2026 Bronco changes?

[AZ_Craig]

I hope the add BlueCruise. Got a rental 25 Explorer right now and holy wow it's awesome

From what I understand the Bronco platform is not capable for supporting it at this point...

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[Q1svt]

Ford for 2026 Bronco... put it on a diet its FAT and HEAVY

Hint...

The Ford's 2026 BRONCO will use of an aluminum body that has a significant design change, impacting its performance, durability, and environmental impact. While the frame remains high-strength steel, the aluminum body contribute to weight savings, increased fuel efficiency, and enhanced capability. Greatly improved offloading due to lower center of gravity...

 

[AZ_Craig]

Ford for 2026 Bronco... put it on a diet its FAT and HEAVY

Hint...

The Ford's 2026 BRONCO will use of an aluminum body that has a significant design change, impacting its performance, durability, and environmental impact. While the frame remains high-strength steel, the aluminum body contribute to weight savings, increased fuel efficiency, and enhanced capability. Greatly improved offloading due to lower center of gravity...

Um...

 

[Q1svt]

Um...

Now do it for the Ford F150... all AL cab and bed?

 

[Beach_Bum]

Um...

That graphic is incorrect. The quarter panels are steel.

 

[AZ_Craig]

That graphic is incorrect. The quarter panels are steel.

Apparently I should have read the rest of the ancient thread I pulled it off of .

There is a lot of Al already in the body other than structural areas that it appears they did not want to compromise rigidity. That was more my point...

My guess is given how much rigidity you lose without a fixed roof was the reason they couldn't go all Al.

 

[Q1svt]

Apparently I should have read the rest of the ancient thread I pulled it off of .

There is a lot of Al already in the body other than structural areas that it appears they did not want to compromise rigidity. That was more my point...

My guess is given how much rigidity you lose without a fixed roof was the reason they couldn't go all Al.

Mine is still being made... Is the roll bar attached directly to the frame?
If so what does it matter then? and the F150 is military grade AL hardened.

And when Ford owned other brands Jag unibody, Asten Martina ALL AL.

 

[AZ_Craig]

Mine is still being made... Is the roll bar attached directly to the frame?
If so what does it matter then? and the F150 is military grade AL hardened.

And when Ford owned other brands Jag unibody, Asten Martina ALL AL.

Thanks to Google Gemini for riding shot gun .

AI Overview

While aluminum can be designed to achieve comparable stiffness to steel in some applications, it generally has a lower stiffness-to-weight ratio. This means that for the same stiffness, an aluminum structure will often need to be thicker and thus heavier than a steel structure. However, aluminum's lower density allows for weight savings in applications where stiffness is not the only critical factor.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

• Stiffness vs. Strength:
  Stiffness, often measured by Young's modulus, indicates how much a material will bend or deflect under stress. Strength, on the other hand, refers to the material's ability to withstand force before breaking. Steel generally has a higher Young's modulus, meaning it's stiffer than aluminum.
  
  
• Specific Modulus:
  When comparing materials, the specific modulus (Young's modulus divided by density) is a more useful metric for stiffness. Aluminum alloys can have a higher specific modulus than some steel alloys, meaning that a structure made of aluminum can be stiffer than one made of steel if the aluminum part is designed with a larger cross-section to compensate for its lower density, according to a cycling forum post.
  
  
• Material Selection:
  The choice between steel and aluminum depends on the specific application. If stiffness is paramount and weight is less of a concern, steel is often preferred. However, if a good strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and the ability to form complex shapes are important, aluminum can be a better choice, according to Gabrian International.
  
  
• Aluminum Alloys:
  Certain aluminum alloys, like 7075, can achieve strengths comparable to some steel alloys, but they may require specific heat treatments or surface treatments to reach those levels.
  
  
• Design Considerations:
  To achieve comparable stiffness with aluminum, designers can increase the thickness of the aluminum part or modify its geometry (e.g., adding ribs or curves) to increase

 

[Q1svt]

Thanks to Google Gemini for riding shot gun .

AI Overview

While aluminum can be designed to achieve comparable stiffness to steel in some applications,

LOL... yes Unibody... NO, Bronco and other vehicles with Frames like the F150?

You did point out, that the Bronco has a BORON Steel Roll Bar right?
Something the F150 does not have.... but I believe ford increased the strength of that AL F150's frame? They did on my F150 XLT [1995 Lightning] and she handles G's in the corners just fine no flexing going on...

 

[skyhunter]

Having a rear power window that drops down into the tailgate as well as a tailgate that drops down rather than swings to the side would be killer.

One could drive with the rear window down as well as the tailgate down. They really blew an opportunity with that. Would seriously think of getting another if that was a new design feature.

 

[RK Racing]

Having a rear power window that drops down into the tailgate as well as a tailgate that drops down rather than swings to the side would be killer.

One could drive with the rear window down as well as the tailgate down. They really blew an opportunity with that. Would seriously think of getting another if that was a new design feature.

NOT going to happen….. they went to the swing tailgate because for women it was much harder to lean over the tailgate being down to put the groceries in the back.

 

[AZ_Craig]

NOT going to happen….. they went to the swing tailgate because for women it was much harder to lean over the tailgate being down to put the groceries in the back.

Hah, isn't the basic fundamental problem that a rear mounted spare tire almost always necessitates a swing door for weight management? Hell, even the Ford Sport Cross had this setup.

I don't think a spare could fit under a Bronco without significantly different engineering and they tend to lead to degradation of departure angles for offroading (one of the disadvantages the 4Runner has with a bottom mounted spare tire).

The only other alternative is putting it in the trunk like the old XJ which is also horrid.

 

[skyhunter]

Hah, isn't the basic fundamental problem that a rear mounted spare tire almost always necessitates a swing door for weight management? Hell, even the Ford Sport Cross had this setup.

I don't think a spare could fit under a Bronco without significantly different engineering and they tend to lead to degradation of departure angles for offroading (one of the disadvantages the 4Runner has with a bottom mounted spare tire).

The only other alternative is putting it in the trunk like the old XJ which is also horrid.

Or have a donut spare under slung and a roof full size carrier option for the off road types.

 

[toybox06]

NOT going to happen….. they went to the swing tailgate because for women it was much harder to lean over the tailgate being down to put the groceries in the back.

Ford had a dual action magic gate before the OG Bronco ever existed. Had both power and manual window options. They can easily do it today. Hear us out Ford no more excuses. lol

 

[toybox06]

Maybe for the 60th they could unveil an F150 based v8 Bronco option. It’d be a grand slam.

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