After 2.5 years, I sent the Ranger packing...

[Langwilliams]

My only real complaint is with its sound system.. mostly the speakers. Not nearly enough lows or mids. That's easy enough (and cheap enough) to remedy though.

I've been watching the YouTube videos an it looks like I'll be changing the speakers. I changed the front door speakers in the ranger. I bought rear speakers for the ranger but never installed them. I think they'll go in the bronco if I get it (which I'm leaning towards). From what I've seen there are aftermarket rear pods on amazon that hold 6.5" speakers to replace the 4". It seems the 4" dash speakers are weak too but the 6.5"s in the kick panels are said to be acceptable or can be replaced last. The rears have bass blockers programmed in so you need Forscan to get rid of it, but the dash 4" speakers are full range so if you go aftermarket you need to wire in bass blockers.

doing the front is effectively the same as on a ranger.

I'm wanting the best possible road manners. I did a little reading an it seems eibach makes lift struts for the bronco like I have on the front of the ranger.

The only changes I see being needed are the audio upgrades. Just looking for a good street ride that can cross the field to the fishin hole if needed.

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[Blmpkn]

I've been watching the YouTube videos an it looks like I'll be changing the speakers. I changed the front door speakers in the ranger. I bought rear speakers for the ranger but never installed them. I think they'll go in the bronco if I get it (which I'm leaning towards). From what I've seen there are aftermarket rear pods on amazon that hold 6.5" speakers to replace the 4". It seems the 4" dash speakers are weak too but the 6.5"s in the kick panels are said to be acceptable or can be replaced last. The rears have bass blockers programmed in so you need Forscan to get rid of it, but the dash 4" speakers are full range so if you go aftermarket you need to wire in bass blockers.


I'm wanting the best possible road manners. I did a little reading an it seems eibach makes lift struts for the bronco like I have on the front of the ranger.

The only changes I see being needed are the audio upgrades. Just looking for a good street ride that can cross the field to the fishin hole if needed.

You must be more of an audiophile than I am.. I LOVED the speakers in the ranger lol. After driving "little" rangers for the previous 4-5 years.. I was more than pleased with the stock system in the '21.

You've definitely done your research though.. I think that I'll probably start with installing a small self-powered sub somewhere.. the JBL nano is pretty well reviewed.. and I've read some people say it made enough of a difference they no longer feel the need to replace any of the speakers OR jack with the rears with forscan.. just gotta figure out where to mount it. Under the drivers seat would be good... but apparently the 2 doors have less room under the front seats than the more-doors and that may not be possible. Well cross that bridge once we get there I suppose.

 

[Blmpkn]

Little wheelin video from Sunday, took a trip to jericho mt state park in Berlin NH..

Went last year with the Ranger, and only got to about half of their green trails. Got to do the other half of the green trails this time.. and it's probably a good thing I didn't have the time to try them in the truck last year lol.. much gnarlier.

Also relatively sure we ended up on some blacks on accident... certainly ended the day with some bumps & scrapes! Skidplates are higher on the list of must-haves now for sure.

 

[BS67]

Little wheelin video from Sunday, took a trip to jericho mt state park in Berlin NH..

Went last year with the Ranger, and only got to about half of their green trails. Got to do the other half of the green trails this time.. and it's probably a good thing I didn't have the time to try them in the truck last year lol.. much gnarlier.

Also relatively sure we ended up on some blacks on accident... certainly ended the day with some bumps & scrapes! Skidplates are higher on the list of must-haves now for sure.

Great video! Glad you're enjoying the Bronco!

 

[Stevedbvik1]

Little wheelin video from Sunday, took a trip to jericho mt state park in Berlin NH..

Went last year with the Ranger, and only got to about half of their green trails. Got to do the other half of the green trails this time.. and it's probably a good thing I didn't have the time to try them in the truck last year lol.. much gnarlier.

Also relatively sure we ended up on some blacks on accident... certainly ended the day with some bumps & scrapes! Skidplates are higher on the list of must-haves now for sure.

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[Rhino]

The day I brought it home..

A week later, leveling kit and 32"s got installed.

Last fall, in its prime. This was a fun trip.

Last week, cleaned up and ready for trade in...

...for this! 2023 Big Bend. Obviously a 2 door.. but it's also a 2.3 with the 10 speed. I took possession of it Monday, right around noon.

Now, a little more on the ranger before more on the bronco..

The Ranger was a FANTASTIC truck. Comfortable, capable, quick, and an all around enjoyable vehicle. I put just a hair over 40k miles on it during our time together.. and it's a 40k miles ill remember fondly.

I must have been one of the last people to get a DEAL on a new vehicle... purchased in Feb of '21. Sticker was a smidge over 36k.. I talked them down to 32k and got them to buy/install the leveling kit as part of the deal. Better deals have been had, yes... but I was more than happy recieving that much "off".

Cost of ownership for me was nice and low. My first 5 'works package' visits were free.. 4 from redeeming fordpass points.. and an extra because my (at the time) servicing dealer ran on a diet of borderline incompetence and total carelessness.

My first out-of-pocket service visit was around 30k miles. It was for the works package, as well as cabin filter, rear end fluid change, and t-case fluid change. Total cost for that visit was 312$. Changed the engine air filter myself at 25k miles for 25$, and then two more works packages for another 140$

>>Under 500$ in 2.5 years. If you were to follow ford's service schedule like the gospel instead of engaging in classic gear-head over-servicing like I did.. over that many miles... the cost of ownership would of only been mabey 60-70$ total (with fordpass points, of course)


Why ditch the Ranger?

The final nail in the coffin for the ranger was that my inspection sticker just ran out.. at the same time the driveshaft center bearing took a shit.. and parts to fix are INDEFINITELY backordered. Center bearings need to be tight and not make noise for a sticker up here.. so I was going to be left with a truck that was illegal to drive... indefinitely.

Took it all as justification to upgrade to a vehicle I've been drooling over for YEARS lol.

Not even 10 minutes after getting home I started swapping the stock wheels/tires out for the set I had on the truck.

275/65/18 grabber ATX's on +18 method wheels. They fit PERFECT! No rubbing the front bars at full lock like on the ranger either ?

A few hours after being home... I ordered myself a 2" lift and a flowmaster muffler delete. They'll be here tomorrow ? New BIGGER tires are next up... unsure about specifics yet.. 35s most likely.


The ONLY thing so far I miss about the ranger is its speakers. Even with my base ass XL stereo and speakers... that truck would 'bump'. The Bronco has little to no comprehension about the terms 'mid-range' or 'bass'. I listen to varying genres of metal for the most part.. and I VERY MUCH miss being able to FEEL the drums...Not even gonna bother trying to listen to any g-funk stuff in this.. that'd just be sad. Probably be the first time in my life I need to upgrade audio.


I VERY much like the power the Bronco has.. quite a bit MORE than the Ranger BTW... 275/315 on 87.. fill er up with 91 and it jumps to 300/325. Coupled with being a good bit lighter than the ranger.. this thing will spank!


I'm more than happy.


I'm not leaving though.... sorry ?

just saw this but congrats! and i would do the same thing if i found a manual bronco for that price! i like the ranger but a 2 door bronco would be a lot better to me...

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