Ford posts official Bronco mule off-road testing video

[Rogues Gambit]

Man, I admire the passion. That's about the only positive thing I can say about some of the posts on the past couple pages of this thread.

At this point, I find myself caring less and less about what is under the front end of a new Bronco. If it doesn't perform, I feel confident the aftermarket will make improvements - from simple bolt-ons that will incrementally modify the existing configuration, to entire axle/steering/suspension swaps that will radically transform it should it not be up to certain tasks.

Outside of the technical discussion, I'm not a fan of people with an otherwise healthy common interest verbally shredding each other. It's difficult to escape the vehemence and negativity while trying to sift through posts in search of viable opinions.

It's a Ford, it's American, and it's an offroader, all recipes for a Yuge Aftermarket

3 years from now, we'll be drowning in parts like a millionaire drowning in pussy

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[JimmyDean]

It's a Ford, it's American, and it's an offroader, all recipes for a Yuge Aftermarket

3 years from now, we'll be drowning in parts like a millionaire drowning in pussy

I would agree, but only if it meets a certain baseline of off-road performance stock. Problem is, where exactly is that baseline? It has to be better than a 4runner, but does it need to be as good as a Wrangler to earn the cred it will take for the aftermarket to REALLY run with this thing?

 

[Paint]

Jesus Christ this thread.

 

[Rogues Gambit]

I would agree, but only if it meets a certain baseline of off-road performance stock. Problem is, where exactly is that baseline? It has to be better than a 4runner, but does it need to be as good as a Wrangler to earn the cred it will take for the aftermarket to REALLY run with this thing?

I might be a cynical optimist, but even I'm convinced it'll be the chocolate to the Wranglers vanilla (or is it the other way around)

This isn't government motors where the woman who missed out on being on "Sex & the city" is greenlighting crap like a Generic suv with the name "Blazer", this is Ford whose keeping things mostly airtight with selective leaks and a race truck.

Ford gave us the Raptor, everyone else is playing catch-up

Ford kept the Mustang alive when GM called it quits and Chrysler left the building ages ago

Ford gave us viable hot hatches when the other two are just staring at their navels and contemplating about life

Sure, Government Motors had the Caddy V-line, and the Whorevette, but outside of that, and considering they ruined the Silverodriguez, whose even got faith in them.

So yeah, I got faith in Ford

 

[JimmyDean]

I might be a cynical optimist, but even I'm convinced it'll be the chocolate to the Wranglers vanilla (or is it the other way around)

This isn't government motors where the woman who missed out on being on "Sex & the city" is greenlighting crap like a Generic suv with the name "Blazer", this is Ford whose keeping things mostly airtight with selective leaks and a race truck.

Ford gave us the Raptor, everyone else is playing catch-up

Ford kept the Mustang alive when GM called it quits and Chrysler left the building ages ago

Ford gave us viable hot hatches when the other two are just staring at their navels and contemplating about life

Sure, Government Motors had the Caddy V-line, and the Whorevette, but outside of that, and considering they ruined the Silverodriguez, whose even got faith in them.

So yeah, I got faith in Ford

Same here, that is why I am not condemning the Bronco when we know little about it. I am sure even with an IFS it will be the second best off-mid-size roader, ahead of the 4runner and ZR2. Maybe they go with an optional front end setup. I'll likely be getting a 4dr regardless of the front. but if I get a 2dr as well will be dependent on that, if only for my uses of it and my experience with IFS vs SFA for those uses. Unless Ford has something super secret and special up their sleeves, which knowing them, they might.

I reckon that with Ford making the Troller on the same frame, that if there is no SFA, I can manage a swap. My concern is that with only an IFS, the Bronco will not be able to compete close enough to the Wrangler to get the same off-road appeal to make it appealing to all of the Mall Crawlers. Without a large enough Mall Crawler following, there is not enough units out there to make a deep aftermarket selection viable like what Jeep has. And without that deep aftermarket, and wide following, the potential will never be realized. Kind of a chicken and egg thing here.

 

[Jalisurr]

I might be a cynical optimist, but even I'm convinced it'll be the chocolate to the Wranglers vanilla (or is it the other way around)

I generally agree with this. My hope is that the Bronco will compete with the Wrangler in general demographic (the 98% of buyers that aren't actually rock crawling but want the strong off road image) without being a copy of it. There is already a wrangler, but there isn't a 2 door SUV with rugged style, good clearance and angles, decent sized tires as stock, removable roof/doors, and IFS.

I reckon that with Ford making the Troller on the same frame, that if there is no SFA, I can manage a swap. My concern is that with only an IFS, the Bronco will not be able to compete close enough to the Wrangler to get the same off-road appeal to make it appealing to all of the Mall Crawlers. Without a large enough Mall Crawler following, there is not enough units out there to make a deep aftermarket selection viable like what Jeep has. And without that deep aftermarket, and wide following, the potential will never be realized. Kind of a chicken and egg thing here.

The Raptors have enough off-road cred to have a good aftermarket following, I'm sure a hypothetical 2 door SUV with raptor-esque suspension would as well. Off-road does not necessarily equal rock crawling.

Though if some crazy people throw Troller axles on and post it up on social media that can only help

Or, maybe Ford WILL actually come out with different options for everybody and everyone will be happy. We can dream.

 

[Rogues Gambit]

What if Ford offers both Axles as an option now or it's done via Ford Racing?

 

[JimmyDean]

What if Ford offers both Axles as an option now or it's done via Ford Racing?

Then I'll be as happy as a kid in a candy store. I'd def be getting a 2dr with SFA, I would have to debate on the 4dr to go SFA or IFS however, as it would be mostly my wife's to use, but she has no problems driving our 250s which are hardly well mannered with lifts and tires and being old and not greatly maintained.

 

[Jalisurr]

What if Ford offers both Axles as an option now or it's done via Ford Racing?

That would be great! A Ford Racing SFA kit that retains factory warranty would solve a lot of the issues while letting them retain IFS for the majority

 

[Rogues Gambit]

Wonder if Ford themselves lurks on these forums, and pretends to be one of us, secretly picking for ideas

 

[JimmyDean]

Wonder if Ford themselves lurks on these forums, and pretends to be one of us, secretly picking for ideas

I think we've already seen confirmation that there is are folk from both PR and engineering or R&D who pour through here. And I've certainly seen them on other dedicated sites. I just can't recall what thread or Ford announcement made it obvious they are here.

 

[Rogues Gambit]

I think we've already seen confirmation that there is are folk from both PR and engineering or R&D who pour through here. And I've certainly seen them on other dedicated sites. I just can't recall what thread or Ford announcement made it obvious they are here.

So watch if it's IFA default they announce a Ford Racing SFA kit

If they're paying attention to this thread, we'll love to see a manual available with all the engines, and a Coyote as an option, even if it's at a premium

 

[JimmyDean]

So watch if it's IFA default they announce a Ford Racing SFA kit

If they're paying attention to this thread, we'll love to see a manual available with all the engines, and a Coyote as an option, even if it's at a premium

there is an Australian company working on putting together a kit to fit the yote into the ranger, so that should be available this or next year and quickly adapted to the new frame (and thus Bronco). and a factory backed SFA swap kit, especially if there is something they can work out for dealer installed and discount for Ford getting the IFS, front pumpkin and all back would be great.

 

[BAUS67]

I know we are on different sides for our preferences, but we've had some fairly civil discussions over the matter. Think we even discussed doing a suspension swap if the 2dr comes with SFA and 4dr with IFS.

I'm thinking if it comes with IFS only (very likely), that I will look into what it would take to swap in a Troller front end once that makes it onto the same frame.

X2 ….. all of us who want SFA should get together and maybe we could get a group discont and have Ford ship them up from Brazil. LOL

 

[jamanrr]

I once made some comments about ACT clutches online in a high HP Honda I owned ( I know oxymoron) but the President of the freaking company reached out to me for feedback. I have also beta tested products for Rally Armour for STI development. I guess being an enthusiast brings with it some perks.

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