Why Did They Choose Independent Suspension For 2021 Bronco? - Engineering Explained

[Thane]

The IFS steering response/predictability is on a much higher level than solid axles, speed on rough only amplifies the difference. Centering is just one aspect.

145K with lots of wheeling on IFS and have never broken a CV, and I carry a spare with needed tools. The boots leaked at 120K and replaced myself, 30 minutes a side. Solid axle durability vs. easy/modular replacement? easy.

Articulation of the solid axle it's strongest advantage.

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[PartyMarty]

As an Austin resident who knows the roads and route he's taking from downtown out west very well, I can completely understand the garbage mpg's he's getting. It's constant traffic and 45-60 mph speed limit roads with tons of stoplights, breaking on down hills, and accelerating through steep uphills. Even feather footing our stock 4dr wrangler JK around here in west Austin, we can't climb above an average of 16 mpg (and its rated for 16-20 cty/hwy). Our stock wrangler would average about 14 mpg or worse on the route he's taken with his slightly spirited driving, so not much better than the 12.7 mpg he's reporting. Sure, I've gotten 19 mpg on single trips to HEB and back with light traffic and not hitting many lights, but that's hard to achieve and requires a lot of coasting.

TLDR: take his current fuel economy rating with a HEAVY grain of salt.

 

[VelocityBrew]

81 lbs, so the BL wheels are 30 lb? Where did you find that? I was looking at some wheels that are 23lb, that's enough difference to feel.

There was a video weighing an optional BL wheel at 81lbs with the Goodyears. I know what you're asking but its not apples to apples. Video starts at the wheel and tire on a scale.

 

[Superstition]

He really misrepresents the wrangler mpg, unfortunately.

Yes he did. I enjoyed the video though. I have a JK Unlimited Rubicon with 35's (Pentastar 3.6L 6 cylinder). The best I can get is 15 to "maybe" 16 MPG. I bought a Badlands/SAS because the 35's really help with off road performance and I expect the IFS to be much better than my Jeep on road. Fuel economy wasn't even on my list of considerations.

I don't think anyone is buying a Bronco FE, WT, or BL and thinking about fuel economy.

 

[TheWoo]

I'm a big fan of his channel. If you want to learn some stuff - mostly about cars but also about electricity, hydrodynamics, power generation, etc - it's a great watch. He does a good job explaining the "how" behind so many technical things. I enjoy learning a lot from his videos.

I enjoy his how it works videos much more than his straight vehicle reviews.

 

[BroncoAZ]

81 lbs, so the BL wheels are 30 lb? Where did you find that? I was looking at some wheels that are 23lb, that's enough difference to feel.

I was watching the bronconation video where they put 35” and 37” tires on the stock Badlands. 81.6# for the optional wheels and Goodyear mud tires.

Check this video around minute 7.

 

[jjack50]

18 vs 17 isn't really that much of a difference

The tire diameter itself only matters because it increases ground clearance which allows more air under the Bronco and increases drag. The difference in size that has the most effect on mileage is the width because it increases the size of the contact patch which increases drag by having more tire in touch with the ground at a given time - more friction. The other big issues are tread material (softer= more drag) and tread pattern. More blocks means more traction but also means more block squirm which means more internal friction which takes energy.

 

[jjack50]

The tire diameter itself only matters because it increases ground clearance which allows more air under the Bronco and increases drag. The difference in size that has the most effect on mileage is the width because it increases the size of the contact patch which increases drag by having more tire in touch with the ground at a given time - more friction. The other big issues are tread material (softer= more drag) and tread pattern. More blocks means more traction but also means more block squirm which means more internal friction which takes energy.

I should say "...diameter within reason..."

 

[BroncoAZ]

The tire diameter itself only matters because it increases ground clearance which allows more air under the Bronco and increases drag. The difference in size that has the most effect on mileage is the width because it increases the size of the contact patch which increases drag by having more tire in touch with the ground at a given time - more friction. The other big issues are tread material (softer= more drag) and tread pattern. More blocks means more traction but also means more block squirm which means more internal friction which takes energy.

Tire width is important for drag, but there is more to it than that. Larger diameter effectively reduces gear ratio, so the engine has to work harder to get the truck moving and keep it rolling. Heavier tire and wheel combos are increased rotational mass that must be moved to accelerate, brake, and steer. Rotational mass has a multiplier of 2:1 for tires and 1.6:1 for wheels compared to regular vehicle weight, so adding 40# on all 4 tire and wheel assemblies (160#) is like adding close to 300# on the truck for acceleration and braking purposes. On other forums (Tacoma) guys are reporting a significant difference in feel, power, and mileage when changing the wheel combo by as little as 10 pounds.

I’m guessing there will be some skinny tire threads on here soon if there aren’t already. 255/85R16 will find their was onto a lot of base Broncos, and 255/80R17 on many others. The only problem with the skinny tires is they are all E rated. The E rating means they are heavy, so they weigh about the same 53# as a 285/70R17 BFG AT.

 

[Low Hammer]

EE is clearly not the Bronco’s target market if he is that concerned with the mpg figures, but that doesn’t invalidate his concerns.

Actually thats a problem I have with a lot of car reviews in general; they tend to reflect the driving preferences of the reviewers rather than that of potential customers. If we actually cared what reviewers thought about driving we’d all be driving cheaper 2 door rwd convertibles with manual transmissions because it’s all about the fun factor of driving. Instead “everyone” buys 3 row soccer
mom suvs.

I do find it funny though that an Idaho resident who frequently does test drives on mountain roads would not seem to get the appeal of the Bronco especially given that the city he lives in(boise) is a stones throw away from sand dunes, desert trails, and snow capped mountains covered in woodland. If he planned it out right he could find a legitimate use for every goat mode over the course of one day in his home state.

 

[TXNavy]

Where can I get that Powder Blue in the video @12:58? That was gorgeous

 

[Ig_bronco]

This is great YouTube channel if you haven't seen any of his videos!

.... i want that ford mount! any one have a link?

 

[Mr. Nice]

Tire width is important for drag, but there is more to it than that. Larger diameter effectively reduces gear ratio, so the engine has to work harder to get the truck moving and keep it rolling. Heavier tire and wheel combos are increased rotational mass that must be moved to accelerate, brake, and steer. Rotational mass has a multiplier of 2:1 for tires and 1.6:1 for wheels compared to regular vehicle weight, so adding 40# on all 4 tire and wheel assemblies (160#) is like adding close to 300# on the truck for acceleration and braking purposes. On other forums (Tacoma) guys are reporting a significant difference in feel, power, and mileage when changing the wheel combo by as little as 10 pounds.

I’m guessing there will be some skinny tire threads on here soon if there aren’t already. 255/85R16 will find their was onto a lot of base Broncos, and 255/80R17 on many others. The only problem with the skinny tires is they are all E rated. The E rating means they are heavy, so they weigh about the same 53# as a 285/70R17 BFG AT.

Interesting. If the stock upgraded Badlands wheel/tire combo weighs 81.6, then the wheel itself weighs 36.6. That is subtracting the claimed 45 Goodyear tire's posted weight.

Isn't that heavy for a 8x17 wheel? Is it because it's a 4 wheeler bead lock capable?

 

[BroncoAZ]

Interesting. If the stock upgraded Badlands wheel/tire combo weighs 81.6, then the wheel itself weighs 36.6. That is subtracting the claimed 45 Goodyear tire's posted weight.

Isn't that heavy for a 8x17 wheel? Is it because it's a 4 wheeler bead lock capable?

17x8.5” Raptor beadlocks for the Gen 2 are 36.8# each with the fake rings, lock rings added a few more pounds. The 17x8.5 non beadlock are 31.5# last I checked. Some guys were chasing aftermarket wheels that were 24-26#. If I kept mine that was the direction I would’ve gone.

45# seems light for the Goodyear’s in a LT285/70R17, but that is what they show on Tire Rack. The stock BFG’s should be 52#, the Falken AT3W are 63#, and some P rated tires are 41-43#. I could certainly see getting the Cooper 4S at 43# in the future, but if the 45# number on the Goodyear is accurate I might consider changing my order to get them.

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