Standard off-road features aren’t the only things that make cars like the Ford Bronco so great. Adventure seekers also appreciate the added open-air immersion while hiking trails. That’s why the Jeep Wrangler has had a detachable top and doors for years.
Not to be outdone, the Ford Bronco can have a removable hard or soft roof. Which one should you buy for the best deal?
All about the new Ford Bronco
The full-sized Ford Bronco is available in a two-door or four-door configuration. The two-door model predictably has a shorter wheelbase, making it easier to maneuver on trails. However, the four-door model is more suitable for families because of its more spacious interior.
No matter how many doors you want, both come standard with a 2.3-litre 300hp four-cylinder turbo engine. It is mated to a seven-speed manual transmission and part-time 4WD.
Full time 4WD charges are additional. The base powertrain can be replaced by a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 with 330 horsepower on tap and a 10-speed automatic transmission.
30-inch tires wrap around 16-inch wheels, giving the Ford Bronco excellent traction. It also helped with the GOAT riding mode system, which has options for smooth and sandy terrain. Higher rims give you extra riding modes for rock crawling and muddy terrain.
True off-road enthusiasts may also find the Sasquatch package worthwhile. This bundle has beefy 35-inch tires, limited-slip differentials at both ends and Bilstein shocks. Some higher end versions, such as the Bronco Wildtrak, have this equipment as standard.
From the Black Diamond upholstery you get rubber floor mats with drain plugs. The Everglades model has a snorkel included, plus a standard hardtop. This trim and the Raptor are only available in the four-door configuration.
Which Ford Bronco has a standard detachable hood?
According to Forbes, every two-door Ford Bronco comes with a removable hardtop roof. The four-door models come standard with a soft-top roof, which is extendable and can also be removed.
To add a hardtop to your four-door Bronco will cost an additional $695. It can be plastic or painted metal. The retractable soft top is not available for two-door Broncos.
The hard roof is split into three panels for the cab, rear row and cab areas of the vehicle. This allows the rear riders to take a ride in the open air while the cab remains closed or vice versa.
Both models come with removable doors. Because the rear-view cameras are mounted on the hood, you don’t have to worry about safety and visibility being compromised with the doors off. Ford also made the removal process as easy as possible, and all four panels fit neatly into the Bronco’s trunk.
However, each of the doors could potentially be too heavy for just one person to lift. Each door panel weighs 48 pounds, according to The Drive. The plastic roof panel of the cab section weighs 65 pounds, with the rear glass attached.
Buying the two-door Ford Bronco is the cheapest way to get a removable hardtop. It has a suggested retail price of $30,800. With the hard-top premium applied, the four-door Bronco Base costs $35,345.
Is the Ford Bronco a good car?
While a removable top is a great selling point, the Ford Bronco has been running into trouble recently. There have been several reports of engine failures on low-mileage 2.7-litre V6 engines, which appear to be due to dropped valves. Ford is reportedly aware of the issue and has since committed to modifying the engine.
Due to production delays, the metal hardtop roof is also notoriously difficult to get to. The plastic hardtop is more readily available, but some units were prone to water leakage.
Ford issued a recall shortly after the issue came to light. Other quality control issues over poor workmanship and peeling headliners have also been reported. Ford is replacing all roofs on Broncos that have yet to be built, so be aware of delays when booking one.
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