How the Bronco compares to a LC70/Prado; practically

[nickw]

So hear me out.

I'll preface by saying no, they not built to the same duty cycle or build standard - which I don't think most people need, generally speaking.

I think a modest built 2.3 Bronco compares well, especially to the 2 door LC70 variants.....

Transmission:
Both manual
Both with granny low

Interiors:
relatively simple

Axles:
W/the upgrades available through Dana you can get a 'Ultimate' D44 IFS up front and a D60 out back, OEM spec w/lockers....I imagine the front is on par or stronger than the 8" LC axle (likely not the older 9.5" ones) and stronger than the Prodo mini-truck stuff and a D60 is right up there if not stronger than a proper full float Toyota 9.5". You can also get upgraded axel shafts and drive shafts.

Exterior:
Relatively utilitarian, steel bumpers, simple design, steel rims, well protected. Stock 32's but can handle much bigger tires.

Engine:
the 2.3 engine is a well designed powerplant that has excellent performance, for what it is, it's a great engine that proven itself.

Looks:


Payload obviously isn't there, but many of the other items people rant and rave about are, HD axles, deep low range, F&R lockers.....the Bronco (IMO) can be made into what I'd consider a rugged, solidly (over)built truck that competes with a LC that everybody lusts after....

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The Bronco is available with up to 35" tires factory stock... but not with steel wheels for whatever that is worth. The Black Diamond you have pictured as pictured (without the Sasquatch package) will not have a front locker or sway bar disconnect.

My wife has a Bronco, it is fine for what it is. I wouldn't consider doing an axle swap on it especially for in a overlanding setting. If you are worried about gvwr they will only hurt as they eat into what little you have to start with.

For carrying weight a Bronco isn't really any heavier curb weight than a older F-150 that was content with a 8.8.

Dunno what to really say trying to compare a Bronco to a 70 series. From what I gather a lot of what makes the 70 series great is the stuff they don't have. The interior doesn't just look utilitarian, it is utilitarian. The Bronco is as fancy as just about anything under that unassuming dash. The back end of the 70 is wide open real estate to build off of. It has a fixed roof with no internal roll cage tying up room to build off of. There is limited complicated electronics to deal with.

The 70 series sounds a lot like my Ranger, I love how easy to make it what I want. She is happy with the Bronco though so I am happy with it too. Personally it isn't really for me.

 

[nickw]

The Bronco is available with up to 35" tires factory stock... but not with steel wheels for whatever that is worth. The Black Diamond you have pictured as pictured (without the Sasquatch package) will not have a front locker or sway bar disconnect.

My wife has a Bronco, it is fine for what it is. I wouldn't consider doing an axle swap on it especially for in a overlanding setting. If you are worried about gvwr they will only hurt as they eat into what little you have to start with.

For carrying weight a Bronco isn't really any heavier curb weight than a older F-150 that was content with a 8.8.

Dunno what to really say trying to compare a Bronco to a 70 series. From what I gather a lot of what makes the 70 series great is the stuff they don't have. The interior doesn't just look utilitarian, it is utilitarian. The Bronco is as fancy as just about anything under that unassuming dash. The back end of the 70 is wide open real estate to build off of. It has a fixed roof with no internal roll cage tying up room to build off of. There is limited complicated electronics to deal with.

The 70 series sounds a lot like my Ranger, I love how easy to make it what I want. She is happy with the Bronco though so I am happy with it too. Personally it isn't really for me.

Well I guess people just praise the LC70 for being overbuilt for what it is....same for the FJ40's, but we have a domestic option with 1/2 - 3/4 Ton axles that any of use can buy now that pencils out similarly. I think it's the first small rig that has option to use factory / OEM 1/2t + running gear with factory locker F&R in a small 2 door removeable top

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Well I guess people just praise the LC70 for being overbuilt for what it is....same for the FJ40's, but we have a domestic option with 1/2 - 3/4 Ton axles that any of use can buy now that pencils out similarly. I think it's the first small rig that has option to use factory / OEM 1/2t + running gear with factory locker F&R in a small 2 door removeable top

Wrangler has had D44 based axles with lockers, sway bar disco and removable top in one package available since like 2006... and if you wanna upgrade axle swap bolt in options all but fall from the heavens.

70 serious is ridiculously overbuilt for what it is. My 46" cut 2009 RWD Snapper riding lawn mower has bigger tie rods than our Bronco...

IMO for "overlanding" looks aside I don't think the Bronco does much that the Ranger doesn't do better. Quieter, better handling, more payload, more towing, more room, cheaper etc.

A 19+ Ranger is bigger than the 2dr you mention but then so is a 70 series or Prado.

 

[nickw]

Wrangler has had D44 based axles with lockers, sway bar disco and removable top in one package available since like 2006... and if you wanna upgrade axle swap bolt in options all but fall from the heavens.

70 serious is ridiculously overbuilt for what it is. My 46" cut 2009 RWD Snapper riding lawn mower has bigger tie rods than our Bronco...

IMO for "overlanding" looks aside I don't think the Bronco does much that the Ranger doesn't do better. Quieter, better handling, more payload, more towing, more room, cheaper etc.

A 19+ Ranger is bigger than the 2dr you mention but then so is a 70 series or Prado.

You can apparently upgrade the Ranger to the same Advantek axles you can fit to the Bronco, D44 up front + HD half shafts & D60 out back....all OEM plug & play....not sure if it widens track width.

I suppose you are right with the Jeep + aftermarket axles, but the Ford is "OEM" and has a warranty. I think the Jeep is fine but you have to deal with the 4:1 Tcase and don't get the granny low Trans....I just think the Bronco is a more modern version of what Toyota would / could produce.

Tie rods are small on all IFS rigs - look at the modern LC's, people said the same thing.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

You can apparently upgrade the Ranger to the same Advantek axles you can fit to the Bronco, D44 up front + HD half shafts & D60 out back....all OEM plug & play....not sure if it widens track width.

I suppose you are right with the Jeep + aftermarket axles, but the Ford is "OEM" and has a warranty. I think the Jeep is fine but you have to deal with the 4:1 Tcase and don't get the granny low Trans....I just think the Bronco is a more modern version of what Toyota would / could produce.

Tie rods are small on all IFS rigs - look at the modern LC's, people said the same thing.

Bronco is coil over in the rear, Ranger is leaf sprung so the rear will at least be somewhat different. No idea if they offer the 60 kits for the Ranger. Ranger already thrashes the Bronco enough for payload that IMO it speaks volumes to how good the Advantek 44 is that both have from the factory in the rear. The weak point (for cargo/towing) isn't the axle, it is the suspension.

When it comes to the steering think less like whatever you think a LC is to some people and more like an early Duramax. Maybe not quite that bad but it isn't particularly great. Freaking dainty for a fairly high hp vehicle with a front locker and failures are pretty well documented at this point. At least they are cheapish to just throw in a spare fuse TRE...

Wildtrack and Raptor have heavier duty steering which has TRE's that are supposedly like 30% stronger. You can't just swap the TRE's though, you have to do the outers and the rack too. IMO its too bad they didn't just do it right from the start and not have steering failures even on the radar like most any other 4wd.

Gearing is kinda tough to compare, overall the Jeep isn't much slower, like 95:1 vs 100:1. With the advanced 4wd the Bronco has a 3:1 low range but Bronco also has deeper axle gearing. Our Black Diamond has deeper gears than a Rubicon and a Sasquatch has deeper yet.

I will say low range in our 10spd advanced 4wd BD with 4.46 cogs turning the factory 32's it is spot on.

 

[sn_85]

Tie rods are small on all IFS rigs - look at the modern LC's, people said the same thing.

Bronco steering components vs a modern LC200

	Bronco Sasquatch	Bronco Raptor	LC200
Steering rack threaded inner rod	14mm	15mm	22mm
Steering rack tie rod end	22.54mm	24.89mm	27mm
CV axle shaft	30.53mm	31.06mm	31.4mm

I have a 200 series LC and am on ih8mud quite a bit. Personally, I have not seen many people on there complain that the tie rods on the 200 series are too small. Many Tacoma and 4Runner users will upgrade to a Land Cruiser or Tundra steering rack for larger components so they can run 35"+ tires without snapping a TRE. There's also a big difference in how Land Cruiser owners use their vehicles. There aren't a ton of LC200 owners running 35"+ tires. The effort is not worth the squeeze to fit 35"+ tires on an LC. At that point you're talking about possible cab mount chop, fender mods, KDSS spacers, among other things. The sweet spot for an LC200 is 33-34" tires. Point is, LC owners don't run into tie rod issues because they don't really feel the need to try the largest size tires possible.

With RTI scores like this the need for largest size possible isn't quite needed either. The 200 even in it's modest stock form is a wolf in sheeps clothing.

RTI Score Chart:

'18 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon JLUR (bar off): 724
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon JLUR (bar off): 718
'22 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe (bar off): 701
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon JKUR (last gen, bar off): 687
'22 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 (bar off): 684
'20 Toyota Land Cruiser Heritage Edition: 661
'21 Bronco 2-Door First Edition 35" Sasquatch (bar off): 648
'17 Toyota Land Cruiser: 647
'17 Lexus LX570 (AHC normal, 20" wheels): 645
'21 Ford Bronco First Ed (bar off): 618
'21 Ford Raptor: 618
Jeep Gladiator Rubicon (bar off): 607
'17 Ford Rapter Supercab: 603
'21 Ram 1500 TRX: 602
'93 Toyota Land Cruiser 80-series: 593