Refreshed 2024 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon vs. Bronco First Edition -- Edmunds Comparison Review

[CarbonSteel]

Get the 2.7, it performs great at 7k, I was never wanting for power in Colorado Springs, and going up to the top of Pike's Peak was a breeze.

You will likely recoup much of what you spent on modifications with the right jeep buyer.

Yep, I have test drove a few and the 2.7TT is a must (for me).

I am hopeful on the mod recovery, but...LOL

FACTORY PACKAGES & OPTIONS Customer Preferred Package 24R, Leather Trimmed Seats, Technology Group, Cold Weather Group, Trailer Towing Group, LED Lighting Group, Jeep® Active Safety Group, Steel Bumper Group, 8.4-Inch Radio and Premium Audio Group, and Dual Tops (Hard Top & Soft Top) UPGRADES - WHEELS / TIRES / BRAKES - Gorilla Spline Locking System Lug Nuts (Black) - Icon Alpha 17x8.5 Wheels ("0" Offset | 4.75" Backspace) - BFG KO2 Load Range C 37x12.50x17 Tires - Teraflex Delta 14" Front and Rear Brake System (rotors, calipers, pads) UPGRADES - SUSPENSION / CHASSIS - Artec Front Axle “C” Gussets - Artec Front Axle Lower Control Arm Skid Plates - Artec Front Axle Truss - Artec Rear Axle Lower Control Arm Skid Plates - Artec Rear Axle Truss - Dana Spicer Front 5.13 Gearing - Dana Spicer Rear 5.13 Gearing - Dana Spicer Chrome Moly Front Axle Shafts with RCV Chrome Moly inner shaft - Dana Spicer Chrome Moly Rear Axle Shafts - Dana Spicer Front Master Install Kit - Dana Spicer Rear Master Install Kit - Dynatrac Front Ball Joints - Fox Shox 2.0 ATS Steering Stabilizer - Fox Shox 2.5" DSC front and rear shocks (3.5"-4.5" Lift) - Maximus-3 Front Tow Loops - Maximus-3 Rear Tow Loops - Maximus-3 Stealth License Plate Mount - Metal Cloak Draglink - Metal Cloak DuroSpring Replacement Bump Stops (Full Set) - Metal Cloak Front and Rear Coil Springs (3.5” Lift) - Metal Cloak Front Bumpstop Kit - Metal Cloak Front Coil Correction Pads - Metal Cloak Front Driveshaft - Metal Cloak Front Tie-Rod - Metal Cloak Front Trackbar - Metal Cloak Front Upper and Lower Control Arms - Metal Cloak Outboard Shock Mount Spacer, Relocation Kit (Front) - Metal Cloak Rear Sway Bar Drop Spacer Kit - Metal Cloak Rear Trackbar - Metal Cloak Rear Upper and Lower Control Arms - Metal Cloak Steering Stabilizer Clamp - Metal Cloak Sway Bar Link Extension Kit, 12" (Rear) - Metal Cloak Sway Bar Link Extension Kit, 12.25" (Front) - Metal Cloak Tow Wiring Skid Plate - Mopar Gladiator Mojave Cast Iron Steering Knuckles - Rubicon Front & Rear Locker Modules (Fully Potted) - Rock Jock JL Johnny Joints (Front Axle Upper Bushings) - Synergy Front Track Bar Brace - Synergy Rear Track Bar Brace - Synergy Steering Stabilizer Relocation Bolt (Axle Side) - Teraflex Front Brake Line Anchor Kit - Teraflex Rear Brake Line Anchor Kit UPGRADES - LIFT HEIGHT 3.5" Lift UPGRADES - EXTERIOR - CavFab Tire Carrier - LOD Rear Camera Relocation Kit - Maximus-3 Winch Trim Filler Plates - Mopar Winch Guard - Mopar XR Fender Extensions - Rugged Ridge Elite Headlight Guards - Rugged Ridge Elite LED Taillight Guards - Third Brake Light LED Ring - XR Fender Extensions UPGRADES - ARMOR & PROTECTION - Metal Cloak Front Axle Disconnect Skid - Metal Cloak Full Frame UnderCloak Integrated Armor Skid Plate System - Motobilt Front Axle Cover - Motobilt Rear Axle Cover - MORE Evaporator Skid - Next Venture Front Axle Skid Plate - Next Venture Rear Axle Skid Plate - ROAM Frame Mounted Rock Sliders (coated with Line-X) with Oznium LED lighting & Custom Additional Step - Skid Row Exhaust Loop Skid Plate UPGRADES - LIGHTING - Axia Winch Guard Light Mounting Brackets - Baja Designs Squadron Sport-R Driving Combo Lights - Baja Designs Squadron Sport-R Wide Cornering Lights - Baja Designs XL-R Sport LED High Speed Spot Cowl Lights - KC HiLites A-Pillar Mounts - KC HiLites Cyclone Underhood Lighting System - Relay and Mounting Plate System for Slider and AUX lighting UPGRADES - RECOVERY EQUIPMENT - AEV JL Wrangler Spare Tire Jack Base Booster - ARB Twin Compressor - Blue Sea Systems 500 Amp Winch Disconnect - Grimm Offroad Underhood ARB Compressor Mount - Hi-Lift 48" Red All Cast Jack - JeepsNeeds D-Lift Adaptor for Hi-Lift Jack - Orcish Hi-Lift Jack Off-Road Base - Seven Sparta Winch Cover - Smittybilt X20 12,000 Pound Winch - Smittybilt A.W.S. Aluminum Winch Shackle - Warn Winch Mounting Plate (Factory Steel Bumper) - Warn 1.5" Thick Fairlead UPGRADES - INTERIOR - ArmorLite Flooring (Front and Rear) - Danti Seat Back Molle Storage Bags - EDBETOS Center Console Organizer Tray - GPCA Tie-Down Anchors with D-Ring Plates - ISS Pro Front Axle Temperature Gauge + ProComp Cup - ISS Pro Rear Axle Temperature Gauge + ProComp Cup - KilMat Sound Deadener (Front to Rear Floorboards) - RAM Tough-Track 12" Dash Rail - Springtail Tailgate Table - Texas Metal Works Rear Cargo Tray and Upper Shelf UPGRADES - IN-CAR ELECTRONICS - Infinity Reference REF-3032cfx Front Dash Speakers Recent maintenance/upgrades include: New Diehard Platinum AGM Batteries (Main and Auxiliary) Engine, transmission, and transfer case maintenance New Teraflex Delta Brake System Fox DSC 2.5” Shocks (front and rear).

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[mpeugeot]

Ya, yikes, that's a lot of Jeep there.

 

[FilmcoBronci]

Yep, I have test drove a few and the 2.7TT is a must (for me).

I am hopeful on the mod recovery, but...LOL

FACTORY PACKAGES & OPTIONS (Impressive list follows, See quoted post)

Holy... You have exorcized the Jeep from your Jeep.

 

[mikeeshim]

Yep, I have test drove a few and the 2.7TT is a must (for me).

I am hopeful on the mod recovery, but...LOL

FACTORY PACKAGES & OPTIONS Customer Preferred Package 24R, Leather Trimmed Seats, Technology Group, Cold Weather Group, Trailer Towing Group, LED Lighting Group, Jeep® Active Safety Group, Steel Bumper Group, 8.4-Inch Radio and Premium Audio Group, and Dual Tops (Hard Top & Soft Top) UPGRADES - WHEELS / TIRES / BRAKES - Gorilla Spline Locking System Lug Nuts (Black) - Icon Alpha 17x8.5 Wheels ("0" Offset | 4.75" Backspace) - BFG KO2 Load Range C 37x12.50x17 Tires - Teraflex Delta 14" Front and Rear Brake System (rotors, calipers, pads) UPGRADES - SUSPENSION / CHASSIS - Artec Front Axle “C” Gussets - Artec Front Axle Lower Control Arm Skid Plates - Artec Front Axle Truss - Artec Rear Axle Lower Control Arm Skid Plates - Artec Rear Axle Truss - Dana Spicer Front 5.13 Gearing - Dana Spicer Rear 5.13 Gearing - Dana Spicer Chrome Moly Front Axle Shafts with RCV Chrome Moly inner shaft - Dana Spicer Chrome Moly Rear Axle Shafts - Dana Spicer Front Master Install Kit - Dana Spicer Rear Master Install Kit - Dynatrac Front Ball Joints - Fox Shox 2.0 ATS Steering Stabilizer - Fox Shox 2.5" DSC front and rear shocks (3.5"-4.5" Lift) - Maximus-3 Front Tow Loops - Maximus-3 Rear Tow Loops - Maximus-3 Stealth License Plate Mount - Metal Cloak Draglink - Metal Cloak DuroSpring Replacement Bump Stops (Full Set) - Metal Cloak Front and Rear Coil Springs (3.5” Lift) - Metal Cloak Front Bumpstop Kit - Metal Cloak Front Coil Correction Pads - Metal Cloak Front Driveshaft - Metal Cloak Front Tie-Rod - Metal Cloak Front Trackbar - Metal Cloak Front Upper and Lower Control Arms - Metal Cloak Outboard Shock Mount Spacer, Relocation Kit (Front) - Metal Cloak Rear Sway Bar Drop Spacer Kit - Metal Cloak Rear Trackbar - Metal Cloak Rear Upper and Lower Control Arms - Metal Cloak Steering Stabilizer Clamp - Metal Cloak Sway Bar Link Extension Kit, 12" (Rear) - Metal Cloak Sway Bar Link Extension Kit, 12.25" (Front) - Metal Cloak Tow Wiring Skid Plate - Mopar Gladiator Mojave Cast Iron Steering Knuckles - Rubicon Front & Rear Locker Modules (Fully Potted) - Rock Jock JL Johnny Joints (Front Axle Upper Bushings) - Synergy Front Track Bar Brace - Synergy Rear Track Bar Brace - Synergy Steering Stabilizer Relocation Bolt (Axle Side) - Teraflex Front Brake Line Anchor Kit - Teraflex Rear Brake Line Anchor Kit UPGRADES - LIFT HEIGHT 3.5" Lift UPGRADES - EXTERIOR - CavFab Tire Carrier - LOD Rear Camera Relocation Kit - Maximus-3 Winch Trim Filler Plates - Mopar Winch Guard - Mopar XR Fender Extensions - Rugged Ridge Elite Headlight Guards - Rugged Ridge Elite LED Taillight Guards - Third Brake Light LED Ring - XR Fender Extensions UPGRADES - ARMOR & PROTECTION - Metal Cloak Front Axle Disconnect Skid - Metal Cloak Full Frame UnderCloak Integrated Armor Skid Plate System - Motobilt Front Axle Cover - Motobilt Rear Axle Cover - MORE Evaporator Skid - Next Venture Front Axle Skid Plate - Next Venture Rear Axle Skid Plate - ROAM Frame Mounted Rock Sliders (coated with Line-X) with Oznium LED lighting & Custom Additional Step - Skid Row Exhaust Loop Skid Plate UPGRADES - LIGHTING - Axia Winch Guard Light Mounting Brackets - Baja Designs Squadron Sport-R Driving Combo Lights - Baja Designs Squadron Sport-R Wide Cornering Lights - Baja Designs XL-R Sport LED High Speed Spot Cowl Lights - KC HiLites A-Pillar Mounts - KC HiLites Cyclone Underhood Lighting System - Relay and Mounting Plate System for Slider and AUX lighting UPGRADES - RECOVERY EQUIPMENT - AEV JL Wrangler Spare Tire Jack Base Booster - ARB Twin Compressor - Blue Sea Systems 500 Amp Winch Disconnect - Grimm Offroad Underhood ARB Compressor Mount - Hi-Lift 48" Red All Cast Jack - JeepsNeeds D-Lift Adaptor for Hi-Lift Jack - Orcish Hi-Lift Jack Off-Road Base - Seven Sparta Winch Cover - Smittybilt X20 12,000 Pound Winch - Smittybilt A.W.S. Aluminum Winch Shackle - Warn Winch Mounting Plate (Factory Steel Bumper) - Warn 1.5" Thick Fairlead UPGRADES - INTERIOR - ArmorLite Flooring (Front and Rear) - Danti Seat Back Molle Storage Bags - EDBETOS Center Console Organizer Tray - GPCA Tie-Down Anchors with D-Ring Plates - ISS Pro Front Axle Temperature Gauge + ProComp Cup - ISS Pro Rear Axle Temperature Gauge + ProComp Cup - KilMat Sound Deadener (Front to Rear Floorboards) - RAM Tough-Track 12" Dash Rail - Springtail Tailgate Table - Texas Metal Works Rear Cargo Tray and Upper Shelf UPGRADES - IN-CAR ELECTRONICS - Infinity Reference REF-3032cfx Front Dash Speakers Recent maintenance/upgrades include: New Diehard Platinum AGM Batteries (Main and Auxiliary) Engine, transmission, and transfer case maintenance New Teraflex Delta Brake System Fox DSC 2.5” Shocks (front and rear).

Anything left that's OEM?

 

[mikeeshim]

Yes, it is my understanding that the First Edition was a maxed out fully loaded Badlands.

I believe the First Edition is the lovechild of the 21 Wildtrack and a 21 Badlands with every option available added on.
At least that's what I believe I have, minus the winch (delayed, had to forgo), the color matched hardtop (delayed, had to forgo), and the full digital instrument cluster (delayed, had to forgo).
Pretty much all of the things that would have differentiated the FE from the rest were delayed and I had to give up in order get the FE at all.

 

[CarbonSteel]

Anything left that's OEM?

Yeah...the $hitty 3.6L engine...which is someone else's problem now.

2.7TT FTW!

 

[mikeeshim]

Yeah...the $hitty 3.6L engine...which is someone else's problem now.

2.7TT FTW!

I don't care what anyone says, the 2.7TT is a great motor.
Welcome to the club.

 

[CarbonSteel]

I don't care what anyone says, the 2.7TT is a great motor.
Welcome to the club.

Compared to the 3.6L that was in my Wrangler...well...there is NO comparison from power to MPG.

 

[SvgOne]

The one thing that I really like about the Bronco is the ability to really customize it using FORSCAN. As far as I know, nothing liie that exists for the Jeep.

It just has so many features that can be used to make your Bronco more enjoyable.

The JL Tazer can actually do alot of stuff, like configure module for LEDs and upgrade tire size...etc.

 

[SvgOne]

Compared to the 3.6L that was in my Wrangler...well...there is NO comparison from power to MPG.

The 3.6 is the Achilles heel of the Wrangler. Terrible fuel mileage, especially in a JK, overheating issues and head problems. The new 4banger in them is a better option (I say new been out awhile now)and the diesel is flat out better than both. V8 torque and wayyyyy better on gas than the 3.6. Anyway, hopefully my 2.7 in my Big Bend won't have any of the issues I saw with my 3.6 wrangler.

 

[Aonarch]

The 3.6 is the Achilles heel of the Wrangler. Terrible fuel mileage, especially in a JK, overheating issues and head problems. The new 4banger in them is a better option (I say new been out awhile now)and the diesel is flat out better than both. V8 torque and wayyyyy better on gas than the 3.6. Anyway, hopefully my 2.7 in my Big Bend won't have any of the issues I saw with my 3.6 wrangler.

The diesel had reliability woes. Ecodiesel has been discontinued.

I still love the Ecodiesel though.

On 37s I got around 15-18 mpg on my 3.6 Gladiator.

The 3.6l is a tried and true engine, they are reliable.

 

[CarbonSteel]

The diesel had reliability woes. Ecodiesel has been discontinued.

I still love the Ecodiesel though.

On 37s I got around 15-18 mpg on my 3.6 Gladiator.

The 3.6l is a tried and true engine, they are reliable.

Ecodiesels reliability issues are 1000% Bosch with the HPFP which is the case for many OEMs who use Bosch. It was discontinued due to the death knell of diesels in anything other than OPE and OTR not due to reliability issues.

From my perspective, the 3.6L with its plastic oil cooler/filter housing, high compression that is not utilized in the slightest, excessive oil/coolant temperatures, and propensity to chew camshafts and rockers makes it VERY unreliable.

My oil cooler started leaking at 50K miles and extreme care was taken not to overtorque it. Combine that with its gutless power and it was an easy decision to dump it in favor of the Bronco.

 

[Aonarch]

Ecodiesels reliability issues are 1000% Bosch with the HPFP which is the case for many OEMs who use Bosch. It was discontinued due to the death knell of diesels in anything other than OPE and OTR not due to reliability issues.

From my perspective, the 3.6L with its plastic oil cooler/filter housing, high compression that is not utilized in the slightest, excessive oil/coolant temperatures, and propensity to chew camshafts and rockers makes it VERY unreliable.

My oil cooler started leaking at 50K miles and extreme care was taken not to overtorque it. Combine that with its gutless power and it was an easy decision to dump it in favor of the Bronco.

Ecodiesels have overheating issues and DEF consumption issues as well.

Again, I still love them.

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