Advice Needed on Bronco Purchase: Badlands 7MT or Stroppe 2.7L?

[RoseLane4]

I love my 2024 BL’s 7MT…

STROPPE ALL THE WAY

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[JDC129]

Hello. I am considering purchasing one of two models, both 2-door:

2025 Stroppe
2026 Badlands 7MT

I have test driven both along with a Big Bend 7MT.

For those who have or have had these, what do you think?

I know the manual-vs-automatic debate can get heated, so here goes!

My impressions:
The 2.7L Stroppe is much snappier off the line vs. the Badlands 2.3L 7MT. Interestingly, the Big Bend 2.3L 7MT felt closer to the Stroppe in acceleration, likely due to the smaller tires. The larger tires, I suspect, made the Badlands feel relatively sluggish to me at least below 3,000 RPM.

While I love manual transmissions and thought I wanted it in my Bronco, the 2.7L auto felt much better. Also, I have three Mustangs all with manual transmissions, so have plenty of other time rowing my own gears. Since the Bronco is not an on-road performance vehicle, the stick shift is becoming less important to me.

This will be just a fun vehicle for me, not a daily driver. I will use it for a mix of on- and off-road uses, including some road trips. I have a cabin in the woods, so it will spend a lot of time there running around the wilderness and going into places devoid of people.

I realize that only I can make this decision, but am just curious how others have approached this tradeoff and open to any words of wisdom based on actual usage.

Thanks!

I have a 2026 with a 7MT. I have zero regrets with my purchase. It’s a blast to drive.The 7MT has some not so well known tech built into it that makes some of the PITA things about daily driving a manual easier. The biggest is that when you let out the clutch, the ECU bumps the RPMs momentarily without you having to feather the throttle yourself. Makes bumper to bumper traffic less labor intensive. Also has
Hill start assist to prevent the dreaded roll back. If you do stall it, push in the clutch and it fires right back up. Sport mode in the 2.3 makes a big difference in throttle response off the bottom end and you can also get the Ford Performance tune for $750. I’m considering getting it for mine.

 

[whit11]

No wrong answer with those choices. I have a BadSas 7MT 4-door (my one compromise). If you want the MT and power close to the 2.7, I would recommend the Ford Performance Calibration Kit - modest HP bump and 415 lb-ft torque - plus a pedal commander. Huge improvement in drivability and performance. All in maybe $1,500 compared to 2.7L and auto options pricing.

 

[dpAtlanta]

Drive both and make your own decision... that's what I did, and I'm glad I did.
I made the right decision for me.

 

[Tanger]

I have a 4dr Badlands 7MT. I recently installed the ProCal Tune for the 2.3L engine and it adds a lot more "pep" to the engine. It feels so much quicker off the line now

MT all the way

^^^ This.^^^

The ProCal Tune makes a big difference. And I run in Sport RWD most of the time (actually removed Eco via Forscan). Power and torque are more than sufficient IMO.

 

[Brian_B]

^^^ This.^^^

The ProCal Tune makes a big difference. And I run in Sport RWD most of the time (actually removed Eco via Forscan). Power and torque are more than sufficient IMO.

I used to recommend the ProCal tune - I've soured on it since they took away Rev Matching (although I heard a rumor the new '25+ 2.3 brought it back without needing ProCal?)

If you want a performance tune, not really any reason to go with ProCal any longer. It doesn't rev match, it doesn't maintain ASS selection, and the tune itself is pretty mild and doesn't do anything with aftermarket upgrades. Go with one of the custom tuners: Panda, ZFG, Goose, etc. They can get a lot more performance out for the same cost; you can adjust their tunes and save different tunes for various fuel mixtures that can swap at the push of a button, they can unlock additional performance with additional hardware (intakes, exhausts, etc), and they aren't any more or less intrusive than ProCal (no hardware install) .ProCal is either Off or On, and it takes a few minutes to switch between.

 

[Tanger]

All valid points, but ProCal does keep the factory warranty

 

[EasternSierra]

I have a '25 Badlands with the 7MT. I've also test-driven a Badsquatch with the 2.7/10-speed and a Big Bend with the 2.3 and 10-speed.

I wanted one last stick shift in my life (I'm in my late 60s) and our other vehicle is an automatic, so the 7-speed was important in my decision-making. However, the Badlands with 2.7 and 10-speed was an absolute joy to drive. The auto works so well with the engine, and the combo impressed me so much I almost went for it. The auto is also better for off-road crawling.

Since you have other stick-shifts in the stable, I'd suggest the 2.7 and auto.

 

[JDC129]

I do tow but mostly a small 14' aluminum fishing boat that weighs little. Also a large pontoon boat occasionally and only a few miles from my cabin to a storage facility for winter.

For what it’s worth I have towed two sea doos (approximately 2k pds w trailer) with the manual. No problem. The 10spd auto would be much better for towing closer to the 3500lbs limit.

 

[Brian_B]

For what it’s worth I have towed two sea doos (approximately 2k pds w trailer) with the manual. No problem. The 10spd auto would be much better for towing closer to the 3500lbs limit.

Any Bronco has enough power and brakes to tow a lot more than the weight limit.

The limit isn't there because of lack of power or stopping. It's because of the soft coilover suspension and relative lack of framing support where the hitch bolts on, and all Broncos, even the Raptor, suffers from that.

Just look at towing capacity on the Rangers (same power trains) - standard leaf springs are like 7,500, but the Ranger Raptor with coilovers drops to around 5k.

 

[JDC129]

Any Bronco has enough power and brakes to tow a lot more than the weight limit.

The limit isn't there because of lack of power or stopping. It's because of the soft coilover suspension and relative lack of framing support where the hitch bolts on, and all Broncos, even the Raptor, suffers from that.

Just look at towing capacity on the Rangers (same power trains) - standard leaf springs are like 7,500, but the Ranger Raptor with coilovers drops to around 5k.

I agree the power train can handle it. That’s not the issue. In addition to the jet skis, I have a 27 ft pontoon boat. It has over 500 pds of tongue weight and the Bronco DID NOT like that. I kept my Sierra just to tow the boat. A lot of tongue weight on a short wheel base vehicle is no bueno.

 

[MilesTeg]

Any Bronco has enough power and brakes to tow a lot more than the weight limit.

The limit isn't there because of lack of power or stopping. It's because of the soft coilover suspension and relative lack of framing support where the hitch bolts on, and all Broncos, even the Raptor, suffers from that.

Just look at towing capacity on the Rangers (same power trains) - standard leaf springs are like 7,500, but the Ranger Raptor with coilovers drops to around 5k.

Yup, towing capacity is very rarely limited by engine power. It's why I get a bit cross with the guys who think they can ignore their max tow limit on their CUVs or hatchbacks just because they have 3-400hp or higher.

 

[MilesTeg]

I used to recommend the ProCal tune - I've soured on it since they took away Rev Matching (although I heard a rumor the new '25+ 2.3 brought it back without needing ProCal?)

I actually prefer that the procal doesn't have auto revmatching, hah. It's instinct for me at this point, and having it auto would probably screw me up on my other manuals.

 

[RadDad]

I agree the power train can handle it. That’s not the issue. In addition to the jet skis, I have a 27 ft pontoon boat. It has over 500 pds of tongue weight and the Bronco DID NOT like that. I kept my Sierra just to tow the boat. A lot of tongue weight on a short wheel base vehicle is no bueno.

Nothing worse than stopping at a red light and your rig keeps moving or wants to turn on you. Been there done that. XTerra, Bronco II, 2 door wranglers..... Pickup trucks in my experience are the goats of towing.

 

[Strorman Norm]

As you said it is your decision. I just took delivery of a Badlands 2door manual trans,2.3 L, In ruby red. So I might be just a little bias. I really like the size, the engine has plenty of energy for me. I am not going to look for rocks to climb. I am partial to the Short Badland .

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