2.7L, or 2.3L. Help me make the right decision.

[Wanted33]

I’m old too and when they ask me what engine Is in my Bronco I’m gonna say proudly, it’s got a 4 banger and it goes like hell. I get a kick out of the youngsters who have got to have the 2.7 6cyl. They will be the ones who get a fast start at the stop light next to me and I will coast up to them at the next light. I drove one of those 22R 4 cyl Toyota’s for years and it went anywhere I wanted to go.

Good point Gary. I had a '92 Yota pick-up with the 22RE. It always got me there in plenty of time.

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[Wanted33]

Don't forget that Ford Performance has a warrantied tune package for the 2.3/Auto in the Ranger that should eventually port over to the Bronco without much fanfare.

Um, there is that Dave. Power at a much cheaper price. Good thought to run through my big old dumb head.

 

[Used2jeep]

I’m old too and when they ask me what engine Is in my Bronco I’m gonna say proudly, it’s got a 4 banger and it goes like hell. I get a kick out of the youngsters who have got to have the 2.7 6cyl. They will be the ones who get a fast start at the stop light next to me and I will coast up to them at the next light. I drove one of those 22R 4 cyl Toyota’s for years and it went anywhere I wanted to go.

That HiLux with 22R was so reliable. I beat the tar out of it. Plowed LOTS of driveways with it too. It was so good.

 

[mC.242]

I'm going to save some gas and $2K and go for the 2.3L. If I end up wanting more power (and that's an "IF"), that will be cheap and easy aftermarket. A Ford performance tune kit for the Ranger is a bit over $600 now and brings the HP/Torque up to 315/370 just by running premium gas - and with a factory warranty. The extra cost/complexity/weight of the 2.7L just don't seem justified to me. But then again, to each their own. If budget isn't an issue and you think you want the 2.7, just get the 2.7.

 

[UNBROKN]

My dealer is also a friend of mine. He said the 2.3 is plenty capable. The 2.7 will be just plain NASTY though. He also said that the 2.7 is tried and true. Least number of warranty issues of all the engines Ford produces right now.
2.7 - more power -Ok, no biggie
2.7 - flatter power curve - Ok, no biggie
2.7 - most reliable with least warranty issues -SOLD!
I do not want to take the chance of my Bronco being in the shop at all if I can help it.

 

[Drex]

the 2.3L 4 cyl has more power than the 351 V8 that came in the Bronco 25 years ago

Sure did, about the same torque as well, problem is the 1995 351 made its full/peak torque right off idle and up to about 2500 RPM. The 2.3 EB is weak below 2500 RPM and needs 3250 RPM to get to peak torque. Gears can make up the difference (at the expense of revving the engine higher), but an off road truck would be better served by having maximum torque down low as a general rule (in my opinion). The 351 low end torque would arguably be more useful in a truck than the same torque pushed up the RPM range (thus giving more horsepower)

The 2.7 will match the torque (and later exceed it) about 500 RPM sooner. If you are going to get an automatic, the 2.7 would probably feel better leaving the stoplight without having to spin the motor up halfway to red-line (assuming they don't open up the throttle a lot more at low pedal inputs for the I4)

If the added cost isn't a big deal for the OP, I would suggest the 2.7 just for the extra torque and power-band characteristics. A 5000 pound vehicle needs low and mid-range torque more than high end horsepower. If he wants a manual, the point is moot.

 

[BrentC]

A 4x4 F-150 with the 2.7 should give a good impression of that engine at approximately the same weight as a Bronco.

I have a 2019 F150 with the 2.7, and had the same power concerns.

Absolutely no concerns after 1 year with the truck, even under towing and load. And this is with a stock tune. There’s lots of cheap hp and torque to release from both this engine and the 2.3 with a simple stage 1 tune.

Don’t forget the 2.3 is the base for a few quick cars like versions of the Mustang and the Focus RS

 

[Wanted33]

Sure did, about the same torque as well, problem is the 1995 351 made its full/peak torque right off idle and up to about 2500 RPM. The 2.3 EB is weak below 2500 RPM and needs 3250 RPM to get to peak torque. Gears can make up the difference (at the expense of revving the engine higher), but an off road truck would be better served by having maximum torque down low as a general rule (in my opinion). The 351 low end torque would arguably be more useful in a truck than the same torque pushed up the RPM range (thus giving more horsepower)

The 2.7 will match the torque (and later exceed it) about 500 RPM sooner. If you are going to get an automatic, the 2.7 would probably feel better leaving the stoplight without having to spin the motor up halfway to red-line (assuming they don't open up the throttle a lot more at low pedal inputs for the I4)

If the added cost isn't a big deal for the OP, I would suggest the 2.7 just for the extra torque and power-band characteristics. A 5000 pound vehicle needs low and mid-range torque more than high end horsepower. If he wants a manual, the point is moot.

Good points also Jake. It's really not about the budget. For once in my car buying experience I think I'm just trying to be practical. I don't know if that's gonna work or not, but I'm gonna give it that old college try.

 

[BLTN]

That HiLux with 22R was so reliable. I beat the tar out of it. Plowed LOTS of driveways with it too. It was so good.

One of the "Unkillables"...buddy had one that was at 350K and still going strong when he gave it to his kid, and HE has yet to kill it...

 

[jedmisten]

I have the Ecoboost 2.3L 2019 Ranger, and I love it. It has plenty of power, but I am building a Bronco, and I don’t want to regret not getting the 2.7L. That doesn’t help, but a little more power won’t hurt.

 

[Stampede.Offroad]

I’m old too. No replacement for displacement doesn’t scream 2.7L to me.

Which is why a 3.5L turbo V8 sounds pretty good.

 

[Used2jeep]

One of the "Unkillables"...buddy had one that was at 350K and still going strong when he gave it to his kid, and HE has yet to kill it...

True. The body on the other hand...

 

[BLTN]

True. The body on the other hand...

That truck's nickname is "Swiss Cheese Army Knife"...

 

[GaryB2220]

I need some guidance folks. My old mind keeps telling me the 2.3L engine is too small for a 4 door OBX w/10 spd auto. I'm old school (and just old also), and the thought that there's no replacement for displacement is ingrained in my way of thinking. If you can help me out here I would certainly be thankful. Do I need the 2.7L, or will the smaller 2.3L be fine?

Easy solution. Do you want manual or automatic? If you want auto, get the 2.7. impossible to regret. If you are worried about power, take a look at this

 

[BrentC]

One of the "Unkillables"...buddy had one that was at 350K and still going strong when he gave it to his kid, and HE has yet to kill it...

If you haven’t watched it yet, you have to see the Top Gear episode where they try to kill a Hilux. It’s great entertainment and the outcome was stunning. It’s unkillable!

https://topgear.fandom.com/wiki/The_Indestructible_Hilux

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