Bronco to Have a Solid Front Axle?
#31
Really confused by some of the responses here. It really needs to have solid axles. Anyone that says the independent suspension is good offroad doesn't go off road. Second, IT'S A BRONCO, why are we focusing on road handling? If that is what you care about, why the heck are you buying a bronco? Independent can be made to be good in serious offroad with enough money like what they do in the king of the hammers, but OEM and IFS are 6 letters that should not be in the same sentence when talking about offroad. Independent front and rear? Hell no! that would be the biggest joke ever.
I think it's this new era of buyers created by the JKU. People who buy the 4 door wrangler to go to the mall and to/from work without ever taking it off road. If that's the case then sure IFS is the way to go for a more comfortable ride on the street. I'm really looking for a Bronco/Ranger that shows Ford is serious about taking on Jeep.
#32
I saw this link on The Ranger Station forums on a thread talking about both the upcoming Ranger and the Bronco. An allegedly unnamed Ford Product Development Planner takes questions about both vehicles and provides the answers that he's allowed to give. At this time, Ford is not planning a 2-door Bronco. It will be 4-door with a fixed roof.
https://www.reddit.com/r/fordranger/...mpany_product/
https://www.reddit.com/r/fordranger/...mpany_product/
Pretty sure the new Ranger will be a winner though.
#33
+1
I think it's this new era of buyers created by the JKU. People who buy the 4 door wrangler to go to the mall and to/from work without ever taking it off road. If that's the case then sure IFS is the way to go for a more comfortable ride on the street. I'm really looking for a Bronco/Ranger that shows Ford is serious about taking on Jeep.
I think it's this new era of buyers created by the JKU. People who buy the 4 door wrangler to go to the mall and to/from work without ever taking it off road. If that's the case then sure IFS is the way to go for a more comfortable ride on the street. I'm really looking for a Bronco/Ranger that shows Ford is serious about taking on Jeep.
Who anymore is actually buying a brand-new $50+k vehicle and taking it rock crawling? You make a good point Jeeper. Why are we worried about the off-road capabilities of a vehicle that, in the hands of 90% of consumers, will never see more than a gravel road! Look at the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon; most buyers are urban professionals who never go any further off-road than the parking lot at Starbucks! That's who is buying these vehicles these days, so that is who Ford is going to target the Bronco at. Give them the off-road enthusiast image, with the on-road driving excitement of an I-Pad! And the Millennials will line up to buy it.
We might as well prepare ourselves for the worst now; because Ford will most likely ruin this.
#34
If you are a serious off-roader, you're gonna buy something older and used and modify it. So wait until the very plentiful Jeeps depreciate while left in relatively mint condition and buy/modify them...that is your source of serious off-road vehicles.
How many 150-200 mph pony cars and sports cars are out on the road? How many of them hit top speed with any regularity? How many of them see a race track? People buy vehicles for image--they WEAR them, not use them.
George
#35
Well, you could go to the opposite end of the spectrum, too- They have the GT, which is a low production vehicle that costs A LOT, angled towards a very limited group of very specific buyers. One thing that vehicle does is increase brand recognition, and to a certain extent increase foot traffic through the dealerships. Who's to say they might not go a similar route on the new Bronco? Best of the best off road, but low production with a limited audience. It is an "also" vehicle at the assembly plant, after all.
#36
Ford has moved Focus and C-Max production out of the Wayne, MI plant to Mexico. They NEED, and everyone in town WANTS the Wayne plant to keep our southwest Detroit area neighbors at work. Ford can't make money building small/medium cars in the US any more. Everyone in the Detroit area is happy that the new Ranger and Bronco will give the Wayne plant a chance. (I was proud when I bought my new wife a brand new Escort GT in 1986--it was built in Wayne, MI.)
The GT is a "halo" car like the Viper, made to draw people into the showroom. It doesn't share anything major with other vehicles. It probably loses money.
Ford and the UAW are staking the future of this plant on some big production numbers, which will only happen with big volume sales. The Everest is built on a shortened Ranger frame just like the Toyota 4Runner is built on a shortened Tacoma frame. They will have the same relationship and it only makes sense to use the same construction for production flexibility as well as crash test results. And it only makes sense for Ford to go for big volume with both the Ranger and the Bronco.
The GT is a "halo" car like the Viper, made to draw people into the showroom. It doesn't share anything major with other vehicles. It probably loses money.
Ford and the UAW are staking the future of this plant on some big production numbers, which will only happen with big volume sales. The Everest is built on a shortened Ranger frame just like the Toyota 4Runner is built on a shortened Tacoma frame. They will have the same relationship and it only makes sense to use the same construction for production flexibility as well as crash test results. And it only makes sense for Ford to go for big volume with both the Ranger and the Bronco.
#37
#38
I want Ford to make money as much as the next guy, but... Beware the sell, sell, sell, attitude. The Mustang II had great sales numbers the first year, but was only saved when the Mustang was totally redesigned a couple of years later.
More to building a car company than raw sales numbers.
More to building a car company than raw sales numbers.
#39
The only way for Ford to ruin this would be to build a crude solid axle vehicle that would sell in tiny numbers. They are in biz to MAKE MONEY, not cater to the wishes of a small number of serious off-roaders.
If you are a serious off-roader, you're gonna buy something older and used and modify it. So wait until the very plentiful Jeeps depreciate while left in relatively mint condition and buy/modify them...that is your source of serious off-road vehicles.
How many 150-200 mph pony cars and sports cars are out on the road? How many of them hit top speed with any regularity? How many of them see a race track? People buy vehicles for image--they WEAR them, not use them.
George
If you are a serious off-roader, you're gonna buy something older and used and modify it. So wait until the very plentiful Jeeps depreciate while left in relatively mint condition and buy/modify them...that is your source of serious off-road vehicles.
How many 150-200 mph pony cars and sports cars are out on the road? How many of them hit top speed with any regularity? How many of them see a race track? People buy vehicles for image--they WEAR them, not use them.
George
#40
The new Bronco will basically be a resurrection of the pre-2011 Explorer sizewise (maybe with removable roof panels and maybe some skid plates) and is significantly smaller than an Expy, just like the new Ranger will be smaller than the F150. The Expy ain't remotely an off-roader and has IFS and IRS.
As for IFS, look at the Toyota 4Runner and current Tacoma (and departed FJ Cruiser), recently departed Nissan XTerra, and any modern Jeep other than the Wrangler. How about the real military Hummer H1? These as well as modern Land Cruisers, Land Rovers, Range Rovers have no solid front axles. Many of these have some serious off road credibility... Off road design has gone well beyond oxcarts these days.
I did just see a new GMC Acadia with the "all terrain" package and that is pretty funny...the most aggressive tires they offer are Michelin all season Premiers. No car company is gonna make money selling specialized vehicles that are true rock crawlers; I would bet that less than 5% of new Wranglers ever see serious off road duty in my area (Detroit and burbs).
George
As for IFS, look at the Toyota 4Runner and current Tacoma (and departed FJ Cruiser), recently departed Nissan XTerra, and any modern Jeep other than the Wrangler. How about the real military Hummer H1? These as well as modern Land Cruisers, Land Rovers, Range Rovers have no solid front axles. Many of these have some serious off road credibility... Off road design has gone well beyond oxcarts these days.
I did just see a new GMC Acadia with the "all terrain" package and that is pretty funny...the most aggressive tires they offer are Michelin all season Premiers. No car company is gonna make money selling specialized vehicles that are true rock crawlers; I would bet that less than 5% of new Wranglers ever see serious off road duty in my area (Detroit and burbs).
George
If all the sudden jeep was stupid enough to put ifs in, all the reviewers and hardcore fans will say how crap it is (because it would be) and it would destroy the names. The ones that still buy it will be meet with everyone saying that the old one was better,
#41
Who anymore is actually buying a brand-new $50+k vehicle and taking it rock crawling? You make a good point Jeeper. Why are we worried about the off-road capabilities of a vehicle that, in the hands of 90% of consumers, will never see more than a gravel road! Look at the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon; most buyers are urban professionals who never go any further off-road than the parking lot at Starbucks! That's who is buying these vehicles these days, so that is who Ford is going to target the Bronco at. Give them the off-road enthusiast image, with the on-road driving excitement of an I-Pad! And the Millennials will line up to buy it.
We might as well prepare ourselves for the worst now; because Ford will most likely ruin this.
We might as well prepare ourselves for the worst now; because Ford will most likely ruin this.
#42
Jeep Wranglers sell because they have the Jeep reputation and look and people want to "wear" them, not use them. Well-to-do families in my area buy or lease them for high school girls. There is no way that a new Bronco coming fresh out of the gate is gonna have that Jeep magic, just like no copy of a Fender Stratocaster or Telecaster will ever BE a Fender Strat or Tele, and no copy of a Gibson Les Paul will ever bee a Les Paul, speaking in guitar terms. Brand name and style matter. Think of Harley Davidson....
The new Jeep Cherokee is selling in really large numbers--MORE than the Wrangler--and it's based on a Fiat car chassis with a transverse engine... The new Escape and Explorer are selling in really large numbers because people want SUV's, not Fusions.
For the real rock crawlers, there will be more than enough used off-lease Jeep Wranglers formerly driven by high school girls to serve your market.
The Ranger will be based on the world Ranger, and the Bronco will be based on the Ranger, and neither of these have a solid front axle. I have nothing to do with the design of Ford vehicles but might be interested in a new Bronco if it a good street vehicle but has some real ground clearance and toughness. I'd consider buying a 4Runner if it wasn't a Toyota. Here's a realistic article:
Baloney: Ford Bronco, Ranger Getting Solid Front Axle | truck News @ Top Speed
The new Jeep Cherokee is selling in really large numbers--MORE than the Wrangler--and it's based on a Fiat car chassis with a transverse engine... The new Escape and Explorer are selling in really large numbers because people want SUV's, not Fusions.
For the real rock crawlers, there will be more than enough used off-lease Jeep Wranglers formerly driven by high school girls to serve your market.
The Ranger will be based on the world Ranger, and the Bronco will be based on the Ranger, and neither of these have a solid front axle. I have nothing to do with the design of Ford vehicles but might be interested in a new Bronco if it a good street vehicle but has some real ground clearance and toughness. I'd consider buying a 4Runner if it wasn't a Toyota. Here's a realistic article:
Baloney: Ford Bronco, Ranger Getting Solid Front Axle | truck News @ Top Speed
#43
Jeep Wranglers sell because they have the Jeep reputation and look and people want to "wear" them, not use them. Well-to-do families in my area buy or lease them for high school girls. There is no way that a new Bronco coming fresh out of the gate is gonna have that Jeep magic, just like no copy of a Fender Stratocaster or Telecaster will ever BE a Fender Strat or Tele, and no copy of a Gibson Les Paul will ever bee a Les Paul, speaking in guitar terms. Brand name and style matter.
The new Jeep Cherokee is selling in really large numbers--MORE than the Wrangler--and it's based on a Fiat car chassis with a transverse engine... The new Escape and Explorer are selling in really large numbers because people want SUV's, not Fusions.
For the real rock crawlers, there will be more than enough used off-lease Jeep Wranglers formerly driven by high school girls to serve your market.
The Ranger will be based on the world Ranger, and the Bronco will be based on the Ranger, and neither of these have a solid front axle. I have nothing to do with the design of Ford vehicles but might be interested in a new Bronco if it a good street vehicle but has some real ground clearance and toughness. I'd consider buying a 4Runner if it wasn't a Toyota. Here's a realistic article:
Baloney: Ford Bronco, Ranger Getting Solid Front Axle truck News @ Top Speed
The new Jeep Cherokee is selling in really large numbers--MORE than the Wrangler--and it's based on a Fiat car chassis with a transverse engine... The new Escape and Explorer are selling in really large numbers because people want SUV's, not Fusions.
For the real rock crawlers, there will be more than enough used off-lease Jeep Wranglers formerly driven by high school girls to serve your market.
The Ranger will be based on the world Ranger, and the Bronco will be based on the Ranger, and neither of these have a solid front axle. I have nothing to do with the design of Ford vehicles but might be interested in a new Bronco if it a good street vehicle but has some real ground clearance and toughness. I'd consider buying a 4Runner if it wasn't a Toyota. Here's a realistic article:
Baloney: Ford Bronco, Ranger Getting Solid Front Axle truck News @ Top Speed
Lol some toughness?! With ifs? Lol toughness and oem ifs are a joke.
Once again how did jeeps reputation get there? By being good off road. Reputation will go away if they made it less capable (aka putting ifs in it). Yes bronco will not have the name right away that's why you have to build it. Name will not be built if it is no different that every other SUV. Name will be tarnished because the people that wanted a capable off-roader will be furious. Yes your are right, people want SUV and we have a crap ton of them. Bronco needs to be different and actually capable off-road with on road compromises. Don't want on road compromises? Get something else.
#44
Separate body/frame SUV with some ground clearance and relative toughness. Don't need a rock crawler. I like the 4Runner and the Everest and the pre-2011 Explorer. And about that size. Not car-based like the Edge (which is a good size but is a transverse engine). We'll see what Ford gives us.
The Raptor is the size of the Queen Mary and is not an SUV. Not interested in that or the Expedition which is also huge and way too expensive for what I want. Don't need a top that comes off.
We might as well relax and wait to see what happens; I'm assuming that you are not in Ford Motor Company management or engineering and neither am I although I know a bunch of engineers. Your profile says you're 20 years old. Do you have 40 grand to spend on a new Bronco if it meets your criteria?
Take care,
George
The Raptor is the size of the Queen Mary and is not an SUV. Not interested in that or the Expedition which is also huge and way too expensive for what I want. Don't need a top that comes off.
We might as well relax and wait to see what happens; I'm assuming that you are not in Ford Motor Company management or engineering and neither am I although I know a bunch of engineers. Your profile says you're 20 years old. Do you have 40 grand to spend on a new Bronco if it meets your criteria?
Take care,
George
#45
Every vehicle you just named sucks off road. The wrangler is the only good off road vehicle left, it needs some competition. I'll bet the number is higher than 5% bet even if that's accurate, if you ruin that capability, everyone will know it. Its image will fall and it's sales will plummet.
If all the sudden jeep was stupid enough to put ifs in, all the reviewers and hardcore fans will say how crap it is (because it would be) and it would destroy the names. The ones that still buy it will be meet with everyone saying that the old one was better,
If all the sudden jeep was stupid enough to put ifs in, all the reviewers and hardcore fans will say how crap it is (because it would be) and it would destroy the names. The ones that still buy it will be meet with everyone saying that the old one was better,
I've solid front axle trucks, TTB trucks and now an IFS truck. Can someone please give me solid advantage to having a solid front axle truck as opposed to any of the others that I mentioned?
Additionally, why in hell would Ford build the Bronco with a solid axle when the Ranger will likely come with IFS? This vehicle is already going to be expensive, how much more so does it have to be?