2 Dr, 2.3L, Manual, is this the best Ford Bronco configuration? Full off-road test!

[Q1svt]

2 Dr, 2.3L, Manual, is this the best Ford Bronco configuration? Full off-road test!
Driving Sports TV

With our 2026 Ford Bronco Badlands finally broken in, we bring it to our Mountain Test Course to check out all the features. Does the manual-transmission make this the best Bronco for off-road fun?


jm2c...
To good not to be posted here…
Great for anyone with one, to see it on a course, how it’s used on course… since Bronco Off Road doesn’t have manuals.
Great for anyone interested in this combination
etc.

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[Smocaine]

Yes, of course.
I am kinda into those new Badlands wheels. Maybe they'll stick around for a while and become cheap takeoffs...

 

[EvilJim1971]

For technical crawling, the auto is better.
HOWEVER I love the fun and challenge of using the manual.
Altho when the clutch is toast,I WILL be upgrading.

 

[RoseLane4]

Sure, the 2dr MT is best due to the best-possible (stock/OEM) crawl ratio - this essential fact and 4:70 locking f/r diffs found on the 100” wheelbase BL’s - great OEM 4wheeler that’s tough to beat !

Slush-box does make technical work easier, like EvilJim says, but if you got “skill”, the MT is superior - no comparison!

 

[Montana Bronco]

Heck yeah! My manual transmission 2-door is an absolute blast to hoon around with.

 

[BigFootie]

For technical crawling, the auto is better.
HOWEVER I love the fun and challenge of using the manual.
Altho when the clutch is toast,I WILL be upgrading.

You should catch some of the Trail Mater You Tube video’s. Rory is pretty good at technical rock crawling in Trail Mater despite being a manual.

Manual transmissions were all we had for 4 wheeling in the beginning. I will agree it is definitely easier with an automatic but when you are old as dirt like me, you stick with what you know which is a stick!

 

[Oldhippie]

This is just another “my way is better“ opinion argument…the fact is modern automatic transmissions provide better mpg, faster 1/4 mile times, faster shifting, smoother/easier operation and less impact on driveline components than conventional manual transmissions, but sure manuals are more “engaging“…my argument is which forklift is better, one with a manual or one with a automatic? And of course very few competition 4WD vehicles have manual transmissions…end of rant…carry on…

ps: I am old and have been 4 wheeling most of my adult life with 50+ rubicon trips and gave up on manual transmissions for towing and 4 wheeling in the ‘80s but my model A and mustang does have a manual transmission…

 

[DaffMan]

This is basically what I ordered in Feb and got a couple of weeks ago expect I found out the Badlands doesn't include a sway bar disconnect. Not sure how he got a 26 Badlands non-sas with a SBD. I even went back to the Build a Bronco site and didn't see where to add the option for it. Maybe I'm blind? I'm not expecting to really do any extreme off roading with it. Just some passes in Colorado and maybe some occasional ORV fun on a weekend. However, it sure does sting when you find out after delivery that your new Badlands doesn't come standard with the equipment from the previous year.

 

[JustWideman]

Nothing better for seeing if your GF is wifey material then a manual on a steep grade from stopping.

 

[Fordified1]

It wasn’t much of an argument back when automatic transmissions only had three gears and no lockup. Today’s eight and 10 speed automatic transmissions with locking converters make it a legitimate argument. I won’t pick a side I like both for different applications.
AND my wife and kids all know how to drive a manual transmission.

 

[crzyhawk]

Nothing better for seeing if your GF is wifey material then a manual on a steep grade from stopping.

I'm not entirely convinced that a potential wife being able to drive my vehicles is a good thing!

 

[JustWideman]

I'm not entirely convinced that a potential wife being able to drive my vehicles is a good thing!

Not killing you or crying bloody murder when you roll back a scooch stepping off the clutch while rock crawling.

 

[michelle227]

This is just another “my way is better“ opinion argument…the fact is modern automatic transmissions provide better mpg, faster 1/4 mile times, faster shifting, smoother/easier operation and less impact on driveline components than conventional manual transmissions, but sure manuals are more “engaging“…my argument is which forklift is better, one with a manual or one with a automatic? And of course very few competition 4WD vehicles have manual transmissions…end of rant…carry on…

ps: I am old and have been 4 wheeling most of my adult life with 50+ rubicon trips and gave up on manual transmissions for towing and 4 wheeling in the ‘80s but my model A and mustang does have a manual transmission…

Meh. Dont care about fractions of a gallon. If I want MPG somewhere, the Spider comes out, although even the XK8 has gotten better than 30 on long drives.

0-60 and quater-mile times? Not what I bought this one for.

I like DRIVING and that's what three-pedals allows me to do. Its why everything ive bought in the last 40+ years has has three pedals (with the exception of a salvage sale 200SX for my ex's kid).

 

[BroncocnorB]

This is just another “my way is better“ opinion argument…the fact is modern automatic transmissions provide better mpg, faster 1/4 mile times, faster shifting, smoother/easier operation and less impact on driveline components than conventional manual transmissions, but sure manuals are more “engaging“…my argument is which forklift is better, one with a manual or one with a automatic? And of course very few competition 4WD vehicles have manual transmissions…end of rant…carry on…

ps: I am old and have been 4 wheeling most of my adult life with 50+ rubicon trips and gave up on manual transmissions for towing and 4 wheeling in the ‘80s but my model A and mustang does have a manual transmission…

Yeah, I remember when my old GF would saddle up next to me in my bench seat F-150. My hand would shift gears very strategically. You can’t do that with an auto trans. Just sayin.

bring back bench seats

 

[JustWideman]

Benches coming on Scout and Slate trucks, no manuals... or even engines, just EVs and hybrids.

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