Advice Needed: Replacing my 2021 Badlands 7MT

[Brian_B]

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.

More than enough. Way more than enough. Just don't use 6th gear. Even with just the 4.46 gears, it's still plenty enough for interstate driving anywhere you want to take it.

I just did California to Tennessee and back again at 80MPH with 35's and the 4.46. I40 is a F'n long road.

Would it have been better with the 4.7? Yeah, probably, but that doesn't mean the 4.46 is bad by any stretch of the imagination, and that 2.3 has plenty under the hood.

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[HoosierDaddy]

I must have missed the poll earlier.

My biggest Bronco regret is not being able to order Base-Man-Squatch in 2021.
Now that I notice that poll and your options, my rankings:

1. Absolutely #1 --- Manual Squatch Badlands would be kickass!!
2. Whatever Bronco might catch your eye
3. Ranger Raptor

The Ranger Raptor just doesn't have that aggressive look to it as a Raptor should have. It's less aggressive than just a regular Bronco, in my eye.
I'd just as soon decide to really save $$$ and just get an XLT with the 2.7 as I noted earlier.

 

[Colt Bronco]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I wish I had done more research beforehand on 6th gear with the manual lol. I've been driving it for 3 years and had no idea 6th gear was less efficient than 5th gear when cruising at speed.

I need to take my wife's Expedition up to the dealership today so I will see if they will let me drive a 2.7L squatch (and maybe the Ranger Raptor) while I wait. While I love rowing gears my wife does not, and my kids tell me they don't want to learn. If I end up ordering a manual, I will invest the money I don't spend on the auto into parenting & marriage self-help books that I can read while I wait for it to be built.

 

[CustomPerformance]

I'm running 37s on my Base SAS MT and it turns them just fine all the way over 80MPH. Plenty of guts with the gearing they have in them. Fuel mileage isn't great, but 37" mud tires under a square box going 80MPH down the road I wouldn't expect it to get great mileage. I'd say it's still 12mpg though. That's better than most everything else I drive!

 

[CustomPerformance]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I wish I had done more research beforehand on 6th gear with the manual lol. I've been driving it for 3 years and had no idea 6th gear was less efficient than 5th gear when cruising at speed.

I need to take my wife's Expedition up to the dealership today so I will see if they will let me drive a 2.7L squatch (and maybe the Ranger Raptor) while I wait. While I love rowing gears my wife does not, and my kids tell me they don't want to learn. If I end up ordering a manual, I will invest the money I don't spend on the auto into parenting & marriage self-help books that I can read while I wait for it to be built.

Get the manual and make the kids learn. Then make them drive a manual as their first car. Hard to text on their phone when they have to shift gears! It's what I'm recommending to all of my friends whose kids are turning 15-16...

 

[BroncoAZ]

I concur with limited use of 6th gear in the manual. I have 285/75R17 (33.9”) on a 2021 Badlands non sas (4.70 gears). I noticed that the boost runs high in 6th gear on any grade and started using it only on flat ground or downhill. I can get 20+ mpg on trips up to VT.

 

[zuke]

Get the one in Nashville! Head up there on a Friday, and you can go to Windrock for Saturday before you head back...

Been running 37"s on my Badlands 2.3/7MT since shortly after I bought it... Once you realize 6th gear is only for very long flat or downhill roads, It's got all the power you could need.

 

[Colt Bronco]

I drove an EG Sasquatch Badlands with the 2.7L. As to be expected It had more get up & go on the interstate on-ramps and better passing power than the 2.3L, but without the shifting I kind of just felt like I was driving an F-150. I didn't have time to drive the Ranger Raptor so will check that out when I go back to get the wife's car. If that doesn't blow my socks off, I think me and my buddy will hit I-40 and grab some Memphis BBQ on our way to Nashville.

 

[Br0nc0babe2021]

I'm also a manual driver, but i'll say that my OBX is not manual and is the 2.7 V6 turbo.... i love driving manual but i don't miss it. love my OBX. I live in Rochester so if you need a great salesman I got a guy. He could probably find you anything you want.... he's THAT good. LMK if you need a name.
BTW, what would you drive in the meantime waiting for your order? During Covid, I ran into that issue so I wasn't able to get my order and had to go with the Mach E until my lease was up.

 

[Colt Bronco]

My parents are retired and split their time between here (Arkansas) and their condo in PCB, FL so I have access to the car they leave here while they are in Florida. It's not ideal, but better than sharing with my wife!

Insurance is taking their time and the police report still isn't done so I have plenty of time to overthink this.

 

[Aonarch]

If you think you will miss the manual, then I highly recommend sticking with it. Very different experience.

The 2.7l is a beast. So much power for the Bronco. The 10 speed is an excellent transmission as well. Zero complaints from me.

 

[huey]

My parents are retired and split their time between here (Arkansas) and their condo in PCB, FL so I have access to the car they leave here while they are in Florida. It's not ideal, but better than sharing with my wife!

Insurance is taking their time and the police report still isn't done so I have plenty of time to overthink this.

@Colt Bronco
I am 1 hour above Nashville. If you want to make time come drive my manual. It has 35's and the Ford perf tune.

 

[Hkak45]

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

This is the right answer. Soon no one will be able to order a manual trans so may as well get one while you can.

 

[Rebel Bronc]

Hey OP, did you see this:
Looks like an abandoned special order. Heritage, 7mt, mid package and pull out tailgate.

 

[Eastmort]

Do yourself a favor. . . .Buy a low mileage used one that’s still under warranty. There are ton’s available and it’s always the best way to buy a car. As a bonus it will be cheaper to insure.

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