in time and it would create another mess.

Unfortunately, when the hard top problems hit, they just didn't have a soft top option on standby they could swap out, and by the time they could either design one or subcontract it out and get all the various federal safety certifications required for selling from the factory, the hard top lines would probably be producing closer to normal.
[/QUOTE]

New to the Board, thank you for the insightful response. Your mention of the federal safety certification for selling from the factory makes perfect sense. Thanks again!

Last Ride Bronco

You can get the 2 door Bestop now from Ford accessories. You just can’t get it from the factory. Why, is the million dollar question. Most likely it has to do with contractual conflict between Ford, Webasto and Bestop. It could also possibly be that Ford knows Bestop couldn’t ramp up in time and it would create another mess.

I would guess you hit nail on the head…
“Contractual”
Still yet , why not offer both and ship the mic later ?
I live in Tulsa.
majority F-150 sales as far as truck marketing/sales.
Easy enough to crate an mic top and send it along in an f-150 bed when it’s being delivered.
we’re supposed to be a society being less wasteful ?

You can get the 2 door Bestop now from Ford accessories. You just can’t get it from the factory. Why, is the million dollar question.
[/QUOTE]

In light of previous response - federal safety certifications required for selling from the factory - is sounds like FORD can sell the soft top as an accessory but not direct from factory. Assuming the top is 'certified' to sell as an accessory would some type of supplemental submission be feasible to sell from the factory. If there really are that few 2DR orders it doesn't seem like a crazy number would need to be manufactured. Guessing Bestop would welcome the business?

Hey look let's beat a dead horse again!!

Trenton Webber

Hi Ford, BroncoNation, and everyone, my only question I have for the group is WHY is there not a soft top option for the 2 door Broncos? I owned a 73 and want the iconic look of the Bronco which is not the 4 door. I sold my 73 12 years ago and have been waiting for a new gen to be built and I will continue to wait which is fine because it is what I want but the why question never gets answered just skirted around or avoided. I may have missed the answers for this but I can’t find it anywhere.
The iconic Bronco was a 2 door, help me out with this answer. Please no negative comments on this thread, I never post because I hate the negativity or rudeness. I just want the why answered.

-Trent

As an old owner of a 12 Rubicon 2dr hardtop, there is really no reason for a soft top. The soft top is ugly(on and folded back), loud, easy to cut and enter, and does not wear well, plus the windows are not clear after just a few years. Im surprised its an option on the 4dr.
The hard top has multi functions, easy and reliable, one person can take off and put on(thought its much easier with two or cheap lift set up), has real glass, offers more protection, looks better, etc. To me there is no reason to get the soft top.
The only advantage of the soft top is it collapse when completely off to store in a smaller area.

The reason there are no soft top two doors right now, there will be in the future, is there is a federal regulation that says they have to sell a certain number of hard tops before they can produce a factory soft top for 2 door. Jeep went through the same issue when the jk first came out. Why ford won't just say this is beyond me, but I know this was an issue before as well. Even on the JL jeep had to wait till enough hard tops were sold before selling soft tops. They have a similar issue with the half doors they are selling now. You have to order the full doors then add the halves as an accessory

Mdemieville

The reason there are no soft top two doors right now, there will be in the future, is there is a federal regulation that says they have to sell a certain number of hard tops before they can produce a factory soft top for 2 door. Jeep went through the same issue when the jk first came out. Why ford won't just say this is beyond me, but I know this was an issue before as well. Even on the JL jeep had to wait till enough hard tops were sold before selling soft tops. They have a similar issue with the half doors they are selling now. You have to order the full doors then add the halves as an accessory

I have heard this before but nobody seems to know the specifics. I tried to google search it and couldn't come up with anything.
Anyone know how we could find the exact regulation?

I don't know the exact regulation but I know it was discussed in a youtube video from Wayoflife. Just don't remember which video