Current opinion of the Bronco?

[DocMike]

You nailed it.

Was really considering ordering a Bronco a while back but obviously ended up going with the JT. Now that I’ve seen several Broncos out and about, I’ve come to find them less and less attractive. I’ve seen several different models, some modded ones, etc. They just look kind of cheap to me in person, almost like a toy look. They look less rugged than I was expecting too. I don’t hate them or anything, though. Anyone else feel similarly? Referring to full size Bronco, not Sport.

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[hjdca]

I was expecting a much longer suspension articulation - both down and up. This is the most dissapointing thing for me. Every video I have seen from day 1, it's got a tire in the air.
Also, it seems like there are lots of front drive train breakage videos when rock crawling here out west.

 

[@californiajeeping]

I have to say they did a great design super cool looking good powertrain lots of features...

Where they messed up? Pricing, availability, culture etc. Its basically a rich mans wrangler thats less capable. They went right into it like its a ferrari instead of a working mans vehicle.

The pricing is outrageous. How can they build a hybrid ford maverick 4 door compact truck with a 21k MSRP but a bronco is 35K then marked up to 40k for a base model with less features?

Jeep has the same issue right now. They need something to grab marketshare that isnt a mini crossover car with a jeep badge and not a luxury vehicle. They really should take the 2 door wrangler 2.0L turbo drivetrain and put it into a renegade sized unibody vehicle and get the dang price down some while keeping the offroad capability. remember the cherokee? XJ/MJ platform? That was a hot ticket.

 

[Riccochet]

I generally like the design and tech. It's the IFS that's killing it for me. And for that reasons it's a massive "MEH" for me.

 

[J-GriffsGlad]

They look great, Ford did a nice job. Being a known Jeep enthusiast, the number 1 question I was asked when Broncos dropped was if I would buy one. I'd explain to those inquiries my motivation is not solely off road fun / looks, there is history in it for me. The reality is simple: We'd all be speaking German if the Willys weren't shipped to Europe (and that's why my loyalty to one brand is so unwavering). Long Live Jeep! https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-history/7-tools-that-helped-america-win/

 

[BA33]

I think they look "bloated". In all honesty, Wranglers have also been getting bloated since the TJ. Ford did ok with the retro styling, but I think they missed an opportunity to build a sleeker vehicle.

 

[steve68]

haven't they already recalled millions

I learned my lesson long ago, Ford products and I don't get along well, and I have a 88 GT Vert that I have been rebuilding the front end on!!!

 

[Barnaby’sdad]

I don’t hate it. That being said, I don’t get the Bronco vs. Gladiator comparison that’s frequently thrown around here. Wouldn’t it be more relevant to compare it to a four door Wrangler?

 

[endurojeep]

Ive driven one they drive nice, similar in road noise and fuel consumption to a wrangler. Some of their tech is well thought out. My personal opinion is the bronco looks much more refined than the raptor Bronco with those big ugly pieces of plastic on the side

 

[endurojeep]

They look great, Ford did a nice job. Being a known Jeep enthusiast, the number 1 question I was asked when Broncos dropped was if I would buy one. I'd explain to those inquiries my motivation is not solely off road fun / looks, there is history in it for me. The reality is simple: We'd all be speaking German if the Willys weren't shipped to Europe (and that's why my loyalty to one brand is so unwavering). Long Live Jeep! https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-history/7-tools-that-helped-america-win/

Ford built 280.000 jeeps for the military the GPW during WWII Willy's just won the civilian contract

 

[Rusty PW]

I have to say they did a great design super cool looking good powertrain lots of features...

Where they messed up? Pricing, availability, culture etc. Its basically a rich mans wrangler thats less capable. They went right into it like its a ferrari instead of a working mans vehicle.

The pricing is outrageous. How can they build a hybrid ford maverick 4 door compact truck with a 21k MSRP but a bronco is 35K then marked up to 40k for a base model with less features?

Jeep has the same issue right now. They need something to grab marketshare that isnt a mini crossover car with a jeep badge and not a luxury vehicle.

They really should take the 2 door wrangler 2.0L turbo drivetrain and put it into a renegade sized unibody vehicle and get the dang price down some while keeping the offroad capability. remember the cherokee? XJ/MJ platform? That was a hot ticket.

And put solid axles under it like the old XJ. Think the old XJ is more popular now then when it was produced. Can't find them around here. If you do. They want $$ for them.

 

[J-GriffsGlad]

Ford built 280.000 jeeps for the military the GPW during WWII Willy's just won the civilian contract

True that Ford manufactured (and we're all grateful for that) but the "Willy's just won..." statement is pretty ridiculous. That's all they did huh? 'just' developed the single most important tool to help defeat the greatest threat the planet had ever seen? One of the bloodiest wars the planet has witnessed, which the 'good guys' barely won. And that's "all they really did..." Come on man. Give credit where it is due. Massively important creation of equipment which, again, changed our planets outcome for a century and counting...

 

[endurojeep]

True that Ford manufactured (and we're all grateful for that) but the "Willy's just won..." statement is pretty ridiculous. That's all they did huh? 'just' developed the single most important tool to help defeat the greatest threat the planet had ever seen? One of the bloodiest wars the planet has witnessed, which the 'good guys' barely won. And that's "all they really did..." Come on man. Give credit where it is due. Massively important creation of equipment which, again, changed our planets outcome for a century and counting...

Actually I think Mr Probst would be very disappointed seeing you give credit for the design to Willy's .

Initially, only two poorly financed small-car specialists responded: American Bantam Car Co., of Butler, Pa., and Willys-Overland, of Toledo, Ohio.

The first prototype military Jeep was developed by Bantam. Designed in 18 hours by Karl Probst, a freelance auto designer from Detroit, the 1,840-pound Bantam exceeded the Army’s expectations during initial testing in September 1940.

The War Department, however, had concerns about Bantam’s ability to meet the military’s capacity needs. As a result, it invited Willys-Overland and Ford Motor Co. to bid on the reconnaissance vehicle contract, this time using Probst’s design as a guidepost and allowing engineers from the two automakers to inspect and measure the Bantam.

Each automaker crafted a vehicle that was intended to meet the War Department’s specifications -- but with varying success. The Willys Quad had the most powerful engine -- the 60-hp Go Devil four-cylinder, which gave it a significant power advantage. The Ford Pygmy had superior craftsmanship, and it featured a flat hood and flat fenders that the War Department judged as useful improvements. The Bantam, now updated from its original design, was the lightest and most fuel-efficient.


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After conducting rigorous testing in Maryland, the War Department sought final bids and awarded the first production contract to Willys-Overland. A second production contract for the same design later was awarded to Ford to meet demand.

More than 637,000 Jeeps were built by Willys and Ford during World War II, while Bantam was awarded a contract to build quarter-ton trailers that were pulled behind the MB. Even today, remnants of Jeep’s birth by committee exist on the MB’s descendent, the Jeep Wrangler. For example, the “T” latches still used to hold down the hood were a Ford innovation, as was the single-piece, stamped slotted grille with round headlights that Jeep also uses as a logo.

 

[J-GriffsGlad]

Actually I think Mr Probst would be very disappointed seeing you give credit for the design to Willy's

I highly doubt it. I'd like to think he'd be wise enough to know that capacity in that situation was obviously more important than initial design. If what Probst and Bantam had was so superior in every facet, they'd have received the initial contract NOT Willy's. As it stands, the WILLYS helped win the war (not the Probst designed Bantam collaboration nor anything Ford put forward). Thanks for the technicalities, but quite literally as the slogan says, *JEEP... there's only one*

 

[endurojeep]

You mean the design by committee jeep designed by Ford, Willy's based on the original design by bantam. With ford chassis and Willy's engine. Then yes Willy's jeep one the war and you won this argument. yeah you

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