From Wrangler to Bronco

[RK Racing]

Wow, that's a nice looking rig! (at RK...)

Thank you! A lot of hard work went into that. I just finished putting a 6 inch lift on our 2023 Ford Ranger yesterday. 52 hours in my driveway…..

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[AtomicKoalaJelly]

Thank you! A lot of hard work went into that. I just finished putting a 6 inch lift on our 2023 Ford Ranger yesterday. 52 hours in my driveway…..

Looks good with a lift. Any other plans for it?

 

[Jwis]

Sold my 05 LJ Rubicon--a super off-road rock climber--for a Bronco Wildtrac. The Rubi had 17k easy miles on it when purchased. It had TERRIBLE death wobble. Lots of mods to improve but it still wobbled crossing diagonal train track. Yesterday a group of 6G Bronco owners did Red Elephant Mountain by Empire CO. It is a conservative 8 of 10 difficulty--lots of rock climbing. Lockers, disconnected swaybars and 35 inch tires minimum requirements. The Broncos did fine

 

[RK Racing]

Looks good with a lift. Any other plans for it?

I had a fox 2.5 coil over, 3”” lift on it prior with pretty true 34” tires & 17x9. Sooooo now i need to go to 18 x9 ( new bigger tie rod ends hit da wheels). I did add 1 inch spacers for now for temporary so it’s drivable until I get the new 18 x 9 wheels. And of course…. Mo bigger tires - Mo bigger tires - Mo bigger tires - Mo bigger tires……… lol. Thanks again!

 

[Nc211]

As I said, I dont see high mileage examples. I see the TSBs and recalls but dont know how common these failures are amongst the wider population, especially amongst the 50k+ vehicles. Im at a lower volume dealer and us lowly techs dont have access to that information.

OP, let me ask you this.... The 2.3 is a common engine with a long history across different model types. It is direct injection only. I'm sure you're aware of the carbon build up on the intake valve issue for the DI engine design in general.

I'm curious, perhaps not in a Bronco, but have you seen many carbon issues on the 2.3 in general? Perhaps ask around the shop if not. That is the only "potential" negative with the 2.3, and have no clue if it's an actual issue or not. I'm presuming as it gets in the 70k+ mileage range, it would be as most DI turbo 4's tend to be.

If the deal makes financial sense to you, then I would certainly do it. The jeep is already giving you issues. What's it going to be like when the warranty expires? If you have the chance to get out of it without going in the negative equity hole, and you have the inside scoop since you work for Ford already, then why not?

 

[AtomicKoalaJelly]

OP, let me ask you this.... The 2.3 is a common engine with a long history across different model types. It is direct injection only. I'm sure you're aware of the carbon build up on the intake valve issue for the DI engine design in general.

I'm curious, perhaps not in a Bronco, but have you seen many carbon issues on the 2.3 in general? Perhaps ask around the shop if not. That is the only "potential" negative with the 2.3, and have no clue if it's an actual issue or not. I'm presuming as it gets in the 70k+ mileage range, it would be as most DI turbo 4's tend to be.

If the deal makes financial sense to you, then I would certainly do it. The jeep is already giving you issues. What's it going to be like when the warranty expires? If you have the chance to get out of it without going in the negative equity hole, and you have the inside scoop since you work for Ford already, then why not?

I've been there a year come October. Outside of water pumps (any mileage, ford cant make a water pump in general it seems) and front cover leaks, Ive done two, on 80-100k+ examples of the 2.3l, nothing. I dont see these engine being rebuilt or replaced except a Focus RS that had a cam sheer at the vacuum pump a few months ago. One guy who's been 9 years owns one and he hasn't been aware of any real issues with em. Across the shop we do more transmissions (the r80 is junk), 5.0s and smaller ecoboosts.

As far as carbon on newer ones, and I'd have to check manufacturer data to be sure, I believe the 2.3l has port injection as well now same as the Tacoma.

 

[Brian_B]

check manufacturer data to be sure, I believe the 2.3l has port injection as well now same as the Tacoma.

The 2.3 redesign is dual injection like the 2.7 is. Mustang and Ranger (?) got it in MY24 and Bronco got it MY25

The older 2.3 though is direct injection - so that’s why all the higher mileage ones are gonna comment like that. I haven’t noticed any issues that would lead me to believe I need to clean my valves at 60K - but I haven’t boroscoped them either.

I did swap plugs around 50k - went 1 step colder, and it did idle a lot smoother and got a small bump in mileage for it. Factory plugs looked great though on all 4 cylinders

 

[murphtron]

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.

My 2000 Miata is my rowdy ass go kart! The 2023 Bronco is my daily but also has well over 1k miles offroad and 45k total. Including some crawling (not a lot but some). Love this thing. Very minor issues so far. The OEM bash plates are actually very good assuming you don’t pound on them all day everyday.

 

[bf4445]

I went from a 2020 JLR with sky one touch roof, built for rock crawling with the best Teraflex can offer and 35s - was going to 37s but sold it for my Bronco. At first, I was concerned I was going to miss the Jeep when out on the trails or even daily driving since I really loved it. The main reason I sold it is because it was killing my back! After putting over 70k miles on it I was having sciatic nerve pain, lower back issues, and other problems. Throughout ownership my jeep had issues with the small battery, had to replace it twice. My tailgate door hinges corroded (even tho was garage kept). Overheated twice going up a mountain into the alpine. Infotainment bricked during update, didnt have radio for over 3 months because Jeep couldnt source one for me. My screen was basically all black and nothing worked - it was a shit show without it for over 3 months. What frustrates me the most and what all my Jeep friends have noticed is that Jeep is NOT fixing the most common issues in their wranglers. They continue to overlook and release new models with the same problems over and over again. Completely different from Ford, that is at least trying to improve at every release.

Despite all that I still liked that Jeep. Like I said I thought I was going to miss it but honestly havent looked back since, not even for a second. Broncos can do 99% of what my jeep could do. It’s a much more comfortable rig, daily driving is smooth, no issues, no more engine fan screaming at you because you are going over 50mph. I have to be more cautions when offroading because IFS, but I still manage to do almost everything the Jeep did. And nowadays feel like the jeep was truly really good at the 1% the Bronco can’t do. I can’t justify that, so for me Bronco is the more resealable choice.

I rode shotgun on my friends Gladiator yesterday, it was my first time in a Jeep in two years. He was all happy he got the AEV lift with Bilstein 5100 shocks. He was all happy telling me “look how the ride quality is amazing!” And honestly… it drove like shit compared to our Broncos lol didnt want to be buzzkill so I said I was happy for him. But man, the difference in ride quality between these two is HUGE. Also I felt claustrophobic with the small room inside. Never thought I’d feel that way since I owned jeeps for years.

I have to ask. What were the 1% that the Bronco can't do that a jeep can do?
To be honest i was jumping for joy over the new Bronco untill I got to sit in the first one on the dealers lot and was appalled by the poor visibility in the front because of the square fenders. Then i decided that maybe the 360 degree camera was intended to take care of that issue.

 

[Audiomate]

I do get / understand your point……. However… AEV & Bilstein’s = Beginner rookie crap. No wonder it rode like crap…… my gladiator rides awesome. P.S. if you’re running 35 inch tires and larger on a jeep, you really should have long arms. Short factory arms are great for 33 inch tires or less. Badlands Bronco on order……

Agreed. But Teraflex’s top tier lift comes with long arms FYI

 

[Audiomate]

I have to ask. What were the 1% that the Bronco can't do that a jeep can do?
To be honest i was jumping for joy over the new Bronco untill I got to sit in the first one on the dealers lot and was appalled by the poor visibility in the front because of the square fenders. Then i decided that maybe the 360 degree camera was intended to take care of that issue.

I’d say anything that requires an incredible amount of flex to not tip over. We got some gnarly trails around where I live and some of the places you gotta cross boulders with huge drop downs. Anything lacking flex you either full send and risk breaking stuff or you gotta go slow and do it right. Not worth doing it on a Bronco unless you got money for an APG style build with 38-40s. Even still I’d be cautions in taking my Bronco there. If you are not doing that kind of trail then I’d say Bronco for the win! That’s where I’m at right now and why I don’t look back at owning a Jeep. I’m pretty happy with my chubby IFS jeep

The front visibility on the Bronco is not the greatest when compared to the Jeep. That’s a given. But the 360c does make up for it! It’s amazing, I always use and love it!!

 

[RK Racing]

Agreed. But Teraflex’s top tier lift comes with long arms FYI

Wife has 2022 two-door Wrangler with Terra flex long arms…… I have the 2023 gladiator with terra flex long arms, which are approximately 3 feet longer, which makes it ride GREAT! Sure if you saw my post on the other page, post number 41.

 

[Audiomate]

Wife has 2022 two-door Wrangler with Terra flex long arms…… I have the 2023 gladiator with terra flex long arms, which are approximately 3 feet longer, which makes it ride GREAT! Sure if you saw my post on the other page, post number 41.

You said I needed long arms for better ride quality but my original response says I had a Teraflex lift with all the best they could offer. So that includes long arms as well. Just clarifying that I had a good lift on the jeep and still personally think the Bronco’s ride quality is better.

It’d have made my friends gladi ride better for sure. But I’m comparing a bone stock bronco susp to an upgraded aftermarket jeep lift and for me the Bronco still wins let alone comparing a build up bronco vs a build jeep. In terms of ride quality I still think Bronco wins. But just my opinion.

 

[bf4445]

I’d say anything that requires an incredible amount of flex to not tip over. We got some gnarly trails around where I live and some of the places you gotta cross boulders with huge drop downs. Anything lacking flex you either full send and risk breaking stuff or you gotta go slow and do it right. Not worth doing it on a Bronco unless you got money for an APG style build with 38-40s. Even still I’d be cautions in taking my Bronco there. If you are not doing that kind of trail then I’d say Bronco for the win! That’s where I’m at right now and why I don’t look back at owning a Jeep. I’m pretty happy with my chubby IFS jeep

The front visibility on the Bronco is not the greatest when compared to the Jeep. That’s a given. But the 360c does make up for it! It’s amazing, I always use and love it!!

Thanks for the answer. When i sat in that Bronco and saw the terrible visibility I wondered why Ford would do such a thing. Well the answer to that is to make it like the old 60's Bronco. I had one a 67 if i remember and that was my complaint with it back then and why i used my cj5 for any serious off roading.
Also thanks for confirming that the 360 camera compensates for the lack of frontal visibility. I tend to go exploring by myself so don't often have anyone to watch for dangers as i inch forward.

 

[Audiomate]

Thanks for the answer. When i sat in that Bronco and saw the terrible visibility I wondered why Ford would do such a thing. Well the answer to that is to make it like the old 60's Bronco. I had one a 67 if i remember and that was my complaint with it back then and why i used my cj5 for any serious off roading.
Also thanks for confirming that the 360 camera compensates for the lack of frontal visibility. I tend to go exploring by myself so don't often have anyone to watch for dangers as i inch forward.

Haha that’s exactly why. And I love how resembles the OG broncos. I wish the grille was more flatten like the OG ones and less curved. But everything else is really spot on for me. Ford knocked out of the park with how classic yet modern it looks.

Also there’s different view modes to the camera, you can choose whichever helps you the most. I like the one that splits the screen between frontal + 360c at the same time. The cool thing about it is that on the frontal camera side it shows you where your wheels will likely drive by, so you can have an idea where your line will be. I find it super helpful!

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