Please Help: V6 or Painted Roof?

[asdf123]

Hi everyone,

I've been waiting for years to buy a 2 door bronco with a V6 and a matching painted roof. I've decided on Eruption Green or Desert Sand. I was hyped when they announced matching tops. But now Ford has removed the V6 option unless I want to buy their overpriced multicolor StRoPpE EdiTiOn.

What would you do?
- Buy a 2024 and attempt to pay a 3rd party to sand the roof and paint it?
- Spend an additional 5k for a 4DR with a V6?
- Just buy a 2025 with the I-4 as there isn't that big of a difference?
- Wait for 2026?

Sponsored

 

[Rydfree]

Hi everyone,

I've been waiting for years to buy a 2 door bronco with a V6 and a matching painted roof. I've decided on Eruption Green or Desert Sand. I was hyped when they announced matching tops. But now Ford has removed the V6 option unless I want to buy their overpriced multicolor StRoPpE EdiTiOn.

What would you do?
- Buy a 2024 and attempt to pay a 3rd party to sand the roof and paint it?
- Spend an additional 5k for a 4DR with a V6?
- Just buy a 2025 with the I-4 as there isn't that big of a difference?
- Wait for 2026?

The extra torque make a big difference , especially in the 2 doors. I would choose the V6 and just get the top painted or wrapped.

 

[adam1991]

Frankly, my initial gut said be OK with the 2.3--and even if you need extra torque, just tune it.

But then I remembered, in this application (to date) the 2.3 is straight DI with potential carbon buildup. I must admit, I feel a little better knowing my 2.7 also has port injection--that keeps the carbon from building up.

Maybe in 2025 the 2.3 has the secondary port injection like on the Mustang? Have we seen engine specs?

Or wait until mid year or even 2026. Mid year they may re-arrange the options, and 2026 I expect a big bang for the 60th anniversary.

With all that being said, I'm on team "get a '24 and wrap the top". A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

 

[huey]

FYI the torque is really close if you get the ford perf tune. Talking torque the 2.3 hits 385 v 425 on the 2.7. The biggest decision IMO is do you want a manual or an automatic? if manual your only choice is the 2.3 so go factory painted roof. If you are staying auto you need to decide if that is worth 5k, again the tune will get you close for $700 - way cheaper than 5k. Either way I would go factory painted roof as painting after buying is doable, but kills the warranty on the roof(might still be roof issues on 24's??).

Good luck!!

 

[Rydfree]

FYI the torque is really close if you get the ford perf tune. Talking torque the 2.3 hits 385 v 425 on the 2.7. The biggest decision IMO is do you want a manual or an automatic? if manual your only choice is the 2.3 so go factory painted roof. If you are staying auto you need to decide if that is worth 5k, again the tune will get you close for $700 - way cheaper than 5k. Either way I would go factory painted roof as painting after buying is doable, but kills the warranty on the roof(might still be roof issues on 24's??).

Good luck!!

A tune is also going to make the warranty 3/36 across the board. It negates the 5 year powertrain part.

 

[huey]

A tune is also going to make the warranty 3/36 across the board. It negates the 5 year powertrain part.

hmmm - you sure?

My dealer said (drink) the perf tune would not change the warranty. Will dig out that email and hold onto it!

 

[MNBigfoot]

V6 or bust. No thanks on paying for a tune on a 4 banger, only then to pay for premium fuel for life.

 

[BroncoBoy22]

Buy the v6 and get the top painted or wrapped

 

[Rydfree]

hmmm - you sure?

My dealer said (drink) the perf tune would not change the warranty. Will dig out that email and hold onto it!

One can never be sure until the day comes that you need the warranty. I've just seen it mentioned a few times in discussions pertaining to the FPT. I just don't want to risk having to get a tune in the 1st place to get decent power from a engine. Prefer just to get the biggest one they offer to begin with

The twin turbos make a lot of difference IMO also. I had the 2.3 in my Ranger and did not care for it at all.

 

[timhood]

A tune is also going to make the warranty 3/36 across the board. It negates the 5 year powertrain part.

Hi everyone,

I've been waiting for years to buy a 2 door bronco with a V6 and a matching painted roof. I've decided on Eruption Green or Desert Sand. I was hyped when they announced matching tops. But now Ford has removed the V6 option unless I want to buy their overpriced multicolor StRoPpE EdiTiOn.

What would you do?
- Buy a 2024 and attempt to pay a 3rd party to sand the roof and paint it?
- Spend an additional 5k for a 4DR with a V6?
- Just buy a 2025 with the I-4 as there isn't that big of a difference?
- Wait for 2026?

It's easier to change the color of the top than it is to replace an engine. I had mine wrapped, as it was easier and less expensive and doesn't void the warranty. Mine is a '22, and I think the hardtop issues are well enough in the past that I wouldn't worry about that. For what it's worth, I think it's a bummer that the only way to get a 2-door V6 in '25 is on a $78K+ Bronco. But the flip side is that makes mine more desirable.

 

[Brian_B]

The 2.3's have had fewer issues than the 2.7's so far. So, there's that.

That said, if I could have got the 2.7 with the 7MT, I absolutely would have. But in no way do I regret having the 2.3 - it's a punchy little power plant.

 

[huey]

One can never be sure until the day comes that you need the warranty. I've just seen it mentioned a few times in discussions pertaining to the FPT. I just don't want to risk having to get a tune in the 1st place to get decent power from a engine. Prefer just to get the biggest one they offer to begin with

The twin turbos make a lot of difference IMO also. I had the 2.3 in my Ranger and did not care for it at all.

Not to take away from the OP thread - I wanted a manual so I have a 2.3. If I could get a V8 with a MT I would get that, but here we are. The 2.3 nears the 2.7 in perf, keep in mind these trucks are not racecars lol. OP needs to get the power he wants, for me the deciding factor was the MT, and if buying today I would go painted top. If OP wants an auto he just needs to decide if the 2.7 is worth the 5k, or spend the money on the top....or both!!

 

[Brian_B]

For all the folsk talking about tuning the 2.3 -- that is absolutely true. 2.3 with ProCal is very nearly same numbers as 2.7 - on paper.

The biggest difference is that the 2.3 is gonna have to rev a lot higher to get at that same power/torque. It'll get there though, it just sounds like a sewing machine on speed doing it.

Granted, you can tune a 2.7 and get even more.

The 2.3 has been pushing the Ranger around for years, and it's a well known and proven power plant. Not that the 2.7 is terrible or anything, it just doesn't have the same track record, there was that deal with the intake valves (that's all said and done, you aren't going to get a new Bronco and have that same issue now) and it's size does make some mods more difficult - like hidden winch installs.

 

[Beach_Bum]

Having had 2 Broncos both with the 2.3L, I never considered the 2.7L except back in October of 2020 when it was included with the automatic (Am I the only one that remembers the "Heck of a deal"?). The 2.3 scoots and is a lighter engine. I'm all about trimming weight. (No fatties ride with me)

The painted top is a different construction than the MIC. Sanding/painting the MIC will void the warranty on it in the event you experience cracking/bubbling. And yes, even current deliveries are still experiencing the issue.

Faced with your dilemma, the only question would be what color to decide on.

 

[AZ_Liberty]

Easy choice, you get the 2.3 because that's the largest engine you can get with a stick shift, and life is to short to be stuck driving an automatic.

Sponsored