Bronco wildtrak vs Ranger raptor?

[Radman1]

Currently have a 2023 Wildtrak. Like it for most things. 2.7L. My biggest gripe is the road noise. 1 is the drone of the tires. 2 is the windnoise above 70-75. Much worse wind noise with a head wind. Originally, was going to do more off raod but really prefer to use my Can am Maverick R. (The side by side is far superior on the trails and faster). Towing with the Maverick R is doable with the Bronco but probably near the limit for towing capacity. Ranger raptors will tow 5,500 lbs. (normal rangers tow 7,500).

Considering a Ranger Raptor. Reviews say they probably ride better than the Wildtrak and should be noticeably quieter. I drive to another state about 500 miles every 5 weeks or so. Do some daily trips once a week that are from 150 to 400 miles. The Wildtrak noise is getting tiresome. The ranger raptors are fairly loaded at base price and 405 Hp with procal tune for 455 hp if want to go that route. IMHO, the F 150 raptor and Bronco raptor pricing are way out there. Could put 35s on the Raptor with a simple 2" collar lift. With those mods, would have about same clearance as a Wildtrak.

Wildtrak ride is stiff but tolerable. I drove a few Jeeps before the Wildtrak and the noise is way too much for distance driving. Could change the Goodyear territories on the Bronco but still have the wind noise. Has anyone driven or owned both?
Dealer has a Range Raptor arriving this week. Someone ordered it but found a different RR from another dealer.
The RRs have a long wait time if order and not common on dealer lots.

I do often tow heavy but have F350 diesel for that stuff.

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[CitrusBronco]

Tow the sxs with the f350. Buy yourself a quiet, smooth riding car/suv for that daily commute. Lots of good choices for that.

Sounds like a Bronco or Ranger does not suite your needs to me.

 

[Brian_B]

Could put 35s on the Raptor with a simple 2" collar lift. With those mods, would have about same clearance as a Wildtrak.

I think if you do these mods you won't be that much quieter than the Wildtrak anymore. Wind noise may be a bit better, but add another 2" of height and you lose some of that too. And why do you need the clearance if you are going to be off-roading in the SXS anyway?

The ride might be better by virtue of the Raptor suspension, but wildtrak already has Fox so... not that much different there either - you just get Live Valve.

I'd agree with CitrusBronco - if you aren't doing any off roading, and you already have a truck to tow - then you are really looking for a daily driver. A Wildtrak or a RR could do that, but there isn't a lot of difference between them. If the major hangup with the WT is noise and stiffness, you're going to be facing that with any/every off-road oriented vehicle.

 

[crenca]

I agree with the responses so far, a unibody mid or full size SUV (on all season tires and no mods/lift) that is a quiet highway cruiser and can tow your Can am is what you want...

 

[Brian_B]

Ford Explorer comes to mind.

 

[Nanook]

Any tire for your offroad vehicle that’s quieter than the factory GY’s are going to take away from your offroad vehicles performance that’s equipped with front and rear locking differentials when off-roading.

I agree with the Wildtrak being too stiff, address the front sway bar, it’s way too stiff.

Ranger Raptor is much quieter than the Bronco, remove the running boards and leave it stock.

 

[duke90]

Sounds like you need a G-Wagon

 

[DALOLA]

Keep the Bronco, and get a (Ford) Maverick for your DD...perfect combination.

But if I could only have one, I would go Ranger Raptor.

 

[HighVelocity]

I'd recommend a '67 El Camino.

 

[BigMeatsBronco]

We've owned three Broncos first edition Badlands and a wildtrak. Trade it in the wildtrak on a ranger Raptor. Very satisfied with the swap. I'm very partial to the Bronco and we still have the first edition however I put a lot of seat time in the ranger Raptor and it's very satisfying to drive it especially long distances. The ranger Raptor has the best value price for the options available for any vehicle that's off-road capable in my opinion if you can swing it try to keep the Bronco and get yourself a ranger Raptor also even if it means waiting a little or some Savvy Financial moves

 

[Luckylat]

Cabin comfort might be another criteria. Being a large person (6'6" & 250 lbs.) cabin space for me is an important consideration. My son has a tricked out Ranger (Lift, Camburg kit, Fox 3.0's, etc.) and while I love his ride, the cabin is nowhere as comfortable as my Bronco. The Ranger is too tight and cramped for a larger passenger or driver.

 

[jensht]

Having had two Ranger Raptors and currently a Badlands Bronco, I can confirm that both the ride quality and noise (wind/road) is considerably better in the Ranger Raptor. Both my Ranger Raptors had 35s on them, and even with MT (BFG KM3 and General Grabber X3) tires it was considerably more quiet and refined than the Bronco on pretty mild ATs (General Grabber AT3).

Also the steering felt a whole lot better on the Ranger Raptor with 35s than the Bronco. I never had the steering wheel jerk back on me when hitting potholes or cutout momentarily while offroading like the Bronco does.

To be honest, if I had both a Ranger Raptor and Bronco in my garage, I don't think the Bronco would get much use as I prefer how the Ranger Raptor drives.

As for the comment about interior space, I am 6 foot, and the Ranger felt more spacious to me. On the Bronco I still nudge the light switch with my knee when getting in.

Fuel economy was also better on the Ranger Raptors, but then the Bronco is pretty much a brick going down the road

To the one comment about the G-Wagon, I can't recommend them enough! Insane running costs when things break, but robust hardware, great off-road capabilities, and high towing capacity. I had three of them, and I am still kicking myself for having sold our favorite one 8 years ago!

 

[Bayman]

What is more comfortable to you? I would never buy a vehicle I didn’t not drive. The Ranger is too small in cabin space for me, but I am 6’5.

 

[Radman1]

Yes, I would probably leave the RR stock.

We've owned three Broncos first edition Badlands and a wildtrak. Trade it in the wildtrak on a ranger Raptor. Very satisfied with the swap. I'm very partial to the Bronco and we still have the first edition however I put a lot of seat time in the ranger Raptor and it's very satisfying to drive it especially long distances. The ranger Raptor has the best value price for the options available for any vehicle that's off-road capable in my opinion if you can swing it try to keep the Bronco and get yourself a ranger Raptor also even if it means waiting a little or some Savvy Financial moves

Thanks for input. Your opinion of the 2 different vehicles is kind of my initial impression on reading different reviews.
Dont have the space for keeping the Bronco. Love the look of the Bronco but it comes down to noise and ride, since I don't anticipate on doing much true off roading in the Bronco. I beleive the Bronco with improved clearance is the clear winner off road.
If I owned both, I would probably just jump in the RR most of the time. Really dont the space for just keeping the Bronco.
I drive the Bronco a fair amount. 34,000 miles in just over 2 year.

 

[Radman1]

I think if you do these mods you won't be that much quieter than the Wildtrak anymore. Wind noise may be a bit better, but add another 2" of height and you lose some of that too. And why do you need the clearance if you are going to be off-roading in the SXS anyway?

The ride might be better by virtue of the Raptor suspension, but wildtrak already has Fox so... not that much different there either - you just get Live Valve.

I'd agree with CitrusBronco - if you aren't doing any off roading, and you already have a truck to tow - then you are really looking for a daily driver. A Wildtrak or a RR could do that, but there isn't a lot of difference between them. If the major hangup with the WT is noise and stiffness, you're going to be facing that with any/every off-road oriented vehicle.

Most reviews that compare the RR to the Bronco, say the ride is really good in the RR and the wind noise is significantly less. I really just need to drive a RR. Some reviews say the RR has a better ride compared to a regular Ranger. The RR has an electronically adjustable Live Fox shock that has 3 changeable setting.
It is hard to have a decent conversation in Bronco at 75 mph IMHO. My F350 has noticeable less wind noise than a Bronco but the overall ride is harsher in the F350

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