New Bronco on order

[Stephen Spataro]

I ordered a 2026 Base,4 door, soft top, marsh gray, 7 speed manual. Dealer stated the manuals arriver faster at about 6 to 8 weeks, any experience with this? Also was only able to test drive and automatic, any other manual lovers who can advise how it drives?

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[HoosierDaddy]

Congrats!!! Be sure to keep us updated as it works it's way through the process.

At first, the manual/4.46 & 30" tires seems like it is geared too deeply.

Once you learn that the 2.3 LOVES to rev, you'll get used to stretching the gear shifts out.

I jumped from the factory 30's to 35's and could barely notice a difference taking off.
When I switched back to the 30's , I thought I'd notice a big change ....nope.

At highway speeds, it is a different story. On the 35's, 6th gear became absolutely useless, BUT ... I could drive at 78mph and 2700rpm in 5th gear all day long ... AND ... I got better fuel mileage than on the stock 30's . ( 21 mpg at 78mph in 5th ... on 35's!!! LOL!! ) What a surprise!

 

[Stephen Spataro]

Thanks! I'm surprised the 6th gear was useless. Did the 4 not have enough torque for lower rev's?

 

[GI_Jo_Nathan]

Thanks! I'm surprised the 6th gear was useless. Did the 4 not have enough torque for lower rev's?

It has plenty of torque, but it gets into the boost because of the load which which will guzzle fuel.

I love my manual Bronco and wouldn't own an auto, but I'm on 37's and I barely get out of fourth gear around town.

Thst being said this is one of the best manuals I've ever owed.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Thanks! I'm surprised the 6th gear was useless. Did the 4 not have enough torque for lower rev's?

6th , 4.46 gears and 35" tires ... at that point it is very overdriven set up.
Just to hold hiway speed, the motor would have to go into boost which SLAYS fuel mileage ..... ECO or Boost , pick one.
Using 6th gear and 30" tires is very nearly the same effective final drive ratio as 5th and 35's.
IE, they set it up pretty damn well from the factory, then I went and added HUGE tires (comparitively).

Plus, it is a "thing" with turbo motors that they, under heavy loads, prefer somewhat higher rpm's with low boost VS low rpm's running high boost.
Even the big turbo diesels get into trouble if you keep them under heavy boost for extended periods of time. The vanes of the turbo wheel will become extremely hot and deform. This is why many of them have pyrometers and keep a close eye on their EGT's (exhaust gas temps)
These 2.3's love to spin at 2500 to 2700 rpm. Basically no boost needed to hold speed at those rpm's = better fuel mileage.

 

[RedBeardoh]

As a fellow 7MT I’d like to say thank you for your part in keeping the proper 3 pedal setup alive I’m sure you’ll love it! I agree with the above, one of the nicest stick shifts I’ve ever had the pleasure of driving.

To each their own, but I had to louden up my exhaust because I kept finding myself way too deep into the RPM range with how quiet my exhaust was stock

 

[Thor_1]

As a fellow 7MT I’d like to say thank you for your part in keeping the proper 3 pedal setup alive

If Ford would have made the 7MT available with the 2.7 I would have been all over that. However a 4 cylinder does not belong in a Bronco.

 

[RedBeardoh]

If Ford would have made the 7MT available with the 2.7 I would have been all over that. However a 4 cylinder does not belong in a Bronco.

That’s a very fair point, and I agree. That said the older 2.3 really surprised me in the Ranger and never let me down. Figured I’d give it a try in the Bronco. Been very happy with it, hasn’t hesitated with anything I’ve thrown at it yet and I haven’t exactly been kind to it lol. I just hate automatics enough the smaller engine was something I was willing to compromise on.

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