My first drive of a 2.3L Bronco Sasquatch 4-Door (quick review and answers)!

[Gr8Hortoni]

@Mattwings everything is cool. Had it not been, the opportunity would not have been offered to me or passed along to you. He’s smart enough to know the do’s and don’ts. Had it been a couple months ago it may have been different, but everything is fine now.

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[Fonz54]

I have driven the newer versions, wanting a Jeep with better ride and handling than my TJ. I found them still too "rough edged" to enjoy on the third world MI roads. I also found and continued to find the seating position, visibility and general interior comfort isn't right for my wife and I to enjoy using for road trips and adventures longer than a couple of hours. The Bronco will hopefully bridge the gap between my awesome, but huge F150 and my old beloved Jeep!

I too own a TJ, 2004 X with a 4.0. It is in really good shape and a hell of allot of fun to drive. I am torn as to whether I will keep it once I get my Bronco or sell it.

 

[FTBronco9]

From the BroncoNation website:

Bronco rides at KoH:
Wed,2/3: 9am-1:30pm and 3:30-5pm
Thursday-Saturday: 9am-5pm.

Guess we will get reports next week.

That’s the only times we can get a ride? that sucks!

 

[PREMiERdrum]

Hey! Be nice! Comparing Michigan Football (I'm a grad) to the Bronco is like comparing your first wife to your second (Current) wife.

As a Buckeye, this... 100%. (My 2nd wife is also an Ohio State grad)

 

[rtsherry73]

As a Buckeye, this... 100%. (My 2nd wife is also an Ohio State grad)

Enjoy your football success while you can. I have some numbers for you: 2-10-1. That is Cooper's win/loss/tie vs UM. But, Harbaugh will never beat OSU.

 

[HotdogThud]

Agreed re the engine. My ONLY worry about the 2.3 (as opposed to the 2.7) is the carbon buildup stuff as I plan to drive my Bronco into the ground. Good to hear the smaller engine appears to be very much sufficient. Thx for the review, @Mattwings

I haven't been in Ford-land too terribly long, but coming from Vw/Audi land forever, I wouldn't worry *too* much about the carbon buildup. It's a known issue on the GTI I have, and while nothing really prevents the buildup, the best way to keep it from happening is to just drive the ever-loving piss out of it. other than that, just gotta pull the manifold off every 75k and clean it.

Aftermarket catch cans are also a thing, so there's lots of options to mitigate the problem

 

[FTBronco9]

From the BroncoNation website:

Bronco rides at KoH:
Wed,2/3: 9am-1:30pm and 3:30-5pm
Thursday-Saturday: 9am-5pm.

Guess we will get reports next week.

Where did you see this? I looked on their website but didn’t see those dates and times listed anywhere? Can you link it?

 

[Rough Rider]

From the BroncoNation website:

Bronco rides at KoH:
Wed,2/3: 9am-1:30pm and 3:30-5pm
Thursday-Saturday: 9am-5pm.

Guess we will get reports next week.

Rides are not drives....there is a very distinct difference and if you have followed the release no one has given any driving impressions so far and no press has been allowed to drive.

 

[NotAnonymous]

I haven't been in Ford-land too terribly long, but coming from Vw/Audi land forever, I wouldn't worry *too* much about the carbon buildup. It's a known issue on the GTI I have, and while nothing really prevents the buildup, the best way to keep it from happening is to just drive the ever-loving piss out of it. other than that, just gotta pull the manifold off every 75k and clean it.

Aftermarket catch cans are also a thing, so there's lots of options to mitigate the problem

I appreciate those insights - I've not had that type of engine in any of my vehicles so this is a new one for me if I go 2.3 instead of 2.7. I'm one of the relatively few here concerned about MPG, so the 2.3 should help in that area.

 

[Gr8Hortoni]

I appreciate those insights - I've not had that type of engine in any of my vehicles so this is a new one for me if I go 2.3 instead of 2.7. I'm one of the relatively few here concerned about MPG, so the 2.3 should help in that area.

I would realistically expect 15-18 mpg on an unmodified bronco, coming from a Jeep. Anything over that would be a plus.

 

[rtsherry73]

I remember too. That would surprise me.

I just looked it up: Car and Driver Magazine, New 2019 Ranger XLT Super Crew 4x4 2.3 Turbo/10 speed auto (Weight 4,536): Zero to 60 in 6.5 secs, quarter mile 15.0 secs at 93 mph. 1970 Boss 302 (Various sources): Zero to 60 from 6.6 secs to 8.0 secs, quarter mile 14.9 secs at 93 mph to 16.0 secs at 90 mph. Judge, I rest my case.

 

[HotdogThud]

I appreciate those insights - I've not had that type of engine in any of my vehicles so this is a new one for me if I go 2.3 instead of 2.7. I'm one of the relatively few here concerned about MPG, so the 2.3 should help in that area.

I was concerned too (at first), but I snuck over to a dealer a month before I ordered to tried out a ranger with the same 2.3L engine, and was 100% satisfied with the power levels. It also completely sealed the deal against a Tacoma which I was also entertaining, as the 3.5L in that thing is the most gutless engine ever made.

That and i figure if the power levels start to annoy me, there's always some fairly conservative tunes for the 2.3L that are pushing it to 320-330 hp and nearly 400tq. Tuning on FI engines is the best thing since sliced bread.

 

[Mattwings]

I don't think Ford is going to do anything about it. It didn't come from a professional journalist and anyone from the competition is just going to write it off (no offense OP). All that happened here was that a few more people got excited for the car, which is only ever a good thing. If anything, that friendly fellow may get some privileges revoked, strictly because Ford more than likely has no insurance of non-Ford employees driving pre-production cars.

My company has a similar insurance policy, because insurance isn't cheap for big business. Nobody is allowed in our vehicles unless they are an employee of the company.

I believe Ford still self insures, don't ask how I know that

 

[Catmandu]

I appreciate those insights - I've not had that type of engine in any of my vehicles so this is a new one for me if I go 2.3 instead of 2.7. I'm one of the relatively few here concerned about MPG, so the 2.3 should help in that area.

For the record I am getting between 22 & 23 on the 2.3 that is in my Explorer for work. That is mixed Hwy/City. I only have about 1,000 miles on it so it may increase a bit after a bit more break in.

 

[North7]

Rides are not drives....there is a very distinct difference and if you have followed the release no one has given any driving impressions so far and no press has been allowed to drive.

What is this thread about?

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