Bronco R Race Prototype Revealed for Baja 1000!

[JimmyDean]

JimmyDean, I don't entirely disagree but to be fair, the ranger raptor isn't available here, the ZR2 (which is a great all rounder) is still not Raptor territory, and the others you list are not really that special. I would not call any TRD pro a legitimate "desert runner". My hope is that the Bronco will fill the gaps between the stock Wrangler and ZR2 and ultimately take things to a level above either in many regards. Keep in mind the ZR2 is already the top of the line offering for the midsize truck segment (or the Gladiator depending on use case). Between the tire size and wheel base you can already assume the Bronco will beat the ZR2 on the rocks and obviously it will take any of the competitors to school at the high speed stuff.

Teo, my complaint, or part of what I was saying, is that to turn a truck or car into a desert runner, it typically requires longer a-arm, new springs and shocks, tires, and some weight loss. a linked rear suspension is helpful but not required. That is to compete at the top of the stock market, not heavily customized or TT levels. change out a few parts, and BAM, you can compete with things such as a stock raptor.

To turn an IFS into a capable rock crawler that can compete with the rubicon, you need to gut the entire damn suspension and replace it.

Sponsored

 

[68fbjjz109]

Actually the amount of people who are going to race around at speed in a desert setting with a brand new Bronco is 1%. Actually probably lower. That's a great way to destroy a vehicle in no time, and those higher speed race vehicles are built special for that usage.

As for rock crawling, I think the term is being misused. I "rocked crawled" all along the Rockies for years. Lots of people do it. I'm not talking the specialized crazy obstacle rock crawling, but the everyday driving of rocky and obstacle laden trails, at speeds where you need a 2 speed transfer case in low. Situations where clearance and articulation are generally good things to have.

Many more owners do that sort of rock crawling than barreling along at speed in some desert. I strongly disagree with the notion some people are posting in this thread, that we should be glad if the new Bronco is not geared towards rock crawling.

I didn't even include desert racing or pre running in the desert in my break down of Bronco usage. But if there is a Raptor variant; that type of usage will be much higher than 1%, While there are plenty of pavement queen Raptors. There is a significant amount of owners who drive them real hard. Enough for Ford Performance to justify having a free of charge Raptor Assault offroad school you can attend to learn how to not die in your 5900lb flying offroad death machine.

In the context of the the comment threads being reference here rock crawling is a extreme branch of "offroading" and is likely being accurately represented when conversations points are referencing swamping in 1 ton axles into a 1/4ton vehicle.

I think it is safe to say the consideration of rock clawing suggests to potential to damage body and chassis components for any stock offroad vehicle. Which is something no one making payments on a vehicle wants to happen.

You are describing "wheeling, offroading, hitting the trails" something that a lot of stock 4x4 body on frame vehicle can do. I know, I just did a 6500 mile overlanding trip through the Rockies and BC with leveled F150 SCREW on 35's; about and 1/8th of that being through 4x4 trails and janky service roads. Went every where my buddies JKU went with a couple extra K turns. Quality tires and the correct tire pressure get you 80% of the way. The Bronco will go through technical terrian where 4low is needed just fine, because the Ranger does already.

 

[TeocaliMG]

Teo, my complaint, or part of what I was saying, is that to turn a truck or car into a desert runner, it typically requires longer a-arm, new springs and shocks, tires, and some weight loss. a linked rear suspension is helpful but not required. That is to compete at the top of the stock market, not heavily customized or TT levels. change out a few parts, and BAM, you can compete with things such as a stock raptor.

To turn an IFS into a capable rock crawler that can compete with the rubicon, you need to gut the entire damn suspension and replace it.

I guess we'll have to wait until the actual thing is out, but I believe that the top trim offering of the Bronco will be able to go toe to toe with the Rubicon Wrangler in the rocks. This being stock in both cases. Once you start going to the more extreme things where you are modifying both vehicles for the rocks the SFA Wrangler no doubt has a cost/value advantage. But I wouldn't count the stock Bronco out before we see it. For example the Wrangler had a sweet ad where they crawled up that rugged little waterfall, I have no doubt that at least the top spec stock Bronco could do that kind of stuff just fine as well.

 

[The Pope]

Time for somebody with the ability to overlay the sheeted Bronco image over a profile shot of this one. See how they line up.

See post #145 (pg13) & then post #186 (pg10)......

 

[Toyhoarder]

Another thing about the Bronco R-the number on it is 2069

6/9/2020 is the first day of the NAIAS and is also still Spring of 2020 since Summer doesn't start in the northern hemisphere till June 20, 2020

According to the video, 20=the race class, 69 pays homage to the Baja early bronco.

 

[indio22]

The jeep sells a fantasy just as much as a desert racer Bronco. An IFS Bronco can still have a low speed transfer case, good articulation and reasonable clearance and make it through moderate trails that you are describing. The wrangler sells the 'drive over giant rocks slowly' fantasy and the Bronco looks to be selling the 'go all out on the desert' fantasy. Both use the fantasy to sell vehicles, and will be capable of the more moderate offroading that owners actually do.

Yes I agree, both Jeep and Ford are selling in some respects a fantasy. A friend of mine bought a loaded Jeep JKU Rubicon a few years ago, and has never once taken it off-road. He has absolutely no need whatsoever for the 4:1 tcase, locking diffs, or sway bar disconnect. So it seems like a kind of a fantasy in his head, while driving to the gym or something. A very expensive fantasy.

But I would like to see more emphasis for the new Bronco, in terms of lower speed trail work. Built to excel in situations where a 2 speed transfer case, good articulation and other such factors are useful. For most owners who go off-road, I feel like that stuff will be more useful. I would like something in the new Bronco that is better than for simply moderate trails, or at least that can be made better in the owner's garage.

For the record, I'm probably a bit more worried than some about the new Bronco, but I really do hope Ford knocks it out of the park. Because it's kind of ridiculous for so long, only Jeep has offered an open top truly trail ready 4x4. There should be more competition in that sector.

 

[Toyhoarder]

I didn't even include desert racing or pre running in the desert in my break down of Bronco usage. But if there is a Raptor variant; that type of usage will be much higher than 1%, While there are plenty of pavement queen Raptors. There is a significant amount of owners who drive them real hard. Enough for Ford Performance to justify having a free of charge Raptor Assault offroad school you can attend to learn how to not die in your 5900lb flying offroad death machine.

In the context of the the comment threads being reference here rock crawling is a extreme branch of "offroading" and is likely being accurately represented when conversations points are referencing swamping in 1 ton axles into a 1/4ton vehicle.

I think it is safe to say the consideration of rock clawing suggests to potential to damage body and chassis components for any stock offroad vehicle. Which is something no one making payments on a vehicle wants to happen.

You are describing "wheeling, offroading, hitting the trails" something that a lot of stock 4x4 body on frame vehicle can do. I know, I just did a 6500 mile overlanding trip through the Rockies and BC with leveled F150 SCREW on 35's; about and 1/8th of that being through 4x4 trails and janky service roads. Went every where my buddies JKU went with a couple extra K turns. Quality tires and the correct tire pressure get you 80% of the way. The Bronco will go through technical terrian where 4low is needed just fine, because the Ranger does already.

I can’t wait until the new wears off that rig and you get to repeatedly change ball joints, tie rod ends, cvs, hubs, and IWEs like me.

 

[68fbjjz109]

It’s a great idea and that’s it. They are going after Jeep. They aren’t going after their own truck the Raptor.

If I can find the Ford Performance Q&A sessions document I will post later, but I am pretty sure they confirmed they are doing just that. With both the Ranger, and the Bronco. I pretty sure there are a few Ranger Raptors at Rousch right now. The simple fact is The F150 is to big for people, so they will never buy one, they are already waiting for the Ranger, then there is the subset of people who want all gear to be internal, and others who simple just want a Bronco and not a Ranger. So they aren't really cannibalizing their sales that much. And they will get some of the 4runner, and Jeep causal market for sure with the Bronco.

Buy putting in removable top and doors, they already targeted Jeep in the most meaningful way. Look through most Jeep forum Vs. sections. The logic flow chart goes circles around Doors, Top, Axles.
Ford is giving them 2/3, with a better powertrain, and a different twist on how to deliver offroad performance in their chassis. Heck there is a 75 pages thread on the Bronco in the JL forums.

 

[Jalisurr]

Something I think a lot of people gloss over.

wranglers sell so much not because of what they are used for, but what they CAN be used for. And they've proven themselves capable of what they CAN do for decades now. Problem is, the IFS Bronco will most likely not be able to compete at the top echelon in stock classes with what the wrangler CAN do, and would certainly not be able to compete in the home garage modified type group with 6" lifts and 37" tires on a stock axle, simply because the IFS cannot handle that where as the D44 can (barely). Because an IFS cannot compete at these levels, it would never have the cred it would need to sell in numbers comparable with the Jeep for more than a year or two.

I.E. Unless the Bronco can prove that it is every bit as tough and capable as the Wrangler, it will be short lived in even the mall crawler market space. Because even mall crawlers want a vehicles that CAN do something, even if they never DO anything with it.

You're absolutely correct that to be a success the Bronco needs to build credibility. However, they can prove that they are as tough and capable as the Wrangler in a different way. The Raptor proved its creds by going fast and earned its place in the mall crawler echelon, the Bronco could do it the same way. Bronco needs to have the same LEVEL of credibility as Wrangler, but it doesn't need to have the SAME credibility. An IFS can't have huge lifts and huge tires as easily, but set up right it can do other off-road activities (Baja) to build credibility in ways a Wrangler can't.

Obviously in a perfect world we'd have a Bronco for everyone that can do everything, but...we'll see.

 

[Sherminiator]

According to the video, 20=the race class, 69 pays homage to the Baja early bronco.

Ah dang it-so much for trying to read into things

 

[68fbjjz109]

I can’t wait until the new wears off that rig and you get to repeatedly change ball joints, tie rod ends, cvs, hubs, and IWEs like me.

Maybe, families' old 99 Expedition didn't need anything for the 268k it had on it besides a head taped and helicoiled... Routine maintenance is key, but it never really saw anything besides two tracks, and deep snow. But the F150 sits 4 adults very comfortably, 5 adults adults well, and 6 if needed. Great crash scores, quiet and comfy for the family, and averages 21-23 mpg with the 35's and about 26 without (Diesel). It has way to may pros, to include the inherent benefits of IFS I get every day driving it to get upset about it. I would consider it an issues if exceeds forecasted component life.

Trying to warm the ole lady up to the Bronco because I cant justify getting rid of the F150 for it.

 

[Carolina Jim]

According to the video, 20=the race class, 69 pays homage to the Baja early bronco.

I'm sure he knows that & is betting on the double entendre

 

[JimmyDean]

You're absolutely correct that to be a success the Bronco needs to build credibility. However, they can prove that they are as tough and capable as the Wrangler in a different way. The Raptor proved its creds by going fast and earned its place in the mall crawler echelon, the Bronco could do it the same way. Bronco needs to have the same LEVEL of credibility as Wrangler, but it doesn't need to have the SAME credibility. An IFS can't have huge lifts and huge tires as easily, but set up right it can do other off-road activities (Baja) to build credibility in ways a Wrangler can't.

Obviously in a perfect world we'd have a Bronco for everyone that can do everything, but...we'll see.

In a perfect world you'll have 4 suspension options. standard IFS, D44, long travel narrow diff IFS, and D60 axles. maybe even an IRS option, along with 1/2 ton and 1 ton rear axles. MAybe even a portal or 2.5 ton option, or planetary for those wanting to run 55s?

And I4 TT, V6TT, V8 NA, and diesel engine options.

 

[Toyhoarder]

Maybe, families' old 99 Expedition didn't need anything for the 268k it had on it besides a head taped and helicoiled... Routine maintenance is key, but it never really saw anything besides two tracks, and deep snow. But the F150 sits 4 adults very comfortably, 5 adults adults well, and 6 if needed. Great crash scores, quiet and comfy for the family, and averages 21-23 mpg with the 35's and about 26 without (Diesel). It has way to may pros, to include the inherent benefits of IFS I get every day driving it to get upset about it. I would consider it an issues if exceeds forecasted component life.

Trying to warm the ole lady up to the Bronco because I cant justify getting rid of the F150 for it.

I think the ball joints and tie rods do fine on stock or even lifted rigs but leveling kits force them to operate at angles they weren’t designed for. Just my experience with 200k on a leveled F-150.

 

[68fbjjz109]

I think the ball joints and tie rods do fine on stock or even lifted rigs but leveling kits force them to operate at angles they weren’t designed for. Just my experience with 200k on a leveled F-150.

It most certainly does place a little more strain, one of the reasons kept it around 2" with the 5100 shocks. I use the "Off Road Conditions" selection for my vehicle profile for its maintenance scheduled through Ford.

Sponsored