Looks Like Ford Bronco is Serious About Taking on the Wrangler

[Pingbling23]

Looks like Ford isnt doing so well. May scrap production?

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/b...ford-earnings-fourth-quarter-2019/4626722002/

I guess they can’t come out and say explorer sales are down because it is overpriced and underwhelming. I would buy a telluride and save 10-15k without hesitation.

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[DaveNH]

The 10speed only makes sense for somebody who's towing often which like the Wrangler will not be the Broncos forte.

While the Bronco won't be focused on towing, it wouldn't surprise me if it's rated significantly higher than the Wrangler.

The Ranger Raptor is rated for 5500# with the diesel. The current Ranger is rated for 7500# with the same engine likely to be offered in the Bronco.

The Bronco suspension won't be set up like a Wrangler. Between that, the engine offerings, and sharing a platform with the pickup, I think it could very well be rated for 5000# or better. That would be attractive to the overlanding crowd.

If so, it might cause Jeep to offer the JTs max tow package (4.10, D44 wide front and back, cooling/alternator upgrade) in the Sport S with stiffer springs.

 

[twisty]

While the Bronco won't be focused on towing, it wouldn't surprise me if it's rated significantly higher than the Wrangler.

The Ranger Raptor is rated for 5500# with the diesel. The current Ranger is rated for 7500# with the same engine likely to be offered in the Bronco.

The Bronco suspension won't be set up like a Wrangler. Between that, the engine offerings, and sharing a platform with the pickup, I think it could very well be rated for 5000# or better. That would be attractive to the overlanding crowd.

If so, it might cause Jeep to offer the JTs max tow package (4.10, D44 wide front and back, cooling/alternator upgrade) in the Sport S with stiffer springs.

I agree. Payload and better towing capacity will more then likely be better and that is what overlanders want. BUT, probably about all serious-use-their-jeeps-as-it-was-built-for owners overload the crap out of their rigs and not much happening. Towing isnt really a jeep thing although I will be towing 2k. I wish it was rated better but I wouldnt tow much more than 2k anyway.

 

[DaveNH]

Speaking of desert running...check your favorite news site on February 6 12:01 AM ET when some Chicago Auto Show embargoes expire.

I believe you said before that it wasn't Wrangler, but Jeep related.

Given that the new GC is under development, it seems unlikely that Jeep would spend resources on a package there.

That leaves Gladiator, especially considering the recent spy shots showing what might be the rumored "Hercules."

Perhaps the rumored "Tornado" I6 or the turbo v6 from the Giulia?

 

[Stampede.Offroad]

The Bronco will never get the 5.0 engine.

Base model will have the 2.3 and the Raptor will have the 2.7. It remains to be seen if the 2.7 will be an option on anything but the Raptor at this point but I would assume it will be.

Ford insiders have strongly suggested it will not be the 2.7, but something larger. That list is pretty short, either 3.0 or 3.5 TT Ecoboost, pics of the R prototype would suggest it has to be the third gen 3.0L TT Ecoboost.

I'd love to see a V8, but chances seem quite low. If Ford bumps up the offering on the F150 Raptor to one of the forced induction 5.0 or 5.2 V8s then Bronco/Ranger won't be stepping on its ego if they get a 350+hp V6.

 

[TXRubicon]

https://www.motor1.com/news/397051/jeep-gladiator-special-edition-debuts/

Jeep Gladiator Mojave. First Jeep to wear the new Desert Rated badge.

New 2020 Jeep® Gladiator Mojave: the Ultimate High-performance Off-road Midsize Pickup

First Desert Rated Jeep 4x4

Jeep® Desert Rated vehicles represent the ultimate in high-speed off-road capability and performance in grueling desert and sand environments
All-new Gladiator Mojave is first Jeep vehicle to earn brand’s newly minted Desert Rated badge Industry-exclusive FOX hydraulic jounce bumpers and 2.5-inch internal bypass shocks with external reservoirs bolster Gladiator Mojave’s high-speed sand-running credentials

 

[DaveNH]

So... shocks and (eventually) locking the rear in 4h. Oh, and trim.

Nice to see they needed all that camo to hide a hood scoop though.

 

[TXRubicon]

During the backgrounder FCA stated the Mojave would do 50mph with the rear locked in 4H. Definitely built for desert running instead of the rock crawling focused Rubicon.

So... shocks and (eventually) locking the rear in 4h. Oh, and trim.

Nice to see they needed all that camo to hide a hood scoop though.

 

[jeepingib]

https://www.motor1.com/news/397051/jeep-gladiator-special-edition-debuts/

Jeep Gladiator Mojave. First Jeep to wear the new Desert Rated badge.

I like the orange stitching. Wish I had that on my Punk’n. That and the Fox shocks and jounces.

 

[Foster_WV]

 

[Toycrusher]

You laugh but I ran mud tires on my AWD ecoboost flex for quite a few years. Did great in sand and not-too-deep slick mud!

 

[DaveNH]

During the backgrounder FCA stated the Mojave would do 50mph with the rear locked in 4H. Definitely built for desert running instead of the rock crawling focused Rubicon.

Right.

Shocks. Trim. Software they've been promising since launch.

No sign of what most have been begging, that existing or future competition are expected to provide in spades, and what has been rumored.

Yeah, that heavily camo'd hood in spy shots? Shh... it's hiding a scoop.

 

[rockadile]

https://www.motor1.com/news/397051/jeep-gladiator-special-edition-debuts/

Jeep Gladiator Mojave. First Jeep to wear the new Desert Rated badge.

Further proof they need some competition so they stop with all of these appearance packages. It really is frustrating that they won't offer bigger engines when they are THE company that drops stupid horsepower engines into their other cars.

 

[twisty]

That bronco version looks pretty darn good.

 

[Cypher]

That bronco version looks pretty darn good.

I thought the same thing. I would not be upset if that is what we get.