Noob Advice Requested

[GreggThelen]

Greetings:

I'm only beginning my research into Broncos.

Let's get off to a poor start - for the record, I don't really want to be here because I prefer Wranglers; however, I also really like manual transmissions and the current Wrangler manuals have a tendency to disintegrate, catch fire, and burn the entire vehicle to the ground. I could forgive that had Jeep gotten serious about fixing it, but they addressed it with a software update which boggles my mind.

The Getrag manual is an enormous plus in my mind. Another huge advantage of the Bronco is the seating. Ford makes some of the most comfortable seating - when I crawl into a Wrangler my 6'4" self feels as if I'm sitting ON the vehicle, whereas I actually get to sit IN a Bronco. I've made due with the Wrangler seating in the past but with what these vehicles cost these days there is no excuse for bad seating.

Ford also seems content to adorn the Sasquatch package on just about any model.

I'm interested in having a few questions answered, much of it can be answered with simple opinions.
I'd like to get a two door, manual, Sasquatch package.

1. Apparently, the manual can no longer be ordered - are they going to bring it back?
2. It's weird to me you cannot get the 6 cylinders with the manual - seems like a heavy vehicle for a 4 cylinder, especially with the Sasquatch package. Any of ya'll have manual with Sasquatch - how is it?
3. How is the Sasquatch package as a daily driver or for road trips?
4. The cloth top is expensive - if you check that box do you get both tops and how is the cloth top as for ease of use/noise/etc?

Any other thoughts/opinions are welcome.
I've time to research as I won't be ordering until February.

Thanks.

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[j_marinelli]

Greetings:

I'm only beginning my research into Broncos.

Let's get off to a poor start - for the record, I don't really want to be here because I prefer Wranglers; however, I also really like manual transmissions and the current Wrangler manuals have a tendency to disintegrate, catch fire, and burn the entire vehicle to the ground. I could forgive that had Jeep gotten serious about fixing it, but they addressed it with a software update which boggles my mind.

The Getrag manual is an enormous plus in my mind. Another huge advantage of the Bronco is the seating. Ford makes some of the most comfortable seating - when I crawl into a Wrangler my 6'4" self feels as if I'm sitting ON the vehicle, whereas I actually get to sit IN a Bronco. I've made due with the Wrangler seating in the past but with what these vehicles cost these days there is no excuse for bad seating.

Ford also seems content to adorn the Sasquatch package on just about any model.

I'm interested in having a few questions answered, much of it can be answered with simple opinions.
I'd like to get a two door, manual, Sasquatch package.

1. Apparently, the manual can no longer be ordered - are they going to bring it back?
2. It's weird to me you cannot get the 6 cylinders with the manual - seems like a heavy vehicle for a 4 cylinder, especially with the Sasquatch package. Any of ya'll have manual with Sasquatch - how is it?
3. How is the Sasquatch package as a daily driver or for road trips?
4. The cloth top is expensive - if you check that box do you get both tops and how is the cloth top as for ease of use/noise/etc?

Any other thoughts/opinions are welcome.
I've time to research as I won't be ordering until February.

Thanks.

Welcome to the forums Gregg!

I don't have a manual so I leave to the rest of the forum that does to chime in on that. @Squatch and @RBF 1401 are a couple of seasoned members with the manual that I'm sure can chime in on it.

Sasquatch package drove good the 12,000 miles or so I had before I swapped tires and put a lift on it. Bronco is my daily and I did do a road trip over to Arizona with all the Sasquatch bits still on it and it was great for a family of four (4 dr though).

I have a hard top and despite the flaws that come with it from the factory, I'm pretty happy with it. When the Bronco first came out they were suppose to offer it with dual tops and I might of got it due to the perception I had that it would be easy to change them out. From what I have seen with people on here it is bit of a chore to swap them out (not sure how it is on the jeep). I would probably stick with the hard top and if I wanted a soft top at some point, pick up an aftermarket one.

 

[Mishra42]

Greetings, I can't comment on the manual stuff but my daily driver is a Badlands Softtop in Pittsburgh. It's also my first truck period. I love it, drives great. I took it on a road trip to Moab and Back last year and regularly drive from Pitt to NYC to visit my mom. great daily driver and comfortable, though I'm only 6ft tall.

The soft top is certainly louder than a normal car, but tolerable. Tunnels are the only time it's really annoying. I have noticed there's a bit of windnoise that creeps in over the passenger rear door where the hook is to gold it down. It's just a little loose and gives the top some ability to lift up but it's fine, opening that window is way louder.

As for operation it's super easy. I rarely fold it all the way back, I have a bag for it but Pittsburgh is pretty rainy/cloudy and weather can change in an instant so putting everything all the way down isn't worth it much, but I do do it. I open the top up enough though to get a J-tops because I was getting sunburned. Swapping out the top seems like a challenge. I don't think It's worth it and seems like it would take up a tremendous amount of space but I don't regret the soft top at all.

Edit: I noticed you want a 2 door. Is ford even offering the 2 door in a softtop? I thought they were all aftermarket.

 

[RBJRBJ]

Traded my 2019 Jeep Rubicon, 2 door in for a 2023 Bronco Wildtrak, 2 door with Sasquatch package. I’m 6’3”. I hated the Jeep’s death wobble at speeds from 45mph and higher, plus even with a hard top, the noise was incredibly loud at high speeds. The Bronco….with Fox suspension, 10 speed tranny and 2.7L engine and some roof insulation, for me, is the perfect combination with Luxe package. Bronco does NOT have the death wobble at any speed, is much quieter, albeit still a bit noisy and is much more comfortable to drive on short and long trips. Both are easily customizable to your tastes. Ford hit the mark with the Bronco, it is a significant improvement over the Jeep Rubicon, unless perhaps you are a hard core off-roader rock crawler. As a day-to-day all around driver vehicle, the Bronco is superior IMHO.

 

[OtisFE]

If you want a manual you need to buy one already built/ordered since as you stated in your post you can't order one now. I doubt things will be different in Feb, but who really knows?

 

[Brian_B]

The manual is fan-f’n-tastic - can’t recommend it enough for people who like stick.

Yes it does have only the lowly 2.3. But keep in mind that turbo 2.3 has more hp and torque than any stock v8 Ford ever put in the Bronco. Add in the ProCal tune and it’s very nearly at the power/torque of the dual turbo 2.7 in the first place.

 

[Herbie]

Greetings:

I'm only beginning my research into Broncos.

Let's get off to a poor start - for the record, I don't really want to be here because I prefer Wranglers; however, I also really like manual transmissions and the current Wrangler manuals have a tendency to disintegrate, catch fire, and burn the entire vehicle to the ground. I could forgive that had Jeep gotten serious about fixing it, but they addressed it with a software update which boggles my mind.

The Getrag manual is an enormous plus in my mind. Another huge advantage of the Bronco is the seating. Ford makes some of the most comfortable seating - when I crawl into a Wrangler my 6'4" self feels as if I'm sitting ON the vehicle, whereas I actually get to sit IN a Bronco. I've made due with the Wrangler seating in the past but with what these vehicles cost these days there is no excuse for bad seating.

Ford also seems content to adorn the Sasquatch package on just about any model.

I'm interested in having a few questions answered, much of it can be answered with simple opinions.
I'd like to get a two door, manual, Sasquatch package.

1. Apparently, the manual can no longer be ordered - are they going to bring it back?
2. It's weird to me you cannot get the 6 cylinders with the manual - seems like a heavy vehicle for a 4 cylinder, especially with the Sasquatch package. Any of ya'll have manual with Sasquatch - how is it?
3. How is the Sasquatch package as a daily driver or for road trips?
4. The cloth top is expensive - if you check that box do you get both tops and how is the cloth top as for ease of use/noise/etc?

Any other thoughts/opinions are welcome.
I've time to research as I won't be ordering until February.

Thanks.

2022 Four door squatched Badlands with MT with 27,000 on it. I love it, plenty of power for the size of vehicle. Great on the highway for trips. Never an issue thus far.

 

[RBF 1401]

1.) It may be that they have just "finished" building all the manuals for MY 2024. But I can't say for sure. I just know that they stopped letting people order manuals about this time last year as they had to finish building mine and everyone else's.

2.) My 2-door 4-cylinder is very peppy. I am super happy with it. The boost gets me up to freeway speed in a flash and I had no problem hitting 100 in Nevada (even seriously loaded down). And as a bonus... it doesn't completely fall apart like some of the 6-cylinders did. It is an engine Ford had been using it for years for a reason.

2b.) And I LOVE the manual. I've been driving stick since the 80s. This one is awesome. The shift points change in 4H slightly and 4L drastically, but in a way that is perfect for the situation. Crawler gear is amazing. The only odd thing, is that with the Sasquatch package, a few of us on the forum seem to suspect that most of the time, 6th gear is bpnot getting you better gas mileage than 5th. Probably just a gearing thing.

3.) Sasquatch is great. Gets through desert ditches and washes with ease. And it is great on the freeway. I will admit, though, that after driving 1400 miles home from Granger, Iowa on the very stiff factory over-inflation, I do prefer to slightly under inflate my tires. But that is more a personal preference. Plus it gets so hot here, with a large temp change from low to high, so that 35 psi in the morning can easily be 39 or 40psi by afternoon. So I tend to inflate them to 36 instead of the recommended 39 or 40. It does give for a slightly cushier ride and keeps it from getting too stiff when it's 110° outside.

4.) 2-door only came with a hard top, so I have a hard top. @GToddC5 put on a Bestop. You could ask him about that.

My other thoughts? If you don't need to get kids in and out of carseats, don't need a 5th passenger, and have passengers that don't mind "climbing" into the back, the rear seats on the 2-door are very roomy and very comfortable. The 4-door squeezes 3 across, but the two door has two separate, wider, seats that are super comfy.

My favorite thing the Bronco has over the Wrangler? The cargo area behind the rear seats can actually fit suitcases or a modest-size cooler.

I am just seriously sad for future owners that Ford no longer offers the Base. I feel like my BaseManSquatch (base, manual 4-cyl, with Sasquatch) is the perfect Bronco.

Any other questions?

 

[Squatch]

Greetings:

I'm only beginning my research into Broncos.

Let's get off to a poor start - for the record, I don't really want to be here because I prefer Wranglers; however, I also really like manual transmissions and the current Wrangler manuals have a tendency to disintegrate, catch fire, and burn the entire vehicle to the ground. I could forgive that had Jeep gotten serious about fixing it, but they addressed it with a software update which boggles my mind.

The Getrag manual is an enormous plus in my mind. Another huge advantage of the Bronco is the seating. Ford makes some of the most comfortable seating - when I crawl into a Wrangler my 6'4" self feels as if I'm sitting ON the vehicle, whereas I actually get to sit IN a Bronco. I've made due with the Wrangler seating in the past but with what these vehicles cost these days there is no excuse for bad seating.

Ford also seems content to adorn the Sasquatch package on just about any model.

I'm interested in having a few questions answered, much of it can be answered with simple opinions.
I'd like to get a two door, manual, Sasquatch package.

1. Apparently, the manual can no longer be ordered - are they going to bring it back?
2. It's weird to me you cannot get the 6 cylinders with the manual - seems like a heavy vehicle for a 4 cylinder, especially with the Sasquatch package. Any of ya'll have manual with Sasquatch - how is it?
3. How is the Sasquatch package as a daily driver or for road trips?
4. The cloth top is expensive - if you check that box do you get both tops and how is the cloth top as for ease of use/noise/etc?

Any other thoughts/opinions are welcome.
I've time to research as I won't be ordering until February.

Thanks.

I share your sentiments about the seating! I had a 2007 JK and, despite being a midget by comparison at only 6'3", I felt like I was on vice in the vehicle as well.

1. Manual should be coming back, but I highly recommend a fly-n-buy! Search the country for the best deal for the Bronco you want, fly, buy, and roadtrip back.
2. I enjoyed it stock with 4.7 gearing and 33s. I don't imagine the 35s will be much different, but get the Ford Performance tune! It's not the cylinders when you have 330HP and 385lb-ft with an appropriately matched factory turbo. I have the boost gauge display on (Gauges) and am surprised how often I see 0.0lbs of boost--it doesn't struggle.
3. Don't know. I have made multiple 900+mi road trips and enjoyed it and I used to commute 2.5hrs/day in stop and go traffic. I think the type of tires make more of a difference than 33s vs. 35s. My JK had 35" Baja Claws and I just had the perpetual Jeep problems.
4. Yes, you get both, but it is the Bestop soft top. It's always been cheaper directly through Bestop whenever I've checked.

Do it!

 

[BigFootie]

The Heritage still has the order banks open atleast it did a couple of weeks ago. The 7MT was a basic requirement, similar to @RBF 1401 , my primary vehicles have always been manual except I go back another decade! I love the way it drives and shifts. But, there have been some with issues for others especially in colder weather. Mine hibernates due to the salt used on the roads by me so maybe it won’t be an issue for me.

I can also echo Tricia’s comments regarding the 2 door. I can’t even get back there! My wife can, so 5’4, 115# isn’t an issue! 6’, 180# is! Before I got mine, I used to roll my eyes when people said getting in the back was a pita since we mostly had 2 door mustangs and camaro’s when my kids were little. Mini vans weren’t a thing yet and we never had issues. These are another level since the front seats don’t tilt as far forward and the doors are not 6 foot wide!

 

[RobBob22]

I have a manual 2-door Sasquatch. Absolutely love it.

1) I faced the same thing in 2022 Sorta, I ordered mine in February and shortly after they closed order book entirely. I received my bronco in late 2022. Then in 2023 when the books were reopened Ford said no Base, no manual, but the manual came back for late 2023 or early 2024 orders. All this is to say, hunt down the manual you want, if lots have them the pricing will be decent because manual ordering can be spotty.

2) I'm pretty happy with the 2.3L motor, I was getting average 18.5 mpg on the 35in sasquatch tires on my commute which is a 50/50 split between highway and city driving. I now get 17.5 mpg because I did the pro cal tune from ford. I highly recommend this tune, I did this because I was able to upgrade to the 3.0 performance rack but I'm pretty sure Sasquatch now includes that. However, the manual gets downshift rev matching with the pro cal tune which is a really nice update and totally worth it.

3) It's a pretty good vehicle for long road trips, I have another SUV which has less road noise and better road comfort, its not as good as that but it's fine.

4) No idea on cloth top, I use a bimini in fall/spring and remove the hardtop during those months.

I had an issue with the manual gear box early on, ford calls is a "rotational scraping" my transmission was rebuilt. It kinda still does it, it's a noise, its worse in the winters, a lot of people get it. I have had not other issues and I don't care to much anymore. I think it has been mostly resolved, if it gets louder again I'll bring it back to ford.

The sasquatch suspension is not that great. The ride is excellent, but longevity is questionable. If you live in the salt belt they may fall apart after a few winters, if you a lot of off-roading they will last you a few years before you upgrade for better performance or ride height.

 

[RBF 1401]

The Heritage still has the order banks open atleast it did a couple of weeks ago. The 7MT was a basic requirement, similar to @RBF 1401 , my primary vehicles have always been manual except I go back another decade! I love the way it drives and shifts. But, there have been some with issues for others especially in colder weather. Mine hibernates due to the salt used on the roads by me so maybe it won’t be an issue for me.

I can also echo Tricia’s comments regarding the 2 door. I can’t even get back there! My wife can, so 5’4, 115# isn’t an issue! 6’, 180# is! Before I got mine, I used to roll my eyes when people said getting in the back was a pita since we mostly had 2 door mustangs and camaro’s when my kids were little. Mini vans weren’t a thing yet and we never had issues. These are another level since the front seats don’t tilt as far forward and the doors are not 6 foot wide!

And those pre-80s manuals were not very forgiving. Stalling in the middle of an intersection during a left turn just seemed to be a way of life.

Yes. A 1972 2-door Cadillac is super easy to get in and out of the back seat. Although that humungous door was the cause of me needing a plastic surgeon to sew the end of my middle finger back on .

It was a extra tricky getting in my Bronco back seat, especially before I added my MetaTech sliders (which I adore). But once in the back of the Bronco, it is very roomy. It’s fine for a longer trip. But would be a pain for a bunch of errands having to frequently get in and out.

I never had any of the pot/pan clanging noises, but then again, I live in a place that is nearly always on the top side of the thermometer.

 

[BigMeatsBronco]

I've had 3 broncos so far and the MT is FANTASTIC with the ford procal tune...the rev matching is incredible and should be mandatory on ALL stick shifts these days.

I miss our Badlands SAS 2.3 7 speed. it was a great truck.

 

[RBF 1401]

The Heritage still has the order banks open atleast it did a couple of weeks ago.

Yes!!!

If I had to get a Bronco now, I would get the Heritage. Since Ford did away with Base, and did away with cloth seats (which are a deal breaker for me), Heritage is the only model that still checks all my requirements.

 

[Fordified1]

That 4 cyl will kick the ass of the Jeep V6 and is far more reliable. Doesn’t anyone look at hp ratings?. It’s 300 with premium fuel and more with a tune.
I traded a Gladiator for our 2.3 Bronco and love the power comparatively.

That new Jeep (Stilantis (spelling?) inline-6 turbo should be badass though. But I would wait to see how the reliability is before buying one.
I wanted a 2-door with manual but the wife vetoed that lol.

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