Please Help: V6 or Painted Roof?

[JT58Bronc]

I'd get the V6. It would be nice to have a matching color top but the V6 has lots of torque down low. The Bronco is a Brick and can get heavy depending on package options. You are going to need the power to move it in a world where most everyone is in a super hurry to get no where. I have the V6 and love it and it gets decent MPG for what it is.

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[Montana Bronco]

You are going to need the power to move it in a world where most everyone is in a super hurry to get no where.

I am so glad I don’t live in a world like that. What a nightmare.

 

[JT58Bronc]

I am so glad I don’t live in a world like that. What a nightmare.

I envy you as I do and it sucks. 100 MPH on interstates in So FL. I drive 70 it's like I'm standing still. I drive 10 MPG over the speed limits on back roads and passed like I'm standing still. Maybe you don't need the V6 then. Get 2.3 and manual and have fun!

 

[NC_Pinz]

If you want a painted top, I'd set that as your highest priority. There is no way I would sand, paint, or otherwise touch a MIC top. While it might work, these things are not of stout construction. I'd get a painted MOD top that is hopefully of more robust construction.

BTW, the 2.3L is a nice little engine. I don't doubt the V6 is great; the inline 4 does well in a 2 door.

 

[Buck N Bronc]

The top can be changed later. The engine, not so much. If the V6 and painted top are of equal importance to you, get a V6 Bronco. I had my MIC top painted and have been extremely happy with my decision to build a Heritage clone to my spec.

 

[Wark]

The cheapest option for getting the colorized hard top is from Ford when first purchased. If that is a dream option, you have to go for it. New tops for the Bronco have had issues, but at least it will be covered by warranty for a little while.

If you're going with larger than 33" tires AND off-roading, AND no tune, the torque of the 2.7L is really noticeably better off-road.

 

[jrollo7]

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?

I have the V6 with the white top ( 2 dr Heritage Edition) and I like both but it’s the V6 over the top.

 

[Girard215]

I suggest the 2024 V6 2 door. You should be able to workout a discount and if you can live with a Carbonized Grey body the MIC top goes well with it.

 

[mpeugeot]

A couple of additional thoughts on my previous post recommending the V-6 (and no change from that recommendation).

The 2.3 with the FPT certainly has enough power for a 2 door, especially with the manual transmission and the advanced 4x4 transfer case. If I were to consider the 2.3, I would absolutely want the advantage of the 4x4 transfer case for off-roading.

As for the argument between automatic and manual, both are great options for different reasons (despite the problems that have occurred with some manual transmissions experiencing early mortality). As much as I love manual transmissions, off-road, the automatic is much easier to use in tricky situations and the better option for less experienced off-roaders. If you have extensive off-road experience and enjoy the challenge of using a manual in difficult terrain, then I feel the manual 2.3 is a great choice. It gives you an incredible crawl gear and a level of control you simply will never have with an automatic transmission.

In my personal case, I was torn between the 2.3 manual and the 2.7 automatic. It was a tough choice for me, but I eventually went with the advanced 4x4 2.7 and the lux package OBX. In retrospect, I don't regret that choice, however I think that I would have been equally happy with the 2.3 manual Badlands lux package and some cloth seat covers.

Good luck with your decision, drive both and pick the one you like most, it's hard to make a bad decision... Because both engines have enough power to get the job done.

 

[TheMonk]

V6 without hesitation. Spend the 5K and get a four door.

 

[Spiniker]

2.7 has been pushing heavier Fords than the Bronco around since 2015. (F-150)
2.3 has also been in service since 2015 (Mustang)

So, they really have the same track record, and Ford has built a lot more 2.7s than 2.3s

2.7 all the way . Paint the top later,unless you are having the factory rack on all the time. As taking the panels off could risk chipping the paint. Had my 2.7 since 21 no problems and easier oil changes.

 

[heavyD]

Don't forget the painted roof also comes with the new LCD instrument cluster which which is a big plus for some people like me that don't like the current instrument cluster with a useless tach and analog speedometer that nobody even looks at. I just think the 2-door and manual transmission is going to be the most sought after Broncos over time as manual transmissions are getting phased out in all vehicles and will become rarer and rarer. Heck we don't know how long it will last in the Bronco as that new 4-cylinder supposedly requires the automatic transmission (that's what Ford said regarding the Mustang Ecoboost). Long term reliability of the 2.3L will be much, much better as it's a simpler engine.

 

[HulkBronc88]

So I initially wanted the V6 because moar powaa? Well I ended up with a 2.3l because I was searching for a Bronco during covid and found one that had what I wanted, but just not the V6. I had 2020 Ranger so I was used to the 2.3l, and it makes good power. I installed the FPT earlier this year and it really woke it up.

Now I for no real good reason I started thinking of upgrading to a Badlands or Wildtrak with a V6. But per the usual, I slept on it and decided it wasn't worth adding another 20k in debt just to bump the power by a smidge. I'm definitely a horsepower guy, but I am also practical. This would have been a bad financial decision to switch.

So instead I just purchased some Sasquatch take-off bilsteins (yes I know they are prone to leaking, but I got literal 100mile old shocks so I'm not worried short term) and I decided I would just modify the engine and have fun like I used to before with my older vehicles. Fast forward to today, I have an Intercooler, hot and cold side piping, Intake, catted downpipe, and exhaust sitting in my garage waiting to be installed.

You will be fine with either choice, just have fun. You won't notice that big of a difference if you go with the 2.3l.

 

[Montana Bronco]

If you don’t think the 2.3 is peppy enough, for about the same price as the V6 upcharge, throw some 5.13 gears in there, that should really make for a fun ride.

 

[Sojourner]

Been driving manual sticks since I started driving decades ago (still have an older Escape with a MT that is our RV toad).

Had a 2-door, MT Wrangler Rubicon (with hard top) not too many years ago. Loved it.

Have the 2.3 in my current Ranger. Love it.

Having said that....

But I now have lousy knees (yay, Army!) and the MT would be too much of a chore and thus kill my Bronco joy. Also, I like the space that I now have in the 4-dr Bronco that I didn't have in the 2-dr Wrangler.

And I like the more refined sound and performance the 2.7 offers over the 2.3.

So I would go engine over roof.

Bottom line, rank the factors and go with what is most important to you. Because to each his/her own.

Cheers.

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