Build Advice - First Time going in to a Bronco

[3pedals]

I don't think you can get a manual transmission with a four door, 2.7 Badlands. Ditto for the factory roof rails. I do however have the MGV seats and wash-out floor both of which are a huge plus for a vehicle of this nature. For me, the LUX package was worth the extra financial outlay also.

The manual comes with a 2.3L turbo 4-cyl. I did not say I was getting the 2.7 and am aware it is the 2.3. I agree on the LUX, worth it long term as I see it. Thanks for the input on the floors.

I have dual top and love it. But I also have the ability to store it on my garage ceiling via electric winch, keeping it out of my way during the spring/summer/fall months. Man, I tell you, on the soft top, when you can take out the back vinyl windows and leave the top on, it's fantastic! Keeps the sun off you, yet total open cabin experience. I've enjoyed it for two years now. Love the hard top too in the winter months. I'd vote for dual tops as long as you're able to store them out of the way when not in use.

I'd also go for the modular bumper. You wouldn't think the bumper makes much of a difference (it all tastes like chicken), but over time it actually does. Plus, if you're getting the auxiliary switches, you can fill in the modular openings with lights that really do help a lot on dark roads, or when the headlights are caked with winter crud and you need a little extra light. I love mine, and the brush guard as well. Don't see too many of them, which makes it stand out.

Being in CO (and I"m not familiar with the current options), you may want the 4A option (basically the AWD feature). Mine does not have it, but I don't need it where I live. But you? I could see it being very helpful in normal daily life to handle the slick spots better.

My opinion - since you're ordering, I would get every option possible. Much cheaper to get it from the factory now, than trying to retro fit later after the honeymoon period has worn off. I have no regrets with doing exactly that for mine. Basically went down the list and said "yes" to everything possible outside of Sasquatch. My options are in my signature below.

Mine is my 20th vehicle in my life, a 50th B'day present to myself. Came from Mercedes. To this day, I look forward to driving it every single time. It has been the most enjoyable vehicle I have ever owned, and consider it a real treat to have. I am glad I ordered everything too right from the start for what I wanted. Even if I don't really use it all (like the rear locker). Just happy to know it's there. I've used it a couple of times, and honestly provided all the 4x4 capability I will ever need.

If I were to order a new one today, with the limitations on options that weren't there when I did order mine, I too would get the non-sas badlands and load it up. At the time of my order, you could setup an OBX non-sas much easier from Ford.

Not sure I'll get the dual tops. That feels like overkill until I know later, and I can always pickup a BESTOP or something is my current thought. I like the look of the standard bumper better and the integrated fog lights, I just don't see adding stuff to the modular. The 4A option is standard on a '26 Badlands. I am looking at 'loading' it up a fair amount on the options front or at least I thought I was. Curious which Benz. I've been driving a GLC AMG and don't love it as much as I thought I would.

Thanks for all the input!!

Thousands of people will read this post.
Things other than blind praise need considered.

I certainly value input and considerations on the build, and reasons from owners based on experience. I just didn't value the comparisons to the Cube or the Scion which I think insults most Bronco owners whether that is the intention or not. And I feel that, the initial post and follow ups were geared towards getting a reaction rather than being helpful. Help need not be blind praise. But some AI generated Scion Bronco baby image,.. well. I guess points for creativity or at least chatGPT skills.

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[inlifefindadventure]

The manual comes with a 2.3L turbo 4-cyl. I did not say I was getting the 2.7 and am aware it is the 2.3. I agree on the LUX, worth it long term as I see it. Thanks for the input on the floors.

My bad, I definitely over-inferred when it came to reading your desired specs. My apologies. Enjoy the order, build & delivery process. The anticipation that accompanied my factory order was, for the most part, a lot of fun!

Cheers.

 

[SLO BRNC]

I always get crap for my opinion, but the 2.3L is noticeably less power than the 2.7L and you mention mountain driving, so you may find that less than ideal. But your username makes it obvious that the manual is a must, so that is your trade-off.

The Black Appearance is worth it and does not downsize the tires. I didn’t realize the black appearance package made the Badlands look so good, but it does! And I really appreciate the matte black decal on the hood for reduced glare.

 

[Brian_B]

I always get crap for my opinion, but the 2.3L is noticeably less power than the 2.7L and you mention mountain driving, so you may find that less than ideal. But your username makes it obvious that the manual is a must, so that is your trade-off.

The Black Appearance is worth it and does not downsize the tires. I didn’t realize the black appearance package made the Badlands look so good, but it does! And I really appreciate the matte black decal on the hood for reduced glare.

Guy said he wants 7MT and you are trying to talk him out of it.

7MT can go up hills fine.

 

[Valhalla]

I don't believe you are actually adding anything of value to the conversation other than to make undue comparisons and post ridiculous pics, or at least that is my take.

Hey man,
We poke fun on 6G, I'm one of the worst. Most people mean it as good clean fun. I'm a bronco guy for over 30 years and love my badsquatchux 2dr 2.7, that being said it is a reworked Ford flex.. many of us waited a long time for our amazing flex redo they named bronco.. I hope you eventually see what an amazing flex you will have for offroading. This Scion was greatly engineered.

 

[Nc211]

Not sure I'll get the dual tops. That feels like overkill until I know later, and I can always pickup a BESTOP or something is my current thought. I like the look of the standard bumper better and the integrated fog lights, I just don't see adding stuff to the modular. The 4A option is standard on a '26 Badlands. I am looking at 'loading' it up a fair amount on the options front or at least I thought I was. Curious which Benz. I've been driving a GLC AMG and don't love it as much as I thought I would.

Thanks for all the input!!

No worries! That’s the best part about the Bronco - they’re all different in their own unique way. When you buy a Bronco, it’s Kind’ve like buying a new construction house. You get the house, but then you make it a home by doing the little things that you like to it, and the list is endless. Ranging from stickers, to interior trim pieces, to the mechanical, and so on.

That said, I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone on here ever say they regretted getting the ford performance modular bumper, but I have seen some say they wish they had. You can get it later now though as a stand alone if you change your mind. You can add fogs, driving, flood lights and so on all as one unit in the openings and use the aux switches to control which one you want to use. I think your model automatically comes with the switches, and the bumper is a fantastic platform to put them to good use.

Be careful of the Bestop. I don’t think you can take out the rear windows, and I’m not 100% sure you can fully retract it? I could be wrong about that. If you change your mind, you can likely find a ford soft top on like facebook or whatnot. You’ll need some hardware pieces to mount it correctly though. I love the fact that I can still have coverage over the cargo area while also having all windows out. Like the protection factor, and also think it looks really cool that way. Buy a retractable cargo cover off Amazon, and no worries about anything flying out of the back while driving.

My advice is to think about the future with the car. You may not think you want to add stuff to it now, as you’re focused on the newness of the car in general at the moment. But there will likely come a time when you will want to add a few things to it. Most like to add some extra lights, and that’s where the bumper comes in very handy. Especially when you have those aux switches!

I had a 2014 W212 sedan (sport)…a E350 for about 7 years (bought it as a cpo in 2017 to pair with my VW GTI). Sold the GTI in 2021. Then my son was turning 16 in 2024 and wasn’t about to give him a Mercedes Benz as his first car for obvious reasons. Traded it for a 2014 Tiquan with only 39,000 miles as his first car. Then bought the Bronco for myself. I loved that Mercedes! It was the last of the “old school” mentality for them, true classic in the making now. Wife has a 2020 GLS 450 since new, just crossed 100k miles, been the best car we’ve ever owned so far. Damn thing is still on original brake pads and 12v battery!

 

[Rick U]

I have not yet read through this complete thread so forgive me if I’m repeating something somebody’s already mentioned. You said you would use this as a daily driver on snowy roads. I don’t think the 4 a (all wheel drive) is available with the manual transmission. Another issue to double check is if snow chains can be installed. According to the owners manual at least on the Sasquatch models it says they cannot.

 

[CalvinT]

I always get crap for my opinion, but the 2.3L is noticeably less power than the 2.7L and you mention mountain driving, so you may find that less than ideal. But your username makes it obvious that the manual is a must, so that is your trade-off.

What kind of mountain driving are you referring to? I have a 2.3L Badlands with a manual. I've had no problem on any hill or moutain. That includes any freeway or public road at legal and above legal speeds. As far as off-road, torque gets up up a steep hill, not horsepower, that's why you gear down.

 

[MilesTeg]

I have not yet read through this complete thread so forgive me if I’m repeating something somebody’s already mentioned. You said you would use this as a daily driver on snowy roads. I don’t think the 4 a (all wheel drive) is available with the manual transmission. Another issue to double check is if snow chains can be installed. According to the owners manual at least on the Sasquatch models it says they cannot.

4A comes with the manual, at least in my '24

 

[MilesTeg]

There are a lot cheaper ways to get 33" wheels and SAS flares than buying a Badlands with thousands in equipment that you will never need, and only cost you money upfront, in maintenance, and in gas. If I were buying a Bronco for highway travel and wanted 33s I would absolutely just go aftermarket or take offs and put the thousands saved into other mods or keep it in the bank.

That said, I'll add that the 2.3L is ..fine.. for mountain driving. I live in Colorado, and my 2.3L does ..fine.. Not great, not terrible. I would not want to tow anything over Eisenhower, hah! IMO the 7MT sucks on interstates in general though. 5th with 4.7 gears & 33s runs a high RPM for 80mph, but 6th spools up the turbo endlessly burning more gas and generating more heat than 5th (in my limited experience).

Luckily for me my Bronco is pretty much exclusively a rural road/highway and offroad machine. The only interstate travel it gets is my trips to Moab.

 

[Brian_B]

5th with 4.7 gears & 33s runs a high RPM for 80mph, but 6th spools up the turbo endlessly burning more gas and generating more heat than 5th (in my limited experience).

This is true even with the 4.46 and 5.38. Maybe if you had 30” wheels 6th would be useful I dunno

I only ever use 6th on two downhill sections of highway around here - everywhere else it’s 5th. But 5th is ~very~ strong at 2.7k RPM - the engine loves it (not being sarcastic there for once, it really does have a strong sweet spot at 2.5-3.0)

 

[Brian_B]

4A comes with the manual, at least in my '24

It’s 4A comes with SAS and Badlands (and some older optioned OBXs) - not all manuals get it though.

 

[23OBX2.7]

I hate my fabric seats with a passion. Once I got some vinyl covers they got liveable. It's like the fabric and foam can't breath at all, and it gets very swampy. But the vinyl with a few vent holes seems to help a lot.

You'd think it would be the opposite.

Also - I love the washout interior (I did armorlite, but wish I had it from the factory). No need for stupid weather mats, clean clean it out with a leaf blower and/or a water hose.

All depends on the fabric chosen. The roast I have is very breathable and comfortable with lots of grip.

 

[23OBX2.7]

On ALL my cars in Colorado with snow and rain in the spring I go with all weather mats. Yes, usually over carpet, but I like the idea of the washout interior/drains. And like I said I read the leather upgrade is not that great with the real only upside is power seats. I figure I can aftermarket the seats to a durable leather or get covers as I do know the MGV is hot and a sweat nightmare. That said, I had not though about the potential impact on the seat heater performance.

Katzkins stuffing totally ruined my Mustang heated seats performance.

Bronco heaters do.work better plis can max them out in forscan

 

[3pedals]

It’s 4A comes with SAS and Badlands (and some older optioned OBXs) - not all manuals get it though.

The non-Sasquatch manual Badlands I drove had 4A.

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