Jeep Rubicon Vs New Ford Bronco: Which should I buy?

Is there a new sheriff in town? I’m not the only one asking that question. Ever since Ford- after such a long wait- announced the release of its 2021 Ford Bronco after a 25-year break, many off-road enthusiasts have been anticipating a Cold War between this newcomer and the King of the Off-road, the Jeep Rubicon. We are yet to take the Bronco out for a spin, but with the hard details Ford released, we can see why the air is heated up and the tracks gearing for the battle of the decade.

Off-road adventures have had a huge influence on the SUV industry for decades. People just want to have a utility vehicle that is a high performer on regular roads and a beast on off-road terrains, regardless of potholes, hills, steeps, and slopes. For many years, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon reigned supreme with its exterior beauty, stallion-driven horsepower, and unmatched durability. Its place on the off-road throne is well-deserved. With the new Ford Bronco threatening an automobile coup d’état, we compare these two SUV warriors to see how they fare against each other.

We will take the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and the Bronco Badlands.

  • Engine

When it comes to engines, both off roaders are high performers, depending on where you’re standing. A V-6 or turbocharged inline-four are available for both SUVs but comes as a standard fare for the Rubicon. The Rubicon standard 3.6-liter V6 engine comes power-packed with 285 hp, 260 lb-ft, 8-speed auto, and 6-speed manual engine specifications. You can also take on the optional 2.0-liter turbocharged I4 as well or just go with the 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine. This gives the Rubicon an edge over the Bronco that comes a little short.

The Bronco has the standard 2.3-liter EcoBoost I4 is charged with 270 hp, 310 lb-ft, 10-speed auto, and 8-speed manual gear transmissions.  This is supported with the optional 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6.

  • Off-road design

It’s impossible to talk about off-roaders and what make them superior without discussing off-road geometry. This is where we analyse how well a vehicle can manoeuvre and conquer rocky terrains. It deals with the positioning of an obstacle and how it relates to the tires hitting the ground. The 33-inch standard tires of the Rubicon are not bad but falls a little short compared to the Bronco’s Sasquatch 35-inch tires. These extra inches mean larger tires for even more ground clearance.

This slight edge by Bronco is maintained when we consider breakover angles (26.3 deg against the Rubicon’s 22.6 deg). This is due to its shorter wheelbase. And for surviving in water, the Bronco can take a quite deeper plunge (at 33.3 inches) than the Rubicon (at 30 inches). Standard front and rear locks are available for both SUVs, but the differentials of the Bronco can be selected automatically, depending on the selected drive mode.

  •  Exterior Look and Dimensions

In terms of looks, I doubt Jeep lovers can ever get enough of the iconic Wrangler design. However, the Ford Bronco returns with the 4-door design that many say is a beauty to behold. The exterior dimensions of off-roaders show that the Bronco has a slight length advantage at 190.5 inches over the Rubicon which currently stands at 188.4 inches. This may translate to more interior room, or maybe not. The shorter wheelbase, as earlier mentioned stands at 116.1 inches against the Rubicon which has a wheelbase height of 118.4 inches. This simply means a better breakover angle for the bronco.

  • Crawl Ratio

The SUV crawl ratio is such an important factor when talking about off-roading. This is a bit of a complicated process, but it has to do with the multiplications of the torque through the axles as it attempts to hit the ground. A high-torque vehicle is not always great. You may be able to slowly go over obstacles and keep your rig in check, but things may go awry fast. At 84.2:1, the Jeep Rubicon is great, especially when you consider the 295 lb-ft of torque you get on the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. You are sure to have enough pressure and force to keep the tires moving forward.

On the other hand, the Bronco’s seven-speed manual transmission is huge on crawl ratio at 94.7:1. It would take a smaller engine to achieve that much though, but even the 310 lb-ft has so much going on compared to the Rubicon. The 35-inch tires add an extra traction and weight, giving it more push. For more metrics on Jeeps and modifications are available at jeep reviews – Jeep Auto Garage.

There are several other features we may be overlooking, especially navigation, theatre and drive assistance that may further give Ford’s new entry an edge. However, it is still too early to call. And we may not be able to reach a verdict until we take the Bronco out for a spin. One thing is clear though; the Bronco will give the Jeep Rubicon a run for its money.

 

Finding Kelowna Diesel auto repair shop mechanic

The Importance Of Kelowna Diesel Mechanic Maintenance On Cars And Trucks

Routine maintenance is very important on cars, trucks, or any vehicle with a motor. The reason why is because it can potentially save you from having to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on any unexpected auto repair. It is smart for any vehicle owner to always take their vehicle to get assessed if you notice that the engine light is on. routine maintenance such as fluid flushes and tire rotations also very important to keep your vehicle healthy while you are on the road. If you neglect going to a Kelowna Diesel mechanic and getting routine maintenance on your vehicle the cost can be very expensive in the long run.  

The Most Common And Routine Maintenance You Should Perform On Your Vehicle 

Auto repair can usually be prevented when individuals are performing routine maintenance checks on their vehicles such as tire checks, fluid and transmission checks, hose and belt checks, light checks, and wiper checks. Another key thing that individuals who own motor vehicles should always look into is when the engine light is on. When the engine light is on it could be nothing, something simple, or something very serious. When checking the tires you are looking for bulges, bald spots, and if the wheels need an alignment or not. Individuals also want to make sure that their tires have the proper air pressure and tread. When individuals are checking the fluids on their vehicles, these are the main fluids that need to be checked the oil, power steering, brakes, antifreeze, windshield washer solvent, and transmission fluid. 

The reason why it is important to stay on top of the hoses and belts is because if either one of these become frayed, loose, cracked, or have excessive wear and tear it can cause the electrical system, cooling system, power steering system, or air conditioning it to malfunction. Individuals want to make sure all of the exterior and interior lights are working properly. These lights keep you protected from having an accident and it allows for you to be able to see other individuals who are on the road and for them to be able to see you as well. Changing the windshield wiper blades should be done every 6 months. This ensures that your windshield wipers are working properly and are able to clean the windshield so the driver has clear visibility.

The Steps To Finding A Good Mechanic

When individuals are looking for a mechanic to repair their vehicles they want someone who is knowledgeable and who they can trust. A good mechanic can save an individual a lot of money and time. Most importantly a good mechanic can keep your vehicle running safely and longer. One way to vet a good mechanic is to choose from the AAA approved auto repair network. An individual does not have to be a member of AAA to find out what mechanics are participating in this network. This is a good source because all the mechanics participating in this program offer 12 month 12,000 mile year warranties on any repairs that they do. Another way to properly vet a mechanic is to check their ratings and reviews on the Better Business Bureau website. This website provides an individual with an idea of the type of work that they do and if their customers are satisfied with the work that they do. 

These were just a few ways that you can find a trustworthy mechanic who does equality work. There are other ways and resources that can be used to vet  quality mechanics as well such as personally interviewing the mechanic yourself.

 


Surrey Diesel Repairs For Canadians

diesel vehicles

Are Canadians still open to Surrey Diesel Repairs?

There is no doubt that there has been bad publicity on diesel engines. Of course, it has not been out of malice but rather proven cases that it is not environmental friendly. The Volkswagen scandal and admission to rigging engine to pass emission tests made things worse. Many car buyers, Canadians included, have rolled back to spend more on gasoline cars. Quite a number of others have taken a wider leap into the hybrid technology. But while you expected Surrey diesel repairs to completely disappear from the auto stage, their resilience is admirable.

These vehicles remain an interesting choice- at least to a number of auto enthusiasts. What is driving the diesel-engine resilience? With all the scandals, there are things you cannot take away from this engine. Here is why, amidst all the bad publicity, these vehicles are still a favorite in the global auto market:

• The wide price gap at the pump: in the last couple of years, prices have shrunk. This has been a temptation many potential vehicle owners could not resist. However, at minimal rate,  cars are still being bought.

• The superior torque: the  engine torque is something of a mystery and is explained by the fact that truck makers have stuck with them. Many drivers would appreciate the extra feel of power and that would explain why the engine is not going anywhere, not any time soon anyway.

• The stingy fuel economy: on top of low pump prices, deisel is the most economical auto fuel the world will ever know. It is packed with at least 25% more power than gas. It is only the deep-pocket individuals who can resist this perk. And Canadians, will they keep buying these cars?

In the 1970s and 80s when gasoline prices went up, the Canadian roads were dotted with sooty, noisy and sluggish cars. The diesel-engine was a big time favorite by then. When gasoline prices started to fall, so did the Canadian’s interest in these engines. Today, you can hardly tell the difference between diesels and gas engines: they are all noiseless and no smell at all. This is thanks to the evolution diesel-engine has gone through and the strict emission tests it must pass. Before the VW scandal, its sales claimed 30% of the total auto sales Canada. They must have taken a fall since then. Another thing that may stall this fuel engine from making any better sales is the fact that not all fuel stations in Canada stock this fuel. Even worse is the fact though  cars do not smell, the fuel does even the better version of low-sulfur diesel. But as you know, the future should not look so bleak for engine diesels in Canada.

Canadians are pragmatic buyers. While the Americans were head and heels for the hybrid technology, it did not enjoy the same success in Canada. There is still hope for the engine. Having more options in the market and the generational change will help initiate a shift of preference.