A True Sports Truck

[stmitch]

Ford left and still leaves alot of cool options on the table.

Most recent comes to mind is the bronco...the wrangler is available in certain models with a 5.7L...and the bronc gets stuck with a 4? When the 5.0 is right there?

Bronco shares a lot with the current gen Ranger, which was designed from the start overseas and only brought to the US as an afterthought. Fitting a Coyote is probably not something that was ever envisioned when the platform was engineered. As it stands, Bronco gets some fairly burly powertrains:
2.3 Ecoboost 4 with 300hp/325 lbs-ft on premium (275/315 on regular unleaded)
2.7 Ecoboost V6 with 340hp/415 lbs-ft on premium (315/410 on regular unleaded)
Bronco Raptor gets 3.0 Ecoboost V6 with 418hp/440 lbs-ft on premium only

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Bronco shares a lot with the current gen Ranger, which was designed from the start overseas and only brought to the US as an afterthought. Fitting a Coyote is probably not something that was ever envisioned when the platform was engineered. As it stands, Bronco gets some fairly burly powertrains:
2.3 Ecoboost 4 with 300hp/325 lbs-ft on premium (275/315 on regular unleaded)
2.7 Ecoboost V6 with 340hp/415 lbs-ft on premium (315/410 on regular unleaded)
Bronco Raptor gets 3.0 Ecoboost V6 with 418hp/440 lbs-ft on premium only

I wasnt aware the 2.7 came in them

 

[RobbieD]

I wasnt aware the 2.7 came in them

Who would want a 2.7, when you can have a 2.8 or 2.9?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Who would want a 2.7, when you can have a 2.8 or 2.9?

I agree 100%

 

[sgtsandman]

I agree 100%

Go ahead. Boost one. Let us know how it works out.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Go ahead. Boost one. Let us know how it works out.

A 2.9?

Its been done...and pretty successfully.

 

[Lefty]

But you do know the first true "Sport" truck was the Chevrolet 454SS. Followed by the Ford Lightnings (93 - 96) and (99 - 04). Then that V-10 contraption that Dodge built.

I'm certainly no expert on sports truck history. I threw several examples out only to speculate what might have happened if Ford had gone just a little further with the splash.

But yes, I am vaguely aware of these examples.

 

[sgtsandman]

A 2.9?

Its been done...and pretty successfully.

And it didn't rip the frame apart?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

And it didn't rip the frame apart?

There was a hole in the ozone layer...

 

[RobbieD]

There was a hole in the ozone layer...

The only one ever built went so fast that it went into the future.

 

[sgtsandman]

The only one ever built went so fast that it went into the future.

If they didn't go plaid, I don't want to hear about it.

 

[superj]

Ludicrous speed

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Bronco shares a lot with the current gen Ranger, which was designed from the start overseas and only brought to the US as an afterthought. Fitting a Coyote is probably not something that was ever envisioned when the platform was engineered. As it stands, Bronco gets some fairly burly powertrains:
2.3 Ecoboost 4 with 300hp/325 lbs-ft on premium (275/315 on regular unleaded)
2.7 Ecoboost V6 with 340hp/415 lbs-ft on premium (315/410 on regular unleaded)
Bronco Raptor gets 3.0 Ecoboost V6 with 418hp/440 lbs-ft on premium only

When they released the Bronco they always said it was based on the next gen Ranger... which is kind of a backwards way of saying it but whatever.

The 2024 Ranger gains the 2.7 for the Bronco so IMO something must have changed with the frame, as far as I know this the first time the T6 platform gets anything other than an inline.

However I heard rumors that they had issues cooling the Ecoboost when they were in development with the tiny global grille in the Ranger so maybe it was just cooling that was a damper on larger options.

IMO the relationship between the 21-24 Bronco and 19-24 Ranger is similar to a 95-01 Explorer vs a 98-12 Ranger minus interior. Some front suspension and powertrain bits interchange and the frame and rear suspension is vastly different aft of that. But the Bronco has options for the front diff, a lighter duty transmission and better gearing options.

Our 2.3 Bronco scoots pretty good, no doubt the 4.46 gear helps it build boost out of the hole. I dd a Coyote F-150 however and there is no mistaking the two.

 

[cbxer55]

Maybe a supercharger is a little much. Maybe a sports truck does not need to beat out a Mustang or a Corvette. Maybe just a small V8 or even a beefed up 6 would have sold to that theoretical "average driver."

I read an article years ago on the Lightning Bolt. Ford said it was tricky to launch, it got crazy real fast. The Lightning itself, weighs nearly 5000 pounds. Stock it made eight pounds boost. Mine is at 12, and I won't go higher. The stock connecting rods are the weak link. But even with M & H Race Master 390/40-17's on the back, it will light them up with ease. And when they're spinning, the back is moving left/right/left/right fishtailing. It's fun! I could imagine what the little Ranger with a Lightning powertrain would be like.

I replaced the stock blower with a Magnum Powers a few years ago. Much better blower. Then it has an oversized plenum on top, an Accufab throttle body, C & L aluminum elbow, larger MAF, and yuge K & N powerstack filter (12L x 7D).

 

[Lefty]

I read an article years ago on the Lightning Bolt. Ford said it was tricky to launch, it got crazy real fast. The Lightning itself, weighs nearly 5000 pounds. Stock it made eight pounds boost. Mine is at 12, and I won't go higher. The stock connecting rods are the weak link. But even with M & H Race Master 390/40-17's on the back, it will light them up with ease. And when they're spinning, the back is moving left/right/left/right fishtailing. It's fun! I could imagine what the little Ranger with a Lightning powertrain would be like.

I replaced the stock blower with a Magnum Powers a few years ago. Much better blower. Then it has an oversized plenum on top, an Accufab throttle body, C & L aluminum elbow, larger MAF, and yuge K & N powerstack filter (12L x 7D).

sounds like fun