From Wrangler to Bronco

[AtomicKoalaJelly]

I have both. Prefer the bronco. My wrangler is 21 rubi ecodiesel. 23 wildtrak is fantastic. Only thing I prefer the jeep for is crawling. And my bronco does everything I crawl just fine.

If you go with the bronco, I'd recommend the 2.7 with the ford performance tune. Super fun to drive day to day, especially compared to a Jeep. Much more comfortable as well.

2 awesome vehicles, can't really make a wrong choice.

I like the 2.7, but no manual transmission option.

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[crzyhawk]

If MT part of the equation, I have a little over 10k on my '24 Big Bend. While the 2.3L has been great with no problems and the 7MT is buttery smooth, it's the second transmission in the vehicle. It was replaced under TSB for the 5/6 syncros under warranty. It was only making noise, and everything I hear on the internet is that noise is the only problem with it, but something to consider.

That said, I am pretty happy with the Bronco over all. My 2 door makes a better daily than the 08 Mustang I was daily driving before. It feels smoother, it's easier to see out of, easier to get in and out of, more cargo space, more comfy sitting upright. The short wheelbase makes it feel more nimble in parking lots. A buddy of mine has until recently been a Jeep guy, and we both like my Bronco better than his former Gladiator Rubicon and Mojave.

 

[davebdave]

My wife has a 2023 Wrangler Sport S. She bought it because she wanted a fun convertible with a manual transmission. She has the one touch roof which ford should copy. She has no intention of driving it off road. The factory clutch and flywheel were terrible but have been replaced with an aftermarket clutch. No other issues so far knock wood. I had never driven or wanted a Jeep and absolutely love the thing. I decided I also want a manual transmission and was thinking of getting a sports car but I just know I’d get into trouble with the law at some point. So I’ve ordered a Heritage with a MT and probably won’t go off road either. I’m thinking she might like the Bronco better and will want to trade, but probably she doesn’t want to give up her one touch roof.

 

[wildtrak whitey]

My rubi has the sky one touch. Super convenient, especially if it's your only vehicle. Doesn't look as sweet as completely topless though....as my topless bronco remains in my garage because it's rained all week

 

[Blackcat]

If your wife is on board with the switch, nothing anyone says here means a thing. Go get that Bronco!

btw, I own both Bronco is far superior.

 

[UncleBrad]

Having driven manual Wranglers for about 25 years (and I love them) I can say definitively that the Bronco has a better manual transmission. It's noisier, but doesn't pop out of gear or requires an odd push to the right for 6th. My JK actually wrecked itself because of its manual (long story). Everything else is well documented regarding the differences except one thing : the Bronco is HANDS DOWN the winner if you are a tall person. I could never get the seat to go far enough back in any Wrangler.

 

[AtomicKoalaJelly]

Having driven manual Wranglers for about 25 years (and I love them) I can say definitively that the Bronco has a better manual transmission. It's noisier, but doesn't pop out of gear or requires an odd push to the right for 6th. My JK actually wrecked itself because of its manual (long story). Everything else is well documented regarding the differences except one thing : the Bronco is HANDS DOWN the winner if you are a tall person. I could never get the seat to go far enough back in any Wrangler.

I driven one manual Bronco and holy crap was that eye opening. Made me realize how much of marshmallow clutch pedal the JL has, that how annoying the dual mass fly wheel actually is. Its beyond me why a dual mass was chosen. They always feel sloppy to me. The manual in the Bronco was bliss. Loud transmissions dont bother me, they're gears slapping and spinning around at high speed. There is gonna be noise.

 

[Muskrat14]

Do it. Stop thinking about and do it. You’re right over the target w Base Squatch.

 

[javelina]

We went from a 2019 Wrangler MOAB, to a 2024 BRaptor. The MOAB was a great rig, she had the Rubi suspension, but the Sahara xfer case and auto 4x4. In essence a Saharacon.... At about 55K miles, we started getting the occasional death wobble. Was frustrating because we had NO mods, everything was stock.

I have a 2006 TJ, which I'll never part with. That big straight six is just bullet proof. She's got 59K miles, and I use her for serious off roading and hunting trips.

Back to the Bronco. We love it so much, it's just an awesome beast. I wish you well on your decision, but I have a big vote yes on the Bronco!

 

[bf4445]

2024 Wrangler is in the shop again within 4k miles for more Misfire issues.

I work for Ford, my dealer doesn't see many high mileage Broncos (all sub 45/50k), the ones I do see in the shop and have had in my bay haven't had major issues outside of the occasional waterpump (wtf ford, why cant you cant these right? Looking at you Bronco Sport...). So, as a tech, I am asking you owners: How are the high mileage 2.3 7 speed Broncos holding up?

The Wrangler is my first car owned from new with 11 miles, currently at 19k. Its looking like I can trade it in for more than what I have left on the loan on top the of Ford Employee Discount and Dealer Employee discounts. Not to mention, when it does need warranty work, I'll be getting paid to fix my own vehicle... A Base with the Sasquatch package is looking pretty attractive and I have the wife nudging me to do it.

Opinions?

think the reason for no high mileage is because of the poor gas mileage so not many are used for daily drivers. No sense in using a Bronco for doing errands when you can use something like I do which averages 44 mpg my Ford CMAX ENRGY.

 

[bf4445]

We went from a 2019 Wrangler MOAB, to a 2024 BRaptor. The MOAB was a great rig, she had the Rubi suspension, but the Sahara xfer case and auto 4x4. In essence a Saharacon.... At about 55K miles, we started getting the occasional death wobble. Was frustrating because we had NO mods, everything was stock.

I have a 2006 TJ, which I'll never part with. That big straight six is just bullet proof. She's got 59K miles, and I use her for serious off roading and hunting trips.

Back to the Bronco. We love it so much, it's just an awesome beast. I wish you well on your decision, but I have a big vote yes on the Bronco!

What is a death wobble?

 

[Brian_B]

Not super high miles, but 60k on 7MT. So far, no mechanical issues that weren't self-induced.

2nd gear is a bit rough to shift into, synchros feel a little off there, but no grinding or abnormal noise that has been common. The clutch feels a bit inconsistent off the line, but I've learned to goose the throttle a bit first and let the clutch out into it as it winds back down - that seems to do the trick. The shift into 3rd is the best feeling I've had driving any car I've owned (which, admittedly is pretty limited to other Ford trucks).

Ford Sync/Carplay drives me nuts, the floppy windows I've kinda learned to deal with, but not happy with them.

I love being able to roll the top back at any time I want.

I do mild to moderate offroading in mine. First vehicle I've ever really wrenched on (and that is pretty tame compared to some here). I've been in the dealer once - to program the door keypad. Had I known I would eventually get a FDRS adapter, I would have done that myself too, but at the time I hadn't jumped off the edge and was still wading in the kiddie pool. Everything else, I've done in my driveway.

As it compares to a Jeep - I dunno. I rented one once. Not enough time in one to really say. Jeep has a much much larger aftermarket crowd, and you can find a lot more takeoff parts, and people experienced with the ecosystem. So there's a lot of inertia and experience there.

 

[javelina]

What is a death wobble?

https://www.extremeterrain.com/wrangler-jeep-death-wobble.html

 

[cmtaz]

What is a death wobble?

Vibration in the front end. Can range from vary minor to extreme severe vibrations and a feeling of "uncontrolability" (essentially scaring the crap out of the driver).

 

[AtomicKoalaJelly]

I have a 2006 TJ, which I'll never part with. That big straight six is just bullet proof. She's got 59K miles, and I use her for serious off roading and hunting trips.

I was looking at early 90s, pre obd2, manual 4liter Wranglers as a project. Probably still will. I wanna hot rod the fk out of one so bad. Would be a rowdy ass go kart.

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