Advice Needed: Replacing my 2021 Badlands 7MT

[Colt Bronco]

Last week, a fellow motorist decided that I needed a new vehicle so he decided to jump the median and run straight into my Bronco going 40mph. Fortunately, the airbag worked, and I walked away with only a scratch on my forearm from the airbag deploying. Unfortunately, Juice is going to the crusher.

So my options are scour the lots and find a new one or order one (there's also a Ranger Raptor that has my eye). I know MY25 will probably start taking orders next month so not sure how realistic getting that order will be and I really don't have time to go that long without a vehicle. Since Cyber Orange is no longer an option I have set my eyes on Eruption Green. There aren't any manual transmissions available around me in EG so I would have to order one.

Really hard decision: do I stick with the 7MT + 2.3L and try my luck with ordering or give in to convenience and go with the 10AT + 2.7L?

I have never driven a Bronco with the V6 so don't know what to expect there in terms of difference. I would most likely go with a Sasquatch if I go this route. I wanted to get bigger tires on my '21, but I was uncertain how power would be with the smaller engine.

So what would you all do?

Sponsored

 

[RallyGorgo]

There’s a 2024 2-dr non-Squatch 7-spd Badland in silver on a lot in Rochester, NY.

https://www.fordrochester.com/inventory/new-2024-ford-bronco-badlands®-4wd-2-door-1fmde9ah4rla55098/

I don’t work there but want to see another manual transmission enthusiast enjoy it.

 

[Lowcountry Bronco]

Go drive a 2.7 and see if you like it, plenty on the lots now. From there you should know which direction you want to go and can do a national search and grab some of the incentives offered. If you can't find what you want then order it, waits aren't like they were or hold off a few months and see what the '25s have to offer.

 

[MadMan4BamaNATL]

2.7 is nice and all, but you’re a manual driver! Drive a manual.

Go ahead and place yourself a new order with the manual if you have another vehicle to drive until delivery.

Hate you even have to do this man, so whatever you decide is the right choice.

Hope you get either a good deal or smooth ordering experience.

 

[Beach_Bum]

Check out the Vehicles For Sale sub-forum. There is a loaded '23 EG LUX Sasquatch Manual Badlands. You can fly and drive it home or have it delivered.

 

[MannyG20]

Check out the Vehicles For Sale sub-forum. There is a loaded '23 EG LUX Sasquatch Manual Badlands. You can fly and drive it home or have it delivered.

Agree with @Beach_Bum. Go to Nashville and pick this one up.

 

[Colt Bronco]

Nashville is probably only 8 hours away so this could be an option. Does the 2.3L have enough juice to turn those 35s? I always felt that mine didn't like driving 70+ on the interstate and that was only 33s. It was perfect around town and off-road though.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

As far as a new one on the lot, Did you have a dealer look into the Ford system to see who has what where? I think that will be much more accurate than say a cars.com search or even the Ford web site that limits out at 100 miles.

They'll do dealer trades ... or maybe you can pay shipping or fly out/road trip back etc etc. Explore those options...

I have a 2dr Base manual and HAD a 4dr Badlands 2.3/auto for 9 months.
If I were ordering a Bronco again, I'd go with the manual probably every time unless something about my use case were to change.

If I were to get a Ranger ... 2.7/auto every time. For me, that would be a kickass little tow rig/truck stuff truck.

fwiw, I tow my Dad's 3000lb Ranger bass boat several times a year.
The 4dr Badlands/2.3/auto towed it very nicely.
Powerwise, it did better than his V8 1/2 ton truck.
.... I can only imagine how much better a 2.7 Ranger would be.

I can't comment on the Ranger Raptor, but price-wise, it might be cheaper than a new Badlands.

 

[mjcutri]

I have a 2dr HE (sas) with the 7MT, so I would always prefer manual first, but those ranger raptors are pretty sweet, so if it came down to waiting for a 7mt Bronco or getting the RR now, I'd probably lean towards the truck.
That being said think the 2.3L has enough power with sas, but it might be different with a 4DR.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Does the 2.3L have enough juice to turn those 35s? I always felt that mine didn't like driving 70+ on the interstate and that was only 33s. It was perfect around town and off-road though.

LOL, I have 35's on the Base now. It came with 30's.
2.3/7spd/4.46 gears/ 35" tires
vs factory manual Squatch
2.3/7spd/ 4.70 gears/ 35" tires

I run the manual in 5th gear on the Interstate at 78mph & 2700 rpm. It gets 21 MPG with that set up.
6th gear is just way too tall, it makes the motor struggle and forces it into boost, which KILLS the fuel mileage.

The factory 2.3/7spd/4.7gear Squatch gets pretty good reviews, but I've never driven one.

Personally, If I were to re-gear my Base for 35's, I might drop into 5.13's just to make 6th gear more user friendly and help out on the bottom end at the same time..
These 2.3's like to spin and they'll return good fuel mileage numbers if you let them.

The issue you had with the 33's is the same I had with the 10 speed/2.3 Badlands, the top gear is just too tall, in my opinion.
They are trying to keep RPM's down, but it drives up the boost.
I wasn't happy with dropping it into manual mode and locking it into 9th or 8th and 7th was too short.

 

[BroncoBeachBuggy]

Nashville is probably only 8 hours away so this could be an option. Does the 2.3L have enough juice to turn those 35s? I always felt that mine didn't like driving 70+ on the interstate and that was only 33s. It was perfect around town and off-road though.

My BD 7MT with 32s does not like driving 70 on the highway. It's a brick with no aerodynamics. Get above 60 and your MPG starts to tank. And yes, I'd say the 2.3 has enough juice for 35s. Remember, you have 4.7 gears with SAS.

 

[JerryC]

I've had both 2.3 MT and a 2.7.
There's no denying the extra torque of the 2.7. But if shifting gears is your thing, there's no substitute for that either.

We traded both a BL 2dr MT SAS and a Wildtrak on a BRaptor. Do I miss driving the Wildtrak? Nope, not even a little, but TBH the BRaptor fills that void. I do really miss the MT.

The 2.3 has enough power, the 2.7 has more power. If both were autos, no question I'd pick 2.7.

Forget mpg, and power stats and concentrate on how much you like driving a stick vs auto and i think you'll have your answer.

 

[huey]

Nashville is probably only 8 hours away so this could be an option. Does the 2.3L have enough juice to turn those 35s? I always felt that mine didn't like driving 70+ on the interstate and that was only 33s. It was perfect around town and off-road though.

I have a manual with 35's on it. It is a non squatch but being badlands has the 4.7 gears. I have no issue with the power, and you can go the route of ford tune or other if you still want more torque to turn the 35's

I just love rowing gears more than I would miss the extra power. There is not enough difference in hp / torque for me to go auto. Now if the 5.0 was available that is a different story

good luck!

 

[kodiakisland]

I know what I would do. It's a manual or nothing. I'd not own the Bronco if it was an auto. Search your soul. You either want a manual, or you don't.

 

[Ninjak]

Well it comes down to if you really need a manual. I have a 21 BL 2.7 auto. Love it. Just did some wheeling in Lazy park, did all the fun stuff there, zero issues. Then I cruised back home.

We were talking about a manual and auto, I grew up with manuals, ALl of my Shelbies were manuals until my latest GT500. My classics, as well, until the 68 now. I mean manuals are very fun, but do not look over a good shifting auto. The 10 speed in the Bronco is one of the best auto's I have driven. Fun on road and off.

Of course, there was a guy who had a manual and DESTROYED his clutch trying to climb the stairs. Now I understand you are a vet OP and that would not happen to you, but um...just saying, there are cases for autos

Sponsored