Possible Purchase Help...

[Banshee77]

Hi all, new here and currently not a Bronco owner however I am actively shopping around for a used rig in SW Ontario Canada.

I have my eyes on a 2021 Badlands, 2.3, manual transmission with 90,000kms on it, is there any serious concerns with this configuration & year?

This will just be a toy for us to mod and enjoy on weekends, not a daily driver so I'm not as concerned about warranties etc.

Thanks in advance!

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[PWillette]

Hi all, new here and currently not a Bronco owner however I am actively shopping around for a used rig in SW Ontario Canada.

I have my eyes on a 2021 Badlands, 2.3, manual transmission with 90,000kms on it, is there any serious concerns with this configuration & year?

This will just be a toy for us to mod and enjoy on weekends, not a daily driver so I'm not as concerned about warranties etc.

Thanks in advance!

Other than the 7mt transmission rattle in cold temps I've had zero issues with my '21 2.3 7mt BL. I would say the biggest thing to check extremely close would be the hard top for cracks and/or delamination.

 

[Headsong]

That 2.3 with the 7MT is a powerful combo as long as you don't have to back boats down a ramp or a camper into a space! And have good knees that won't need replacement soon. lol

 

[Banshee77]

That 2.3 with the 7MT is a powerful combo as long as you don't have to back boats down a ramp or a camper into a space! And have good knees that won't need replacement soon. lol

Thanks for the info, I think my main concern would be the life expectancy of the little turbo engine and manual clutch in a vehicle of that size & weight.

 

[mdainsd]

The top is more of a concern than the eng/trans combo.

 

[Banshee77]

The top is more of a concern than the eng/trans combo.

OK I will check it out this weekend, do all the hard tops have this issue or is it hit and miss?
Should I be looking for a soft top instead? I live it cold climate with snow for many months of the year so I figured a hard top was the only option...

 

[mdainsd]

There are two types of hard tops. The more common is referred to as a MIC (Molded in color). These seem to be the troublesome ones. Check closely for cracks starting to form around the window openings. There are threads upon threads here about those tops. The other hardtop is a MOD (I dont know what that acronym is) version. It is made by a different manufacture and are painted. I havent seen a post here about the craking issue with the MOD tops. Fortunately, like you, I joined this group before I bought my Bronco. I would not buy one with the MIC top. I cant speak to the soft tops.

 

[Banshee77]

There are two types of hard tops. The more common is referred to as a MIC (Molded in color). These seem to be the troublesome ones. Check closely for cracks starting to form around the window openings. There are threads upon threads here about those tops. The other hardtop is a MOD (I dont know what that acronym is) version. It is made by a different manufacture and are painted. I havent seen a post here about the craking issue with the MOD tops. Fortunately, like you, I joined this group before I bought my Bronco. I would not buy one with the MIC top. I cant speak to the soft tops.

This is good to know,

There are two types of hard tops. The more common is referred to as a MIC (Molded in color). These seem to be the troublesome ones. Check closely for cracks starting to form around the window openings. There are threads upon threads here about those tops. The other hardtop is a MOD (I dont know what that acronym is) version. It is made by a different manufacture and are painted. I havent seen a post here about the craking issue with the MOD tops. Fortunately, like you, I joined this group before I bought my Bronco. I would not buy one with the MIC top. I cant speak to the soft tops.

Thanks for sharing, do all years have this issue or just the early ones?

 

[zuke]

This is good to know,


Thanks for sharing, do all years have this issue or just the early ones?

All years, and I'm not sure, but I think if it's the original on a 2021 4 door, it has to be a MIC, but if it doesn't have cracks already it's probably fine.

You say it's going to be a toy, if you plan on serious off roading that includes rock crawling, I'd plan on upgrading the steering rack, but for general off-road, it's pretty good out of the box.

 

[DALOLA]

Definitely check the top, but it's not the widespread kiss of death some make it out to be... odds are it will be fine.

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/who-hasnt-had-any-cracks-with-their-hardtops.130374/

 

[Banshee77]

Trying to decide but I am now leaning towards just ordering a 2026 Heritage or badlands with the manual transmission, I have a low mileage M6 hellcat that doesn't get much use and the local ford dealer has offered a fair trade value, this would help with some of the concerns with the early model issues/recalls etc.

 

[Banshee77]

I ended up purchasing a new 2026 Marsh Grey Heritage 2.3 Manual, thanks for all the good info above.

 

[Beach_Bum]

I ended up purchasing a new 2026 Marsh Grey Heritage 2.3 Manual, thanks for all the good info above.

Congrats. Now, let's see it in it's natural element and not the dealer glamour posing.

 

[Gopher]

I ended up purchasing a new 2026 Marsh Grey Heritage 2.3 Manual, thanks for all the good info above.

Congrats. Similarly, I am trading my low-mileage '17;Shelby GT350 (that I have not driven much the last few years) for a new Stroppe this weekend. New type of fun ahead!

 

[Felix808]

Welcome & Congrats!
Looks great

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