Build Advice - First Time going in to a Bronco

[Brian_B]

It's a decent spec but try get fabric seats (or custom fabric covers) because these seats have very poor bolstering and fabric grips you in and comfortable all the time. .

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.

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[Bio86250]

I did the MRT Elite - was a nice upgrade. Overall the sound was roughly the same loudness, just shifted down to a lower frequency a bit (I mean, you can't really make a 4cyl growl, but closer to it). Not annoying or droney, and much less noticeable while at cruising speed (7MT will run a lot higher RPM in general than the 10AT) - so I was happy with it.

I've seen others do mid-mount mufflers and it frees up a tremendous amount of space under the rear cargo area that can be used creatively too.

I wouldn't recommend a muffler delete unless you hate your neighbors and nature in general.

Do we have the sound clips for that, sir?

 

[Brian_B]

Do we have the sound clips for that, sir?

There's a big thread where they did the intro - has sound clips, dB readings, install notes, all the fancy fixings if you dig into it deep enough.

https://bronco6g.com/forum/threads/...nco-exhaust-all-grown-up.126273/#post-2702484

(Jump forward to Post 65 to get to where they actually start shipping and people start installing and running them)

(When I play the sound clip my dogs go running outside thinking I just pulled up, even though they are sitting next to me)

 

[profet]

The plates are a nothingburger, they're pretty lightweight and just take off the ones you don't want if it bothers you. Meh?

However, the BL does have the e-disconnect, which I consider a bigger unused plus with a big downside, that is, I don't think many of them are going to last and it's finicky to remove entirely. So I would say, ask yourself if you really need the e-disco and the complexity and potential issues it implies.

On the other hand, if you're a button completist or a super symmetry OCD freak, you will have all the buttons. Which one is the one with the ketchup holder, er, single missing button?

2026 BL doesn't get the e-disconnect by default, it's an additional option though.

He won't have all the buttons anyway as manuals do not get the trail turn assist.

You still get the 33's with the black appearance package.

 

[profet]

my .02$
Why are you getting a Badlands if you are not going offroad (or only very little)? You are paying for armor underneath that adds weight that you won't need. I agree on washout interior. I know some have complained about noise from the MT.
Get dual tops if you will change it seasonally and have a place to store a top.

Badlands is required if you want the B&O soundsystem and a manual transmission. I was in the same position.

 

[userdude]

2026 BL doesn't get the e-disconnect by default, it's an additional option though.

He won't have all the buttons anyway as manuals do not get the trail turn assist.

You still get the 33's with the black appearance package.

Ahh, interesting, did not know that, and didn't realize about the TTA button and manuals. Thanks!

 

[70Bronco]

So the Badlands reason comes down to a few things. I want the 33" tires and the burlier looking Sasquatch fender flares that comes with all Badlands because it gives the Bronco the most appealing height and aggressive stance and that is part of it. I don't care for the look of the Base or Big Bend with the smaller AND more importantly narrower tires that just don't look as good IMO. I find the non-SAS Badlands the perfect middle ground on that. Just tall enough and wide enough.

Also, the Badlands allows me to spec the LUX Package with the Bose stereo, heated steering wheel, (can't remember if the heated seats are also not available on the Big Bend) but there were just a few options I wanted that I had to move up to the Badlands to get. The Outer Banks is NOT an option because it is Automatic transmission only.

And I can get wheels I like better on the Badlands than the Big Bend.

The Mid-Package includes both the heated seats and heated steering wheel. Unless you want the Bose stereo, the Mid-Package may be sufficient and save you a couple thousand.

 

[Valhalla]

I did not know they had so many forced things now, I was a pre-order just took extra time cause of my build and availability. They called and called trying to get me to moar door mid soft top.

 

[3pedals]

Are you really really sure about a bronco?
Theyr'e a compromise in almost all modern ergonomic things and their value is in their chassis not in their cabin environment.
They do have mall-crawl/urbanite cred.(not that there's anything wrong with that)

If the silly bronco was two wheel drive and of average height they'd be considered entry level vehicles.


They're just an offroad capable Nissan cube.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Cube

I've test driven the bronco a couple times. A used one in January and then a new one in June. I was surprised at how much I liked it. That first test drive is pretty much what launched the interest. I understand that there are compromises, and coming from all of our past vehicles, this will be a bit of a departure. But I really enjoyed the drive and am a big time manual enthusiast. We are looking at it as one of the last opportunities to own/drive a manual as they are harder and harder to get and fewer new cars are even offered with a MT and the Bronco comes in a form factor that offers utility because unfortunately most of the manuals still available today are smaller sports cars or with a sporty focus and our lifestyle requires a certain amount of available utility.

But to call a Bronco an offroad capable Nissan Cube - sorry but that isn't a real comparison. The Cube was an absolutely awful vehicle.

 

[ducksface]

I've test driven the bronco a couple times. A used one in January and then a new one in June. I was surprised at how much I liked it. That first test drive is pretty much what launched the interest. I understand that there are compromises, and coming from all of our past vehicles, this will be a bit of a departure. But I really enjoyed the drive and am a big time manual enthusiast. We are looking at it as one of the last opportunities to own/drive a manual as they are harder and harder to get and fewer new cars are even offered with a MT and the Bronco comes in a form factor that offers utility because unfortunately most of the manuals still available today are smaller sports cars or with a sporty focus and our lifestyle requires a certain amount of available utility.

But to call a Bronco an offroad capable Nissan Cube - sorry but that isn't a real comparison. The Cube was an absolutely awful vehicle.

The want of a manual weighs heavily. It has value that places/it above the compromises.
But
A bronco even looks like a cube generational change and they have about the same interior level.
Mega cube model.
Consider the bronco sport and our bronco mega.
Consider gen1 to gen2 bronco change.
See it now?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scion_xB

Maybe now?

 

[3pedals]

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.

 

[inlifefindadventure]

This will be our first Bronco. Not buying to off-road, will be a daily driver, mostly highway miles and up to the mountains in the winter for snow sports as well as paddle boarding, golfing, and camping/hiking in the summers. The extent of off-road use will likely be just Colorado mountain trailheads, nothing extreme.

Specs we are looking at.

• 4 Door Badlands
• Color TBD : Avalanche Grey, Ruby Red, or Velocity Blue (and maybe even a wrap later).
• non-Sasquatch - want the 33" tires but not the 35s. Don't need the other SAS elements.
• 7 speed MANUAL !!!
• Lux Package
• Black Appearance Package?? not sure on this - what I've seen says this downgrades to 32" tires. And there's not much to it other than the grille and rear black badge which I can get a black badge and could either swap to a black grille OR get an RTR grille.
• Tow Hitch
• Standard 17" wheel for the Badlands - wish it was still two tone.
• Shadow Black Painted Hard Top - might consider body matching top if we went Avalanche Grey and don't get Black Appearance Package
  • Is it worth it to consider dual tops? Plan to get a mesh cover for the summer for when we do take the top off. Sun can be pretty brutal here.
• Roof rails with Crossbars for our roof box - though I might skip it, and get a vertical hitch mounted ski and board carrier - do those work well with the large spare?
• Standard bumper. Don't have any need for the modular.
• Raptor Style Running Boards
• Marine Vinyl seats - I prefer the washout interior and might consider a Katzkin or comparable leather upgrade - I read the Leather option gives you power seats but the factory leather doesn't hold up all that well
• Ford Performance Tune

Love to hear the pitfalls, do's and don'ts of these option choices, what I might be missing, or should just do aftermarket, etc. and why so we screw it up as little as possible.

Thanks!

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.

 

[Nc211]

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.

 

[ducksface]

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.

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

 

[Nc211]

I would also note the aftermarket options are quite nice. When looking at the accessories from Ford, you are likely to find the exact same for less money directly from the part supplier.

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