Would you let the 2.3 be a dealbreaker ?

[Lowcountry Bronco]

You'd might be surprised to know that almost no one gives that a second thought. For the few who do, they can replace it. Should it have been metal? Yes. But I guess a 2.3 owner and a 2.7 owner can exchange jabs side-by-side when the 2.3 owner is cleaning carbon buildup and the 2.7 owner is swapping in a metal pan.

I use the Italian Tune method to clean carbon buildup.

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[timhood]

I have the 2.7 and it's more than enough. But I drove my friends 2.3 and it was plenty as well. Plus the 2.3 responds very well to the Ford Performance tune, which if installed by the dealer does not void the warranty. If I was doing it all over I'd get the 2.3 and have the dealer throw in the Ford tune and the labor to keep my warranty in tact.

DIYing the Ford Performance tune doesn't void the warranty on the Bronco. It only voids the warranty on the tune kit. Either way, anyone who feels confident installing software on a PC can handle the DIY tune installation. (I think this is more about pushing business to the dealers.)

 

[userdude]

There's really two takes here:

The 2.3 is a good engine but the 2.7 is better.

The 2.7 is a good engine and the 2.3 is worse.

I happen to fall in the first group. Some folks tend to look down on the 2.3 because "stats". The v8 absolutists hate everything, so we can ignore them...

Another way of looking at it is Base model versus WT. You get less, but few consider it "lesser than" considering what the Base accomplishes (and leaves out). That doesn't make the WT lesser than, but somehow talking the base engine versus the (slightly bigger, better performing) engine, it's always going to be lesser than to some people.

 

[srick76]

Found two Badlands 2door hardtops nearby. One is green and the other is cactus grey.

I really wanted green, but it has the 2.3L. The cactus is the same exact car except it has the 2.7L.

My main use case will be commuting, road trips, and light off roading. Would I be dumb to take the green in this case ?

I have a manual 2.3 and a 2.7. The 2.3 has the ford performance tune it. Barely a difference (there is a difference but it’s not huge)with the tune. If you are the kind of person who wants the biggest motor then you will regret not getting the 2.7 simply because it’s the biggest motor option. Or if you always thought you wanted the 2.7 and are only thinking you’ll get the 2.3 because it’s there I would wait because eventually you’ll say you should have got what you wanted.

 

[Bob L]

Found two Badlands 2door hardtops nearby. One is green and the other is cactus grey.

I really wanted green, but it has the 2.3L. The cactus is the same exact car except it has the 2.7L.

My main use case will be commuting, road trips, and light off roading. Would I be dumb to take the green in this case ?

I have had two Bronco 4 door OBX with the 2.3L and never had a want or need for more power.
One was a Sasquatch and the other has the 4.27 Locking rear differential. If the Badlands has the Sasquatch gearing or if it has the 4.27 gearing, you will have plenty of power, plus the two doors are a lot lighter than the 4 door so that improves the power to weight ratio as well.

 

[BRONCO_MARC]

Found two Badlands 2door hardtops nearby. One is green and the other is cactus grey.

I really wanted green, but it has the 2.3L. The cactus is the same exact car except it has the 2.7L.

My main use case will be commuting, road trips, and light off roading. Would I be dumb to take the green in this case ?

There’s no smart or dumb here because it all depends on what you like. If it were up to me, I would take the 2.7 in any color

 

[Imaginary Friend]

The 2.3 would be the one I would prefer. I keep vehicles a while, and simpler tends to be better long term.

 

[Snacktime]

Long term I think the 2.3 is going to be easier to maintain with the vacuum brakes and easier on the transmission. Pairs well with the manual option if that is your thing. Overall mine has no issue with power, I just give it the beans. Zero gas savings seems to be the biggest draw back.

If you are looking at a higher trim the V6 is what you want. Since power washes away every dis-advantage the V6 has mechanically. Most buyers want the bigger motor if they are paying the steeper price and it becomes more justifiable. I would put the V6 ahead of any tech package or leather as adding more overall value to the purchase.

No reason to buy either, plenty of Bronco out there to find the right one.

 

[mpeugeot]

This is the reason why I went with the 2.7

Wasn't disappointed.

YMMV.

 

[userdude]

This is the reason why I went with the 2.7

Wasn't disappointed.

YMMV.

This just helps prove my point that if you want performance and especially upgrades like better turbos, 2.7 is the way. For everyone else, the 2.3 is a good option. It's not like the old I4 Jeep days when that was a dirty dog and the I6 was simply a better dog.

 

[userdude]

This is the reason why I went with the 2.7

Wasn't disappointed.

YMMV.

And anyhow, when are you going VFG tune??

 

[mpeugeot]

This just helps prove my point that if you want performance and especially upgrades like better turbos, 2.7 is the way. For everyone else, the 2.3 is a good option. It's not like the old I4 Jeep days when that was a dirty dog and the I6 was simply a better dog.

I agree, nothing wrong with the 2.3 (other than the brakes) Bronco. It's got plenty of power.

My 2.7 Bronco is nearly as fast as the 1995 Pontiac Trans Am 6 speed I once owned, which was essentially the same as the 325 HP WS6 setup.

Once you engage the low range in the transfer case, you could practically climb walls with even the 2.3 (especially if you run portals on it).

 

[mpeugeot]

And anyhow, when are you going VFG tune??

Probably once I run out of other things I need to do. I still have a laundry list of other maintenance and modifications to finish up. Other than the performance tune and the exhaust, my Bronco is stock, I haven't even changed the spark plugs yet.

 

[Twister22]

Looks like Cactus Gray for me! 2.7 defiantly!

 

[JerryC]

I think the 2.3 has electric brake assist, while the 2.7 has hydraulic (electric?) brake assist. Hard braking in the 2.3 is definitely different. One day I want to go up to bigger calipers, as well, although I think they're the same with either engine.

I found our 2.3 was easier to modulate the brakes. With our 2.7 the brakes seemed "touchy".
Didn't have issues with either doing panic stops. Thanks, Memphis drivers

The 2.3 had a manual transmission and that may be a factor as you don't have any push like from from the auto. Both were SAS'd.

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