Veteran's Thought: Which Vehicle Would You Choose Besides Bronco?

[dejones64]

Tacoma or 4-Runner.

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[Headsong]

I was on the Gladiator for quite a while...tho' being a JeepWhatever concerns me....

Or an old Toyota FJ....love those things. Or an old refurbed Bronco, Gen 1 or so before it became an F150.....

Thought about the Honda Ridgeline....but it's so 'womanly' looking to me....change the grill, raise it up, get some real tires on it...

 

[JustWideman]

I have an F150, but the last few generations are just too big. I haven't driven a current generation Ranger yet, but I've owned some '90's vintage ones and they were a bit small back then - I imagine they have grown up just like the F150 has.

In short:
Ford Ranger is a big truck for small people.

I had the newer Ranger, a '21 model Fx2 (5th Gen with rear locker) as the Broncos were too expensive back then. It is a great truck, the newest one is more Bronco than ever except the screen is sideways. Some 4x4 (Fx4) models come with the same GOAT modes instead of a second cup holder and Rangers are built alongside the 2/4door full Broncos in the Michigan Assembly plant. I wish they would give it more Bronco DNA or make a proper Bronco Truck for people who need a bed as Gladiator is here to stay for Jeepers (getting a V8 and all). The 25+ 6th Gen ones are more plastic bumpers etc, but newer engines and larger screen etc then mine had. Tremor and Raptor versions have gotten good reviews.

Pros:

• More aero, better gas mileage even with ATs 23+ mpg vs 21ish on my Bronco with same engine/ trans/tires
• Not gigantic, fits in parking better then current full-sized trucks today
• Storage under the back seat for cables etc
• No tire blocking the tailgate
• Defiantly a funner and more agile truck then an F150/Super Duty, it's the truck you want to drive on the weekend when you don't need a work truck.
• Tow rating is 1k more then most Broncos using the same truck frame (5.5k vs 4.5k)

Cons:

• Small leg room in the back seat and driver plastic (light switch) is right where your left knee needs to be if you are over 6' tall, more in the way then on Bronco. I had my truck for 3 years (120k miles) and loved it until engine problems, but never really got the leg room without compromising the back passenger even with the up/down seat adjust, steering wheel tilt, etc.
• 5' bed can be a little small for moving larger stuff.
• Bigger windscreen, collects more rock chips!
• People like steeling Ford truck rear lights and Ranger's BLIS are a magnet for that. I got mine nabbed
• No convertible/door-off option for beach trips

I'd probably trade my BB for a Ranger Badlands, but Ford would just call it a Ranger Tremor Fx4 if I needed more truck stuff, but Rangers don't come with 37s from factory.

Older Vets would probably be happy with a Maverick Tremor, Bronco Sport or Jeep products to enjoy the outdoors if the full Bronco is too big, the Ranger sits just as high as a Bronco on 32s, and similar handling.

 

[Canyon Coolers]

Ranger Raptor
full size Raptor
Scout hybrid
old G wagon - pre boujee

No real interest in Toyota or Jeep, cant even say why.

Best Complimentary Vehicle:

C5 Corvette, its as low as my Bronco is high. Gets 33 mpg highway, yacht rock sounds better in a old Corvette.

 

[JediMcMuffin]

Ranger is high on my list, Tacoma pretty close to it, but those back seats are torturous.
GX550 is next
LandCruiser needs to drop the hybrid-only option to regain a spot

F-150 or Tundra are still there, but i really don't want/need something that large, and Toyota engines need to stop grenading for at least three years before I consider them.

 

[Rumbloki]

 

[HighVelocity]

Looks like a Datsun.

 

[Headsong]

Ranger would be nice with a 6. Too many remember the old Rangers with the 4....INADEQUATE! Granted, different engines now with turbos and all. Why not just get a Maverick?

 

[broncorik]

Grenadier for the win... this coming from a person for what it's worth who has owned and driven a Bronco Sasquatch Badlands, several FJ 40s, several Jeep TJ's, and LJ, CJ 5 and 7s, JK, a JL, a G-wagon, a LR3, an XJ, and now a Grenadier. Even though I'm not an expert driver by any means, I have wheeled enough places, (including the Rubicon) to get a feel for what is capable and what works. I'm also a mechanic, and can comment not only repairs but also maintenance and build quality. The Grenadier has outstanding build quality, and they sourced their parts well... and even in its stock form, it is extremely capable.

 

[ejpaul1]

On this special day, as we honor the contributions and sacrifices of our veterans, let’s take a moment to dive into a fun yet meaningful discussion: If you could choose a different vehicle besides the one you currently own, which one would it be?

Whether it's for its rugged durability, off-road capability, or simply its iconic style, trucks have always been a symbol of strength and resilience—values deeply tied to the spirit of our veterans. So, let’s hear it: Which vehicle would you pick and why?

And for those who aren’t veterans, we’d still love to hear your opinions—every perspective is welcome!

I checked out the rubicon, since I had a wrangler before, it brought back good and bad memories but it made me remember why I dont drive one any more. I do like rubicons.

Really the other option that was close was the ranger raptor and then behind that, the ineos. the problem with the ineos was about 10K more than I wanted to spend and,,,,, it was a bit underpowered compared to the bronco 2.7. Really great though

 

[EasternSierra]

Grenadier for the win... this coming from a person for what it's worth who has owned and driven a Bronco Sasquatch Badlands, several FJ 40s, several Jeep TJ's, and LJ, CJ 5 and 7s, JK, a JL, a G-wagon, a LR3, an XJ, and now a Grenadier. Even though I'm not an expert driver by any means, I have wheeled enough places, (including the Rubicon) to get a feel for what is capable and what works. I'm also a mechanic, and can comment not only repairs but also maintenance and build quality. The Grenadier has outstanding build quality, and they sourced their parts well... and even in its stock form, it is extremely capable.

Same here. I really wanted a stick, but Jeeps have poor reliability and I'm no fan of the new Tacoma which I've driven. The Grenadier would meet my needs. The only other bad things about it are the price and the scarcity of parts compared to more popular brands.

 

[JustWideman]

Grenadier for the win... this coming from a person for what it's worth who has owned and driven a Bronco Sasquatch Badlands, several FJ 40s, several Jeep TJ's, and LJ, CJ 5 and 7s, JK, a JL, a G-wagon, a LR3, an XJ, and now a Grenadier. Even though I'm not an expert driver by any means, I have wheeled enough places, (including the Rubicon) to get a feel for what is capable and what works. I'm also a mechanic, and can comment not only repairs but also maintenance and build quality. The Grenadier has outstanding build quality, and they sourced their parts well... and even in its stock form, it is extremely capable.

I saw one used at my Ford dealer while getting serviced. I'll wait for used ones price to come down. BMW power, tractor axels, might be hard to find parts at the local wrecker if things go wrong.

In my city the Grenadier dealer is also Cadillac, so service won't be cheap, but definitely on my radar if my Bronco goes south. I don't want to pay $80-100k for a truck with steering, HVAC a leaky roof issues, but I'd tolerate it at a lower price as a trail rig once the posers are done with them.

 

[Climber]

I have both a Braptor and Range Raptor. The Ranger is quieter on the highway with noticeable better fuel economy. I have yet to take the Ranger off road, but if I had to keep one it would prolly be the Ranger. That being said, the Braptor always wins the ‘what one should we take off road’ discussion. $24000 diff in MSRP

 

[broncorik]

I saw one used at my Ford dealer while getting serviced. I'll wait for used ones price to come down. BMW power, tractor axels, might be hard to find parts at the local wrecker if things go wrong.

In my city the Grenadier dealer is also Cadillac, so service won't be cheap, but definitely on my radar if my Bronco goes south. I don't want to pay $80-100k for a truck with steering, HVAC a leaky roof issues, but I'd tolerate it at a lower price as a trail rig once the posers are done with them.

I got mine for 65K, with only 8000 miles on it (with Radflo shocks on it already and sliders and steering stabilizer and gun safe and light bar...close to 10k of add-ons). They can be had much cheaper than sticker because many people buy them thinking they're going to drive like a luxury car and almost immediately sell them at a huge loss when they realize they drive more like a truck. The steering isn't actually the "big" issue that many people claim it is...it does have a large-ish turning radius (that can be adjusted), and it does feel somewhat vague on the road, but it performs wonderfully off-road, and I would argue that the advantage of having a solid front axle versus IFS for many people out ways the steering "quirks." Strength-wise it eclipses the rack and pinion on the Bronco, and it doesn't wander all over the place or wobble like some of the Jeeps I've had to repair. Regarding the leaky roof, I opted for no skylights. As a bonus, the B-58 engine and the ZF transmission are both legendary....that engine can handle easily up to 700 hp (if that is your thing). There is already a plug-in accessory that is under $500 that unlocks up to 450 hp (the engine is detuned for the Grenadier from the factory) and can be accessed from an app on your phone (and when going to emissions, you can simply put a bypass plug in it). As a bonus, when I bought mine, the previous owner had purchased the add-on unit and it was included. I don't feel like I even need to plug it in because even with the detuned nature of the engine, it has plenty of grunt for me as-is. I love me a straight six, and I must say the stock exhaust sounds pretty rowdy compared to how the 2.7 on my Bronco sounded.

 

[Mbronco]

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Jk I think the GX 550 is the most attractive option on the market right now, but premium gas at 15mpg isn’t it lol

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