2025 Ford Bronco brings back base model with manual and steel wheels… thoughts?

Ford’s reintroducing a base model Bronco, and it’s stirring up some discussion. What do you think about manual transmission and steelies making a return? Worth it or just a gimmick?

Feels like Ford’s just doing this to say they have a Bronco under $40k.

Zinnia said:
Feels like Ford’s just doing this to say they have a Bronco under $40k.

As long as people can buy it for that price, who cares why? Sounds fun, though I doubt you’ll find this spec on a lot.

@Oakes
It’s still 20% more than a base Wrangler and about the same as a Willys with 33s and a rear locker.

Zinnia said:
@Oakes
It’s still 20% more than a base Wrangler and about the same as a Willys with 33s and a rear locker.

But it drives better than a Wrangler. No death wobble.

Azar said:

Zinnia said:
@Oakes
It’s still 20% more than a base Wrangler and about the same as a Willys with 33s and a rear locker.

But it drives better than a Wrangler. No death wobble.

Death wobble just means something’s loose that shouldn’t be.

@Zinnia
Yeah, but it’s weird how it mostly happens on Jeeps.

Azar said:
@Zinnia
Yeah, but it’s weird how it mostly happens on Jeeps.

It’s not just Jeeps. Other solid-axle vehicles get it too, but Jeeps are the most popular ones.

Azar said:
@Zinnia
Yeah, but it’s weird how it mostly happens on Jeeps.

Straight axle vehicles can get death wobble. Independent suspension ones don’t.

Azar said:
@Zinnia
Yeah, but it’s weird how it mostly happens on Jeeps.

First time I had death wobble was in an F350. Turned out to be a loose drag link.

Azar said:
@Zinnia
Yeah, but it’s weird how it mostly happens on Jeeps.

In the US, outside of the Wrangler, only F-250 trucks still use solid front axles. Those get it too. I guess the Ineos Grenadier counts, but it starts at $71k, while the Wrangler is $32k.

Azar said:

Zinnia said:
@Oakes
It’s still 20% more than a base Wrangler and about the same as a Willys with 33s and a rear locker.

But it drives better than a Wrangler. No death wobble.

Handles Costco speed bumps better too.

@Vale
Costco speed bumps are brutal.

Azar said:

Zinnia said:
@Oakes
It’s still 20% more than a base Wrangler and about the same as a Willys with 33s and a rear locker.

But it drives better than a Wrangler. No death wobble.

Switched from a Wrangler to a Bronco. Drive feels way smoother.

Zinnia said:
@Oakes
It’s still 20% more than a base Wrangler and about the same as a Willys with 33s and a rear locker.

Wranglers feel like a picnic bench in a hurricane if you go over 75mph.

@Talon
So what’s a base Bronco like? Plastic lawn chair on a breezy fall day?

Arin said:
@Talon
So what’s a base Bronco like? Plastic lawn chair on a breezy fall day?

Pretty much. Sold!

Fallon said:

Arin said:
@Talon
So what’s a base Bronco like? Plastic lawn chair on a breezy fall day?

Pretty much. Sold!

Deal.

Zinnia said:
@Oakes
It’s still 20% more than a base Wrangler and about the same as a Willys with 33s and a rear locker.

Hot take: base Bronco proportions are weird. Wrangler Willys looks better with the wheels and fender combo. Just my biased opinion.

@Jai
2-door Broncos look okay on 32s, but 4-doors need 35s.