Photo: Ford via USPTO
For the time being, only Jeep offers a convertible pickup truck in the mid-size segment. The Gladiator also happens to be the most expensive workhorse in the class, starting at $33,545 excluding freight.
Even the entry-level Sport trim is available with the three-piece Freedom Top, and if you’re feeling spendful, the Dual Top Group adds both the Freedom roof and Sunrider soft top for the princely price of $2,295. There’s no denying the Gladiator has massive appeal for all the right reasons, and as it happens, Ford might be interested in coming up with an alternative.
Enter patent US 2019 291 552 A1 filed by Ford Global Technologies in 2018 and published by the USPTO on September 26th, 2019. Under the title “removable vehicle roof cap assemblies with self-aligning mounting systems,” the Blue Oval showcases what appears to be a combination between the Ranger and F-150 with a removable top. Looking at the bigger picture, this system could be offered in the Bronco mid-size SUV before any workhorse.
The assembly “includes a roof cap and a mounting system with one or more self-aligning brackets configured to articulate into alignment with one or more receiving brackets that are mounted to the vehicle.” As with every other design patent, it is also possible that Ford won’t go forward with the removable top if the higher-ups can’t make a business case for such an option.
We wouldn’t be so pessimistic about it given the Bronco is right around the corner with removable doors and storage space for the doors in the rear of the Ranger-based sport utility vehicle. The Blue Oval would miss out on a handful of customers without such an option, let alone something that would steal buyers away from the Jeep Wrangler two-door JL and four-door JLU.
Scheduled to enter production next year at the facility where the Ranger is manufactured for the U.S. market, the Bronco will be available in the first instance with the 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder turbo. This engine is good for 310 pound-feet and 270 horsepower, adequate ratings for the segment.
Enter patent US 2019 291 552 A1 filed by Ford Global Technologies in 2018 and published by the USPTO on September 26th, 2019. Under the title “removable vehicle roof cap assemblies with self-aligning mounting systems,” the Blue Oval showcases what appears to be a combination between the Ranger and F-150 with a removable top. Looking at the bigger picture, this system could be offered in the Bronco mid-size SUV before any workhorse.
The assembly “includes a roof cap and a mounting system with one or more self-aligning brackets configured to articulate into alignment with one or more receiving brackets that are mounted to the vehicle.” As with every other design patent, it is also possible that Ford won’t go forward with the removable top if the higher-ups can’t make a business case for such an option.
We wouldn’t be so pessimistic about it given the Bronco is right around the corner with removable doors and storage space for the doors in the rear of the Ranger-based sport utility vehicle. The Blue Oval would miss out on a handful of customers without such an option, let alone something that would steal buyers away from the Jeep Wrangler two-door JL and four-door JLU.
Scheduled to enter production next year at the facility where the Ranger is manufactured for the U.S. market, the Bronco will be available in the first instance with the 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder turbo. This engine is good for 310 pound-feet and 270 horsepower, adequate ratings for the segment.
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