Thoughts on 2021 Bronco as LR4 replacement?

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umbertob

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Limb risers. The steel cables can keep heavy brush and tree branches from hitting the windshield when you venture off-road. Another way of using those hoops at the outer edges of the hood is as tie-downs for canoes, kayaks or other long objects loaded on the roof.
 

toddjb122

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Limb risers. The steel cables can keep heavy brush and tree branches from hitting the windshield when you venture off-road. Another way of using those hoops at the outer edges of the hood is as tie-downs for canoes, kayaks or other long objects loaded on the roof.
That's awesome! Thanks.
(I'd use it more for boat tie downs but the limb risers sound great also).
 

roverman

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I am looking at the new Defender and Bronco (reservation in just in case). The Defender is pricey, but the Bronco will probably not be cheap on the higher trims and loaded (Build configurator due out in August). But by my best estimate, a Bronco Badlands 4dr with most features (33" KO2, front/rear locking diffs, detachable sway, V6 auto) will be about $15k+ lower cost than my desired Defender. It's enough to allow me to potentially keep my LR4 and add the Bronco. Best of both worlds! The LR4 as daily driver and the Bronco for ******* fun. Ford Performance will probably come out with a tune for the 2.7L ecoboost if I want more power (i.e. 375+hp, 450+ lb/ft torque) and still keep the warranty intact. Ford already has a tune out for the 2.3L ecoboost (adds about 50 hp & torque).

If I dented the Defender off-road, I'd be upset, but the Bronco, I'd be like...cool! Ha ha. Plus the Bronco body panels are bolt-ons, including the rear quarter panels. The maintenance and repair costs should be a lot cheaper. The Defender and Bronco are different target markets, but there is some overlap.

Wife was not a fan of our short term Jeep, but if I can get this color combo (or a wrap to get white top), she will be ok with the Bronco...

BRONCO_4_DOOR_ACC_0078_C3_v1_current.jpg

This, pretty much everything you wrote for me too, down to the color. Does anyone know if you can actually GET a soft top for the two door? All I've seen is it comes with a hard top whereas the 4 door comes with a soft top.

You mentioned the body panels, I was thinking about the plastic fender flares watching some defender videos yesterday. All I could think is how you'd have to buy a whole quarter panel if you had a little run in with a tree? That would get expensive fast!
 

Davidinseattle

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This, pretty much everything you wrote for me too, down to the color. Does anyone know if you can actually GET a soft top for the two door? All I've seen is it comes with a hard top whereas the 4 door comes with a soft top.

You mentioned the body panels, I was thinking about the plastic fender flares watching some defender videos yesterday. All I could think is how you'd have to buy a whole quarter panel if you had a little run in with a tree? That would get expensive fast!

although the markets for each vehicle are not exactly the same, certainly the entrenched Land Rover crowd using a Defender for off road have to be silently bemoaning all the features this Bronco has for off-roading. The most important features are cost of ownership and ease to work on. Looks like Ford set this up to be a DIY dream. Meanwhile, lucky8, with vehicle in hand is working night and day trying to figure out how to make a front bumper...

So, I hear people talking about the price of the vehicle as an advantage for Ford. It's not the price that the huge advantage, it's going to be the accessories, the maintenance and the repairs that will be the huge savings.

If you want an off road vehicle and are between a Defender and a Bronco, there's really not much of a choice here. Even if money is no issue, which would would you rather be broke down with 20 miles in to capitol reef?
 

ryanjl

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There are only 2 problems I can see so far with the new Bronco.

1. I'm not sold on the Ecoboost being a reliable engine in the long-term.

2. You're going to see so many damn Broncos on the road you'll be sick of them the same as a Wrangler. Along with that will come aftermarket companies selling crap so people can make their Bronco look "unique," which will inherently involve some really ugly looking stuff. I can already predict the stupid "Angry Bronco" grilles incoming. Even if you own a Bronco and have taste, seeing horribly modified ones all the time will wear on you.
 

umbertob

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If you want an off road vehicle and are between a Defender and a Bronco, there's really not much of a choice here. Even if money is no issue, which would would you rather be broke down with 20 miles in to capitol reef?

That's a super silly argument that could have been made for any car ever manufactured since the Model T. Let's say that I'd rather be in a Land Rover that doesn't break down, over any ultra-capable Wrangler or ultra-reliable Toyota. That's the way I've been doing it for the past 15 years, no regrets. Never broken down 20 miles from anywhere. The new Bronco is still unproven, untested, unobtainable for at least a year. It's an online brochure and adrenaline pumping videos. It could turn out to be a fantastic vehicle on pavement and off-road, or it could turn out to be a really nice looking Ford.
 

DashRiprock

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This, pretty much everything you wrote for me too, down to the color. Does anyone know if you can actually GET a soft top for the two door? All I've seen is it comes with a hard top whereas the 4 door comes with a soft top.

You mentioned the body panels, I was thinking about the plastic fender flares watching some defender videos yesterday. All I could think is how you'd have to buy a whole quarter panel if you had a little run in with a tree? That would get expensive fast!

Per another forum, the 2 door will have several soft top options. The configurator will be available next month and should provide some answers.

The fender flares can clip on and off in a couple of minutes if needed. I think the models with 35" tires have wider flares.

If I was loaded, I would get the Defender and Bronco. Unfortunately I'm not. But the option of keeping the LR4 and getting the Bronco may be the answer for me. I just would not like to scratch up the Defender. Of course I probably felt the same was about the LR4 when it was new. I agree there will be many Broncos on the road in 2021/2022, some with ugly modifications just like Jeep, but I still liked the Jeep and bought one (wife hated it). If someone is looking for high-class refinement, the Bronco probably won't be it. Ha ha.
 

DirtyHal

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Per another forum, the 2 door will have several soft top options. The configurator will be available next month and should provide some answers.

The fender flares can clip on and off in a couple of minutes if needed. I think the models with 35" tires have wider flares.

If I was loaded, I would get the Defender and Bronco. Unfortunately I'm not. But the option of keeping the LR4 and getting the Bronco may be the answer for me. I just would not like to scratch up the Defender. Of course I probably felt the same was about the LR4 when it was new. I agree there will be many Broncos on the road in 2021/2022, some with ugly modifications just like Jeep, but I still liked the Jeep and bought one (wife hated it). If someone is looking for high-class refinement, the Bronco probably won't be it. Ha ha.


I think the Defender is going to be suprisingly scratch-proof if you opt for the protective film:
https://www.just-auto.com/analysis/...ech-on-land-rovers-new-defender_id191169.aspx

The more I read about them the more I want one...:D
 

umbertob

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My incoming 110 will come with that satin film actually (alas, it's only available on a handful of colors initially, including my silver, green and brown/stone, that's it I believe.) It was an expensive option from the factory, but a good quality wrap applied locally costs about the same with labor, and at least Land Rover's is covered by the factory warranty should the film start peeling off for some reason... I also really liked the look of the satin finish when I saw it in person. After years of local off-roading both my former RRS and current LR4 proudly show "California pinstriping" scratches all over doors , fenders, etc. from our infamous desert + mountain brush, which over time becomes hard for even a good detailer to get rid of completely, and I hope the film will offer protection from that type of damage. We'll see.
 

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