Bronco? Tundra? Other? HELP!!!

[RamBound]

Hello Overlanders!

I'm in need of some advice and thought this group would be of great help. I was 99% sure that I wanted my new rig to be one of the new Bronco's coming out in 2021, but the more I dig into things and deeper I go I'm not so sure. The Bronco looks Amazing and wins in the cool department, but I've heard buying a vehicle in year 1 of production can be risky and with their continued delays I'm also concerned....so, I'm looking for your thoughts.

What am I looking for, and what will I use it for?

• Daily Driver - This will be mine so I want it to be good on the highway as well as offroad
• Winter - I live in Wisconsin, so need something that will perform in the Winter
• Family - I have 2 kids and a wife, so I need room for them and their stuff.
• Overlanding not 4x4 - I want the vehicle for Overlanding, not Off Roading/Rock Crawling...I see a difference
• Towing - I want the ability to tow a camper down the line should I go that route, v8?
• No Jeep - I've had a Rubicon and loved it, but am looking for something else this time around
• Budget - Sub $65K

​

Thanks so much for all your thoughts, help, ideas and suggestions.

Josh

 

[RoarinRow]

Have you looked at the Land Rover Defender?

 

[JP-SLC]

I’m on my second Tundra and love it. It is a big rig but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I use mine as my daily driver and it handles great as I transition from sand to snow in Utah.
Big enough for my family of five and tows the boat or camper with no problems.
Downside: gas mileage is terrible.
Apart from that I have nothing but love for my Tundra!

 

[RamBound]

Have you looked at the Land Rover Defender?

Thought about the Defender, but it’s a bit out of my price range. Looks pretty sweet though.

 

[Old Tanker]

My first thought was a 4Runner, but towing/V8 may lead you to a Lexus GX. You may also want to take a look at an F250 with a sturdy camper on the back.

 

[RoarinRow]

Thought about the Defender, but it’s a bit out of my price range. Looks pretty sweet though.

I hear ya on the price range but seems to have a lot of tech that if you were to add to a Bronco you’d be in close range of a Defender?

 

[M Rose]

I love my wife’s 4th gen 4Runner with V-8... tows great

 

[Lanlubber In Remembrance]

Hello Overlanders!

I'm in need of some advice and thought this group would be of great help. I was 99% sure that I wanted my new rig to be one of the new Bronco's coming out in 2021, but the more I dig into things and deeper I go I'm not so sure. The Bronco looks Amazing and wins in the cool department, but I've heard buying a vehicle in year 1 of production can be risky and with their continued delays I'm also concerned....so, I'm looking for your thoughts.

What am I looking for, and what will I use it for?

​

• Daily Driver - This will be mine so I want it to be good on the highway as well as offroad
• Winter - I live in Wisconsin, so need something that will perform in the Winter
• Family - I have 2 kids and a wife, so I need room for them and their stuff.
• Overlanding not 4x4 - I want the vehicle for Overlanding, not Off Roading/Rock Crawling...I see a difference
• Towing - I want the ability to tow a camper down the line should I go that route, v8?
• No Jeep - I've had a Rubicon and loved it, but am looking for something else this time around
• Budget - Sub $65K

​

Thanks so much for all your thoughts, help, ideas and suggestions.

Josh

If you hadn't mentioned towing a camper I would have said Ford has more research in the Bronco than anything else it has on the line. I would trust a first year out model on the Bronco as Ford would go berserk if something went wrong with their newest toy. I think the Bronco will meet all your needs except towing, (engine too small IMO) at least for now (not talking about a trail trailer).. if your gonna tow get something that is built for towing. A four door short bed pickup with V8 (possibly a big c.i. V6 might do it, like the medium size Dodge p.u.) power or any one of a good choice of 4x4 SUV (not all wheel drive type). Have fun with your new rig.

p.s. The black lettering on your post is very hard to read on my Kendal. You have a choice of black or white I hope you know.

 

[MarioT'sCJResto]

I’m on my second Tundra and love it. It is a big rig but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I use mine as my daily driver and it handles great as I transition from sand to snow in Utah.
Big enough for my family of five and tows the boat or camper with no problems.
Downside: gas mileage is terrible.
Apart from that I have nothing but love for my Tundra!

Man I have a Ram and you are spot on about the MPG, and I made the decision to go all in on my Ram build. Do you run an extended range tank? I'm going with the LRAM 50, and 20 to 25 gallons of additional gas to max the range for an average of 1k per fill up.

 

[Boostpowered]

From you user name it look like your set on the Bronco. Go test drive all of em then figure out what you like and what you can afford.

 

[JP-SLC]

I’m on my second Tundra and love it. It is a big rig but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I use mine as my daily driver and it handles great as I transition from sand to snow in Utah.
Big enough for my family of five and tows the boat or camper with no problems.
Downside: gas mileage is terrible.
Apart from that I have nothing but love for my Tundra!

Man I have a Ram and you are spot on about the MPG, and I made the decision to go all in on my Ram build. Do you run an extended range tank? I'm going with the LRAM 50, and 20 to 25 gallons of additional gas to max the range for an average of 1k per fill up.

No additional tank as of yet, still a work in progress.

 

[RVA Overland]

With your budget you have options which is the best part. I went from an F150 to a Ranger last year and have been very happy with the change. The advice of test driving is a good one. You really need to get in there and see what kind of space you will need in the back seat. The F150 has amazing rear seat space and towing capacity. Put a cap on the back and you will be good to go with plenty of storage. The ranger is smaller and fits down the trails a bit better, still has decent towing and if willing to put a cap on the back still has a ton of room. The reason I have gone for the pickups is all because of storage space. I can have a lot of stuff if I want and still have seating for 4 inside and can still haul my boat. Good luck with your decision, really don't think you can wrong with any choice you make.

 

[MOAK]

Stop messing around and find yourself a nearly new Landcruiser 200 series or the LX 570. This vehicle puts a check mark in all of your boxes. You’ll still be driving it 20 years from now.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

If you want NEW new, then there are a lot of options, as everyone has me tioned. If it doesnt have to be brand new, I would at least take a look at any 2013 Tahoe z71 that was in excellent shape. Or maybe a new one?

 

[bgenlvtex]

Hello Overlanders!

I'm in need of some advice and thought this group would be of great help. I was 99% sure that I wanted my new rig to be one of the new Bronco's coming out in 2021, but the more I dig into things and deeper I go I'm not so sure. The Bronco looks Amazing and wins in the cool department, but I've heard buying a vehicle in year 1 of production can be risky and with their continued delays I'm also concerned....so, I'm looking for your thoughts.

What am I looking for, and what will I use it for?

​

• Daily Driver - This will be mine so I want it to be good on the highway as well as offroad
• Winter - I live in Wisconsin, so need something that will perform in the Winter
• Family - I have 2 kids and a wife, so I need room for them and their stuff.
• Overlanding not 4x4 - I want the vehicle for Overlanding, not Off Roading/Rock Crawling...I see a difference
• Towing - I want the ability to tow a camper down the line should I go that route, v8?
• No Jeep - I've had a Rubicon and loved it, but am looking for something else this time around
• Budget - Sub $65K

​

Thanks so much for all your thoughts, help, ideas and suggestions.

Josh

Bronco has all of the problems of a Wrangler, which is primarily a lack of cargo area.

In your circumstances, not geared toward offroading, a half ton or (in my opinion) 3/4 ton 4x4, crew cab, gas burning pickup. If you add a shell on the back you have all the room you can ask for in the passenger and cargo areas. Their fuel mileage is not really significantly worse than most/many of the suv, and they will tow much better than any suv.

Budget wise, pickups are priced more attractively as well, unless you go buy some special edition edition.

I have a Gladiator, it cures most of a Jeeps problems, I daily drive a Ram 2500 4x4 with a 6.4, they are both awesome vehicles that excel in their niche. I did however just order a Power Wagon to replace the 2500, and narrow the gap between the two, giving up some towing and load capacity for more articulation.

 

[Western]

If I’m considering another Overlanding Rig, one of the biggest considerations I personally look at is: how are the trails where you go? Are they narrow? Mostly wide? Picking the right size vehicle for your area I think is important. The Bronco seems like it will be a fantastic rig tho... good for both Overlanding and Rock Crawling at the same time. First few “batches” will probably have some issues, just like many other cars when they first come out. Tundra is big and interior is archaic. Stupid reliable, fantastic off road tho. I say Bronco between those two.... coming from a guy who Overlands a Subaru Outback.

 

[RamBound]

Stop messing around and find yourself a nearly new Landcruiser 200 series or the LX 570. This vehicle puts a check mark in all of your boxes. You’ll still be driving it 20 years from now.

Funny you should mention the Lexus, started looking at that one and it seems impressive. Obviously I’d need some tire and suspension work but you’re right it checks a lot of boxes

 

[RamBound]

With your budget you have options which is the best part. I went from an F150 to a Ranger last year and have been very happy with the change. The advice of test driving is a good one. You really need to get in there and see what kind of space you will need in the back seat. The F150 has amazing rear seat space and towing capacity. Put a cap on the back and you will be good to go with plenty of storage. The ranger is smaller and fits down the trails a bit better, still has decent towing and if willing to put a cap on the back still has a ton of room. The reason I have gone for the pickups is all because of storage space. I can have a lot of stuff if I want and still have seating for 4 inside and can still haul my boat. Good luck with your decision, really don't think you can wrong with any choice you make.

You’re right, options are a good thing.

 

[RamBound]

Hello Overlanders!

I'm in need of some advice and thought this group would be of great help. I was 99% sure that I wanted my new rig to be one of the new Bronco's coming out in 2021, but the more I dig into things and deeper I go I'm not so sure. The Bronco looks Amazing and wins in the cool department, but I've heard buying a vehicle in year 1 of production can be risky and with their continued delays I'm also concerned....so, I'm looking for your thoughts.

What am I looking for, and what will I use it for?

​

• Daily Driver - This will be mine so I want it to be good on the highway as well as offroad
• Winter - I live in Wisconsin, so need something that will perform in the Winter
• Family - I have 2 kids and a wife, so I need room for them and their stuff.
• Overlanding not 4x4 - I want the vehicle for Overlanding, not Off Roading/Rock Crawling...I see a difference
• Towing - I want the ability to tow a camper down the line should I go that route, v8?
• No Jeep - I've had a Rubicon and loved it, but am looking for something else this time around
• Budget - Sub $65K

​

Thanks so much for all your thoughts, help, ideas and suggestions.

Josh

Bronco has all of the problems of a Wrangler, which is primarily a lack of cargo area.

In your circumstances, not geared toward offroading, a half ton or (in my opinion) 3/4 ton 4x4, crew cab, gas burning pickup. If you add a shell on the back you have all the room you can ask for in the passenger and cargo areas. Their fuel mileage is not really significantly worse than most/many of the suv, and they will tow much better than any suv.

Budget wise, pickups are priced more attractively as well, unless you go buy some special edition edition.

I have a Gladiator, it cures most of a Jeeps problems, I daily drive a Ram 2500 4x4 with a 6.4, they are both awesome vehicles that excel in their niche. I did however just order a Power Wagon to replace the 2500, and narrow the gap between the two, giving up some towing and load capacity for more articulation.

Thanks for the thoughts, I agree the truck route supplies so much more room and endless possibilities. I had a Jeep in the past and agree storage was an issue. It was an issue just in my normal day to day, not to mention any camping expeditions. I’ve never had a truck before so maybe that’s part of my hesitation.

 

[Old Tanker]

I was going back and forth a month ago, and ultimately decided to stick with the 4Runner for light overlanding. But I was very close to going with an F250 Tremor over an F150. Enough payload to haul a Hawk Camper with ease. 4x4, rear lockers, Tremor package, Warn winch, dual batteries, HD alternator, upfitter switches, 35" AT tires, for a list of $57K. But big, with a huge turning radius.