Article: The Original vs. the New Bronco

[rcl4668]

Sounds like he might be interested in the Slate.

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[EvilJim1971]

Dude doesn't know current auto buyers.
Look at what sells.
People don't buy the less expensive 2 doors.
They don't buy the less expensive manual transmission.
They complain about the power of the 2.3.
They complain about not having power seats.

A loud minority champions for the lower content, but it doesn't sell.

 

[dgorsett]

Having owned two EB's, a Gen 2, and two Gen 6's, about the only thing I miss about the old ones is that beautiful V-8 sound.

I spent more time working on the older ones than I care to admit (in Upper MI and Upstate NY in the winter outside). Replacing rear ends, front ends, transmissions, water pumps, rear main seals, clutches, rebuilding engines, replacing alternators and power steering pumps, enough wheel bearings to fill a dump truck, adding power steering, adding A/C, upgrading brakes, replacing u-joints, the list goes on forever.

Our Gen 6 makes me feel 15 again, the age I was when I bought the first EB.

This

 

[dgorsett]

I miss roll-down windows. OUAT I drove a 2dr Honda Civic hatchback with 4sp man, manual windows, manual door locks, no A/C. I could roll down that car's windows faster than any automatic button ever could (even underwater! Not that I ever needed to).

I miss having a real manual e-brake (where the "e" is for emergency the way it's supposed to be, not electronic). My other car has one, so it's not like auto makers don't know how to make them anymore. Hand brakes have a clear, analog, always-visible indicator that they are engaged (the handle's visibly lifted), have the ability to be applied gradually (try that with your 6G Bronco. In snow!), and don't make me wonder if/when they are engaged as I exit the vehicle. Yes, I know that there's a brake word on the dash. Also, I don't need hill-start-assist. I learned how to do that at age 14 using the hand brake, thank you.

I miss the fold-down tailgate. Many years ago, we had one of the OG models in canary yellow with a white top, V8, and 3-speed auto on the tree. We would take it on trails in Vermont, and sometimes have picnics on the tailgate. Or we would sit on the tailgate while putting on cross country ski boots or ice skates. And if you wanted to load up the back of that Bronco while the gate was closed and the back window was open, you could. And then you could close the back window... without even needing to use a tire iron.

But things have evolved, and some of those things are for the better.

What don't I miss?

• Prolific Rust
• Death rattle (or whatever it's called when the thing shakes violently up and down) from SFA
• Cheap linoleum (?) floor that wore out, tore, etc.
• More Rust
• Baseball-game mileage
• Basketball-game horsepower. Enough is enough, but that wasn't quite.
• Meandering front-end (SFA). I hear it's still available in Jeeps for those interested.
• No shoulder straps or headrests
• No roof rack, at least on the one we had
• No "moar doors". If I need to move people, those people need doors. Not sorry.
• An interior designed by someone who gets paid by the hour. In emergency rooms and cosmetic surgery facilities.
• No FM radio
• 4wd locks on the wheel hubs while in the mud or snow
• Exhaust fumes

I'll keep what I have.

All true except no Bronco has ever had a hand brake, but even foot operated would better than e

 

[CitrusBronco]

I did not view the article, having owned 2 early/gen 1 broncos most of my life and I do love them, best 4x4 ever I always said. Well until the 6g showed up, this new Bronco is GOAT.

 

[brkdncr]

I wouldn’t buy one, but I imagine there’s a market for a Bronco that skips past most stops on the assembly line. An entrepreneurial type could order them as a fleet purchase.

 

[Valhalla]

Did he ever review any aspect of driving either in a comparison style

 

[Altitude]

If someone wants a bare bones off-roader, go buy a side x side. Hell, some places are even making it legal to drive them on the streets as long as they are insured with the appropriate lighting. Ford is in the business of marketing their vehicles to as many people as possible. Not selling vehicles to a small niche of hard core off-roaders, that's what Polaris and Can-Am are there for.

 

[Valhalla]

I'd buy a YJ before I bought a SxS.

 

[BluebroncoNC]

Since I own both, a 1977 g1 and im on my third G6 (long ugly story) I can certainly give you my perspective. These G6's are massively better than my original G1 in most every way, except, oddly, perhaps 1 unusual way. Off road capabilities of a stock G1, pish, not even close without adding things like lockers which isn't stock. No trail assist, no 7 speed crawler gear, no swaybar disconnect, and don't get me started on stock wheels and tires. Detuned, smoged up ole enemic 302.

Now granted my '77 has the short ratio power steering. 31 spline axels, upgraded engine, A/C, wheels and tires (32").it still can not come close to what my 2025 SaS G6 is capable of off road. Except, believe it or not, on the highway. My '77 is rock solid to 80 mph with 8 adjustable shocks set on soft, it has a beautiful firm, yet soft (I know. I know) glide at highway speed. And corners, sans a sway bar, just as well.

Every feel of my G6, sitting in the driver's seat reminds me of the original truck 100%. And if we are talking money? The frame off restoration my G1 (that i did in housr) went through, dollar for dollar right there with my Stroppe edition G6 especially if you toss in labor costs.

That's my 2c.

 

[23OBX2.7]

On the Farm we bought a new Bronco white and dark met brown with brown seats etc with the 460. It was a luxury vehicle in a relative sense when had to pay cash or have 20-40% down payment.

Good thing we had bulk low tax farm fuel on site. Many fun family road trips.

Current ones are superior in every way and more affordable for most with various lease and finance options.

 

[EvilJim1971]

On the Farm we bought a new Bronco white and dark met brown with brown seats etc with the 460. It was a luxury vehicle in a relative sense when had to pay cash or have 20-40% down payment.

Good thing we had bulk low tax farm fuel on site. Many fun family road trips.

Current ones are superior in every way and more affordable for most with various lease and finance options.

No Bronco left the factory with a 460.

 

[Num Num]

Maybe a 351?

 

[Valhalla]

Shenanigans and tomfoolery!

 

[BroncoChallenger]

I agree that the author seemed more focused on pontificating on the state of the economy, versus the realities of the preferences of the buying public.

I understand his desire for a barebones 4x4, but the realities are, that aside from a small percentage of buyers, very few want a barebones vehicle. Case in point, look at the price of today's pickup trucks. The OEMs seems to sell every one of their lux'd up leather lined pickup trucks that probably never get a scuff mark in their truck beds. Not to mention that the OEMs have larger profit margins the more optioned out these vehicles have.

This is it, right here. Would I love a bare bones vehicle with a powerful engine for drag racing if I were still in that scene, or for serious off-roading? Heck yeah! That's what bare bones vehicles are for!

But the reality is that most of the buying public today DON'T want bare bones vehicles. They want amenities, because their car is a tool, something they use every day, and they'd like to be comfortable in it.

It's like traveling for work - sure, all I need in a hotel room is a bathroom and a bed, maybe a place to hang shirts up...but it's nice when the bed is clean and comfortable, the bathroom is big enough to move around in, and there's a TV to unwind with. And wifi to surf the web. The vast majority of the public wants amenities.

Now, I have seen that Ford is doing something that hasn't been done for an age - they are offering the F150 LOBO, a somewhat souped up half ton truck, leveled/lowered, very few options, etc. It's a crew cab, but I haven't seen something quite like it in a long while. It would be cool if Ford would offer a base Bronco with more of the off-road features and less of the other tech in a package...but I doubt they will.

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