Lite Brite Nation (YouTube) Bronco and Wrangler comparison - And my own rant

the Thread assassin is here. Shortly after I post the post usually dies.

Although there seem to be a few that I can't even stop, not that I tried...

210superair

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Man........and to think, I have a Bronco and a Subaru!!!! HOLY TOLEDO!!!!:eek:

Speed Devil

I know ya didnt doubt me, but here we go
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I am not sure when that picture was taken, I was watching one of Lite Brite's YouTube vid where they showed that this vehicle snapped a brand new tie rod. These photos do not have that tie rod installed. Yep, this vehicle has major mods.

CBWAR1

I am not sure when that picture was taken, I was watching one of Lite Brite's YouTube vid where they showed that this vehicle snapped a brand new tie rod. These photos do not have that tie rod installed. Yep, this vehicle has major mods.

Wednesday, April 27th at Daytona Fl for Jeep Beach

RagnarKon

… but that’s only because the tie-rods on the Bronco are just so weak. If Ford fixed that I think it would be largely on-par with a stock Wrangler.

HOSS 3.0

I would love to see comprehensive data on the tie rod failures. All the ones I've seen are on non-badlands, non-squatch models with aftermarket lifts that did not account for the change in steering geometry caused by that aftermarket lift. The factory steering is different on big bend or base vs. Badlands or sasquatch. A half-ass lift is going to disrupt steering geometry and introduce stresses not imaginable in the stock configuration. How many tie rods have broken on factory suspension/steering setups?
Look, I'm all for modifying and lifting a vehicle, but you've got to do it right or it simply will not survive offroad. If you switch your order to a big bend just to get it sooner and cheaper, then throw an aftermarket lift on to clear 37s, but you're too damn cheap to upgrade your front end and steering components, then YES, YOU ARE GOING TO BREAK STUFF!! This is the fault of whoever half-assed the original vehicle specs and subsequent upgrades. If you're gonna cheap out on vehicle trims and then modify for heavy offroad use, you've got to modify ALL the components for heavy offroad use. If you're not going to upgrade it properly, then start with a trim more designed for your intended use.
Please, someone prove me wrong. Show me proof of a stock Bronco breaking tie rods, or show me proof of a properly modified Bronco breaking tie rods. Otherwise, quit creating failure points through your crappy upgrades and blaming Ford for them.

There's a reason my '79 has 0.25" wall DOM tie rods. Not because the factory design was deficient, but because my suspension mods, bigger tires, and extreme abuse were just too much for the factory intended use. I didn't blame Ford, I accepted that I was beating my truck harder than it was designed to be beaten. And i upgraded the next weakest link.

RagnarKon

That’s basically my experience with the Wrangler… and I suspect it’ll be my experience with the Bronco.

Upgrade one component, find a weak link. Replace the weak link with a beefier part… and suddenly you’ll find a new weak link you never knew you had. Rinse/repeat until wallet empty. :p

Exactly!

Just my two cents. I think Kevin was very biased. They've had quite a few issues with their Jeep and it has broken and stranded them from time to time. While he failed to talk about his real-world experiences with his Jeep, he bashed the Bronco for potential issues that haven't personally happened to him. He and Brittany went into the Bronco with a heavy bias against IFS having weak points, and they never seem to get over that. They also went into it knowing full well the 4wheel drive system was all electric, so it surprised me that he felt it was so unreliable. Makes me wonder why they bought the Bronco at all, and why they have a Bronco Raptor on order? Won't the Raptor suffer the same ills as the regular Bronco? The video seemed like a character assassination, and then the Subura comment turned it into a full-on Bronco Genocide.

As to the rant, I will never forgive Kevin and Brittany for introducing the world to Tyler Mason, AKA BroncBuster. Tyler Mason is the single biggest culprit for the tie rod issue getting completely blown out of proportion. He has saturated social media with fear-mongering of every kind. YouTubers who promote his products have confessed they get paid money if you use his provided promo codes. I think the best thing that could happen is Kevin and Brittany go back to Jeep exclusively and Tyler won't be able to ride their coattails for views. Their video introducing his product currently has over 370,000 views. A single video about the tierod issue has more views than there are 6G Broncos on the road by almost double. The amount of echo chamber that creates has added to the hysteria.

Just chiming in here..

I've been watching LiteBriteNation's vids a bit here and there, and I'm still undecided on whether I like them or not. I will say, their Bronco vs Wrangler video was pretty interesting. They make a ton of valid points and their criticisms (albeit subjective) are pretty good. It does seem they are a bit biased toward Jeeps, considering they have something like $40k invested in one, which is unsurprising. All in all, there is a lot I agree with, and some points I was surprised by (their lack of faith in the Bronco's offroad capabilities was kind of funny).

To sum up my opinion on this whole thing: vehicles appeal to different demographics for different reasons. Jeeps have always appealed to hardcore offroaders, and as time has gone on, to dudes who want to rock crawl. The Bronco was a nice middle-ground, for folks who are interested in a vehicle that will get you just about anywhere in the wilderness if you buy it equipped properly right out the gate, but is also extremely comfortable on a long road trip. It's a significantly better daily driver than a Jeep is, has better amenities and is definitely more appealing to a generation more concerned with comfort than rugged functionality. That's what interested me, and I assume hundreds of thousands of others. I ordered mine because I want to overland and dispersed camp in some very back-country areas, places that can't be reached by a normal car. I didn't buy it to compete in King of the Hammers.

As far as the quality, Ford has faced some pretty insurmountable hurdles with these last few years, so I can't blame them for being unable to immediately correct a lot of these issues. They are stuck with what they have produced and are continuing to produce, until things subside and return to normal. I don't really know how the tie rods made it past R&D, but I also know they aren't as massive a deal as the internet makes them out to be. Hopefully Ford resolves this issue in the near future, but for now, we have the aftermarket to the rescue, so I can't really consider it a huge deal breaker for me.
Interior components/plastics - eh, it's a vehicle geared to being offroad and in the wilderness. It could be spec'd with high-end components, but the price would not be $60k, more like $80-100k like the G-Wagon.

Regardless, I think Ford knows they have a smash hit on their hands. I foresee them putting more R&D into the Bronco for the next few model revisions, but I'm willing to bet they will sunset it once again before it hits a 10 year run. In the interim, we can bet there will be lots of aftermarket support, and the Bronco will become a true serious contender to Jeep in many ways.

Garemlin

Yeah the windshield is a non issue. Both vehicles are essentially non aerodynamic rolling bricks. Cracked windshields are the nature of the beast.

But the tie rod issue I think is pretty real. Too many cases of them breaking. Even under minimal strain. Why are there so many aftermarket options being pushed out to address it?? And why did Ford release upgraded parts themselves?? Placebo effect?? Snake oil??

Wear and Tear of all kinds is one of the reasons I went with the 2DR Badlands non Sasquatch High Package. I will be happy with the 33” K02’s as I will mostly be in the snow. LightBrite is good for every once in a while and surprisingly experienced off-roading. I like the variety of rigs they take out on the trails. Chris is great and I think I will get the NextAdventure rear shock protection and maybe the rear diff skid plate.

RagnarKon

Worth noting that they are not sponsored by Jeep or Mopar and never have been. They are sponsored by Bilstein, and given Bilstein developed the HOSS 2.0 suspension for Ford, from a strictly financial perspective they have more to gain by promoting the Bronco over Jeep.

Obviously they are probably slightly biased towards Jeep (even if it is subconscious) since their Wrangler basically allowed them to have the life they now live. But that’s fine, we each have our own life experiences. I personally am biased towards Ford since my father worked for Ford for over 20 years. It’s what I grew up with, and what I’m comfortable with.

But in reality they are just owners that are expressing their opinions online, really no different than what any of us are doing. The only difference is they get a small financial kickback, whereas I do it because I’m obsessed and apparently have nothing better to do with my life. :giggle:

So right on! I am Ford biased as well as I am on the road more than off-road. I had a 1976 Bronco that I beat the heck out of and didn’t break anything but a headlight. I did have to chop the tree down that broke it to get unstuck though.

end of the day, I dont care what influencers have to say, period.

I want the facts, I come to the forums, period

If you have to parade half-naked to get eyeballs, your content is probably not that special.

Speed Devil

end of the day, I dont care what influencers have to say, period.

I want the facts, I come to the forums, period

I'm just curious as to why you think Forums have more facts than a YouTube channel? I mean both are equally weighted with opinions, and data that cannot be verified. Like the people who say they get 21mpg with the same exact vehicle that i have gets 15.5, you have to wade through all the info, and somewhere in the middle is ths truth.
I feel like Lite Brite has more to.lose by this video than to gain. So whether it's opinions or facts. They took the risk and and some will hate them, some will love them. They get to do what most people wishes they could. And that's get out there and wheel for a living!!
Btw... I'm loving my 21 BD, and it's better than a Jeep!!!

Mikes2021Bronco

I'm just curious as to why you think Forums have more facts than a YouTube channel? I mean both are equally weighted with opinions, and data that cannot be verified. Like the people who say they get 21mpg with the same exact vehicle that i have gets 15.5, you have to wade through all the info, and somewhere in the middle is ths truth.
I feel like Lite Brite has more to.lose by this video than to gain. So whether it's opinions or facts. They took the risk and and some will hate them, some will love them. They get to do what most people wishes they could. And that's get out there and wheel for a living!!
Btw... I'm loving my 21 BD, and it's better than a Jeep!!!

Simple, they can be paid under the table to influence you, they got sponsors, and stuff, plus they're generally annoying with their plastic smiles and stuff. It's the same reason I don't care for celebrities or watch reality tv or whatever that one ex of mine binged on (Hence why she's an ex)

Who's to say they aren't being paid to trash the Bronco, I wouldn't put it past them. They research the weakpoints, record themselves abusing said weakpoints and acting surprised while ignoring they dumped a new cars worth into their jeeps.

That's just my 2 cents though, take it or leave it

Speed Devil

Simple, they can be paid under the table to influence you, they got sponsors, and stuff, plus they're generally annoying with their plastic smiles and stuff. It's the same reason I don't care for celebrities or watch reality tv or whatever that one ex of mine binged on (Hence why she's an ex)

Who's to say they aren't being paid to trash the Bronco, I wouldn't put it past them. They research the weakpoints, record themselves abusing said weakpoints and acting surprised while ignoring they dumped a new cars worth into their jeeps.

That's just my 2 cents though, take it or leave it

Oh I totally agree, it can be influenced. But I'm not sure people who spend 50k on a product. Can not be influenced with their opinion on forums all the same.
I don't like to admit I spent 50k on a vehicle, then bash it. But I do, if I feel strongly about it. But I may also "over react" on how good it is, because I spent 50k. To make myself and others feel better about that cash drop... haha..
Mines a DD, so unless it fails under normal use.. nothing they said or didn't say should affect me.. lol...

Mikes2021Bronco

Oh I totally agree, it can be influenced. But I'm not sure people who spend 50k on a product. Can not be influenced with their opinion on forums all the same.
I don't like to admit I spent 50k on a vehicle, then bash it. But I do, if I feel strongly about it. But I may also "over react" on how good it is, because I spent 50k. To make myself and others feel better about that cash drop... haha..
Mines a DD, so unless it fails under normal use.. nothing they said or didn't say should affect me.. lol...

Yep,
I’ve gotta agree,
Its just that “Forums “ generally discuss back and fourth (pros & cons).
Albeit it , there are a few knuckle heads that prefer it to become a testosterone challenge.
But the Videos pitch a “mater of fact mentality “ that apparently no one should challenge “or can for that matter “.
I know of many , many who do not have their Broncos yet , and like I said somewhere in an earlier post about the side mirrors. “Absolutely Not an Issue for %95 of the Bronco usage. But it’s laid out to be this massive tooth hanging out from the side of the truck.
“it’s just not true”.

I will always support good quality feedback.
But “looking for” level / true comparisons?
I just didn’t see it in the video.
It was just an opinion piece,(nothing more).
IMO.
Also @Garemlin is spot on for the start up of the original post.
Very likely one of those 5% hardcore drivers that sees fundamental flaws for that level of trail encounters.

Don’t feel like reading all the “comments” on this thread but I’ll throw in my one confusion on a decision ford made.
Why does the 2dr get standard rear cup holders on all trims but on the 4 dr you have to get the luxury interior? And also it’s 2022 would it have been that hard to throw a couple of AC vents in the back side of the center console?

dover157

Don’t feel like reading all the “comments” on this thread but I’ll throw in my one confusion on a decision ford made.
Why does the 2dr get standard rear cup holders on all trims but on the 4 dr you have to get the luxury interior? And also it’s 2022 would it have been that hard to throw a couple of AC vents in the back side of the center console?

I think it's built into the inside fender wells of the 2 door. I may be wrong.