Ford vs. Jeep Rubicon

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Jan 6, 2004 | 12:49 PM

rlh

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From: Florida Hill Country

Ford vs. Jeep Rubicon

The Jeep Rubicon comes with Dana 44s with locking axles. With 4.11 axle ration and 4 to 1 t-case ratio. Rubicon has TruLok selectable air lockers front and rear. It is power by the I6 4.0. And it is shoed with 31 Wrangler MT/Rs. The TruLok is most likely a licensed version of the ARB air locker.

I think Ford needs to wake up. The did a retro T-Bird. What they need is a Retro 66 Bronco with front and rear Eanton ELocker's or Detroit Electracs with a Ford 9" rear and Dana 44 HD front with straight axle. Power that puppie with an EFI a 302. Shoe it with 32 on 15x8 rims and Ford will have a trail ready rig. Or Ford can leave guys like me behind; its there choice. But I can make choices to.

Does anyone know if Ford is even planning anything?

Last edited by rlh; Jan 6, 2004 at 12:56 PM.

Jan 6, 2004 | 03:28 PM

ktmguy70

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Jeep?

I love Jeep, always will, We have everything in my family from old wagoneers, to renegades and newer cherokees and wranglers.
JEEP is all about off-road. They pay attention to things that other manufacturers dont, such as approach and departure angles, axle articulation, keeping the air intake and breather lines high, etc..

Ford is about Trucks.. Plain and simple.

I wouldnt use a ford for Off-road where I go,
and I wouldnt use a jeep to pull a big boat

Ron

00 Excursion Limited 4x4 V-10

Jan 6, 2004 | 07:22 PM

bassdude

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From: colorado

that would be cool. the only thing is, they would have to use the mod motor because they don't make the 302 anymore. whats it been, like six or seven years now? how about the running gear from the new s/d trucks on a updated version of the old bronco. no power anything and manual hubs, and t-case with a lever.

Jan 6, 2004 | 07:32 PM

plasticboob

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I think a real solid axled, short-wheelbase 4x4 from the other big two is needed. Real capable 4x4s are disappearing fast, and a real tough new little Bronco would only be a good thing to see on the trails... while we're at it, let's see a full-size Bronco, Blazer, and Ramcharger again! But of course they won't make them like that, because "not enough" people will buy them for off-roading. So then we're stuck with a regular 4x4 (Achem...AWD with a 50/50 lock if we're lucky) "wagon" with IFS, IRS, and half an inch of ground clearance that just makes us angry every time we see one, and we exclaim "How could they call that thing a Bronco?!"

I have a '74 Cherokee.

However, D/C Jeep needs to wake up. Sure the Rubicon is nice, but look at the Liberty now, and even the Grand Cherokee. Let's have the "trail rated 4x4s" really be trail rated (i.e. larger tires and higher lift), and maybe have one model for the poseurs to drive, and market it under a stupid name like Toyota did with Scion. Why on earth would you buy a Jeep if you don't want these tough off-road attributes? We're not talking Toyota reliability here, either, folks. LOL.

Jan 6, 2004 | 07:36 PM

plasticboob

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BTW, here's a concept pic:

Jan 6, 2004 | 09:13 PM

RYR88

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I'm a big Jeep guy myself, owning a Liberty Renegade and a lifted Grand. It'd be cool to see Ford and GM come out with things like a full-size K5 Blazer or Bronco with solid axles. The whole Jeep "Trail-Rated" thing is a good marketing scheme, but is more than likely preparing enthusiasts for less-capable Jeeps. I just hope they make the redesigned Grand which comes out in Oct. capable. It'd be cool to have the Rescue which was shown in Detroit. What do you guys think about the Bronco prototype and the production Wrangler Unlimited? What features does the Bronco have?

Jan 6, 2004 | 09:24 PM

rlh

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From: Florida Hill Country

Bassdude,

They still have the capability to cast blocks & heads for the 302 (5.0) or the 300 (4.9). The only problem I have with Borg-Warner T-Cases is when I ask about upgrade kits etc. I get the line, "We're sorry, there isn't much available." As long as they use a tough relible tcase with a low ratio of about 4:1 it would be o.k. They could go with a Dana. It has to have manual hubs and selectable lockers. Lets not forget a removable top.

Plastibob, interesting cocept drawing. I see too much H2, Studebaker though. I think they need to look more like the 66 while the retro thing is going on.

Ryr88, A solid axle retro Bronco should be based on th 1979!

I'll probably end up building my own.