About a year ago Kevin opened a thread suggesting the Ford F-150 as being the best Overlanding vehicle
Other favored vehicles for overlanding, out back travel, include Jeep Saharas and Toyota 4Runner Trail editions. I happen to drive both an F-150 FX4 - Ford's F-150 spec'd for 4x4 off road use, and a 2015 4Runner Trail. I posted in that earlier linked thread my very positive feelings about my truck with the 3.5 L V-6 EcoBoost engine. It stomped my 2010 Tundra with a small block V-8 I had previously.
My previous offroad vehicles have been a 2010 FJ Cruiser Trail Edition and several years ago an International Harvester Scout II. I have an active interest in trail worthy vehicles, so I was curious about Ford's new upcoming introduction of their Bronco 2, which is based on their new mid-size truck platform for the yet to be released Ranger. I had limited expectations as most new SUV's have been designed for driving in light snow to the mall parking lot, some Range Rovers and Discovery being the exception to that statement.
Wow, I should have known better after Ford's ads for their mid-size trucks version of the Raptor - but I didn't expect three totally new vehicles designed to steal the market from Jeep, Toyota and Land Rover but I think that's not an exageration. This video with Jimmy Chin is a good introduction
This is Ford's introduction video and I have to say it is quite well done - I don't know who Ford hired to do this, but they have obviously been listening very closely to the Overland/4 WD crowds desires and have really hit many many of their buttons. The larger V6 EcoBoost engine sounds like it will ROCK. I love my 2010 4Runner off road, but on asphalt, it is not a fast car, while my F-150 is much faster. And the Bronco looks like it will even faster, too!
I don't want to sound like a Ford fanboy, I have had three Toyotas in my barn for over a decade, but the Bronco really does look very interesting. 35" tires on a drive away new vehicle - Wahoo!!
Read the comments on the video links - they are very enthusiastic
Removable doors, mirrors on the front fender, over 33 inch wading depths, front fender hooks for tie downs and wires to shield the windshield from tree limbs, 310 HP and 400 ft lbs of torque, 7 speed manual or 10 speed auto trans, 3500 lbs towing capacity, and almost every panel is removeable and replaceable. The after market folks are going to go nuts for this vehicle, and Ford already offers over 200 items.
So who's gonna jump in and sign up for a new Bronco? I am definitely considering it. It looks like great fun!
I will look forward to Toyota's response with the 4Runner too. I really wish I could buy an EcoBoost engine and transmission in a 4Runner. 35 inch driveaway tires would be cool, too!