- First Name
- Bradley
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2020
- Threads
- 33
- Messages
- 538
- Reaction score
- 434
- Location
- CA Central Coast
- Vehicle(s)
- 2018 Ford Raptor and 2019 Yamaha XSR900
- Your Bronco Model
- Outer Banks
- Thread starter
- #1
New Bronco arrived and it's fantastic! Absolutely sublime driving around with top panels removed and blaring tunes. Some initial thoughts:
1) This is a fantastic machine and despite all of it's "teething" issues, generally well thought out. Interior quality plastics could be better but at least mine arrived with no scuff marks, etc.
2)The stock OBX suspension rides smoothly and quietly and braking feels good. Does have a bit too much sway and nose dive for me but the FP/6112's with 35's should firm up the ride. The stock ride height is actually pretty good (even on the stock OBX 32s) and visibility is much better than I was expecting.
3) Becoming accustomed to all the pops/thuds/thunks when you first get in and turn on the ignition. My 2018 Raptor did the same (so assuming this is normal).
4) Must be getting old as the stock B&O sound system sounds OK with decent adjustibility (going to move tunes upgrade to the back burner for now). Not sure if it's a better sound environment, or if Ford has tweaked the system since 2018 as it really does sound quite a bit better than my Raptor B&O system did.
5) Love the size of the steering wheel, feels smaller (than Raptor wheel) and good in my hands. Also enjoying the actual radio knobs and the touch screen works well and is fairly quick when changing screens, etc.
6) Heated seats are awesome here on the central coast, and driving with front row panels off/windows up and heated seats it's plenty warm.
7) Would like to see a sliding cover on the front console storage cubby (similar to F-150 set up) for sunglasses/readers, etc.
8) Would like to have front A pillar grab handles (like the rear seat access), just ordered bolt-on handles to help with that. IP handles look cool, but not really functional.
9) Would like to see a separate rear swing gate arm/mount for spare so you could just swing the spare out of the way. This would allow access to the rear cargo area via the window, etc. Would eliminate having to open the swing gate (most of the way open) every time for cargo access/raising the window.
10) Ford, PLEASE, PLEASE give me a paper owners manual!! Old school, but I'm much more comfortable reading (at my leisure) a paper owners manual and recording oil changes/tire rotations, etc. in the maintenance section. I do realize it's in the screen or via app, but not at all convenient (for me anyways) to be in the car or depending on phone/IPad network connection to access a quick question about the vehicle. Like to never figured out how to preset my FM stations
11) Only serious flaw is the MIC hardtop noise level. During the test drive 65mph freeway it was really bad, had to speak loud so my sales guy could hear me. Going to clean/lube all the seals when I reassemble and see if that helps, if not be visiting my dealer. This is my daily driver and I like to travel, so going to need to figure this out.
Arrival Condition: 1) All fluids were filled (coolant level is right at the minimum mark all the time (hot or cold), 2) Lug nuts were properly torqued (assuming it's 100lbft - don't have an owners manual to quickly check though (Ford are you reading this?! ), tire pressure was spot on, 3) Body panel fit/finish pretty good with exception of rear passenger door which I'll have my dealer adjust, interior panels scuff free and all there and in place, seats all match (although the Navy Pier w/space gray leather is much more muted than I thought it would be - which I like.
Another major complaint, this new Bronco is so much fun to drive, I'm falling behind on getting my mods done! Did get the RLT Hood struts installed, as well as the Wildtrack bronco emblem replacement on the swing gate (not a chrome fan), many more to come!
1) This is a fantastic machine and despite all of it's "teething" issues, generally well thought out. Interior quality plastics could be better but at least mine arrived with no scuff marks, etc.
2)The stock OBX suspension rides smoothly and quietly and braking feels good. Does have a bit too much sway and nose dive for me but the FP/6112's with 35's should firm up the ride. The stock ride height is actually pretty good (even on the stock OBX 32s) and visibility is much better than I was expecting.
3) Becoming accustomed to all the pops/thuds/thunks when you first get in and turn on the ignition. My 2018 Raptor did the same (so assuming this is normal).
4) Must be getting old as the stock B&O sound system sounds OK with decent adjustibility (going to move tunes upgrade to the back burner for now). Not sure if it's a better sound environment, or if Ford has tweaked the system since 2018 as it really does sound quite a bit better than my Raptor B&O system did.
5) Love the size of the steering wheel, feels smaller (than Raptor wheel) and good in my hands. Also enjoying the actual radio knobs and the touch screen works well and is fairly quick when changing screens, etc.
6) Heated seats are awesome here on the central coast, and driving with front row panels off/windows up and heated seats it's plenty warm.
7) Would like to see a sliding cover on the front console storage cubby (similar to F-150 set up) for sunglasses/readers, etc.
8) Would like to have front A pillar grab handles (like the rear seat access), just ordered bolt-on handles to help with that. IP handles look cool, but not really functional.
9) Would like to see a separate rear swing gate arm/mount for spare so you could just swing the spare out of the way. This would allow access to the rear cargo area via the window, etc. Would eliminate having to open the swing gate (most of the way open) every time for cargo access/raising the window.
10) Ford, PLEASE, PLEASE give me a paper owners manual!! Old school, but I'm much more comfortable reading (at my leisure) a paper owners manual and recording oil changes/tire rotations, etc. in the maintenance section. I do realize it's in the screen or via app, but not at all convenient (for me anyways) to be in the car or depending on phone/IPad network connection to access a quick question about the vehicle. Like to never figured out how to preset my FM stations
11) Only serious flaw is the MIC hardtop noise level. During the test drive 65mph freeway it was really bad, had to speak loud so my sales guy could hear me. Going to clean/lube all the seals when I reassemble and see if that helps, if not be visiting my dealer. This is my daily driver and I like to travel, so going to need to figure this out.
Arrival Condition: 1) All fluids were filled (coolant level is right at the minimum mark all the time (hot or cold), 2) Lug nuts were properly torqued (assuming it's 100lbft - don't have an owners manual to quickly check though (Ford are you reading this?! ), tire pressure was spot on, 3) Body panel fit/finish pretty good with exception of rear passenger door which I'll have my dealer adjust, interior panels scuff free and all there and in place, seats all match (although the Navy Pier w/space gray leather is much more muted than I thought it would be - which I like.
Another major complaint, this new Bronco is so much fun to drive, I'm falling behind on getting my mods done! Did get the RLT Hood struts installed, as well as the Wildtrack bronco emblem replacement on the swing gate (not a chrome fan), many more to come!
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