Car Care Nut (mechanic) review of 6G Bronco

[Ducati1098]

When did Ford start putting on a rear sway bar on the 2 doors? Mine doesn’t have one on my badlands.

With hoss 3.0

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[Imaginary Friend]

As a mechanical engineer with 35 years of experience designing equipment, I'd pick a chain over a timing belt every time for a critical engine component.

You can bet the reason for it is bean counting, and just getting through the accepted product life cycle.

 

[Beach_Bum]

When did Ford start putting on a rear sway bar on the 2 doors? Mine doesn’t have one on my badlands.

With hoss 3.0

Quoting for continuity. @telenerd If you have a MY'21, you may not have the rear sway bar mounts.

 

[65CarryAll]

As a mechanical engineer with 35 years of experience designing equipment, I'd pick a chain over a timing belt every time for a critical engine component.

You can bet the reason for it is bean counting, and just getting through the accepted product life cycle.

Bean counting makes vehicles more affordable and competitive. If not for this the Bronco would cost more. Consumers shop for lowest price/best value. Manufactures are simply supplying what we demand.

 

[Ducati1098]

As a mechanical engineer with 35 years of experience designing equipment, I'd pick a chain over a timing belt every time for a critical component like an engine oil pump. And that's assuming I couldn't drive it directly off the crankshaft.

You can bet the reason for it is bean counting, and just getting through the accepted product life cycle.

The belt is not any cheaper than the chain that was previously used. It was likely done simply for NVH reasons.
But regardless of why they did it though, it's been implemented since ~2017 on the 2.7 with no issues in general or getting likely far passed any accepted product life cycle that was potentially set for it.

 

[VehicleNanny]

I had a chance to drive a friend's 2026 4Runner TRD. It's nice enough, but not really much quieter than my '25 Big Bend. I didn’t feel the material quality was better either.

 

[DFFam]

He lost me with the sarcasm.

 

[dougcjohn]

Was thinking about the Lack of ventilated seats several reviews and Owners have commented. For street ventilation works, otherwise it’s a pass for me. Lacking ventilation is probably a good design decision based on the ability to hose out or simply top off dusty conditions.

My Jeep had ventilated seats and noticed after several years the musty dirt smell. I’d clean carpet and still had a little dirt smell.

Due to all the ventilation holes, eventually the leather seats ripped with the holes when 7+ years old. I replaced seat covers, heater pads and ventilation fan. I routinely clean my vehicles; but Wow, the amount of dirt, sand and moisture that gets down & drawn through the ventilation holes and into the seat’s interior foam and pads is more than you realize.

The Heated seats in Bronco are amazing… 5F temp outside and within a few minutes I’m turning it down. Super strong heated seats compared to Jeep and GMC.

 

[bobogto]

Also correct me if I'm wrong. I never actually looked up this or read anything about it. The plastic mesh on the roof at the drain channel is I'm assuming for letting water out and blocking critters getting in and making a home. If I'm correct... How was I able to figure it out, and he didn't. It has nothing to do with looking pretty or justify the stupid price. It's there for a reason and it's not to look pretty.

 

[byshb9!!]

I had a chance to drive a friend's 2026 4Runner TRD. It's nice enough, but not really much quieter than my '25 Big Bend. I didn’t feel the material quality was better either.

I test drove one and wind noise was atrocious. Worst than a jeep. Such a shame cuz the bronco is such a capable good looking suv.

 

[BroncocnorB]

My experience with timing chains is that the sprockets are the weak link (if u will), not the chain.

 

[JediMcMuffin]

Quoting for continuity. @telenerd If you have a MY'21, you may not have the rear sway bar mounts.

Is that only for 2D? My 4D does.

 

[JediMcMuffin]

I had a chance to drive a friend's 2026 4Runner TRD. It's nice enough, but not really much quieter than my '25 Big Bend. I didn’t feel the material quality was better either.

Now that's surprising. How can a fixed roof vehicle be louder? TRD Off-Road or TRD Pro?

 

[VehicleNanny]

Now that's surprising. How can a fixed roof vehicle be louder? TRD Off-Road or TRD Pro?

Wind noise is the reason. The 4Runner had noticeable noise in the A-pillar and/or mirrors.

 

[DALOLA]

As a mechanical engineer with 35 years of experience designing equipment, I'd pick a chain over a timing belt every time for a critical engine component.

That's a short sighted conclusion for an ME, there are MANY factors that determine the best application.

I would also challenge there are more chain related critical engine issues vs belts, industry wide.

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