2025 Manual Transmission Thread

[Jack667]

Just checked in at dealer and they say it's showing to arrive between tomorrow and next Friday!

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[NBGoose]

Geez. I don’t know what is up with the email and text notifications… I’ve got nothing - but the truck now shows up as built with modules populated!

 

[RubyRuin]

Geez. I don’t know what is up with the email and text notifications… I’ve got nothing - but the truck now shows up as built with modules populated!

My modules are now populated but my status page reverted back to Order confirmed...just gonna stop looking at it on weekends.

 

[Bio86250]

My modules are now populated but my status page reverted back to Order confirmed...just gonna stop looking at it on weekends.

So it happens to me too, do you know what that means?

 

[RubyRuin]

So it happens to me too, do you know what that means?

I think this is just Ford being Ford...realistic conjecture is whatever backend component supports this tracker is likely undergoing maintenance on the weekends so it goes to a default status. I've seen this before with prior orders so I've learned not to bother looking on the weekends.

The module tracker (Module Build Data (As-Built) - FordServiceInfo.Com) is the one to look at, if you're getting a bunch of codes, then your truck's on the assembly line or have been built.

 

[BigFootie]

So it happens to me too, do you know what that means?

This means it shipped.

 

[BigFootie]

I think this is just Ford being Ford...realistic conjecture is whatever backend component supports this tracker is likely undergoing maintenance on the weekends so it goes to a default status. I've seen this before with prior orders so I've learned not to bother looking on the weekends.

The module tracker (Module Build Data (As-Built) - FordServiceInfo.Com) is the one to look at, if you're getting a bunch of codes, then your truck's on the assembly line or have been built.

It means it has shipped. Now you can track it’s ride on the train.

 

[RadDad]

After almost 6 months of waiting, I’ve been in my Bronco for 3 days now and I just wanted to provide a quick initial review after putting several hundred miles on the car, share plans for the future, and a few pictures. Ordered in late January, received on 07/11/25. 2025 Ruby Red Heritage Edition Bronco.

I’ll go ahead and spoil the rest of this review: the 7 speed manual transmission is fantastic and worth every second of the wait. I can’t stress this enough. If you’re a manual transmission enthusiast, this is the vehicle you will likely want if you’re in the market for a larger SUV unless you’re a hardcore rock crawling person or just want to join the cult of the duck.

For context of my review, In my 26 years of driving (primarily manual transmissions) and currently owning several older Ford cars with stick shifts- Ford is consistent with great row your own options. The Bronco does not disappoint. I grew up in Broncos and Bronco II’s- my dad had 4 total in the 80s and 90s until they discontinued them. My dad owned a red bronco with the awesome 351 engine in it when OJ made history for us in his. I also grew up on SN95 Mustangs and Foxbodys.

The 2025 Bronco does the ol’ H pattern justice- smooth and notchy in its delivery. No grinding, easy to move between each gear.

Jeep needs to take notice of the Bronco and should be more afraid because they’re going to continue to lose customers like me. I’m coming out of 3 Jeeps in a row going back many years- all manuals, keeping with the theme of this thread. I had a 97’ TJ, 15’ JK, and 21’ JKUR- as soon as I test drove a Bronco on the freeway, I knew it was a better fit for me. I off-road my vehicles but am not a hardcore rock crawler-most of us aren’t. I am a moderate trail guy who wants a road trip vehicle, something that can haul my tools, throw my 2 golden retrievers in the back, convertible top, tow a trailer, be fun to drive, look badass, hit trails, and fit my family of four. Bronco (so far) seems to be the better fit. Time will tell. Sidenote: HEY JEEP- throw an IFS on the Wrangler, add an option for a solid axle (upcharge for it and give it a clever name!) and then you’ll gain the ability to have a decent driving vehicle with IFS that also can go offroad in the manner most of us use these things. I digress. Now back to the Bronco….

I am not sure you can stall this Bronco manual transmission. Maybe someone out there has, you must have tried to stall this thing, but it’s just SO smooth and easy on takeoff. Quite a bit different than the 1983 Datsun pickup that I learned to drive stick on in the Big Lots parking lot so many years ago. The Bronco has hill nanny mode that really holds it well, the gears are easy to find, “C” and “R” are held at bay by the lock out collar that you have to lift. Speaking of “C”- my Jeeps have done a great job at crawling, but having a dedicated gear in the Bronco is awesome. I’ve only used it a few times now but I can see this coming in handy in traffic, at a drive thru (mall crawling baby, we all do it), or more importantly when you’re on the trails and tackling larger obstacles.

The distance is very comfortable from the center console armrest to the gear shift, you do not have to reach for it. The shift knob has a nice feel to it. My wife and I are not fighting for armrest superiority, it feels like the console may be wide enough to accommodate us both. Winning ~Charlie Sheen voice.

I’m so far talking about how great the manual is on this car, but let me pause and tackle the other side. The Bad- but not that bad. No handbrake, just an awkward rocker button by your left knee. I feel like it was a miss for Ford- but I’m also not sure where a handbrake would have fit for starters so I get it. Those of us who have only driven manuals off-road understand that you sometimes need that handbrake to hold you planted while getting enough revs to not roll back on an obstacle. I am hopeful that the above-mentioned hill nanny will be enough, but you’re going to have to move quickly and that is a potential drawback. I don’t love the digital tach- maybe it will grow on me, it seems delayed. After a while all of us eventually just drive them by ear, so not a biggie. No rear vents for the backseat. I understand that this would have required Ford to build 2 new consoles for the update that automatics got this year that added rear vents. In a market where it seems like every week you hear about another automaker giving up on the manual transmission (Et Tu Nissan Versa?), it doesn’t make financial sense. Get some floor vent diverters and call it good, the manual transmission outweighs these minor gripes.

Can we talk about the dead pedal? Fellow ex/current Jeepers- the dead pedal on the Bronco is awesome. If you’re not aware, the Wrangler doesn’t have one and never has to my knowledge. You get used to sorta just planting your foot on the floor in a Jeep between shifts. Now it’s like I have a left foot luxury spa to allow my size 11 to rest between shifts. Amazing. Thank you Ford. Insert heart emoji.

So far I have added a K&N and a Turbosmart blow off valve. I can’t stress how much more fun the BOV makes driving it. Rev the Bronco up to 3.5K or so and push in the clutch for the next gear and you get that lovely PSSSSH! - you can’t help but smile. I’m now trying to convince my wife to add a BOV to her WRX (also a manual).... Not sure I’m winning that fight, but I’ll die on that hill- a BOV and a turbo car are like peanut butter and chocolate- just goes better together.

Future plans for the Bronco include more skid plates- transmission, transfer case, gas tank- that’s the priority one. I'll keep the steps for now until I damage them off road or get stuck, then it'll be rock slider time. Mud flaps are going on. I pulled my ARB compressor from my Jeep and will be throwing that under the hood so I can air down my tires or inflate pool/river floats. I'm adding a winch to the capable bumper with a ditch light once I reinforce the frame horns. The Ford performance tune will also be added once they release an update for the new 2.3L. More is better when you’re talking about HP/TRQ, particularly on a heavy vehicle like this. 300 is fine and gets the job done, 330 is better.

To all of you who are still waiting for their manual builds, hang in there. As Tom Petty said, waiting is the hardest part. If you are a stick shift enthusiast, you’ll always have that itch that can’t be scratched by an automatic. This one seems to definitely be worth the wait based on my limited experience. I understand time tends to change opinions, so here’s to hoping it continues to be an amazing MANUAL transmission car.

 

[RubyRuin]

@NBGoose Check your tracker, I just got the Built email from Ford. It'll still show Order confirmed status but you'll see a date under Built on the visual timeline.

 

[NBGoose]

@RubyRuin Yup there it is. Just a bit more waiting to go

 

[Bio86250]

This means it shipped.

YOU ARE RIGHT, SIR @BigFootie! Now the tracker has the update.

 

[Q1svt]

Geez. I don’t know what is up with the email and text notifications… I’ve got nothing - but the truck now shows up as built with modules populated!

Seems they are ahead of schedule...
I had a schedule week of 7/14. No email or text but on Friday it showed in production 7/10. Today got email build in progress.

 

[BigFootie]

Seems they are ahead of schedule...
I had a schedule week of 7/14. No email or text but on Friday it showed in production 7/10. Today got email build in progress.

I would say you are on schedule. “In production” normally happens a week or two before the build. This is where they basically confirm most parts are available and can go ahead with the scheduled build. The scheduled build day is normally a Monday meaning it will be built that week. Typically you want to look at the “blend” date. That’s when the body and chassis come together. The next thing you should see is the modules populating which means it’s basically alive and the computer can see the related modules. Blend to built is normally one day but things can happen such as a quality hold or a missing part that can delay it being declared “built”. When the tracker goes back to order confirmed, it is in the shipping process.

 

[Q1svt]

Typically you want to look at the “blend” date.

Thanks… read posts about blend, but not sure where its shown

 

[BigFootie]

Thanks… read posts about blend, but not sure where its shown

It is shown at the top of your window sticker.

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