- Joined
- Mar 30, 2020
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- Bronco
- Your Bronco Model
- Black Diamond
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- #1
Every few years we seem to end up in Colorado for some camping and trails; after an invite from some friends we headed back out there a couple of weeks ago. We camped along and reached the summit of Hagerman Pass; traversed Mosquito Pass (a trail I hadn't been on in about 17 years), Shrine Pass, and a few other things. The difference this time is that it very well might be the last time I head out there in a Jeep. Ever since the first leaks of the Bronco 6G, I felt like it was going to be a vehicle squarely aimed at me. I'd been test driving Rangers but couldn't quite pull the trigger. My JK is tired after many years of wheeling, it's done its duty well, but I'm going to need something more reliable here soon and I don't fit in the JL/JT (headroom).
But I also couldn't commit to a Bronco until I was able to actually see one in person and drive it. A few weeks before this trip, we checked them out at the Chicago Auto Show--it shocked me how much better the interior was than the JL (and my JK), with far more headroom, rear passenger room, seat comfort, and cargo area capacity. A couple of days before we left for Colorado I found one to test drive at the local dealer, a 2.3L Badlands softtop. We couldn't stop talking about that during our trip. And when we returned, I found another dealer that let me take an extended drive in their mannequin (another 2.3L Badlands softop). I became convinced, this is the vehicle that can likely replace the JK and do everything that it does for me, but better. I finally put a reserve in on a Black Diamond--I know... back of the line, it'll be ages... but I'm ok to wait at this point, and plan for what's coming. Right now I'm thinking BD, softtop, sasquatch, mid, tow, but could be pulled up to a Badlands if after a year or so of production, the auto swaybar disconnect seems like its holding up. In any case, hopefully it will work out and we'll be rollin' back across the plains in a 6G before long.
But I also couldn't commit to a Bronco until I was able to actually see one in person and drive it. A few weeks before this trip, we checked them out at the Chicago Auto Show--it shocked me how much better the interior was than the JL (and my JK), with far more headroom, rear passenger room, seat comfort, and cargo area capacity. A couple of days before we left for Colorado I found one to test drive at the local dealer, a 2.3L Badlands softtop. We couldn't stop talking about that during our trip. And when we returned, I found another dealer that let me take an extended drive in their mannequin (another 2.3L Badlands softop). I became convinced, this is the vehicle that can likely replace the JK and do everything that it does for me, but better. I finally put a reserve in on a Black Diamond--I know... back of the line, it'll be ages... but I'm ok to wait at this point, and plan for what's coming. Right now I'm thinking BD, softtop, sasquatch, mid, tow, but could be pulled up to a Badlands if after a year or so of production, the auto swaybar disconnect seems like its holding up. In any case, hopefully it will work out and we'll be rollin' back across the plains in a 6G before long.
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