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Fiberglass tops

arokcrwlr

Newbie
Joined
Mar 12, 2002
Messages
16
I am in need of a full hard top and have been looking at the fiberglass ones from Bronco Design. Anyone here have experience with these tops? Any downsides vs a metal top?
 

Madgyver

Bronco Madman
Joined
Jul 30, 2001
Messages
14,678
I love it... ordered a metal top from the west coast and it got damaged through the freight forwarder that I hired. filed a claim. ordered a glass top from Corey at BD and couldn't be happier. build changed because of the mishap. claim took 6 months to get reimbursed. Bronco mods was done by then.
 

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sprdv1

Contributor
REBEL
Joined
Mar 8, 2007
Messages
81,734
I would say you can NOT go wrong w/them, but I'll let you know come end of year :D
 

sprdv1

Contributor
REBEL
Joined
Mar 8, 2007
Messages
81,734
I love it... ordered a metal top from the west coast and it got damaged through the freight forwarder that I hired. filed a claim. ordered a glass top from Corey at BD and couldn't be happier. build changed because of the mishap. claim took 6 months to get reimbursed. Bronco mods was done by then.

I got one in the process :)

pick up in Nov time frame
 

chrlsful

Bronco Guru
Joined
Oct 21, 2009
Messages
1,344
there's other co.s too. BUT...
metal: very heavy, traditional repair methods, rusts.
glass: light. , non-trad methods , sun damage.

costs, looks, others?
 

Pearlcoat

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Feb 17, 2008
Messages
1,287
We have the BD top and it's top quality. Corey and Rod at Bronco Design are outstanding people and you'll enjoy doing business with them.
 

omureebe

Full Member
Joined
Jun 18, 2013
Messages
402
there's other co.s too. BUT...
metal: very heavy, traditional repair methods, rusts.
glass: light. , non-trad methods , sun damage.

costs, looks, others?

Is the fiberglass really that much less than the metal? In New England, these hardtops sell in the spring, and buy in the fall because no one can manage where to put them off season. Why not just find a nice original?

I bought locally a redone hardtop - metal work done, paint done, gaskets done, lift gate done.... basically perfect. Yup $1500 and tell me I overpaid, but it's PERFECT.
 

chrlsful

Bronco Guru
Joined
Oct 21, 2009
Messages
1,344
cost:
metal - $1500
glass - $2500

looks:
metal -
glass -
(I cant tell till really close)

_Other? _ I think the glass might B stronger. After some trail rides the glass bounced offa some s4!+ that left the metal pretty destroyed. As a glass boat (27 ft sloop) owner I've seen some saw toothed on the rip rap (solid grossly raged rock) during huracane that weren't as damaged as I expected.

No votes in yet but I use all 3 tops seasonally. Wish I hada glass due to the weight alone...
 

Bronco4x4

Sr. Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2009
Messages
598
FYI>>Fiberglass tops and body tubs do not protect you from lightning. The electricity travels through the metal body to ground. Most people think the tires insulate the vehicle but do not. If in a metal vehicle try to stay away from the door hardware, console, etc. to not get fried.
 

chrlsful

Bronco Guru
Joined
Oct 21, 2009
Messages
1,344
Thank you for what ypu've added.
rare cept 4 'mountain climbers' and we don't see that statistically back east
 

Galt72

Contributor
Newbie
Joined
Apr 21, 2004
Messages
617
My glass top is close to 30 yrs old and looks new. Lighter, quieter, and less rust...
 

chrlsful

Bronco Guru
Joined
Oct 21, 2009
Messages
1,344
Under "Other" category:

"quieter" U mean in the cab (a 'wagon top' I assume)?
Kouwell...
How gauged, U been ina glass house 30 yrs?
thnx
 

Galt72

Contributor
Newbie
Joined
Apr 21, 2004
Messages
617
Yes, quieter on the inside. my old top would tin can all the time even with the headliner installed.

My top probably sat out 15 of those years in the driveway, California sun. It is Gelcoat white.
 

Madgyver

Bronco Madman
Joined
Jul 30, 2001
Messages
14,678
i have all 3 to compare.
Original tops. I have through 5 of them.. Rust kills it, rain drip rails go first. I have a halfcab top to restore. it will take some work but doable. you will see it later in my builds.

New metal top.. didn't survive shipping to Hawaii. forklift damaged in Hawaii. Filed claim with shipping company and rewarded 6 months later. Noticed sheet metal is thinner than original metal top. it still needs to be welded together. I can repair it but it will take more work than what I ordered. But I still have something to mess with that I had reimbursement for..

Fiberglass top from Corey. I have 2 of them. One is on the Firebronco in pics. Solid build. Will not rust. prep work to install is minimal. Other is going on to green77, work in progress. again will not rust

I can't find any good originals for sale here in the islands. If I could it would be my 1st choice because of shipping. and when I do, they don't last many years going through our fishing adventures.

Bronco Design Tops are top choice for me. Corey and crew does great work. Crates them well to get it to me.

Those metal reproduction tops are foreign made with foreign metal. if this is my only option then this is my last option. I'll do a soft top.
 

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sprdv1

Contributor
REBEL
Joined
Mar 8, 2007
Messages
81,734
What's your thoughts to keep their grey color when delivered?

I'm thinking, just Clear Coat over the top and done done....?

i have all 3 to compare.
Original tops. I have through 5 of them.. Rust kills it, rain drip rails go first. I have a halfcab top to restore. it will take some work but doable. you will see it later in my builds.

New metal top.. didn't survive shipping to Hawaii. forklift damaged in Hawaii. Filed claim with shipping company and rewarded 6 months later. Noticed sheet metal is thinner than original metal top. it still needs to be welded together. I can repair it but it will take more work than what I ordered. But I still have something to mess with that I had reimbursement for..

Fiberglass top from Corey. I have 2 of them. One is on the Firebronco in pics. Solid build. Will not rust. prep work to install is minimal. Other is going on to green77, work in progress. again will not rust

I can't find any good originals for sale here in the islands. If I could it would be my 1st choice because of shipping. and when I do, they don't last many years going through our fishing adventures.

Bronco Design Tops are top choice for me. Corey and crew does great work. Crates them well to get it to me.

Those metal reproduction tops are foreign made with foreign metal. if this is my only option then this is my last option. I'll do a soft top.
 

chrlsful

Bronco Guru
Joined
Oct 21, 2009
Messages
1,344
gel coat protects'n strengthens. Protect THAT as well even if w/nother grey.
I would ask that Particular manufacturer their suggestions as I do not know them,
their process (better than opinion?)~
 

chrlsful

Bronco Guru
Joined
Oct 21, 2009
Messages
1,344
these Qs could go to Tasker in PM. He responds w/care'n interest, has had glass for yrs.
On the racks (even metal) I would have a good backer and ck in w/manafacturer~
 
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Madgyver

Bronco Madman
Joined
Jul 30, 2001
Messages
14,678
What's your thoughts to keep their grey color when delivered?

I'm thinking, just Clear Coat over the top and done done....?
Taz wanted his rig already. I was going to paint it but the finish kinda matched. It's not painted yet, installed as is. Sides and liftgate are metal and painted, base/clear
a year later and still looks great.
 
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