Bronco

Make
Ford
Segment
SUV

As far as desirable off-roaders go, the Ford Bronco is pretty much up there with the best of them. It's not perfect, though. Myriad customer complaints about the hardtop have proven to be quite the headache for the Blue Oval, with the company promising to replace the Webasto-supplied item at no cost to the customer. After being exposed to harsh weather, some examples exhibited accelerated wear, with a honeycomb-like pattern showing through the paint, while others simply didn't fit properly.

This is the perfect opportunity for aftermarket companies to pounce on the moment and offer a higher quality option to customers. Advanced Fiberglass Concepts did just that, teasing its upcoming alternative earlier in the year. The company has just announced its Bronco Hardtops are now available to order, with prices starting from just $5,250 for the one-piece version and $5,750 for the modular design.

The modular design is very much like Ford's existing hardtop but uses fewer pieces than the factory-supplied roof which, says the company, provides a quieter ride, superior fit and finish, and, importantly, less chance of leaking. Available in three finishes, Advanced Fiberglass Concepts can supply the roof in a UV textured white or black and a primer for those looking to color-match the hardtop to their off-roaders.

While the roof could be considered pricey, desperate Bronco owners may just bite the bullet. At least it comes with all the necessary components, such as the rear struts, hinges, mounting hardware. Glass is also included, along with a plug-and-play defroster. The company notes the hardtop is compatible with the Blue Oval's hardtop prep kit and because it weighs approximately the same as the OEM item, the aftermarket top can be fitted with roof racks.

Advanced Fiberglass Concepts will add extras for an additional outlay. Electing to fit a wiper and washer assembly is an extra $250, while sound deadening will set you back $575. The various finishes do not affect the price. Currently, the aftermarket company is focusing on hardtops for four-door models only, citing the need to meet market demand.

However, those who own the two-door variant shouldn't fret: it has said it may look into making two-door tops in the future. While hard-top owners may be pleased with the news, there's still no solution to a problem that appears to plague soft-top models. Much to his dismay, one Bronco owner discovered that, amid a snowstorm, his cloth-topped Bronco wasn't protecting the interior from the harsh elements, with snow coating the seats and dashboard.