Delivered 2.3L Manual Bronco Black Diamond owner's review: the Good and the Bad

[Lakelife36]

You can get MID with the Manual BD

See the post above. I wish you could.

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[redone17]

See the post above. I wish you could.

Oh crap! That’s why it was bumping it $3k and not $1500 in the B&P…strange it doesn’t give you any sort of heads up/warning.

wow - now I’m really curios what options will be available by MY23 (99’d my order as of yesterday)

 

[MattECDNdealer]

1) My sync voice assistant is not working. The button and the wakeup phrase of "ok ford" does nothing. A quick press, like my F150, should cause it to reply, but all it does is bring up siri no matter how quick and light I press it. I'm sure it's just a software issue or a needed update. I'm going to do a sync restart before I bother going to the dealer. I did send an issue report to Ford through the sync system.

If you didn't get "SYNC® 4 with Enhanced Voice Recognition" you don't have built in voice commands with Sync. This is the way it works now. It uses your phone's voice control system for making calls etc. If you're running an iphone, you're stuck using Siri. The 2021 F-150s are the same base XLTs don't get the voice recognition either, mid and up does.

 

[fundelay]

OK, I contemplated not posting a review when I took delivery of my Bronco because you guys can be brutal! (Kidding but not really lol) So I took delivery on Monday the 19th of my BD. We got a 4d, Cactus Grey with the MIC top, hitch, molded floor matts, upgraded wheels and the headliner (although that ended up being free). I was lucky enough to be my dealers priority order so my dates don't really apply although I was early on them to start. I had a day one reservation, and ordered as soon as the banks opened up. I know my dealer pretty well and thanks to this forum, and others, I was teaching them stuff so they wanted to hook me up. My original build date was the week of May 31st, then it was pushed to June 14th. It was built on 21st but then I heard nothing for almost 2 weeks until I got the built email. When it finally came off the truck (after another 2 week wait) I saw why, "bad top" was written on the passenger side rear window...so I guess it was waiting on a new top. So at any rate, on to the review.

So first impressions are we super happy with our choice and the Bronco in general.


GOOD:
MIC top looks good and matches the flares almost perfect. It came in on Friday the 16th but due to the salesman being off, nobody called me. I was away Saturday, so pick up was set for Monday. My point being it sat in front of the dealer all weekend, we had several storms that weekend, and I saw no indications of water leaks.

Paint looks excellent and gaps are spot on.

Interior was great as well, vinyl seats aren't overly hot in the 90 plus degree weather over the last few days.

We got the manual transmission and paired with the 2.3 it really goes. I have the 2.7 in my F150 and they are VERY similar. One reason besides the price for us getting the manual (beside just liking a manual to play with) is that I have the F150. The 10 speed in that is "mehhh" It's sort of sloppy at low to mid cruising, searching for gears, up shifting to soon, or at bad times. And I've had it for over a year so it should have "learned" my driving style by now. So we went manual. You can obviously tell when you're behind the wheel it's a 4 cylinder, as 1st gear is low and tachs out pretty quick. But when you get on the throttle in 2nd and 3rd it seriously rips. The right side of the gauge cluster is configurable, so I put up the turbo boost gauge and get a big smile on my face when you wind the rpms, the boost gauge quickly turns green, and the Bronco takes off. You can hear some turbo whistle from time to time which is nice. Nowhere near my old Duramax but you can hear it and adds some cool factor to the ecoboost.

We took the front panels off the roof the other night which was as easy as the videos show. It went on just as easy although it was dark and I would not suggest for the first time doing it in the dark. I was afraid of bumping and scratching it.

We got the upgraded wheels for the BD which we are very happy with as well, love the look against the General AT's which in my opinion are perfect. The tread pattern is similar to BFG KO2's but I think the lugs are a little more spaced apart as I have them on my '69 Bronco and compared them. I have heard a couple stones getting tossed out of them onto the Bronco though (it made me say EWWWWW!)

We are very happy with the height of the BD. With the 32" Grabbers at stock height, I'm 5'10 and have to step up into it and kind of slide out. Like if it were a pickup, I would put side steps on it. In my opinion its perfect height.

The start/stop with the manual is interesting and you can turn it off. When you put the Bronco on neutral, the start/stop will activate. When you push in the clutch, the Bronco will start back up.

Hill start assist is pretty cool also. Although I learned how to hold a manual on an incline using the clutch, it's still useful. So when you are on a hill and have the clutch in, the hill start holds the Bronco when you take your foot off the brake. As you start on the gas, and start to release the clutch the brake disengages. You still have to know how to use the clutch and gas but it helps with that transition. I am pretty sure you can deactivate it in settings although if it's on you can still do it old school and it effects nothing.

Hill decent is impressive. I'm sure you've seen videos on it. I was at the top of a super steep hill the other night so I figured I'd try it. It was set at 11 mph and literally it just cruised down the hill at 11 mph, so controlled. The RPM's weren't racing or raising, it didn't feel jerky....just slow and controlled. I think I was in 2nd or 3dr, I don't remember, but probably 2nd and it just stayed at 1500 RPM's and quietly went down the hill.

BAD:

well not really bad, just a down side... The stereo is a little lacking. Let me start by saying I really don't care. I didn't buy it for the stereo nor did I go with the B&O stereo. Its the standard unit and it's "fine". I haven't played with it, but it's definitely lacking bass. I found that AC/DC thunderstuck does sound fucking awesome cranked up ripping down the highway though

Only issues are 1) My sync voice assistant is not working. The button and the wakeup phrase of "ok ford" does nothing. A quick press, like my F150, should cause it to reply, but all it does is bring up siri no matter how quick and light I press it. I'm sure it's just a software issue or a needed update. I'm going to do a sync restart before I bother going to the dealer. I did send an issue report to Ford through the sync system.

2) there is a tiny bit of rust staining around 2 of the "bronco bolts" on the steel bumper. I'm going to take them out this weekend and see if there's a little rust on the bolt, or is it on the bumper. It's not rust per say but a little staining if you know what I mean.

Feel free to ask questions, I know there are more and more of these reviews out there to where it gets to the point of "ok, ok, you got your Bronco big deal" but I wanted to post this to maybe help someone be content with their 2.3 choice or questions about the manual since I haven't seen too many and I was wondering myself if the 2.3 was going to be adequate. If you go to my instagram "broncounlimited", there is a link to a quick youtube walkaround, although it's not great, it gives you a better look. I will be doing a ride along to show the above described stuff soon.

So, you got your Bronco and – you're super happy. That, is awesome—Enjoy!!! Love the cactus grey!

 

[srick76]

If you didn't get "SYNC® 4 with Enhanced Voice Recognition" you don't have built in voice commands with Sync. This is the way it works now. It uses your phone's voice control system for making calls etc. If you're running an iphone, you're stuck using Siri. The 2021 F-150s are the same base XLTs don't get the voice recognition either, mid and up does.

It still has the sync voice button where it says “please say a command” correct? That is not working. Yea I forgot the advanced voice doesn’t come on the standard.

 

[Bdisco]

"I found that AC/DC thunderstuck does sound fucking awesome cranked up ripping down the highway though "

I don't often listen to the radio in my 911 but when I do AC/DC live is in the CD player.

I'm happy you got the rare non f'd up MICkey Mouse top. Mine not so much I got the 'Primer Leak' option.

Can you check the leading edge towards the windshield of your dash pad? I just noticed this morning mine is very rough, unfinished.

Best of luck with your Bronco.

 

[srick76]

Tha

"I found that AC/DC thunderstuck does sound fucking awesome cranked up ripping down the highway though "

I don't often listen to the radio in my 911 but when I do AC/DC live is in the CD player.

I'm happy you got the rare non f'd up MICkey Mouse top. Mine not so much I got the 'Primer Leak' option.

Can you check the leading edge towards the windshield of your dash pad? I just noticed this morning mine is very rough, unfinished.

Best of luck with your Bronco.

Thank you! Dash pad is good, no rough spots.

 

[Arrowbear Rider]

Nice to read about your manual, I'm looking forward to a base 2d with the manual and feel that with the smaller wheels and 2d will be plenty of power compared to my old 2002 Tacoma V6 manual, but better.

Good to read that you can shut off the start & stop, because I often (especially on mountain roads) double clutch on downshifts (yes it has syncs) and match the rpms or just pausing in neutral for a moment on up shifts to let the rpms drop, I just like to and it smooths out my shifts; especially when driving "expeditionally" in the snow. I just love driving manuals, and have driven cars with no syncs in the tranny, so double clutching and matching rpms manually just became part of how I drive manuals. Depends on where I'm driving and how I'm feeling, but it comes natural to me without thinking about it.

My current car, a place holder until I get a Bronco, is a fun little car (Mazda3) that would have been great in a manual, but those are rare and pricey (or beat up) when found. But, it's the first automatic that I've owned in over 35 years and I'm missing driving a manual... even in stop and go traffic it didn't bother me too much, it's just muscle memory and timing, unless it was complete stops every few feet, than it's just muscles and a pain.

So, it would be a bummer if I couldn't turn the start & stop off.

Yes, "expeditionally" is a made up word from expedite. But when you can go around curves on a snow covered mountain road and the CHiPper following you can't pull you over for speeding because you hardly hit your brakes, your driving "expeditionally".

 

[BroncoAZ]

Good review. My first build choice was a BD in Velocity Blue. Damn them for not giving us mid on the BD manual.

 

[ChompSticks]

There is no handbrake so you have to pull the little electronic switch everytime you park?

 

[2031Bronco]

Good review. My first build choice was a BD in Velocity Blue. Damn them for not giving us mid on the BD manual.

I thought I saw mid on BD manual as an option. Maybe it’s only on the two door as those are what I check on b&p.

 

[srick76]

Good review. My first build choice was a BD in Velocity Blue. Damn them for not giving us mid on the BD manual.

Yup I struggled with that until I finally decided screw it I’ll go w the standard package and the manual.

 

[srick76]

There is no handbrake so you have to pull the little electronic switch everytime you park?

Yes, just the electronic parking brake.

 

[ChompSticks]

Yes, just the electronic parking brake.

that'll take some getting used to!

 

[Spooled]

I thought I saw mid on BD manual as an option. Maybe it’s only on the two door as those are what I check on b&p.

Ford gatekeeped getting the mid package or higher with the manual to the Badlands trim only. No matter the door count.

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