New Ford Bronco to have Solid Front Axle! Come on Mr. T!

[Jetboy]

Dana announced a contract to build both front and rear axles for the new Bronco and Ranger trucks. Holy crap. If they build a solid axle, removeable top, bronco with a 2.7L ecoboost, or small diesel, it might be the first time in a very very long time I'd consider driving a non-toyota SUV.

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/...rd-bronco-should-pack-solid-front-rear-axles/

 

[Jetboy]

Well, I spoke too soon. Upon further reading, I think it's a misquote.

I Don't Believe For A Second The New Ford Bronco And Ranger Will Get Solid Front Axles

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I was gonna say... I highly doubt they will be putting a SFA in a Ranger. They're for the most part pulling the Ranger from overseas and modifying it to meet US standards since it's been a good Hilux alternative in Europe for a while (unlike the old US POS Ranger we had).

I'm surprised the Bronco is gonna be BOF given Ford's CUV-fication of the Exploder.

 

[MN4runnerman]

I wish Ford would bring back the Ford ranger plant to St. Paul they used to have the best Ford only car shows there. Since the ranger was discontinued they tore the plant down and are building fricken condos for hipsters and a Whole Foods(or some grocery store like that)........yuck

 

[KidVermicious]

If they build a solid axle, removeable top, bronco with a 2.7L ecoboost

It won't have an SFA, but I've seen a couple sources say it's going to have removable top and side panels.

What to expect from the new Ford Bronco | Fox News

With the new Defender looking like a dud, an Ecoboost Bronco with a pop top would be high on my list.

 

[jwatson]

You also can't beat the reliability of a Toyota, especially with a Ford. Designs do look cool though.

 

[LandCruiser]

It's going to be a mommy mobile based on the international Ranger platform.

Think first generation Exscape.

They'll throw some butch styling on it, but it'll be more Cherokee than Wrangler.

If it can even survive a pissing contest against the 4Runner's power stream is debatable.

 

[Flyer]

Hearing it will have a solid front axle and they are targeting the Wrangler, which sells like hot cakes. If they give it a solid front axle and a decent motor, it will prob do really well. Well, I'm assuming the styling will be decent.

 

[KidVermicious]

Hearing it will have a solid front axle and they are targeting the Wrangler, which sells like hot cakes. If they give it a solid front axle and a decent motor, it will prob do really well. Well, I'm assuming the styling will be decent.

They are not targeting the Wrangler, they are targeting the consumers who buy Wranglers. Just like most 4Runner owners, the vast majority of those consumers are casuals, mall crawlers and commuters who will never ever come close to using the Wrangler's potential but want to drive something that makes them look tough and rugged and makes them feel safe when the roads are bad. At the same time they will not tolerate a rough ride or a "weak" powerplant, because they're far too sophisticated for any of that nonsense.

There's been persistent rumors that even the Wrangler will be shifting to an IFS or FIS suspension in order to retain market share. There's no way that Ford is going to go the other direction in a vehicle being marketed to compete for that same market segment. I guarantee that the new Bronco will have an option for the Ecotec V6 (whether or not that's "decent" is still up for debate IMO), and I guarantee that it will not have a solid front axle.

And after throwing up once or twice at the latest F Series refresh, I wouldn't bet any money at all on the styling being decent. But maybe that's just me.

 

[Flyer]

Chrysler has said recently that the new Wrangler will have solid axles. Apparently there will be some use of alloy to reduce weight. It may also have a new 8-speed transmission.

If Dana has been contracted to build the Bronco axles (and I read an article where Dana confirmed this) then it is most likely that the Bronco will have solid axles. Without that, they simply cannot attract the hardcore group of off-roaders that truly build the credibility of a vehicle like this.

While a lot of people who buy Wranglers will probably never go off-road, the Wrangler maintains its offroad credibility and attracts the more hardcore offroading community to it. That, in turn, attracts a larger group of buyers who love the idea of the offroad credibility and want a vehicle that looks iconic. I was/am a Toyota guy and the Wrangler (my 2nd) was one I was drawn to after I took a stock Rubicon offroad in Ouray. fully knowing that it would not match the overall reliability of a Land Cruiser or 4Runner over time, I still bought a 2012 Rubicon and now a 2014 Rubicon. If the FJ comes back with solid axles, a torquey V6, the 4.6 V8, or powerful diesel, and regular doors, I could be first in line to trade my Rubicon.

The new 2018 Wrangler has not changed much externally, and still retains a very similar look. Besides a just slightly more sloping windshield, LED headlights, the alloy skin, and some other minor changes, it looks the same.

It is too early to tell what the Bronco will look like (and my offroad buddies and I actually think that the F-150 looks quite good, though only 3 own them) but I suspect they will do a good job with the, given the target demographic. There is no point bringing it back with IFS because it will not sell well with the true offroad crowd that is the only demographic that will actually build its offroad and overloading credibility and reputation. Without that, I personally feel that the new Bronco will sell only a little better than the FJ did and that would not be good enough. I could be wrong, but I think if they do want to take on the Wrangler and its 200,000+ units of sale each year, IFS will not cut it. I certainly would not buy one, nor would practically any of the 80-100 people I know if different offroad clubs.

 

[MeanoTorino]

I believe that the new Bronco will have a SFA, but I'm not interested in it. I'm one of the few Bronco owners that wanted to see a new full size bronco that is built off the f150 platform. I love my full size bronco as I can actually use it for utility and the size is great. Might not be the best for tight trails, but the other pro's out weight that con.

 

[Flyer]

I believe that the new Bronco will have a SFA, but I'm not interested in it. I'm one of the few Bronco owners that wanted to see a new full size bronco that is built off the f150 platform. I love my full size bronco as I can actually use it for utility and the size is great. Might not be the best for tight trails, but the other pro's out weight that con.

Oh man, you hit that nail on the head! If they came out with a full-size Bronco, I'd be first in line there. I'd be able to tow my trailer easily, have more room, proper offroad capability, and keep my Jeep for the tighter trails. Ford will balk because more large vehicles lower the average fuel economy across their lines, but I would love to see that.

 

[jwkilgore]

If Dana has been contracted to build the Bronco axles (and I read an article where Dana confirmed this) then it is most likely that the Bronco will have solid axles. Without that, they simply cannot attract the hardcore group of off-roaders that truly build the credibility of a vehicle like this.

Not necessarily. Dana did confirm they would build the axles, but Dana builds both live and independent axle styles.

That, and the fact that independent suspensions are getting more rugged.
Dynatrac Pro60-IRS - HD IFS Option - Off-Road Magazine

[MENTION=49649]KidVermicious[/MENTION] nailed it IMO. The mass market wants a vehicle with a rugged reputation that looks rugged. The mass market also wants a comfortable ride on the highway.

 

[Flyer]

Sure, it is possible but I'd be shocked since live axles are what sets vehicles like the Wrangler apart when it comes to articulation and traction offroad. The mass market may want a rugged comfy vehicle and coil-overs like EVO pretty much achieve that (at a great expense) but I'm willing to bet that the new Bronco will have Dana 44s. If it doesn't, it simply does not draw the true offroad crowd on which the vehicle can build its Wrangler-beating reputation. That's my bet anyway...we will soon know. :hatsoff:

 

[CO-Cygnus]

I believe that the new Bronco will have a SFA, but I'm not interested in it. I'm one of the few Bronco owners that wanted to see a new full size bronco that is built off the f150 platform. I love my full size bronco as I can actually use it for utility and the size is great. Might not be the best for tight trails, but the other pro's out weight that con.

I think the big problem with the F150 platform is how massive it has become since the old Bronco was discontinued.

 

[jmferg]

I welcome a SFA bronco with true offroad built aspirations.
I don't see why any of you toyota fanboys would not welcome it.
This slim market needs more competition aside from the Wrangler-which will make the 4Runner better. Stiff competition breeds better engineering and you know the 4 runner isn't going anywhere.


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[Flyer]

if no solid axles, it will simply not be more than a really good overlander....which is fine but will not be too appealing for some of us. After owning a couple do solid axle vehicles, I likely would not buy IFS for my offroad toy. It can redeem itself with a good torquey motor and Ford has plenty of those. As long as they don't focus too much on weight and fuel economy for this one, it could have a lot of potential. I'm afraid that weight and fuel economy is paramount for most manufacturers.

In my case, my lifted/modded Jeep saw its fuel economy drop after the mods but it is not a daily driver, so not a big deal. I don't have a commute either or I'd be more concerned about fuel economy (more for conservation than savings).

I'm glad Ford is doing this. If it does well, it will show more manufactures that if done well, vehicles like this can sell well. In fact, if the Bronco starts to sell well, Chrysler will start to put better motors and options in the Wrangler. They can't afford to be knocked off that solid sales# perch the Wrangler sit on. It is a highly profitable vehicle too, per unit.

 

[Sean K.]

Chrysler has said recently that the new Wrangler will have solid axles. Apparently there will be some use of alloy to reduce weight. It may also have a new 8-speed transmission.

If Dana has been contracted to build the Bronco axles (and I read an article where Dana confirmed this) then it is most likely that the Bronco will have solid axles. Without that, they simply cannot attract the hardcore group of off-roaders that truly build the credibility of a vehicle like this.

While a lot of people who buy Wranglers will probably never go off-road, the Wrangler maintains its offroad credibility and attracts the more hardcore offroading community to it. That, in turn, attracts a larger group of buyers who love the idea of the offroad credibility and want a vehicle that looks iconic. I was/am a Toyota guy and the Wrangler (my 2nd) was one I was drawn to after I took a stock Rubicon offroad in Ouray. fully knowing that it would not match the overall reliability of a Land Cruiser or 4Runner over time, I still bought a 2012 Rubicon and now a 2014 Rubicon. If the FJ comes back with solid axles, a torquey V6, the 4.6 V8, or powerful diesel, and regular doors, I could be first in line to trade my Rubicon.

The new 2018 Wrangler has not changed much externally, and still retains a very similar look. Besides a just slightly more sloping windshield, LED headlights, the alloy skin, and some other minor changes, it looks the same.

It is too early to tell what the Bronco will look like (and my offroad buddies and I actually think that the F-150 looks quite good, though only 3 own them) but I suspect they will do a good job with the, given the target demographic. There is no point bringing it back with IFS because it will not sell well with the true offroad crowd that is the only demographic that will actually build its offroad and overloading credibility and reputation. Without that, I personally feel that the new Bronco will sell only a little better than the FJ did and that would not be good enough. I could be wrong, but I think if they do want to take on the Wrangler and its 200,000+ units of sale each year, IFS will not cut it. I certainly would not buy one, nor would practically any of the 80-100 people I know if different offroad clubs.

While I agree with what you're saying....WE are a very small demographic. Ford cares not one iota about what such a small demographic may want....they will cater to what will sell. What they don't realize is that the Rubicon package sells so well largely b/c of its image and capability. If they really want to pull JK sales down....they need to be able to compete in capability.

Are they smart enough to do that? I doubt it....remember, there are substantial weight penalties from EPA and SFA is heavier....not to mention handling/ride issues over IFS. Also, IFS is making headway in terms of capability....much as I hate to say it as I am a huge proponent of SFA for it's simplicity/strength/lower cost when looking at comparable systems.

In short, I hope you're right....it would be good for the new Bronco to have a SFA....but I wouldn't bet on it.

 

[Flyer]

Yeah, I am sure they are trying to "sanitize" it already but that would be dumb unless they are going the Coilover route, in which case it would be killer. We are a small percentage but vehicles like this build their reputation on capabilities and the small percentage of offroad enthusiasts who flock to them. Let's see what they decide. Heck, I'd love to see the FJ come back with coilovers, normal doors, a non-black interior, and some modern features. I can't ever make myself buy a car again, with fantastic vehicles like these around.

 

[JeffMerr]

You also can't beat the reliability of a Toyota, especially with a Ford. Designs do look cool though.

That's what kills me. Ford has awesome new designs and ideas but their reliability is dog shit. Believe me I know, I drive a new explorer for work. I wish Toyota had some competition in the longevity and reliability field for trucks/SUV's.