Bronco vs Jeep Wrangler mega thread

[twisty]

Depends largely on how one defines "capability".

ca•pa•ble kā′pə-bəl
►

• adj.
  
  Having capacity or ability; efficient and able.
• adj.
  
  Having the ability required for a specific task or accomplishment; qualified

If "capability" is defined as doing the Rubicon (as Jeep has done by naming their flagship model as such), then the Broncos just proved that stock, they can complete the Rubicon.

Now, did they do all the hardest obstacles? No. Neither have stock Rubicons.

Will the Jeep ultimately be able to do obstacles (in stock form) that the Bronco cannot? We'll have to wait and see. My guess is that the Bronco won't do it as gracefully, but with the right driver and equipment package....my opinion is that it'll be a lot closer (again, stock for stock) than you're giving it credit.

Let's face it, f/r lockers are the biggest tech advance in factory offerings. I'd argue the 4:1 in the Rubicon will make it more capable (and also more durable), mainly since to get the most upgraded package from Ford, you apparently can't get a super low first gear and they seem to be counting on the auto's torque converter to give a 2:1 reduction that IMO, could be a stretch in terms of not only how it functions but longevity as well.

I think the thing we need to bear in mind is that capability and durability aren't the same thing.

IFS is inherently weaker than SFA.....so while the Bronco may be able to follow the Jeep pretty much everywhere while lifting tires left and right (b/c f/r lockers make that possible), will it be able to do so for years on end without major component failure? If I were a betting man, I'd say no. And that's where Jeep still has the edge....which is funny to say when you look at the overall reliability of the Jeep/FCA brands.

Part of that definition was efficient. The golden crack or anywhere similar didnt look all that efficient to me. lol

Wheels up in the air doesnt look all that efficent to me either, unless of course one is looking for even more of a thrill. lol I have watched stock jeeps do the crack and to be fair they did lift a wheel but they didnt go through the shenanigans bronco did.

we dont need to wait a year to see when I have video showing me what was already expected. The rig will do some tech, but lots of wheels in the air. same ole same ole.

bummed!

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[bbq4133]

hey man, lol, I’ve always been anal about scratches and stuff. But when/if I off-road my future Wrangler or Bronco I’m gonna have to some how put that aside! Haha!!

Everything buffs out until it doesn't! I've a pinstripe that I reduced to almost invisible and I only have ~1200 miles. But I didn't buy this to park it at a Target, I bought it as a DD and an off-roader.

 

[twisty]

Also the commentator criticizes the Jeep's 37° departure angle. The Bronco's departure angle? Also 37°. This video was never meant to be a true comparison.

WHile jeep breakover angle sucks the comparison is with bronco on 35's vs jeep on 33's. makes it a little closer with perhaps the nod going to the bronco.

 

[AnnDee4444]

WHile jeep breakover angle sucks the comparison is with bronco on 35's vs jeep on 33's. makes it a little closer with perhaps the nod going to the bronco.

Good catch. This means the JLUR in the video actually had a greater departure angle than the Bronco... yet that was what the commentator was criticizing.

I think I read somewhere that the Sasquatch package has limited articulation when compared to the stock suspension, likely due to taller bump stops. Because of this, to me it seems like the Sasquatch's true competitor isn't the JLUR, it's the JLUR with the Mopar lift (and 35s... to keep it fair).

	Bronco Sasquatch	Bronco Base	JLUR with Mopar lift & 35s	JLUR	JLU Sport
Approach	43.2	35		43.9	41.4
Departure	37	29.7		37	36.1
Breakover	26.3	20		22.6	20.3
Ground Clearance	11.5	8.3	11.8	10.8	9.7

 

[word302]

I’m amazed at all the comments regarding better articulation only mattering for rock crawling. Have none of you ever done anything off-camber? Tried to climb a side hill while straddling a rut with any kind of obstacles in it?

 

[bbq4133]

Good catch. This means the JLUR in the video actually had a greater departure angle than the Bronco... yet that was what the commentator was criticizing.

I think I read somewhere that the Sasquatch package has limited articulation when compared to the stock suspension, likely due to taller bump stops. Because of this, to me it seems like the Sasquatch's true competitor isn't the JLUR, it's the JLUR with the Mopar lift (and 35s... to keep it fair).

	Bronco Sasquatch	Bronco Base	JLUR with Mopar lift & 35s	JLUR	JLU Sport
Approach	43.2	35		43.9	41.4
Departure	37	29.7		37	36.1
Breakover	26.3	20		22.6	20.3
Ground Clearance	11.5	8.3	11.8	10.8	9.7

IIRC, only the Badlands trim comes with the disconnecting sway bar. So Squatch packages on non-Badlands trims isn't as flexible as otherwise.

 

[bbq4133]

It's in the same vein as people that say that the Jeep is only better at "rockcrawling". To me, there aren't that many nationally known "trails" that don't have at least one section or obstacle that is made of, well.....rocks.

To me, the Jeep is going to be better at running "trails".

I think the overlanding crowd, mudders, duners, snow wheelers and prerunners feel excluded since most of that stuff isn't all that technical in terms of the terrain and yeah, if those are your types of 4wheeling...the Jeep is probably not the best platform from which to start.

Part of the calculus for me when canceling my Bronco reservation and buying a Rubicon was this--the Jeep just seemed like a better package for off-roading than what we saw/knew of the Bronco. I think the Bronco will ultimately be a better overall driving car on the road--and maybe on light trails!--but if I wanted to compromise in that regard, I'd have kept my Tacoma.

 

[Richtor]

I think so. It also looks alot like a side trail and obstacle on Fins N Things. Ford can do this all they want, but anyone in the know is aware that about 20,000 Wranglers have climbed that obstacle and every other obstacle in Moab. Lol!

Sure with modifications. Has a stock JLUR or even a stock JLR climbed every obstacle at Moab?
We all know most who go there have at least a lift and tires.

Part of the calculus for me when canceling my Bronco reservation and buying a Rubicon was this--the Jeep just seemed like a better package for off-roading than what we saw/knew of the Bronco. I think the Bronco will ultimately be a better overall driving car on the road--and maybe on light trails!--but if I wanted to compromise in that regard, I'd have kept my Tacoma.

Looks pretty capable on the rocks to me.

 

[bbq4133]

Sure with modifications. Has a stock JLUR or even a stock JLR climbed every obstacle at Moab?
We all know most who go there have at least a lift and tires.

Looks pretty capable on the rocks to me.

Can you show me in my reply where I said it wasn't capable on the rocks?

 

[Jeeperob]

To the average person (like myself) who doesn’t have any experience crawling anything except my driveway (look at my avatar)...this Bronco or a Rubicon will no doubt go over any terrain that I encounter. Either of them or formidable. I think everyone is being so critical as to which is the best. They are both good and for 99% of the people who buy these types of vehicles either is going to perform admirably.

I did have a 2008 Range Rover full size (back when they actually looked good)...the 90’s ones are nice too...but hey the Range Rover wasn’t too bad but on a 12 year old car things were starting to break down and it wasn’t worth it anymore

 

[DanW]

Sure with modifications. Has a stock JLUR or even a stock JLR climbed every obstacle at Moab?
We all know most who go there have at least a lift and tires.

Looks pretty capable on the rocks to me.

Not what I said. I said that obstacle. That's a stock Rubi in the video and it would climb it if the guy weren't trying to fail.

Yes, many sock Jeeps go to Moab. You should go sometime other than EJS. Plenty of them there.

Also, read up on my Bronco posts. Never said they weren't capable, either. But it is something else when they deliberately fudge the hill in the Jeep for PR.

 

[Richtor]

Can you show me in my reply where I said it wasn't capable on the rocks?

You said it seemed like a better package for off roading than the Bronco. It may very well be. I am just stating that the Bronco looks to be every bit the rock crawler the Rubicon is oem to oem. I was inferring that you may have made your judgement before seeing all the facts.

The Jeep is great and its a blast of a vehicle. Plus you get to drive it a year longer than the year wait on the Bronco! Congrats and enjoy!

I tried to buy a JLR on 6/8. Alas the dealer did not deal. This after the salesman was spouting how they have the best prices! haha

 

[Richtor]

Not what I said. I said that obstacle. That's a stock Rubi in the video and it would climb it if the guy weren't trying to fail.

No, you said this. It may not have been what you meant.

I think so. It also looks alot like a side trail and obstacle on Fins N Things. Ford can do this all they want, but anyone in the know is aware that about 20,000 Wranglers have climbed that obstacle and every other obstacle in Moab. Lol!

And you are correct, thousands have. Also understand that Ford is running different air pressure than most. They have matched their Bronco tire air pressure with the recommended rock crawling air pressure in the JL. I believe they are running everything at 25psi.

 

[bbq4133]

You said it seemed like a better package for off roading than the Bronco. It may very well be. I am just stating that the Bronco looks to be every bit the rock crawler the Rubicon is oem to oem. I was inferring that you may have made your judgement before seeing all the facts.

The Jeep is great and its a blast of a vehicle. Plus you get to drive it a year longer than the year wait on the Bronco! Congrats and enjoy!

I tried to buy a JLR on 6/8. Alas the dealer did not deal. This after the salesman was spouting how they have the best prices! haha

I think you shouldn't assume.

 

[bbq4133]

I was really geeked by the Bronco and had a reservation (technically two, one canceled) but I ended up canceling and picking up a Rubicon last week.

The main reasons why:

• Ford has struggled with consistent messaging after the reveal; the reveal was so slick and so superficially jam-packed with info that it did a lot to inspire confidence until you started digging deep. From issues with what packages/trims conflict to changing dealers on the reservation to available colors to order/build timelines, they've resorted to having their comms manager clarify stuff in twitter replies instead of, you know, correcting the official information released on their website. Really bad look and it inspires little confidence, especially when "official" info contradicts or flatout misrepresents reality.
• The manual. Having no manual on the "big" engine really sucks. I get it, I'm one of like 3 people that still drive--and insist on driving--a stick. But not allowing certain packages--namely, the Sasquatch package--to be optioned on a manual really, really grinds my gears (pun intended). How can you claim that this "Wrangler-beating package" is available on "all trims" when it cannot be added to any of the trims having the 2.3/7MT? Why would you spend the time and resources developing a 7MT and hamstringing it by offering it on few desirable trims and without the most desirable off-road package? Why show off an orange 2 door with a stick, 37s, and a lift, when you can only get half of that from the factory?!

After those, I kinda realized that what I wanted was a Jeep, so I started looking and here we are. I'll follow the Bronco closely, and maybe a couple years in I will be game. But until then, instead of buying a Jeep-equivalent I'll just drive and enjoy the genuine article.

Here you go @Richtor. It was about 20 pages back.

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