New Ford Bronco [WAS: OK, I know it'a a car, but]

Pretty cool mock up here.
9030a1afe3da27b5fb2a4fedb9ae9cb8.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ted
No, but buy a reman and I bet I could get you to the plant in Mississippi to watch it come off the line.

Tempting, but probably a deal breaker there. I was wanting to buy a used one and do an inframe. :)
 
There are a lot of off road parks in my area, as well as vast networks of forest service roads in the GA/NC/TN/VA mountains, so plenty of places to use one of these as intended.
Shutting down the Forrest service roads in Montana at every opportunity.
 
A twin-stick 6x4 (24-speed) transmission in a semi is what I'd really like. For my bus project I'd probably settle for a 9 or 10-speed manual, paired to either a 3406B or a 12V71.

Wait.

“Bus project”?
 
I like the looks from that angle. Of course I also like the looks of the FJ Cruiser sooooo......

I thought the same thing... How fast do you think Toyota will bring the FJ Crusier back if this takes off? You think the Ford v. Ferrari was was something, Ford v. Toyota is something else, Toyota wants the #1 Truck spot sooooo bad.

FJs' still command top dollar in the used market...
 
I'm considering installation of a GearVendors Overdrive. the idea of making that look like a second shifter and end up with a twin-stick Ram is really appealing. :)

Like in my Willys...3 Speed, Overdrive, 2WD-4WD, Hi-Lo
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ted
Wait.

“Bus project”?

While PoA is used to my "Thinking about" threads taking the form of a millennial bungee jumping off a bridge with the battle cry of "#YOLO!!!!", the reality is that there is usually a significant incubation period in which the idea percolates.

I've wanted a bus for a long time, and in fact had considered getting an old GMC Fishbowl bus as my first car, converting it to an RV (I've wanted a bus/RV for a long time). Picture for reference, you've probably seen these busses in the past and when I was a kid, the Fishbowls were still staples around the NYC MTA, getting phased out and replaced with the RTS series:

s-l300.jpg


I've moved away from that specific iteration of the idea, but still want a bus. At this point, a bus is one of the few vehicle types I haven't owned or driven, and as we look to the future, an RV supports a lot of the things we want to do - downwind dashes (once we learn to fly gliders), track days with the Cobra, touring the mountainous west. Project wise, I've always wanted to play around with big truck engines, and proper busses often have the same series engines.

In fact, the new shop we're building is sized to be able to house up to a 45' bus, so then I'll have the right place to do said work.

Well, maybe I should start a bus thread.
 
While my niece was finishing med school I helped her husband convert a short bus to a camper. They went to several of her interviews to be an intern in it. They made the interviews a delayed honeymoon/vacation. It did not have a shower but they joined Planet Fitness and stopped along the way to shower.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ted
While PoA is used to my "Thinking about" threads taking the form of a millennial bungee jumping off a bridge with the battle cry of "#YOLO!!!!", the reality is that there is usually a significant incubation period in which the idea percolates.

I've wanted a bus for a long time, and in fact had considered getting an old GMC Fishbowl bus as my first car, converting it to an RV (I've wanted a bus/RV for a long time). Picture for reference, you've probably seen these busses in the past and when I was a kid, the Fishbowls were still staples around the NYC MTA, getting phased out and replaced with the RTS series:

s-l300.jpg


.

I spent many a day back on Staten Island on those buses and the green ones before the paint scheme change. Only people who grew up in NYC experienced taking your date when you were in Junior High or early High School on a bus.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ted
2021-Ford-Bronco-Sport-18868A.jpg
I guess my family is in the minority. The wife saw it and was lukewarm about the front of the Sport, but the back end sealed it. She hated it. The regular Bronco 4 door was a meh from her. One of them has a horrible dash(I forgot which was being shown on the review), so she ruled out all of them.
I am reserving my thoughts until I see them, but something about the proportions strike me odd.
 
Yeah, I don't like that back end. Something is just off about it. I guess it really only looks good to me from the front.

Pontiac Aztek anyone?
 
The new Bronco looks like it is intended to be lifted about six inches.
 
It's not my jam, but I think Ford will sell a ton of these things. Love that they're offering a 7speed manual.

Nobody in the thread seems to have noticed you can only get the manual with the four banger.

I didn’t see this thread but was wondering what the PoA hive mind was thinking about this thing and started one. Bill was kind enough to point me here.

I see the comments that it’s an FJ, agree with that. Personally the grill does nothing for me.

Comments that Toyota might return to compete, I doubt. The FJ was always crippled on purpose to stay cheap and plastic laden inside so as not to snipe 4Runner buyers downward. 4Runner needs a refresh at this point. Still great vehicles but Marketing is going to want it. FJ isn’t on Toyota’s radar.

The tires seem like Ford is purposefully trying too hard to make it look like you already lifted it and oversized. Which due to wheel size and width continue the strange ass trend to put the worst possible tires and wheels on things. Big wheels for tiny sidewalls and crappy rides, and wider for even less traction in slippery conditions. Everybody doing it.

Not quite getting their target market other than scooping up FJ fans. It’s unlikely to sway the FCA Jeep buyer, at the price tag.

Definitely needs the bigger engine up here.
 
Thats the case with my Subaru Impreza (not the WRX which has a 6th gear). It has a 5 speed that sits at 3k RPM or so at highway speeds. Crazy to me they couldn't figure out a 6th gear would do wonders there.
What a bitter joke it is, reading such wishful thinking. They put the 6sp into Crosstrek and the 6th is almost no taller than thr 5th. Both Honda and Subaru do it to their manuals.
 
The tires seem like Ford is purposefully trying too hard to make it look like you already lifted it and oversized. Which due to wheel size and width continue the strange ass trend to put the worst possible tires and wheels on things. Big wheels for tiny sidewalls and crappy rides, and wider for even less traction in slippery conditions. Everybody doing it.
Two things drive these trends. One is domestic: the CAFE regulations include formulas based on the footprint (= track x wheelbase). So, everyone is trying to make cars as wide and long as possible. It saves gazillions of dollars, even if you're already under for your treshold mileage: you can trade your offsets to the less fortunate. One is more general: for whatever reason, people all over the globe prefer cars with larger wheels. Sedans, SUVs, vans, whatever. All carmakers are trying to make wheels as large as possible for a marketing advantage.
 
Two things drive these trends. One is domestic: the CAFE regulations include formulas based on the footprint (= track x wheelbase). So, everyone is trying to make cars as wide and long as possible. It saves gazillions of dollars, even if you're already under for your treshold mileage: you can trade your offsets to the less fortunate. One is more general: for whatever reason, people all over the globe prefer cars with larger wheels. Sedans, SUVs, vans, whatever. All carmakers are trying to make wheels as large as possible for a marketing advantage.

Didn’t know about the CAFE part but the wheel thing chasing marketing sucks. People don’t know what making sidewalks an inch tall does to all sorts of things that really don’t need to be that way.

Even our 2017 Subaru has oversized wheels but not as big as the stuff that has gone “full stupid” on some vehicles stock now. At least the sidewalls still have some meat.
 
Didn’t know about the CAFE part but the wheel thing chasing marketing sucks. People don’t know what making sidewalks an inch tall does to all sorts of things that really don’t need to be that way.

Even our 2017 Subaru has oversized wheels but not as big as the stuff that has gone “full stupid” on some vehicles stock now. At least the sidewalls still have some meat.

I remember when sports cars were on 60 series tires and true high perf stuff on 50's. Normal cars were on 70, 75, and 78 series sidewalls. Now, my Outback sports 60's, the Fusion rides on 45's, and the Civic Si on 40's. 40 series tires are getting pretty thin.
 
I remember when sports cars were on 60 series tires and true high perf stuff on 50's. Normal cars were on 70, 75, and 78 series sidewalls. Now, my Outback sports 60's, the Fusion rides on 45's, and the Civic Si on 40's. 40 series tires are getting pretty thin.

Laurie's GL550 has 295/35/21s.

Yeah. In an SUV.
 
I remember when sports cars were on 60 series tires and true high perf stuff on 50's. Normal cars were on 70, 75, and 78 series sidewalls. Now, my Outback sports 60's, the Fusion rides on 45's, and the Civic Si on 40's. 40 series tires are getting pretty thin.

The low sidewalls are a huge turnoff to me on newer cars, the damn roads around here aren't good enough for that crap. I can fly over the RR tracks and potholes with 98 lumina on 70s and NOT bend a wheel or blow a tire...

There are plenty of 4x4 trucks around here with really low sidewalls and custom wheels that look really stupid. Like if it was parked in a hole full of liquid water overnight in the winter it just might be froze to ground in the morning.
 
People don’t know what making sidewalks an inch tall does to all sorts of things that really don’t need to be that way.
Or sometimes they do know, but rely on luck. Check out this guy, a famous Youtube Engineer:

 
Or sometimes they do know, but rely on luck. Check out this guy, a famous Youtube Engineer:


Yeah. Seen him before but not that vid. LOL.

Having hit a Denver City pothole big enough to blow the sidewall on the old Subie with its tiny wheels (comparatively) and good tires (dark, raining, construction zone with lights that had failed and no overheads)...

I just have no desire whatsoever to repeat that experience.

And the old Subie at least has an inflated semi-real spare too.

Sigh.
 
Nobody in the thread seems to have noticed you can only get the manual with the four banger.

I didn’t see this thread but was wondering what the PoA hive mind was thinking about this thing and started one. Bill was kind enough to point me here.

I see the comments that it’s an FJ, agree with that. Personally the grill does nothing for me.

Comments that Toyota might return to compete, I doubt. The FJ was always crippled on purpose to stay cheap and plastic laden inside so as not to snipe 4Runner buyers downward. 4Runner needs a refresh at this point. Still great vehicles but Marketing is going to want it. FJ isn’t on Toyota’s radar.

The tires seem like Ford is purposefully trying too hard to make it look like you already lifted it and oversized. Which due to wheel size and width continue the strange ass trend to put the worst possible tires and wheels on things. Big wheels for tiny sidewalls and crappy rides, and wider for even less traction in slippery conditions. Everybody doing it.

Not quite getting their target market other than scooping up FJ fans. It’s unlikely to sway the FCA Jeep buyer, at the price tag.

Definitely needs the bigger engine up here.
As far as the tires, the Sasquatch package has 17" beadlock capable wheels with 35" tires. Not sure how much more you can do while still keeping it street-able and meeting the highway safety regs. 75-series tires are great for absorbing bumps and such, but they handle like hot garbage. I'm sure there's a happy medium in there somewhere for wheel to tire ratio. I like my 18" wheels pretty well on 32" tires.
 
The low sidewalls are a huge turnoff to me on newer cars, the damn roads around here aren't good enough for that crap. I can fly over the RR tracks and potholes with 98 lumina on 70s and NOT bend a wheel or blow a tire...

There are plenty of 4x4 trucks around here with really low sidewalls and custom wheels that look really stupid. Like if it was parked in a hole full of liquid water overnight in the winter it just might be froze to ground in the morning.

Yup, I don't think modern day car designers are aware people who live on gravel roads still exist.
 
Yup, I don't think modern day car designers are aware people who live on gravel roads still exist.

Unfortunately, I think it’s more likely that modern day car designers know that 90% people who buy new off roaders will not go farther off road than climbing a curb at the mall.
 
With the population of younger drivers not too sure the the third pedal does, Ford could have a successful campaign marketing the manual transmission as a security feature!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ted
Back
Top