Pulled a camper with my BadSas 2.3

[23OBX2.7]

I abused / ran very hard my wonderful S550 Mustang HPP convertible for 50000 miles year round. Ran like a dream and made $7K on it. Always warmed up and 2-3 min cool down, Pennzoil 5W40 euro synthetic every 3000 miles and trans every 20,000 with Motorcraft. Had dirty side catch can and Radium.alloy PVC baffle plate plugs at 25K miles. Went through set of 244/40/19 premium brand UHP and UHPAS every 7000 miles.

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[Original Bender]

No stupid V6 belongs in anything.

I'll take an inline or V8 engine for any kind of work tasks over a V6 any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

Towing isn't about raw horsepower or torque. Gearing, brakes and chassis play an even more important role and when you crawl under the Bronco, you'll see it's not meant to be a tow at it's limits.

I tow a 5x10 utility trailer pretty regularly over a few mountain passes with my measly 2.3/7MT. Keep speeds reasonable and stay out of the way of the swingin-dick one-ton diesel bros hauling 40' fifth wheels at 85mph up the mountains and you'll do fine.

@Original Bender does your trailer have brakes? Most under 3500lbs don't come with trailer brakes. I decided to add some to my utility trailer and it helps offload a lot of the braking from the Bronco. I'd recommend it, even if your state doesn't legally require it.

Frontal area of the trailer is important to keep in mind as well. It seems that teardrop probably moves some decent air over it, even though it's taller than the Bronco.

This one does. I don’t have a brake controller installed though. It’s well under where you would need one. I 110% recommend the weight distribution hitch though. Properly set up, they pull nicer than a gooseneck or fifth wheel

 

[Original Bender]

Glad you v6 autists have to tell everyone you like your six when nobody asked. It reminds me of vegans for some reason

 

[Thor_1]

Glad you v6 autists have to tell everyone you like your six when nobody asked. It reminds me of vegans for some reason

Kinda the opposite. Being a vegan makes you weaker because humans need meat. It’s the meat eater’s (2.7) telling the vegans (2.3) they need more power in their life.

 

[JaredH790]

I pull a R-Pod 180 with my Bronco ... upgrading the intercooler makes a difference. I am running a Wagner Tuning Stock location replacement/upgraded intercooler. It makes a significant difference. My tuning is still stock.

I have replaced the air filter with an AEM (I think) off-road air filter made to handle some dirt. Not just the typical oiled K&N style filter but it is washable and works well. I am still using the stock intake plumbing otherwise.

I also always run 93 or (91 if best available) when towing. Bronco does just fine. I do have the 2.7 but there is nothing wrong with the 2.3 either. Both are good engines as long as you keep the filters and the oil clean and use premium when towing.

Enjoy and ignore anyone who tries to bring you down ... it isn't worth your time to respond.

 

[Original Bender]

I pull a R-Pod 180 with my Bronco ... upgrading the intercooler makes a difference. I am running a Wagner Tuning Stock location replacement/upgraded intercooler. It makes a significant difference. My tuning is still stock.

I have replaced the air filter with an AEM (I think) off-road air filter made to handle some dirt. Not just the typical oiled K&N style filter but it is washable and works well. I am still using the stock intake plumbing otherwise.

I also always run 93 or (91 if best available) when towing. Bronco does just fine. I do have the 2.7 but there is nothing wrong with the 2.3 either. Both are good engines as long as you keep the filters and the oil clean and use premium when towing.

Enjoy and ignore anyone who tries to bring you down ... it isn't worth your time to respond.

ok, I’m new here. But I’m definitely not new to forums or the internet. Also as a former cop, nobody on a keyboard is going to offend me.
I don’t get PTSD

I GIVE PTSD

I’ll be nice here, but I have been known to be a full blown Troll when needed.

At any rate, the 2.3 is a perfect little truck motor. Idgaf what others think lol

 

[HalfmuleFarmer]

Welcome ex-lawman. FYI, the things that upset people here, and/or that too many threads degenerate into: 1) your Bronco has too many, or too few doors, 2) the Bronco has too small an engine (or how come there’s no 3.0L or V8 option for everyone?), 3) manual trannies are obviously superior, because anything else isn’t really driving, 4) how is it possible that Ford is not making the exact combo of options I want, and making something else?! And 5) no memory seats, WTF?!

 

[Brian_B]

Welcome ex-lawman. FYI, the things that upset people here, and/or that too many threads degenerate into: 1) your Bronco has too many, or too few doors, 2) the Bronco has too small an engine (or how come there’s no 3.0L or V8 option for everyone?), 3) manual trannies are obviously superior, because anything else isn’t really driving, 4) how is it possible that Ford is not making the exact combo of options I want, and making something else?! And 5) no memory seats, WTF?!

Not wrong

 

[Los]

You are fixated on six-cylinders. Nothing wrong with the 2.3, except it's not a N/A v8. And that same flaw exists in every motor you choose too.

Most folks that come in here dreaming about different engine choices at least have the good decency to wish for a naturally aspirated v8.

Bronco towing was never about the engine anyway - which is what most folks here are saying. All the modern Broncos have more horsepower and torque than any of the older V8s. (they just sound like they are run by gerbils)

And I will enjoy my walnut blasting. Walnuts are delicious.

So why do they sound like gerbils? 4 or 6 cyls And why do some of the small 4 banger cars sound amazing. What are (we)missing to make it sound awesome.

 

[Eldowerks]

I'd argue the golden era of internal combustion is now. You get the power of those old monsters of yore with 3 or 4 times the fuel efficiency.

Indeed!
This is not exactly germane to the current 2.3L 4cyl/2.7L 6cyl debate but your point is well taken regarding modern high performance turbo boosted engines compared to the “no replacement for displacement” big block engines of old.

My 2015 F-150 with 3.5L EcoBoost V6 was an absolute rocket compared to my 2009 F-150 with 4.6L Triton V-8 and exceeded it in every metric that counts except the ability to get good sound out of a custom exhaust system.

 

[userdude]

Welcome ex-lawman. FYI, the things that upset people here, and/or that too many threads degenerate into: 1) your Bronco has too many, or too few doors, 2) the Bronco has too small an engine (or how come there’s no 3.0L or V8 option for everyone?), 3) manual trannies are obviously superior, because anything else isn’t really driving, 4) how is it possible that Ford is not making the exact combo of options I want, and making something else?! And 5) no memory seats, WTF?!

AHEM!!

 

[Rydfree]

Ford should put the 2.3 in the F-150s. It's only .4L difference and a much better engine with better MPG than the 2.7. Hp is nearly the same too.

 

[ODuckNo]

30 hp is quite a difference.

 

[Roger123]

So why do they sound like gerbils? 4 or 6 cyls And why do some of the small 4 banger cars sound amazing. What are (we)missing to make it sound awesome.

The only non-V8 engine I've heard that sounded good is the Subaru flat 4 with a proper muffler.

 

[HalfmuleFarmer]

As loathe as I am to enter the engine debate, I’ll just say this:

I own a 2DR 2.3. I tried to order a 2.7, but learned to my surprise (and my salesman’s) at the dealership that the 2.7 had been discontinued for 2DRs in MY25. Not happy, but fine. My rig is not light, being a BadSas.

The 2.3 jumps. I only run 91, stock tune, no sport mode (not avail without Forescan’ing on the BL). I have zero need for more geddyup. I can lay rubber. Can I imagine a *more* powerful engine? Sure. Does this little beast need it? Not that I’ve experienced, either on the road or in the rocks. It’s by far zippier than my last two European 6-cyl vehicles.

It’s a truck. 90% of the time I’m driving 35mph or less. But (to finally say something relevant to the OP) I’m not trying to tow anything bigger than a small work trailer. Works fine. If I had an Airstream, I’d need something else. ;-)

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