4runner vs the new Ford bronco

That’s a pretty remarkable time for an old stock ford!

 

the guy I bought it from had meticulous records. A briefcase of oil change receipts. Every 3000 mi religiously.

 

Up to a certain point it’s HP, then it’s tires+suspension=traction. Of course, you’re just praying the whole thing doesn’t blow up. That’s where old is something of a miracle.

 

FYI a few people commenting on the low tow ratings on the Jeep / Bronco even with lots more power.

I believe any vehicle that's convertible is capped at 3500lbs. I read that somewhere but not 100% sure it's true. That doesn't explain how the gladiator, also a convertible, has a much higher rating, however.

 

those 5 liter fords are one of the best engines ever made in any machine in my opinion. Bullet proof. I had the car set up with really light rims and tires, exhaust and headers otherwise stock. I think the gearing in those cars was set up perfect for street racing. I beat that thing up racing it, then my friend bought it from me and did about 10,000 donuts until 2nd gear blew out, then he sold it to my friend who drove it around another couple years till he sold it. same motor.

 

I get it, for sure, great machine! But where I off road it’s slow and easy wins the race. I’ve never been off road anywhere where HP mattered much.

 

That is one good thing about the southwest. There are plenty of places to open it up. Especially the countless sand dunes. My FJ was able to keep up with most of the Side by Sides in the dunes.

 

Which 5.0 are you guys referring to? I had a Ford work van with the 5.0 and you had to redline it to get any power out of it. My next van had the 3.3 (or 3.7?) V6 and would run circles around the old 5.0.

V8's are fun and all, but they're going to become obsolete in anything but sports cars. Smaller, forced induction motors seem to be the better option now. Look at the new Ford GT.

 

Old 8 banger cars definitely gave a feel and sound all their own. There’s an engineering magic in a V8 for sure, but I’ve always been partial to 4 cylinder ICE, ever since I helped a friend race an MGB at Mosport and St. Jovite back in the day. Modern manufacturing tolerances have put a tightly wound up 4 cylinder engine into the high performance category and there’s a lot of advantages to it. We used a lot of folk engineering to get a British tractor engine to rev above 6400 without any valve float, which seems laughable today.

 

I do love the simplicity and a good inline 4. But, I really love the sound of an inline 6!

 

True. Good point!

 

I would rather get a 2023 4Runner. I have more faith in Toyota when it comes to new designs.

 

I won't make fun of you. Put a 152E in it.

 

Agreed. I LOVE my 4runner. But, if the new Bronco is a hit and causes Toyota to step their game up, I won't bitch. That said, I'm not sure what they would do. They seem to prefer to keep it conservative and reliable. And, I'm not really against this way of thinking. I'll still take slow and steady and reliable over the alternative.

 

I’d like to see them keep the same T4R body style but completely overhaul the interior and step up the headlight game.

Plus a nice big Nav screen with 360° cameras and an option to display topo maps.

 

v8 for me. Bigger tires, skid plates, camping gear. Weight adds up fast.

 

There isn't a V8 option. The 2.7 EB V6 they're putting in them makes WAY more power than our 4runners have.

 

Had a 2.7 in a shortbed 150 and it was way faster off the line than my 3.5 and 5.0. The 2.7 would lose out high end 60mph+ but in the Bronco I don't see that happening as its smaller and lighter, that engine is gonna be fast as heck. They had had tunes out for 4 years now and that will be

 

Yeah, the Bronco with the 2.7 will absolutely blow the doors off our 4runners. Besides that, my '19 loaded down with armor and gear on 33's still moves decent. With another 100+ lb/ft of torque it would be genuinely fun to drive.

 

Yeah, Thatbassguy, at a certain point you just have to regear. 4 Runners are pretty slow and pokey in stock form. Once you change the gear ratios with larger tires they’re like dead dogs.

 

Wrong thread (this post) but been using sprint booster over a year and never had the feeling of lag... more pep in the pedal is all

 

I think you misunderstood my post.

What I'm saying is that mine moves fine in spite of the additional weight and larger tires. I don't see it as being underpowered at all.

A Bronco with 310 HP and 400 LB/FT of torque would be like a race car by comparison, though.

 

We all make that subjective assessment of costs and benefits when modifying a vehicle and there are lines we can cross unknowingly. I’ve crossed them in the past, speaking only for myself and tire sizing is one of them. At some point you realize that you need that power and regearing is one way to get it back. A supercharger might be another. However in the context of the Bronco discussion, imagine having 35s without any compromise to performance? Pretty cool. I could go for a Bronco just based on that.

 

Jeep released teaser videos of the Hellcat in the Wrangler.... if that's the case, Jeep better reinforce the hell outta that thing... Too many people that have no clue how to drive that with the top and doors off will end up flipping that thing.

 

Drop a Trinity 5.8 liter like this into a beefed-up Bronco!!!

 

I thought about regearing, and concluded that it wouldn't be necessary with such a small change in tire size. The difference in size is only about 4%. At this point, I've driven it enough to confirm that I made the right decision.

I am probably less demanding than some in this department, as I still remember what it was like driving my '94. That thing was SLOW! Even still, it was only ever an issue when trying to pass on 2 lane highways.

Agreed! These 33's actually put the speedometer spot on, where it read high with stock size tires. If I ever go to 34's or 35's, I'll definitely regear.

Agreed about the Jeep comment, too. It could also have something to do with the flimsy Dana 30 & 35 some trims come with as well.

 

I'm late to the party/thread but....

If I were in the market for a new vehicle I would for sure consider and look at the Bronco. On paper it seems to beat the Wrangler (which I would also look at) and also the Runner in most categories. I would not want to buy a first year vehicle though. Still, I'd give all three a good hard look as I have owned all three brands in the past.

But here is the rub for me in my current situation. Pretty sure I could sell my Runner for, oh let's be generous and say, $15,000 more than I owe on it. (2018 ORP). So then I would need to add about $30,000 to that $15,000 to get into a Bronco (probably more). Would the 2021 Bronco give me $30,000 more performance, capabilities, satisfaction and pleasure than my current Runner? No. Not even close.

So it's a non-starter for me.

 

I think Ford (and most car manufacturers) do pretty extensive testing nowadays before they release a new vehicle (or gen). With internet reviews a regular part of business now, a few bad reviews on a new car could be its demise. Of course there will always be car companies that are better about this than others, but for the most part, I'd be a lot less worried about purchasing a first year model nowadays vs the old days.

 

I was talking in general (to the conversation above about engines). Why I have my 2004 v8.