Bronco --> Jeep

[mk7tristan]

Story time,

Back in 2021 my wife was needing to get a new car to replace her Grand Cherokee that had about 200k on the odo. Naturally, we went to look at Jeep first, she knew she wanted something with 4WD still and enough space for the dogs and kids. We found what we wanted, it was a 2019 JLU sport on 33's and a lift. She was going in to buy it first thing Monday morning, but the dealer wasn't opened yet. She drove around a little and passed by Ford, saw a 2021 Wildtrak 4D sitting up front and Ford was open already. Walked inside and said she wanted to check out the Bronco out front. As soon as they opened the door she was sold. The 12" infotainment system and nice gauge cluster was miles above the JLU we had looked at. This was back when Broncos were hard to come by and if a dealer had them they were marked up $10k.

This was the first true off-roading vehicle we had owned so we knew nothing. We really lucked out with the Wildtrak, they come with Sasquatch package added on as standard. Which gives you front and rear lockers, sway bar disconnect, trail turn assist, 35's with bilstein 2" lift. We took that thing all over the place, it never left us stranded. At this point, I was curious about what all Jeeps could do. I started looking at JLU Rubicons, a direct competitor of our Wildtrak. After a year and a half of looking, I finally found one I could see our family running trails in. We landed on a 2021 firecracker red Rubicon , paint matched fenders and hard top, leather interior with the larger screen option. We bought it a week before we left for our trip out West to hit the National Parks in Utah last year. I was stoked to take the newly acquired Jeep to Moab, even if it was just for a day while we went to Arches. I didn't know what trails were good at the time, but I found Chicken Corners and man, what a fun/scenic first trail to break in the new Jeep.

Seeing all the modified Jeeps running around Moab had me absolutely in love. As soon as we got home the mods started rolling in; new wheels, 35's, fender chop, lift kit, mid length bumper/winch, sliders, rear bumper. Found out about the Badge of Honor trails and started doing some around our area. Made another trip out to Moab to do some of the famous trails this year; Hells Revenge, Poison Spider, Elephant Hill and Fins & Things. On the way back home, stopped in Colorado to do Imogene Pass and Ophir Pass. The Rubicon has been my one of my favorite vehicles I've owned. Anything we've thrown at it, it's done. It does great on trails, at home on the farm, out hunting - hands down I don't think we'll ever not have a Jeep now.

As I circle back to the Bronco - we bought the Jeep to go do trails head to head with each other and see what weaknesses each had and how they compared. As soon as we got back from the first trip to Moab, my buddy texts me about a Bronco Raptor they had on the lot that they were having a tough time selling that was marked down $14k off MSRP. I showed the wife and same story as the first, instantly in love. Went down, checked it out - it was painted Code Orange, fox suspension, 37's, valved exhaust. Did some negotiating, traded in the tried and true '21 Wildtrak and left with its big brother. I'm sad we never got to compare them head to head like we initially planned, but the Raptor has been an absolute beast on and offroad. It's a little too wide for most Missouri trails we have, but we still take it out and beat on it. The 418 horsepower is a lot more fun than the 270 the Jeep has, were more of Ford family than anything (we have 2 gen 1 coyotes, 2013 Paxton 5.0 making 600hp and a 2014 track pack 5.0) so everyone was shocked when we got the Jeep.

I'm very happy we got that Bronco back in 2021 and all the places we've gone/people we've met because of our intro to off-roading it brought us. Next big trip we have planned we're going to tackle the Rubicon Trail - stay wheeling!

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[mk7tristan]

It didn’t let me load jeep photos at first

 

[Aonarch]

Welcome.

I went Jeep > Bronco > Jeep.

The only things I miss about the Bronco are the seats, the engine (2.7l) and the on-road steering.

I'm waiting to see what the next Gen Bronco brings, hopefully they fix my complaints.

 

[c20040215]

nice photos.

Here’s the story in 5 key points:

• In 2021, the wife chose a Ford Bronco Wildtrak over a Jeep JLU after being impressed with its tech and capability, making it their first true off-road vehicle.
• The Wildtrak’s Sasquatch package handled trails flawlessly, sparking a deeper interest in off-roading and Jeep culture.
• The family later bought a 2021 Jeep Rubicon, which was modified and taken on iconic trails in Moab and Colorado, proving highly capable and versatile.
• Plans to compare Jeep vs. Bronco ended when they traded the Wildtrak for a discounted Bronco Raptor, offering more power and performance.
• Off-roading through both Jeep and Bronco has brought countless adventures, community connections, and plans to tackle the Rubicon Trail next.

 

[Necro]

My Dad had a Bronco when I was a teenager in the late 80's early 90's. My first 4x4 was an 89 Bronco. I've had several Broncos, Blazers, 1 Ramcharger, and plenty of Wranglers since then. The Rubicon X is the closest thing that compares with the Wildtrack Bronco, or any other Bronco with the Sasquatch package. The 392 Wrangler is closest to the Bronco Raptor. Overall though they are still kind of apples to oranges.

 

[jadmt]

I have been fighting the urge to test drive a bronco, I just need to give in and do it. I am on rubicon #5 and have to say this one just does not give me the warm fuzzies of my JK's. this one parked next to me the other day and jus looks right to me.

 

[techdisaster]

I'm switching back to Jeep after owning a Bronco Badlands for 3 years. I really enjoyed all the places my Bronco took me, but the build quality and Ford customer service is not there. Too many problems and not reliable.

 

[stretch-bsn]

Both great…I wheel with a Bronco all the time and he does just about everything I do…but he worries more and has a fatter ass lol

 

[jellis4148]

If you ever come down to Seymour, MO to SMORR let me know. I'll meet you guys and we can do some trails together.

 

[Flip]

While at the dealership buying my jeep, my salesman mentioned something about the new Broncos. I said, " oh you have a few on your lot, lets go check them out." I started to stand up and suddenly he gave me the strangest look I had ever seen. (Like someone just rubbed cat s**t in his face) I sat back down and didn't say a word. AWKWARD!

 

[mk7tristan]

If you ever come down to Seymour, MO to SMORR let me know. I'll meet you guys and we can do some trails together.

We’re actually thinking about going to SMORR this weekend! Been meaning to go down for some time now.

 

[jellis4148]

I've got nothing going on. It will be a little muddy. Rained here pretty hard the last 2 days.

 

[ObiMatt87]

I sincerely always appreciate the thoughts from folks who have actually owned and wheeled both vehicles, on- and off-road. From all the threads on this subject, the general consensuses seem to pretty much boil down to:

1) Both vehicles have definite strengths
2) Both vehicles have definite weaknesses
3) Seat comfort is subjective, and opinions are all over the place
4) Engine preference is subjective, and opinions are all over the place
5) The Bronco is too wide
6) The Wrangler is narrower and thus has less inside space
7) Broncos are crap. I'm coming back to Jeep
8) Wranglers are crap. I'm leaving forever and going Bronco/Toyota/Land Rover...
9) The Bronco has better on-pavement performance/comfort/steering tightness
10) The Wrangler was designed with off-road focus as priority, so shut up and suck it up, Buttercup!
11) Many who switch to Bronco from Jeep ultimately end up coming back
12) The Wrangler is iconic and cooler-looking, thus winning the debate. So there.

No matter your position, all are welcome in this community as far as I'm concerned.

 

[gato]

That is great that you have a Raptor and a Rubicon in the household. A healthy competition by these two brands for our money is what will push them to improve their vehicles. I maintain that the Bronco was the best thing that happened to the Wrangler. We only have the Xtreme 35 package and the 392 and the curtain airbags and the 5,000 lbs towing because of the Bronco. A 2013 Rubicon anniversary and a pre Bronco 2020 Rubicon are basically the same vehicle in capabilities. Post Bronco a 392XR or even a Rubicon X are a gigantic improvement - 35s, Curtain airbags, floating rear axles, factory winch, 12" wireless car play, more power.

I hope Ford does a massive refresh on the Bronco, so that Jeep has to respond again.

 

[ObiMatt87]

That is great that you have a Raptor and a Rubicon in the household. A healthy competition by these two brands for our money is what will push them to improve their vehicles. I maintain that the Bronco was the best thing that happened to the Wrangler. We only have the Xtreme 35 package and the 392 and the curtain airbags and the 5,000 lbs towing because of the Bronco. A 2013 Rubicon anniversary and a pre Bronco 2020 Rubicon are basically the same vehicle in capabilities. Post Bronco a 392XR or even a Rubicon X are a gigantic improvement - 35s, Curtain airbags, floating rear axles, factory winch, 12" wireless car play, more power.

I hope Ford does a massive refresh on the Bronco, so that Jeep has to respond again.

Great points all-round. Competition drives innovation and updates. Greatest example of that comes from when the US auto industry sat on its laurels as the dominant world force when the oil crisis hit in the early 70s. They were caught completely flat-footed, and the Japanese automakers got a toehold with fuel efficient, smaller vehicles. The rest is history. Vehicle build quality is light years beyond that time for all makes because of that. Even the crappiest builds today are better than so many vehicles were up through the 80s. Keep it up Ford (and other makes)! If Jeep won't do it on its own, force them to via competition.

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