What You Need To Know Before You Buy The New Bronco
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The Ford Bronco is the most hotly anticipated new 4×4 on the market in years, and it is easy to see why. In addition to a name and look that harken back to the original Bronco of 1966-1977, Ford has loaded the new Bronco with features to finally offer a worthy competitor to the Jeep Wrangler. Or have they?

Toyota tried to take on the mighty Wrangler in 2007 – the model year that both the Wrangler JK and FJ Cruiser duked it out for supremacy. From sales numbers to aftermarket support though, the FJ Cruiser never matched the Jeep Wrangler. And like the FJ Cruiser, the Ford Bronco utilizes an existing chassis (with independent front suspension) with a retro body and huge rollout (for the FJ Cruiser it was the Trail Team, for the Bronco it is the Off-Rodeo).

Will the all-new Bronco succeed where the FJ Cruiser failed? We finally got the opportunity to spend some time inside a new Bronco and find the answer. Check out our First Drive in the 2021 Ford Bronco!

We like the rubber floor mats and large drain plugs in the floor of the Bronco. This allows you to take it out in any terrain with the top and doors removed and just hose out the interior when you get home. All of the electronics have been relocated or sealed in order to ensure they are not damaged by water.

What Makes the Bronco Different?
There are several things that make the Bronco more like the Wrangler than the FJ Cruiser though, starting with the removable top. You can also get a Bronco with front and rear locking differentials and a disconnecting sway bar, just like a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. And unlike a Wrangler, you can order a Bronco with 35-inch tall tires, beadlock-capable wheels, and a manual transmission with a granny gear (much like the low gear on old NP435 and T-18 4-speed manual in the original Early Broncos).

There are seven Bronco trims to choose from, which can be a little overwhelming. They include the Base, Big Bend, Outer Banks, Black Diamond, Badlands and Wildtrack. All trim models are available with the Sasquatch Package, which adds 35-inch tall tires, Bilstein shocks, locking differentials, and bigger fender openings. Think of it as Ford’s equivalent of the Rubicon Wrangler, a trim package that Toyota never offered in the FJ Cruiser.

The base engine in the Bronco is a 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder that makes 270 horsepower, while the optional 2.7L EcoBoost V6 (shown) makes 310 horsepower. As you can see, there is still plenty of space under the hood for an upgraded air intake, dual batteries or an air compressor.

Bronco Impressions
We rode in a First Edition (which are already sold out) with the Sasquatch Package with third generation desert racer Shelby Hall behind the wheel. The first thing that we noticed was how comfortable the seats were in the Bronco and how quiet it was inside for having a removable top. Hall explained that the hard top comes off in segments to make it easier to remove and to store compared to a one-piece top.

The next thing we noticed was the power output from the optional 2.7L EcoBoost twin turbo V6 engine, which exhibited zero turbo lag and pushed us back in the seat thanks to the 400 ft-lbs of torque on tap. The engine is mated to a ten-speed automatic transmission that held power to redline when Hall had the G.O.A.T (Goes Over Any Terrain) set to Baja mode. All Broncos have different driving modes that can be selected for specific terrain to adjust steering response, shift points, and how much wheel spin is allowed. These include Sand, Slippery, Sport, Eco, and Normal. Depending on which trim level you choose, more driving modes are available, including Mud/Ruts, Rock Crawl, and Baja.

The First Edition that Hall took us for a spin in had all eight modes, and she spent most of the time in Baja mode as we drove through whooped out roads at speeds that would be uncomfortable in a stock Wrangler. We also drove over sand dunes and through rocky trails, where the locking differentials came in handy. Some distinctions that set the Bronco apart include the ability to engage only the front locker without engaging the rear, which is helpful on tight trails where a locked rear axle tends to push the vehicle straight. Another feature called Trail Turn Assist, similar to the Off-Road Turn Assist found on the Toyota Land Cruiser, is the ability to lock up one rear wheel and essentially pivot around that corner for incredibly sharp turning. The increase in maneuverability with these features is particularly helpful on the longer four-door Bronco.

You’ll want to make sure you stay tuned here at 4 Wheel Parts, your Bronco Headquarters for your next adventure! Read more here..
https://www.4wheelparts.com/the-dirt/...