Bronco Front Lockers

[redvettx2]

Just back from Off Roadeo in Moab. So I had 17" rubi set up 35's etc. Front lockers were used for just tough obstacles in a straight line. You could barely turn the rig with the front locker engaged. In the Bronco it not the case. I forgot to turn off the front locker or hit it twice by mistake. I had been cruising a long and noticed the front locker was still engaged. I could not feel or tell the front locker was engaged when turning. Handled and turned just fine. I was truly amazed. You never forgot the front locker was on in the Rubi, lol. Anyone else with that experience. I don't run with front lockers on but wow the IFS makes a huge difference. On tough sections when I used it I could turn and pick lines that there was no way a Rubi could have changed lines without unlocking the front diff. Just a take away from the trip. I thought I had Bronco Fever before. Dam you MOAB!

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[Silver-Bolt]

Likely the difference is U-Joints on the Wrangler axles and CV joints on the Bronco.

 

[da_jokker]

There was a video a while ago during one of those ride along events where the driver said that the bronco allows for slippage when things get bound up.

Not sure how reliable it was, because I haven't seen it really talked about elsewhere.

But yeah that front locker is nice. Was doing a little mud hill climbing yesterday at the Bronco OHV park event, and with the rear locker on still couldn't get up this relative small but steep mud hill.. flipped on the front locker and it climbed right up.

I know there's lots of conversations as to whether you need a front locker or not, and people swear that you don't... Maybe that's the case if you're willing to "send it" and the hell with the trail.

But that front locker is a must-have.

 

[da_jokker]

Likely the difference is U-Joints on the Wrangler axles and CV joints on the Bronco.

Well inless you get the HD tcase then it comes with CV joints as well.

 

[Felix808]

Where you running just the front locker and not the rear or both font & rear? This can make a difference as the Jeep in stock form won't let you have just the front. The locked rear wants to drive straight causing the front to bind when trying to turn when the front is locked also.

 

[redvettx2]

There was a video a while ago during one of those ride along events where the driver said that the bronco allows for slippage when things get bound up.

Not sure how reliable it was, because I haven't seen it really talked about elsewhere.

But yeah that front locker is nice. Was doing a little mud hill climbing yesterday at the Bronco OHV park event, and with the rear locker on still couldn't get up this relative small but steep mud hill.. flipped on the front locker and it climbed right up.

I know there's lots of conversations as to whether you need a front locker or not, and people swear that you don't... Maybe that's the case if you're willing to "send it" and the hell with the trail.

But that front locker is a must-have.

Front and Rear in my opinion if you want to challenge the rig and not destroy it. Yes rear only or no lockers can get through but it requires more momentum, which = speed. More speed = more broken or bent parts. At OFF-Roadeo in Moab last week we were in 4wd L almost all day and were encouraged to only use the hero switches if required. I personally spend way more time in 2WD and use 4WD L as required. I tough stuff I like to lock up and pick my line and go slow! It was cool to test the limits of the truck. On one set of obstacles they we climbing with no lockers and bouncing and spinning over the ledges. I told the wife I could do the same thing but why get beat up. I locked up front and rear and crawled up smooth like we were on a cloud. Whats the hurry the scenery is fantastic and why trash the rig.

 

[Sparkherd]

Whats the hurry the scenery is fantastic and why trash the rig.

Zackly!!!

 

[e90steve]

This speaks volumes to modern day vehicles and good tires...

A month ago, some friends and I went on a few trails in the North Carolina mountains. Good logging trails that presented some nice crossings and climbs. One of my friends has an old FJ40, this thing is rad and a true old school experience. On a few of the muddy climbs, the FJ had to be stopped and locked to make it up. The JL wrangler we were in on the same climbs, we actually had forgot to even put in 4WD and it made it up relatively easily just in standard drive. No fancy tires on the JL, just standard issue 18" Sahara tires.

Pretty amazing stuff. The standard non-locker Bronco hopefully is just as capable.

 

[TheSSBoz]

Yeah Moab off roadeo was fun. We definitely were doing things that I would never do in my rig. IE: 4lo most of the day and going faster than I ever would while in 4lo... Also I use the tools at my disposal...I'm never gonna try to spin it out driving up a wall essentially...

I agree though...locker engagement and functionality is slick. Hopefully it's durable....

 

[NotGuilty]

Front and Rear in my opinion if you want to challenge the rig and not destroy it. Yes rear only or no lockers can get through but it requires more momentum, which = speed. More speed = more broken or bent parts. At OFF-Roadeo in Moab last week we were in 4wd L almost all day and were encouraged to only use the hero switches if required. I personally spend way more time in 2WD and use 4WD L as required. I tough stuff I like to lock up and pick my line and go slow! It was cool to test the limits of the truck. On one set of obstacles they we climbing with no lockers and bouncing and spinning over the ledges. I told the wife I could do the same thing but why get beat up. I locked up front and rear and crawled up smooth like we were on a cloud. Whats the hurry the scenery is fantastic and why trash the rig.

I know exactly which steps you are talking about. I did the same thing. Watched several people in front of me bouncing off the steps in order to make it up. I used the rear locker and took my time up the obstacle. I have a Rubicon and Bronco both showing up this week. I ordered the Rubicon about a week after the August email telling me my vehicle was being delayed due to MIC issues. Drove the Bronco about a week after ordering the Rubicon and regretted about halfway though the Off-Roadeo in Moab. I knew I was going to wait for the Bronco regardless if the Rubicon showed up first. I was also lucky enough to drive the only Sasquatch Black Diamond Bronco they had in the fleet in Moab which is what I ordered.

 

[MWILD]

This speaks volumes to modern day vehicles and good tires...

A month ago, some friends and I went on a few trails in the North Carolina mountains. Good logging trails that presented some nice crossings and climbs. One of my friends has an old FJ40, this thing is rad and a true old school experience. On a few of the muddy climbs, the FJ had to be stopped and locked to make it up. The JL wrangler we were in on the same climbs, we actually had forgot to even put in 4WD and it made it up relatively easily just in standard drive. No fancy tires on the JL, just standard issue 18" Sahara tires.

Pretty amazing stuff. The standard non-locker Bronco hopefully is just as capable.

I hope so too, but so far I haven't seem much evidence that says the Ford version of 'BLD" is all that impressive. Here's a couple of examples of what I've seen thus far that makes me wonder...

Take a look here @ the 7:45 min mark.





Here's an example of a JK's BLD in action. Keep in mind the JL version is a bit better and kicks in less time.




Here's a quick video I put together of my Jeep JL Sport Altitude @ Uwharrie. No lockers - only an LSD in the rear.





Needless to say, I'm going with Front in rear lockers in my Bronco

 

[dgorsett]

Does the Bronco even have 'BLD'? I suppose it kinda does as that's basically a function of Traction Control, which it has. The owners manual states, however, that Traction Control disengages in 4L: so no BLD in 4L. I've been thinking I may need to run 4H in some cases where I might normally run 4L in order to take advantage of Traction Control.

 

[Fonz54]

There was a video a while ago during one of those ride along events where the driver said that the bronco allows for slippage when things get bound up.

Not sure how reliable it was, because I haven't seen it really talked about elsewhere.

But yeah that front locker is nice. Was doing a little mud hill climbing yesterday at the Bronco OHV park event, and with the rear locker on still couldn't get up this relative small but steep mud hill.. flipped on the front locker and it climbed right up.

I know there's lots of conversations as to whether you need a front locker or not, and people swear that you don't... Maybe that's the case if you're willing to "send it" and the hell with the trail.

But that front locker is a must-have.

Did you drive the Bronco at Hollister Hills? I drove one (OBX) there last week. It performed well. OBX did not have Front Locker. I did not experience any slippage or difficulty making any climbs. I drove before the big rans cam later on Sunday afternoon. I agree though having the Front Locker is the way to go.

 

[Aaonter]

Posted this in another review area but do not expect it without lockers to be as good. Most rigs will turn off ESP but the BLD should remain on. Most rigs you cannot completely turn off traction control without a secondary controller. The biggest issue with ESP is the cutting of engine power. In 4L that should be disabled. The Swaybar disco helps a lot but still IFS is at a disadvantage. Comfort and drive manor on road is the reason to chose the Bronco. People seem to think the Wrangler is not good at speed must have not been in one for a while. It is good just not as good as IFS. The Bronco has some trick shocks that helps but it still only has 9" of travel where most rigs build for speed have over a foot. This is why I think the Bronco will be a great overland rig. You will not be doing hardcore stuff with a roof top tent nor will you be doing highspeed. It is the right balance of speed and ruggedness for the job.

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