Recent content by Sparkie

5 weeks!? That's about how long it takes Ford to build a new Bronco! What's going on?

Yup. When I ordered my Bronco, my salesman said I would have to meet with the sales manager before we could place the order. That manage argued with me for 10 minutes that "nobody drive stick anymore" - to which I replied look at the car I'm driving right now. He was also arguing with me that...

My first manual gearbox was a 1969 Jeep and I had the very same clutch cable problem. It got to the point I would carry the spare cable and tools with me and do the roadside repair myself. The cables were better on my next cars/trucks. Then I got a sports car that used a hydraulic system...

I am with you -- I'm never giving up my manual. I have owned and driven manual gearboxes for 45 years with long back and forth work commutes around Boston's notorious bumper-to-bumper rush hour traffic. While waiting for traffic to move, I used neutral (a lot!) so I rarely had to "stand" on...

I did have similar 2.3 vs 2.7 concerns, but I didn't notice much difference between them in my Bronco test drives. Maybe it was because I drove my manual gearbox "speed vehicle" (pictured below" to those test drives.

I am not a "4 door hater" and even owned a few myself, but they all had a manual gearbox. I can say that every manual gearbox I have owned never had to "learn how to shift". Maybe that's what made me -- as my wife describes me, a "manual car snob".

Okay, good luck on your trade.

@Spidey White fabric tops do not exist. Haartz is the major fabric supplier to the automotive industry, and they do make an off-white with tan backing fabric material (Oyster White, 2904 HR OYT) that survives UV exposure (true white fabric breaks down). I have personally used this Haartz...

There is a Safety Recall (NHTSA 26V268) on model years 2024 to 2026 regarding the front seat pivot bolts not tightened securely. Maybe your 2022 has a similar issue. My VIN number was on the list. So the dealership will inspect my seats at the next oil change.

I did a road trip to Tennessee for my Off-Roadeo.

Awesome road trip, but honestly, you had me at "2 door MT". BTW, you should sign up for Ford's Bronco Off-Roadeo before your eligibility expires. It's well worth another road trip.

In your suggested situation, I can confirm Bronco MTs will not automatically set the parking brake. I have a sloped driveway and this morning, I tested this. Then I remembered I already knew this was true from one of my first off-roading days. I needed to get out and inspect the trail, but I...

Yes, unlike my sports car and last 9 cars and trucks, 6G Broncos required learning a new and very odd muscle memory of reaching over the left knee, and underneath the light switch. It's so much easier when the same hand for pushing the stick can find the switch at the center console -- or even...

Nice photos. Thanks for sharing and I'm glad you got to enjoy the show.

Honestly, you're already in great shape for off road. My Bronco is a stock Heritage with the MT and I've had no problems going off road. For the very few times I had large rocks or tree stumps in the mid-path, I just altered my line enough to get by. Technique is just as good as money spent...