Charlotte the Heritage 7MT

[Vynull]

Hi All, figured I'd start a log of all the stuff I spend money on improvements I make to Charlotte. Purchased July 24th and as of today she's already got 1300 miles on her. Its been so much fun so far!

Highs:
-Family LOVES Charlotte. Its the first car I've owned that both my wife and kids actually like (kids always like everything I build).
-7MT is fun to shift and MPC engine is amazingly torquey. Rewards driving it like a diesel with excellent mileage (averaging 22-23 MPG!)
-Just looks badass

Lows:
-Honestly, just the interior noise. I don't mind the wind noise but the BOOMINESS is what bothers me. Seems like if I don't shift just right, just shifting and the unloading of the drivetrain makes a big noise, and there seems to be situations where resonance starts vibrating the whole interior if I hit a couple of potholes in a row.
-Driveshaft seems to have an oscillating vibration over 70, especially decel

Would love feedback on the above to see if any other 7MT owners experience the same thing and this is "normal" for this truck.

Here is what I've done so far:

1. Twisted Shifterz 7MT shift knob
2. Custom wireless charging pad solution utilizing the stock blank
3. DV8 angled front license plate fram
4. DV8 pinch weld covers
5. N-Fab Trail Sliders/step
6. Kilmat for the rear cargo area

On order/not installed

1. Ford Performance Shock Skidplates
2. Ford Performance B Bow + C Bow Kit
3. Procal 2.3 Tune



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[crenca]

Honestly, just the interior noise. I don't mind the wind noise but the BOOMINESS is what bothers me. Seems like if I don't shift just right, just shifting and the unloading of the drivetrain makes a big noise, and there seems to be situations where resonance starts vibrating the whole interior if I hit a couple of potholes in a row.
-Driveshaft seems to have an oscillating vibration over 70, especially decel

Yes, driveline lash when you miss a shift and/or harshly load/unload the driveline via the clutch (or even the throttle) is a thing. I don’t believe the Bronco to be any different than any other large manual vehicle I’ve had in the past however. There is definitely an audible and felt vibration associated with this.

I drive in all wheel drive (aka “4A”) almost all the time, mostly because I drive like Batman and I want the traction it provides. On top of the usual noise, I can hear the friction clutch system engage/disengage whenever I operate the clutch. It’s a soft “pong “ cuppish sound, but usually it’s lost in the cacophony of road and engine noise.

Can’t say, I’ve noticed any driveline/driveshaft resonance at highway speed (typically 85 around here) nor any sustained vibration from potholes - quite the opposite the bronco seems pretty buttoned down compared to older school 4 x 4’s. Perhaps you have some looseness and/or unbalance somewhere, or just perhaps you have forgotten what an old school 4 x 4 is like?? Hard to say.

 

[crenca]

I should add that the hydraulic clutch system in the bronco is difficult (though light). It provides no feedback, and the engagement point seems to change a little bit between each shift.

folks have changed out the return spring, for a lighter one which is counterintuitive at least to me, but they claim it helps out. I personally have not gone down this road and even if I did, my instinct tells me to replace it with a heavier spring because I feel like the return is too slow as it is… but I would probably regret it

all to say don’t worry about missing shifts, you’ll get used to it the more you drive it.

 

[Vynull]

Yes, driveline lash when you miss a shift and/or harshly load/unload the driveline via the clutch (or even the throttle) is a thing. I don’t believe the Bronco to be any different than any other large manual vehicle I’ve had in the past however. There is definitely an audible and felt vibration associated with this.

I drive in all wheel drive (aka “4A”) almost all the time, mostly because I drive like Batman and I want the traction it provides. On top of the usual noise, I can hear the friction clutch system engage/disengage whenever I operate the clutch. It’s a soft “pong “ cuppish sound, but usually it’s lost in the cacophony of road and engine noise.

Can’t say, I’ve noticed any driveline/driveshaft resonance at highway speed (typically 85 around here) nor any sustained vibration from potholes - quite the opposite the bronco seems pretty buttoned down compared to older school 4 x 4’s. Perhaps you have some looseness and/or unbalance somewhere, or just perhaps you have forgotten what an old school 4 x 4 is like?? Hard to say.

Thank you - I have literally no point of reference for older manual 4wd vehicles. My point of reference is only small, manual European cars (and a series 1 Disco 16 years ago) This is a complete departure for me.

Shifting is not so much missing a shift, don't think I've done that once yet in this rig. In fact, the shifter is wonderful. It more that you have to be *completely* off throttle before engaging clutch/shifting or else there is some booming/ponging noise. If that's to be expected oh well, I can deal and adjust my style.

Sounds like I do have a driveline balance issue though based on your feedback, so will explore that with my first service.

 

[VirginiaHeritage]

I don’t know if the MIC tops have the same issue, but there is definitely some potential for a kind of sonic resonance in my HE cabin that can get pretty bad over rough patches of road. I hit some bad stutter bumps at speed once in Nova Scotia and…holy hell it was bad. I’ve gotten in the habit of cracking my window an inch or so going up my rough neighborhood entrance road and somehow that helps noticeably. It’s like a pressure relief that take the abuse off my ear drums.

 

[crenca]

It more that you have to be *completely* off throttle before engaging clutch/shifting or else there is some booming/ponging noise.

look up “Rev hang” here or elsewhere. While all modern turbo engines suffer this emissions strategy, these Ford ecoboosts seemed to have it worse than most. That combined with this hydraulic clutch system in the bronco (little feel, wandering engagement point, difficult to ‘feather’) and the whole experience is definitely more “truckish” then small euro/asian car stinickity-snick-snick.

You’ll learn to lift off the throttle earlier in the shift cycle then you have in the past…

 

[Vynull]

I don’t know if the MIC tops have the same issue, but there is definitely some potential for a kind of sonic resonance in my HE cabin that can get pretty bad over rough patches of road. I hit some bad stutter bumps at speed once in Nova Scotia and…holy hell it was bad. I’ve gotten in the habit of cracking my window an inch or so going up my rough neighborhood entrance road and somehow that helps noticeably. It’s like a pressure relief that take the abuse off my ear drums.

Okay so it is not just me then. Makes me feel better/worse in that others are sharing the pain, but WTF Ford, there's gotta be an engineering solution to this. I have been doing the same thing venting windows. Dunno what I will do in the winter. Going to try for the Dynamat floor liner next Link here

 

[Brian_B]

I know there is an almost sub-sonic "woof" anytime I let off the throttle. It's particularly noticeable with the MRT Elite.

It doesn't bother me, but it took me a while to figure out what it was.

Driveline vibration though - that could be an unbalanced tire or a driveshaft. If it's new new I'd ask the dealer to check it out.

What is "driving like a diesel"?

Driveline lash is real, especially in 4Lo though. Have to be real smooth on the clutch; if you drop it like a hot potato the Bronco bucks like you just shoved the carrot in the wrong hole.

 

[Vynull]

I know there is an almost sub-sonic "woof" anytime I let off the throttle. It's particularly noticeable with the MRT Elite.

It doesn't bother me, but it took me a while to figure out what it was.

Driveline vibration though - that could be an unbalanced tire or a driveshaft. If it's new new I'd ask the dealer to check it out.

What is "driving like a diesel"?

Driveline lash is real, especially in 4Lo though. Have to be real smooth on the clutch; if you drop it like a hot potato the Bronco bucks like you just shoved the carrot in the wrong hole.

I drive it like a diesel, in that around town I shift at or before 2k rpm. Try to keep it out of boost entirely. I think that's why I am able to average 23mpg combined which I think is mighty impressive for a 5000lb truck with 35in tires.

 

[demos1970]

What is your current tire pressure? Dealership would have the. High up in the 40’s as they sit on the lot. Mine was pretty bumpy which the tire pressure was up in the 40’s so I lowered them down to 35 and waaaay smoother ride. Food for thought. There’s also a post here on that as well.

 

[Vynull]

Thanks! I did lower down to the recommended pressure, wary of lowering further as I can already tell the difference between ~45psi and 39. Turn in is not as sharp and I don't want to degrade that further.

 

[RadDad]

I run a 25' Heritage with 7MT and have not noticed any driveline noise or excessive noise in general. You need to have that looked at sooner than later.

Question for OP, and I mean no disrespect, are you accustomed to driving a manual? As in, have you daily'd manuals for years?

I could see slow shifting, clunky foot work making some racket when things engage too quickly or not smoothly if you're out of practice with a stick.

 

[Vynull]

No

I run a 25' Heritage with 7MT and have not noticed any driveline noise or excessive noise in general. You need to have that looked at sooner than later.

Question for OP, and I mean no disrespect, are you accustomed to driving a manual? As in, have you daily'd manuals for years?

I could see slow shifting, clunky foot work making some racket when things engage too quickly or not smoothly if you're out of practice with a stick.

None taken, Ive been driving stick since I was 12 (I'm 38). All of them have been light, quick revving European vehicles. It all has to do with how quick I am used to shifting. IE, release of gas and clutch in being one seamless movement. I have to slow down my inputs for the bronco, which I have now adjusted for and it's not an issue.

The driveline vibration isn't very serious, but noticable. My guess is a slightly unbalanced driveshaft. I'm not too worried about it, will get it checked when I pick up my plates.

 

[RealTruck]

look up “Rev hang” here or elsewhere. While all modern turbo engines suffer this emissions strategy, these Ford ecoboosts seemed to have it worse than most. That combined with this hydraulic clutch system in the bronco (little feel, wandering engagement point, difficult to ‘feather’) and the whole experience is definitely more “truckish” then small euro/asian car stinickity-snick-snick.

You’ll learn to lift off the throttle earlier in the shift cycle then you have in the past…

It took me a couple hundred miles to get used to it compared to older manual cars but you will get used to it and change how you drive to adjust to it. Then when you get in an older manual vehicle you are going to feel weird after you get used to this one

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