Flame suit on. Feedback wanted...Bronco/Ford.

[shrub1]

I've had my 2016 Pro for about 4 years now and while it has been good I'd really like to get into something with a SFA and I do not want a Jeep. IF the new big Bronco has a SFA I'd likely make the jump. Now, I know very well it may be pipe dream that the new big Bronco will have SFA (and yes, I've seen the one racing through the desert at KOA (that DNF'd) had IFS, but I wanted get other's feedback into Ford quality as of late.
If the Bronco has IFS, I'll just keep my 4Runner.
Any thoughts?

 

[T4R2014]

It's going to be a shortened Ranger frame. It is IFS. Ford makes the most popular fullsize pickup around if it says anything. I realize the last BOF exploder was a pos though.

 

[Jernik]

I wish they'd quit talking about it and just release the damn thing already!

I'm curious about it, but not as a 4R replacement. If it ever is launched, I may consider trading the Wrangler for one just for something different. SFA vs IFS is not an issue for me - any wheeling I do is very mild.

All that said, the reality is if I were to replace my Jeep, the rational decision would be to get a truck. Wish the Gladiator was built in a 2 door/6ft bed configuration - it would already be in my driveway.

 

[shrub1]

It's going to be a shortened Ranger frame. It is IFS. Ford makes the most popular fullsize pickup around if it says anything. I realize the last BOF exploder was a pos though.

Ford keeps saying that the big Bronco is looking to compete directly with the Wrangler. For that to happen it needs to be SFA. You are most likely correct re IFS, but I am keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[llDemonll]

The only Ford trucks right now with solid front axles are the super duty.

Almost zero chance the Bronco will be solid front.

 

[uh0h50]

Can't lie, I'm excited to see what Ford brings to the plate with the new Bronco. Also - even though it doesn't really have my interest, I'm curious to see what the "baby Bronco" is all about too.

 

[DryHeatAZ]

I can only speak to my experience with Ford quality as of late. Let first say I learned to drive in a '69 Bronco (3 on the tree) and have been driving back to back F150's for the last 16 years. I just sold my 2013 FX2 with Ecoboost to buy my new 4runner and I'll tell you it was the BEST vehicle I ever owned. Too early to tell on my T4R if it exceeds the F150, but I had zero mechanical issues with my Ford. Sold it with 130k miles on it. So far so good with the 4runner, but boy do I miss the ecoboost power. I've been following the new bronco news as well and am really looking forward to seeing what they're going to do with it. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Ford again.. esp. if the Bronco exceeds all the hype.

 

[honda250xtitan]

nut up and SAS the minivan. problem solved.

 

[M_RED]

Is it a ranger chassis? A lot of the test mules look like the F150 chassis...

If it was a Raptor Bronco, and F150 chassis, I'd be all over it.
as long as back seats were decent...

A 4 door, Raptor-ized F250 sized Bronco, Id be all over that

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Great for car chases

 

[mteolus]

The Bronco will have a solid front axle. Otherwise it will be a complete joke. If they are going to compete with the Wrangler, it better have one. It should also have lockers front and back and automatic disconnecting sway bar. My guess it will have the 2.7 Ecoboost. 2.3 Ecoboost may not sway enough people away from the Wrangler.

 

[EddieV4runnin]

The Bronco will have a solid front axle. Otherwise it will be a complete joke. If they are going to compete with the Wrangler, it better have one. It should also have lockers front and back and automatic disconnecting sway bar. My guess it will have the 2.7 Ecoboost. 2.3 Ecoboost may not sway enough people away from the Wrangler.

I doubt they’d make something that fun.

 

[MossJenks]

Ford keeps saying that the big Bronco is looking to compete directly with the Wrangler. For that to happen it needs to be SFA.

No it doesn't. Wranglers are sold mostly on image. Maybe 1 in 25 buyers tops even knows the difference between SFA and IFS. Less than 1 in 50 actually care. No way even that many ever see anything more rugged than a smooth dirt road.

 

[shrub1]

No it doesn't. Wranglers are sold mostly on image. Maybe 1 in 25 buyers tops even knows the difference between SFA and IFS. Less than 1 in 50 actually care. No way even that many ever see anything more rugged than a smooth dirt road.

Yes it does. Image is built is hype and perception, whether real or imagined. IMO, more enthusiasts would buy it if it had SFA and thus lead to better perception to folks that don't even know the difference and would lead to increased sales.

 

[llDemonll]

Bronco is already an odd size because it'll theoretically be the same size as the Explorer, just body-on-frame (and very unlikely to have a 3rd row I'd imagine)

Either way, it won't have SFA.

If you still are hardcore "Ford wouldn't do such a thing, it'll never sell if it doesn't have SFA!" just watch this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BaKhSloYdY

It's being built based off one of their truck frames (the Ranger, based on the size and shape), and they're not going to completely re-build the frame to support a SFA. Nor would they release a promo video and then completely change the core functionality of the vehicle.

Yea sure, SFA might be neat, but for the majority of buyers the on-road handling characteristics of IFS would be preferred.

 

[spartacus]

If i could i would rather spend the money and build one There are a few full size broncos I've seen with 7.3 diesel swaps and f150 or f250 frames that look sic.

 

[nimby]

The new Bronco will disappoint a lot of enthusiasts. It will be nothing like the old ones, unless you want to compare it to a Bronco II :rofl:

 

[MossJenks]

Yes it does. Image is built is hype and perception, whether real or imagined. IMO, more enthusiasts would buy it if it had SFA and thus lead to better perception to folks that don't even know the difference and would lead to increased sales.

Yeah, they'd likely sell a few more that way, but also sell a few less due to the loss of road manners. I think Ford wants to sell them by the hundreds of thousands, not just a few to off-road enthusiasts. Again, most buyers don't know or care about the difference.

Look at how many 4Runners Toyota sells. IFS doesn't hurt sales much if at all. Crawl control is great for image in the showroom, but how many people ever actually use it? A very small percentage, I'd wager.

 

[mteolus]

The 4Runner wasn't designed to compete with the Wrangler, the new Bronco supposedly is. Removable doors, removable top, etc...

 

[RichinRidgewood]

Ford pick ups

Post 11/15

I have owned and driven for years two F-Series Ford pickups and that was more than enough for me.