Debating on 2.3 vs 2.7 engine?

[Ninjak]

I run a 2.7 21 Badlands. I have had ZERO issues with it. Also I am modded. Quite a bit actually. Just look at the sig. The 2.7 has a lot of pep. Tune it, and it has even more pep. I run 93. All the time. It runs great, and honestly, if I keep the CC at 75 in sport, I can get 17+ out of it. Now many of you may say "17???? you think that's good???" Well yeah, if you have seen Jessabelle, you would think "well yeah that's pretty good."

The other part of this story no one is speaking on is the STRENGTH of the 2.7 block. You can through a lot at the 2.7, and it will just sit there and smile. The block is strong Very strong.

So if you want a manual, or the EVerglades, (which I think is the best value for 24) then the 2.3 is for you. For me, I love my 2.7 I love modding it. I love it on the trails, and I truly love surprising those people who think Jessa can't pick her skirt and run!

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[indio22]

It is so much more than just bigger tires. The capability it provides IS pretty astonishing. But yes if you’re just planning on mild wheeling (or never wheeling) it’s a waste of money.

You can do more than mild wheeling without Sas. I wheeled without lockers for years no problem, and did a Ford Bronco off-road coarse without lockers. (The Ford rep had to force me to get stuck, to show the "value" of the locker, lol.)

There seems a lot of over spending/provisioning of Broncos. My buddy's wife is driving around in a Sas, and will never go off-road, mainly drives to work and the store. The factory arms race has kind of jumped the shark, but I guess Ford is happy to collect the money.

 

[Alanp970]

You can do more than mild wheeling without Sas. I wheeled without lockers for years no problem, and did a Ford Bronco off-road coarse without lockers. (The Ford rep had to force me to get stuck, to show the "value" of the locker, lol.)

There seems a lot of over spending/provisioning of Broncos. My buddy's wife is driving around in a Sas, and will never go off-road, mainly drives to work and the store. The factory arms race has kind of jumped the shark, but I guess Ford is happy to collect the money.

I guess it depends on what’s considered mild wheeling but yes a fairly stock rig with a good pilot can go some amazing places. I started off wheeling rigs with small tires and no lockers back when traction control didn’t exist 30+ years ago. I went to the Off-Roadeo recently and was surprised at where a Bronco will go without lockers BUT they took me up a special line that required every bit of off road goodies the SAS package offered and that’s my kind of wheeling! I don’t like using the skinny pedal excessively. There’s a difference in needed momentum and launching it and lockers allow me to gently claw over obstacles that would require way more than a “bump” to get over.

 

[indio22]

I guess it depends on what’s considered mild wheeling but yes a fairly stock rig with a good pilot can go some amazing places. I started off wheeling rigs with small tires and no lockers back when traction control didn’t exist 30+ years ago. I went to the Off-Roadeo recently and was surprised at where a Bronco will go without lockers BUT they took me up a special line that required every bit of off road goodies the SAS package offered and that’s my kind of wheeling! I don’t like using the skinny pedal excessively. There’s a difference in needed momentum and launching it and lockers allow me to gently claw over obstacles that would require way more than a “bump” to get over.

The Bronco rep had me stop on the trail at a specific point and dig in. Then he showed me how the lockers would get me moving again. Of course knowing how to drive off-road, I would never have stopped and dug in at that spot in the first place. And I could have gotten going again without lockers, by backing up a bit and then not stopping at that spot.

The Bronco rep was actually very knowledgeable with a lot of experience, and acknowledged some people were buying way more vehicle than they'd ever use.

But I agree, definitely there is a place for added functionalities including lockers. I just think some folks are way over thinking and over equipping. It use to be mainly hardcore people with a specific need would have something like a front locker installed, now pavement dwellers are driving around with front lockers.

 

[BlueWaffle]

2.3 ftw. More than enough power.. even with 35s and 3.73s.. good gas mileage.. sounds decent..

..and no worries about stupid ford v-motor cam phasers

 

[TheShark]

One difference that wasn't mentioned is the 2.7 has electronic assist & the 2.3 has vacuum assist brakes.

 

[Alanp970]

One difference that wasn't mentioned is the 2.7 has electronic assist & the 2.3 has vacuum assist brakes.

That’s actually a good point. I drove a 2.7 and its brakes were way stronger than my 2.3 vacuum assist. Also 2.7 has a much better trans cooler. Mine runs 10-20 degrees warmer. All that being said the 2.3 puts out early 2000’s V8 power. I think it is plenty

 

[Dialtone]

That used to be true until turbos started being used

That's only true when assuming larger displacement isn't boosted as well.

 

[Marsalad]

Prior to owning a Bronco I had an 2017 2.3 Ecoboost Mustang which I quickly traded for a GT, and a 2018 F-150 Supercrew with the 2.7 Ecoboost. The Mustang was awful, the truck was fine. I test drove a 2.3 four door before ordering my first Bronco. I went with the 2.7 because it feels like a larger, more powerful engine that isn’t working that hard. The 2.3 felt “maxed out” and I don’t like that sensation. My second Bronco also has the 2.7 and at this point I wouldn’t even consider asking a smaller, weaker, over stressed four cylinder engine to power my 5000 pound off road vehicle.
Of course, it’s more expensive but you get what you pay for.

 

[BluebroncoNC]

I've had both. Only issue with the 4 banger was going automatic. I , after Bronco #1 was totaled, test drove the 4 Manuel. Loved it. Plenty of zip. I ended up, due to right shoulder rotator cuff fix, in the 2.7 SAS g6. Love it as well. M pg is down about 2 mpg but has plenty of zip, tho I drive it on ECO mode.

 

[Brian_B]

Yeah one thing that gets overlooked in the engine debate -- all of the engines today have more power ~and~ torque than any of the stock engines that the previous Broncos had installed.

 

[Crusty Tanker]

I wasn't thrilled with my F150 2.7 eco, so traded it in for an F150 3.5 eco for the POWER. I was worried about a sasquatch 2.3, but mine has plenty of power so far, but plan to get it tuned someday. Getting around 18 mpg but who gives a damn cause it's so cool. Yes, I actually get muddy and not afraid of big rocks.

 

[Area51BS]

Only thing missing on the 2.3 is the trail assist or whatever it’s called where engine is used to control descent instead of brakes. Otherwise 2.3 is impressive. If I towed a lot or climbed long steep sand dunes maybe the 2.7. In reality there isn’t a big bad ass motor available for the Bronco.

 

[Brian_B]

Only thing missing on the 2.3 is the trail assist or whatever it’s called where engine is used to control descent instead of brakes. Otherwise 2.3 is impressive. If I towed a lot or climbed long steep sand dunes maybe the 2.7. In reality there isn’t a big bad ass motor available for the Bronco.

It does have hill descent on the manual, but I don’t know about one-pedal drive or trail control - you may be right on that.

 

[UniBroncorn]

Ordered my Outer Banks last month with an estimated build date of 4/30/24. Original order was with 2.3l engine but now having second thoughts for the 2.7 engine. I ordered the Sasquatch package and hard top as well, which I definitely want. Called the dealer today 4/8, they can't change my order and here are my options:
1. Stick with what I have, less peppier engine but should receive in 2 months
2. Get the 2.7 engine but new order starts and won't get for another 4 months (miss the summer when I need it for my family)
3. Dealer does have an Outer Banks in stock with the 2.7 engine, my color, sasquatch package but only has the soft top. I can pick up car now but hard top will be like $5K more down the load with no real estimate on delivery.

I'm sure I'm overthinking this but is the 2.3l engine enough? Any help would be appreciated. This is a gift for my wife who has another SUV. So this is just an extra car for fun, daily driver not real off roading

Get the 2.7 with hard top.

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