Bronco Truck vs Gladiator

[PisgahGladiator]

Looks like Ford is going to try and compete with the Gladiator. To me it’s a bit of a head scratcher since it’ll pull some folks from the ranger and f150 market. I’ll stick with Jeep. Thoughts?

https://www.motortrend.com/news/exclusive-ford-bronco-pickup-coming-battle-jeep-gladiator/

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[o2bnkc]

I didn't see that coming. I like it. More competition is always better in my book.

 

[Gren71]

Interesting for sure. The renderings make it look like a tiny little bed...smaller than the JT. Not positive on the measurements of the bronco but the bed looks shorter than the driver+passenger door length.

 

[Blknblu]

Not proportioned right, looks the same going forward as it does going backwards. Competition is good though.

Bruce

 

[2010JK]

I'd take this with a grain of salt. Idk how many times I've seen a Motortrend article about a "rumored" vehicle that never comes to fruition. They've been writing stories and making renderings for a "Dodge 'Cuda" for year with no actual evidence.

 

[SloW8]

Makes sense to me. They have already spent the money to develop the chassis. Not a lot of extra money to turn it into a truck. The Ranger is a bit of a sales flop so a “lifestyle” vehicle may pump some life into that segment for them.

 

[LostWoods]

Interesting for sure. The renderings make it look like a tiny little bed...smaller than the JT. Not positive on the measurements of the bronco but the bed looks shorter than the driver+passenger door length.

I’ll be honest, I’d be happier with a 4’ box and a little less wheelbase and overhang. I like the truck because it keeps cargo separate from passengers so something JLU in size with an extended cab would be the dream.

 

[NC_Overland]

I love my Gladiator, but if I can get that in a truck with the 2.7l ecoboost and with 35s from the factory then I’m all in. I’ll probably own one in 2-3 yrs. There are so many things that the Bronco has that I want like a removable rear panel for the roof. I’m not even remotely a Ford guy either.

 

[NC_Overland]

I’ll be honest, I’d be happier with a 4’ box and a little less wheelbase and overhang. I like the truck because it keeps cargo separate from passengers so something JLU in size with an extended cab would be the dream.

I will say that I hate the bed size of my Gladiator. My 2017 Canyon had a 5’2” bed and it was deeper those couple of inches really did make a big difference (that’s what she said). I could fit my mountain bike with the tailgate up without removing the front tire and taller items fit a lot easier under the tonneau cover.

 

[Jeeperjamie]

So 2025 is when they are planning on launching it. If it comes with a 5.0 Coyote in it I'd be in. I'll have my Gladiator paid off by then and I'd buy one for sure and keep the Gladiator, that's the only way I'm getting one though.

 

[wannajeep]

Good to see some competition. Bed looks awfully short. Wheelbase looks like it would be great with a single cab and longer bed. 7 speed manual, I wonder if we're going to see manuals do what autos did in the last couple decades, go from 4 to 6 to 8 to 10 speed and beyond. That's a lot of manual shifting for a light duty rig. Looking forward to seeing how this one develops.

 

[WXman]

It's not a 7-speed. It's a 6-speed that has an offroad-only gear. That offroad gear does the same thing Jeep does through the transfer case. So, the Ford has nothing the Jeep doesn't have.

In fact, there isn't a single thing on the Bronco that is original or new or that Jeep hasn't been doing for decades. But, it does ADD some things that are undesirable like the IFS that will be hard and expensive to lift, and those problematic over-engineered EcoBust engines. So honestly, while I did grow up a die-hard Ford guy, I don't understand the buzz surrounding this Bronco at all, other than the fact that it's new.

 

[Jeeperjamie]

It's not a 7-speed. It's a 6-speed that has an offroad-only gear. That offroad gear does the same thing Jeep does through the transfer case. So, the Ford has nothing the Jeep doesn't have.

In fact, there isn't a single thing on the Bronco that is original or new or that Jeep hasn't been doing for decades. But, it does ADD some things that are undesirable like the IFS that will be hard and expensive to lift, and those problematic over-engineered EcoBust engines. So honestly, while I did grow up a die-hard Ford guy, I don't understand the buzz surrounding this Bronco at all, other than the fact that it's new.

I agree, the IFS and ecoboost are why I would stay away. That Ecoboost engine is garbage and probably the worst engine ford ever built. I can't believe there putting those things in F150 trucks.

 

[bastage]

Honestly for a daily driver it will probably be superior to the JT. For a toy off the pavement though I think the JT will stay the better more capable rig. Which would ultimately be better would be what percentage of on road vs off road each of us put on our priorities.

 

[arosen1997]

I agree, the IFS and ecoboost are why I would stay away. That Ecoboost engine is garbage and probably the worst engine ford ever built. I can't believe there putting those things in F150 trucks.

Also if that's the same 10 speed that they use in the ranger it's complete trash and will spend all its time gear hunting.
I test drove a ranger before I bought my gladiator and the amount of shifting that transmission does is atrocious.

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