Aug 20, 2021
Hey folks...
Start this by saying that I know that I am super lucky to have my Bronco and be putting miles on it. Some folks 'don't want to hear it', but I know when I was waiting, I wanted to hear all the experiences, good and bad, to help let me know what to expect and make the waiting a little easier. It is in that spirit that I share my first month's experience.
I have posted the order journey elsewhere, but quick review: 7/13 - 8:42PM res, 2/8 order, 6/15 window sticker, 6/21 (final) build date, 6/23 actual BLEND, 6/27 Built, 7/13 ship, 7/19 at the dealership.
Since the day of delivery, I babied my Bronco for the first week and then it spent 4 days at the dealership getting PPF, tint, and ceramic coating. The first two weeks, I only put about 250 miles on it, around town. Didn't get into the tach at all (< 3000) and didn't do the freeway to keep the revs and gears all over the map for break in. Seemed sluggish, dull and quite disappointing performance. The overall build quality was great, the MIC had some minor issues of alignment and edge quality, but nothing like what some had reported. There was also a slight color mismatch between the panels, suggesting they weren't all from the same batch. At the end of the second week, freshly out of PPF, I left the Bronco at the airport parking garage for a biz trip. On return, put another 200 miles on it, took the first row panels off a couple of times (much lighter than I remember the Jeep tops being) and tooled around Austin without dipping my toe in it at all. Still slow, boring driving experience. But, the ride continued to put a smile on my face as it feels like a truck, but a very good truck, with great on road manners and steering feel.
Then, unfortunately, had to go to Utah for a funeral and while I had planned to head up to Moab and to pick up a utility trailer while I was up there, I didn't plan to do the trip until later in the year when I could do Off Roadeo in Moab. Set out for Utah (1300+ miles of combo two lane and freeway - each way) from Austin area, with 700 miles on the odo. Still taking things easy, but more freeway driving and higher speeds (got to love 75 MPH limits in TX). Around 850 miles, things started to change. Maybe it was my mood, maybe it was built-in programming for the engine/transmission taking over as it sensed break-in was getting close to that magic 1000 mile mark, or maybe I just decided that it was time to see what the Bronco could really do...but, after rolling into a sleepy little NM town to get fuel, at about 1050 on the odo, I found myself needing to pass a semi, RFN. I pushed the pedal to the floor and with ZERO hesitation, I went from 10th to probably 5th, the revs went to 5000 and a sound came from under the Bronco that basically sounded like I had been letting a Yeti sleep on my floor and then accidentally stepped on him in a very sensitive place. Growl, snarl, grumble....and GO. In no time, I was looking at 96 MPH on the speedo and I was sailing past a semi with plenty of room to spare. Steering tight, suspension smooth and controlled, engine saying 'need more?' and a HUGE smile on my face.
Once the break in period was over, and I was willing to push the magic button, the whole character of the driving experience changed and I am thrilled at what the 2.7 is able to do. Smooth power delivery, just enough grumble to know that there is a hairy beast down in there someplace, and it tows like a trailer isn't even hooked up. All I will say to the doubters, this is a TURBO ENGINE and you drive it differently. It has very little lag, and the engine/transmission pairing seems very well programmed. But, its a turbo, and if you catch it just wrong, from a stop, you will feel some light lag...and it is light. Then the tach hits about 1300, the turbos are singing and the yeti starts to snarl.
So, check off the 'does this thing have enough power?' question. No worries in that department. Does it have the stones of my 6.2L GMC Denalli? Of course not. But, does it have what is needed to get up and go, handle traffic, torque its way out of a tight spot, and spin all four tires if there is even a hint of moisture on the ground? Yup?? Check, check and check...
There are creaks and snaps from the roof, as other people have noted. Waiting to hear what the top seal material is so I can choose a lube to ease that up. Not particularly worried there. The top seals well and have only had one tiny drip from right at the front edge of the driver's window, after a HUGE downpour. No leaks from car washing and no leaks from the roof seals, themselves. The top is showing signs of light delamination along the edges of the rear cap, but as others have suggested...I would much rather someone waiting for their Bronco get theirs before Ford sends a replacement top out for me. I can wait.
I have added the Stubby antenna (F150 model - thread elsewhere) with no loss of signal, even in the middle of no place (and I have been there, recently). I added the Redline hood struts and I am waiting on my Baja Designs fog light modules to add this weekend.
Now for the yuck...
As I said above, one of the reasons for my trip to Utah, besides laying to rest my 103 yr old grandmother (RIP Grandma Roma), was to pick up my utility trailer that was stored at my dad's house. I was able to get the trailer hitch and wiring kit from Levittown parts, just before I had to leave and planned to install everything when I got up there. The hitch itself...SIMPLE...45 minutes, half of which was spent laughing and remembering with my dad. That is why it is such a head scratcher that the wiring for the hitch is A NIGHTMARE...no install instructions, requires cutting/splicing into wires on BOTH SIDES of the rear end, plus running a wire to the battery and the installation of a power conversion box. Come on Ford...you make the hitch a ten bolt drop in....and I have to take the entire back end of my Bronco apart, plus SPLICE WIRES to get the wiring done???? FAIL - didn't even do it.
Additional yuck...
The quality of the cargo erea lining is subpar plastic. I lined the area with towels and cargo blankets to keep my soft luggage from scuffing anything back there. Didn't matter...the TOWELS and BLANKETS were enough to damage the plastic and turn it from dark gray/black to hazy white and scuffed. FAIL - next stop is a roll of automotive grade carpet and a big can of 3M 90. Should have been carpeted from the factory...it was $62000
More as it plays out and I get a few more of the accessories that are currently back ordered.
Overall...LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE it and will hope for all of you to get yours soon so you can find out how amazing it is....
Start this by saying that I know that I am super lucky to have my Bronco and be putting miles on it. Some folks 'don't want to hear it', but I know when I was waiting, I wanted to hear all the experiences, good and bad, to help let me know what to expect and make the waiting a little easier. It is in that spirit that I share my first month's experience.
I have posted the order journey elsewhere, but quick review: 7/13 - 8:42PM res, 2/8 order, 6/15 window sticker, 6/21 (final) build date, 6/23 actual BLEND, 6/27 Built, 7/13 ship, 7/19 at the dealership.
Since the day of delivery, I babied my Bronco for the first week and then it spent 4 days at the dealership getting PPF, tint, and ceramic coating. The first two weeks, I only put about 250 miles on it, around town. Didn't get into the tach at all (< 3000) and didn't do the freeway to keep the revs and gears all over the map for break in. Seemed sluggish, dull and quite disappointing performance. The overall build quality was great, the MIC had some minor issues of alignment and edge quality, but nothing like what some had reported. There was also a slight color mismatch between the panels, suggesting they weren't all from the same batch. At the end of the second week, freshly out of PPF, I left the Bronco at the airport parking garage for a biz trip. On return, put another 200 miles on it, took the first row panels off a couple of times (much lighter than I remember the Jeep tops being) and tooled around Austin without dipping my toe in it at all. Still slow, boring driving experience. But, the ride continued to put a smile on my face as it feels like a truck, but a very good truck, with great on road manners and steering feel.
Then, unfortunately, had to go to Utah for a funeral and while I had planned to head up to Moab and to pick up a utility trailer while I was up there, I didn't plan to do the trip until later in the year when I could do Off Roadeo in Moab. Set out for Utah (1300+ miles of combo two lane and freeway - each way) from Austin area, with 700 miles on the odo. Still taking things easy, but more freeway driving and higher speeds (got to love 75 MPH limits in TX). Around 850 miles, things started to change. Maybe it was my mood, maybe it was built-in programming for the engine/transmission taking over as it sensed break-in was getting close to that magic 1000 mile mark, or maybe I just decided that it was time to see what the Bronco could really do...but, after rolling into a sleepy little NM town to get fuel, at about 1050 on the odo, I found myself needing to pass a semi, RFN. I pushed the pedal to the floor and with ZERO hesitation, I went from 10th to probably 5th, the revs went to 5000 and a sound came from under the Bronco that basically sounded like I had been letting a Yeti sleep on my floor and then accidentally stepped on him in a very sensitive place. Growl, snarl, grumble....and GO. In no time, I was looking at 96 MPH on the speedo and I was sailing past a semi with plenty of room to spare. Steering tight, suspension smooth and controlled, engine saying 'need more?' and a HUGE smile on my face.
Once the break in period was over, and I was willing to push the magic button, the whole character of the driving experience changed and I am thrilled at what the 2.7 is able to do. Smooth power delivery, just enough grumble to know that there is a hairy beast down in there someplace, and it tows like a trailer isn't even hooked up. All I will say to the doubters, this is a TURBO ENGINE and you drive it differently. It has very little lag, and the engine/transmission pairing seems very well programmed. But, its a turbo, and if you catch it just wrong, from a stop, you will feel some light lag...and it is light. Then the tach hits about 1300, the turbos are singing and the yeti starts to snarl.
So, check off the 'does this thing have enough power?' question. No worries in that department. Does it have the stones of my 6.2L GMC Denalli? Of course not. But, does it have what is needed to get up and go, handle traffic, torque its way out of a tight spot, and spin all four tires if there is even a hint of moisture on the ground? Yup?? Check, check and check...
There are creaks and snaps from the roof, as other people have noted. Waiting to hear what the top seal material is so I can choose a lube to ease that up. Not particularly worried there. The top seals well and have only had one tiny drip from right at the front edge of the driver's window, after a HUGE downpour. No leaks from car washing and no leaks from the roof seals, themselves. The top is showing signs of light delamination along the edges of the rear cap, but as others have suggested...I would much rather someone waiting for their Bronco get theirs before Ford sends a replacement top out for me. I can wait.
I have added the Stubby antenna (F150 model - thread elsewhere) with no loss of signal, even in the middle of no place (and I have been there, recently). I added the Redline hood struts and I am waiting on my Baja Designs fog light modules to add this weekend.
Now for the yuck...
As I said above, one of the reasons for my trip to Utah, besides laying to rest my 103 yr old grandmother (RIP Grandma Roma), was to pick up my utility trailer that was stored at my dad's house. I was able to get the trailer hitch and wiring kit from Levittown parts, just before I had to leave and planned to install everything when I got up there. The hitch itself...SIMPLE...45 minutes, half of which was spent laughing and remembering with my dad. That is why it is such a head scratcher that the wiring for the hitch is A NIGHTMARE...no install instructions, requires cutting/splicing into wires on BOTH SIDES of the rear end, plus running a wire to the battery and the installation of a power conversion box. Come on Ford...you make the hitch a ten bolt drop in....and I have to take the entire back end of my Bronco apart, plus SPLICE WIRES to get the wiring done???? FAIL - didn't even do it.
Additional yuck...
The quality of the cargo erea lining is subpar plastic. I lined the area with towels and cargo blankets to keep my soft luggage from scuffing anything back there. Didn't matter...the TOWELS and BLANKETS were enough to damage the plastic and turn it from dark gray/black to hazy white and scuffed. FAIL - next stop is a roll of automotive grade carpet and a big can of 3M 90. Should have been carpeted from the factory...it was $62000
More as it plays out and I get a few more of the accessories that are currently back ordered.
Overall...LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE it and will hope for all of you to get yours soon so you can find out how amazing it is....
BN 0232 Bronco "Skwach" - 4 Dr FE, Lightning Blue, MIC/NP
New acquisition - Ranger Lariat Tremor, Rapid Red "Quake" (Skwach's little brother)
Other fun stuff: Honda Pioneer 1000 dirt toy (Need hitch!)
New acquisition - Ranger Lariat Tremor, Rapid Red "Quake" (Skwach's little brother)
Other fun stuff: Honda Pioneer 1000 dirt toy (Need hitch!)
Crawler Green, TJNoffy
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Aug 20, 2021