Deciding between 392 and the BRaptor

sleepy floyd · Jul 4, 2023

I'm clearly not tied to one particular brand as I currently have a '15 Rubicon as well as a '74 Bronco (that I've owned since before they went price crazy). Love both trucks and have been considering adding the Raptor or 392 to the stable as my 16 year old daughter pretty much drives the Wrangler now and it's at 95k miles. The upside of the Wrangler is the ability to get much better pricing (I'd go through Granger and already have a price quote, it's about $6k cheaper as I have them both spec'd). It seems I'm in the minority as I prefer a red interior (I actually have a much brighter red interior in my '22 M4). I do really like the new dash for '24 as well. The new Bronco does seem a bit more special and more spacious. There's a local dealer that will sell the Raptor at MSRP and I'm not worried at all about wait time. Still hard to believe that either one will cost more than my M4

, but just as special in different ways. What made you all choose the Jeep? Was it mostly wait time on the Bronco, or the V8 of the Jeep? I'm still also considering a Rubicon X or Badlands, as I could then (ocassionally) let my 16 and 17 year old drive them and I'm not sure I'd want them behind the wheel of the Raptor or 392 even if I'm in with them...but interested to hear thoughts from those of you who made the choice over the BRaptor.

Uncommon Sense · Jul 4, 2023

For me it was the v8. The Braptor isn't even in the same league in terms of power/performance. The 392 is pretty much the quicker to 60 (on paper) than any other 392 variant of Chargers, Challengers, and even Grand Cherokee. 4.0 flat to 60. The Jeep is pretty neck and neck with a G63. The stock exhaust is pretty epic too. It really does have a ton of character.

I also thought the Jeep might age a bit better than the Braptor. I am planning on keeping my Jeep at least 10 years or more, so wanted something that aged well. I see JKs and TJs that still look great.

With that said, I think the Braptor probably drives better and seems more spacious inside. However, even in the areas the Braptor is better, I just couldn't get over the 392 in the Jeep. It negates all the positives of the Braptor for me.

This pretty much sums it up performance wise...

Guest1181 · Jul 4, 2023

Buy both

. We have a new bronco and 392. Jeep v8 is great for power no comparison. Bronco more comfortable if you are tall etc and nicer ride. I’m 5’8 and have seat all the way back and it’s definitely not my daily drive. Hubby has bronco and is 6’4 and really comfortable for him to drive and more space. Could not do seat sliders you loose head room etc . So test drive and see what you prefer. After I drive my v8 with power his bronco power is such a let down . But like I said both of ours are just fun cars for us .

Dral97 · Jul 4, 2023

I have a FE and a 392. I like the Bronco as a daily driver. The 392 is more fun though. I love both but for different reasons.

onfire392 · Jul 4, 2023

I’d buy a Bronco with the S package any day over the Braptor just due to the Braptor width. If I lived near the desert and just wanted to sand dune, the Braptor wins. Anywhere else , the S wins due to less width. Parking lots, garage, etc would be much better with the S. I had a 2500 Silverado with a LS V8 and a Supercharger. Big and fast. If I wanted to fight that size again I would buy a TRX or a Raptor R and get real power, not Braptor power.

Ordering a 392 was an easy decision. Better footprint than the S, obviously the power, etc and a better Iconic look. Bronco should have left their headlights round and without the dash bar. Kills the iconic look imho.

I’ve owned Broncos, 2 CJ5’s, 2 CJ7’s and spent plenty of time in a flat fendered Willy’s that had 3 sticks in the floor and manual windshield wipers.

Very easy to order another Jeep.

Good luck either way. Both are great rides !

YukonCornelius · Jul 4, 2023

Was out on the trails this past weekend.
‘My vote is the obvious one…

@WhiteBronze392 · Jul 4, 2023

I had a built 2019 Raptor for 3 years and the Braptor didn’t even interest me because of the engine. To me that was the weak point with the truck and it was tuned to 600whp or so. We bought a 2022 loaded V6 Rubi as our “fun” vehicle and I liked it so much I knew with a V8 it would easily replace my Raptor. Again the Braptor never was a consideration because of the V6. I did contemplate a Raptor R but IMHO they are way overpriced so I chose a 392 and have zero regrets. Truly unless you live out west (I do not) and bomb the desserts the Braptor or Raptor for that matter are out of place and you still don’t have the motor you would expect to have in one. Now if Ford threw a standard (not crazy 700hp) V8 in a Braptor that could be purchased for the same as a 392 it would have been a tougher choice but as it stands that wouldn’t make me look to swap my 392 if they did.

caraholic · Jul 5, 2023

I choose the wrangler for a couple reasons.

1. V8
2 V8
3. SOT
4. Appearance

I may be in the minority but I do not like how the bronco looks especially the raptor versions. It just looks very awkward. The cheap looking fender extensions don’t help with that either. For some reason it looks like it’s on stilts when looking straight at the rear end. Sure its a great vehicle but its not for me visually.

sleepy floyd · Jul 5, 2023

Thanks guys, all good feedback. Everyone here seems to align with my motto that "life's too short to drive boring cars"

. We do live in northern California and visit Pismo at least a few times per year...but I don't go overly aggressive off-road in any way. I'm sure either ride will be a great choice, still mulling it over for the time being.

RockyTop · Jul 5, 2023

I'm in no way a Ford guy. I do like the look of the Bronco, but I'll stick with the 392, the V8 sounds incredible.

Barstoolsman1127 · Jul 5, 2023

Both!!! The 392 is an out of control ride on the rode. Braptor, far more comfortable, controllable, on and off the road. It’s a far superior vehicle overall

but the jeep is a blast to drive.

Dral97 · Jul 5, 2023

Fast-n-Furious · Jul 5, 2023

When I decide on a new car/gun/knife..., the first thing is the look and feel. It has to be very good looking to my liking. I have to feel good/confident imagining I'm the owner/operator. Then it comes to the wife and kids' opinions.

Dral97 · Jul 5, 2023

onfire392 said:
I’d buy a Bronco with the S package any day over the Braptor just due to the Braptor width. If I lived near the desert and just wanted to sand dune, the Braptor wins. Anywhere else , the S wins due to less width. Parking lots, garage, etc would be much better with the S. I had a 2500 Silverado with a LS V8 and a Supercharger. Big and fast. If I wanted to fight that size again I would buy a TRX or a Raptor R and get real power, not Braptor power.

Ordering a 392 was an easy decision. Better footprint than the S, obviously the power, etc and a better Iconic look. Bronco should have left their headlights round and without the dash bar. Kills the iconic look imho.

I’ve owned Broncos, 2 CJ5’s, 2 CJ7’s and spent plenty of time in a flat fendered Willy’s that had 3 sticks in the floor and manual windshield wipers.

Very easy to order another Jeep.

Good luck either way. Both are great rides !

I agree with this. If I had unlimited garage space, I'd go with a Braptor, but as it is, my FE barely fits in the space in my garage. The FE is plenty wide and spacious. I'd be cursing every parking lot I pulled into around here with a Brap. I've had my FE around 6 months and only major issue was a TCU dying on me. Still drove around fine while waiting for Ford to get the replacement to the dealer. I've driven a wrangler as a daily driver in the past, and while I'll likely always have a wrangler as an extra vehicle, I'm fairly sold on a bronco as my daily driver. If Ford puts out a phev bronco soon, I'll probably trade my FE in one.

Sulley · Jul 5, 2023

Happy to sell you my Bronco. 392 is going to be here in maybe a week or two.

Mouse · Jul 5, 2023

Bronco Raptor with a V6 is just a let down. nothing about the Bronco raises any interest from me. The odd looking fender flares

, to me it looks like Ford held a competition for design ideas at a 3rd grade art class and the winner also got to design the dashboard with legos. I’m sure it is a great vehicle but from the time the Bronco was announced everyone was calling it the Jeep killer and so many people shit all over Jeep. I have yet to see an honest, non bias review where the Bronco KILLED a Jeep. They both have their strengths and weaknesses But comparing a vehicle that was designed with desert pre running in mind can’t honestly and realistically be compared to a vehicle that was designed for slow rock crawling in mind but the Jeep stomps the Bronco R in a drag race.

Jeep, no matter what generation still looks like a Jeep, yes they have gotten wider and longer but it is still on straight axles and most people can recognize a Jeep. The fact that the 392 has very subtle changes that most people wouldn’t notice makes the 392 a sleeper with the balls to back it up. I can buy a bolt on suspension kit that would drastically improve the desert high speed pre runner characteristics of a Bronco for my Jeep and install it in a weekend but I haven’t seen anyone bolt a V8 into a Bronco yet, let alone a kit someone can do at home. A factory installed V8 makes a great platform for any build. Bronco wasn’t even something I considered and I have owned Fords since I started driving.

this is just my opinion but 392 all the way.

scarab · Jul 5, 2023

Go ahead and get the knockoff, we need people like you, at the end of the day that's the reason why Jeep got motivated and released the 392

ZR2to392 · Jul 6, 2023

caraholic said:
I choose the wrangler for a couple reasons.

1. V8
2 V8
3. SOT
4. Appearance

I may be in the minority but I do not like how the bronco looks especially the raptor versions. It just looks very awkward. The cheap looking fender extensions don’t help with that either. For some reason it looks like it’s on stilts when looking straight at the rear end. Sure its a great vehicle but its not for me visually.

I was waiting for someone to acknowledge the hideous fender extensions. What are those? They are weirdly shaped and cheap looking. Even if the BRaptor had a predator v8 that would be a no for me because of the fenders.

guruman · Jul 6, 2023

I had a 78 full size Bronco back in the day. I loved that thing. It was tough, and solidly built, simple and functional.

When the new Bronco was announced, I rushed to get my reservation.

As details emerged I began to wonder about how Ford would handle the new Bronco. I figured they would either make it an epic vehicle with the best materials and build quality and it would be awesome with a capital "A". Or... they would make it out of recycled Tupperware as cheaply as possible in order to extract as much short-term cash out of the Bronco legacy by overcharging for a cheaply built SUV with "Bronco" stamped on it. I held up my order to see which it was. They chose option "b". I cancelled. (I shudder to think what the new Scout will be....)

Anyone that knows anything can tell you that a forced induction v6 making the same peak HP (it even falls short of this goal) as a normally aspirated V8 is no comparison. That v6 only makes power when wound out above 4k rpm, all of that v6 power and torque is pretty unusable on the trail. Unless all of your off-roading is at full throttle and high speed, the v6 is second best, as the v8 can do both low speed grunt, and high speed "POWAR" as Jeremy Clarkson calls it.

The new Bronco is to the old Broncos what a H3 is to the H1 Hummer. A shadow of the original designed for the masses to part them with the green paper in their wallets. They only brought the Bronco back because Jeeps were selling so damn well, and they might be able to lure a few suckers over to take their money. On the other hand. Jeep has always been Jeep. Despite tons of market and environmental pressures, they have been making them since 1941. Each generation more capable and comfortable than the last.

To their credit they did throw in some interesting features to make it seem like a purpose built off-road rig, but under the hood it's clear that they really only intended to appease the mall crawler crowd, and to be able to check a box when comparing it to a Jeep. I think every YouTube video I see with a Bronco on the trail it's either broken or struggling to make it. Meanwhile the owner is smiling and cheering about how great is was right up until it broke the tie rods.

I do like the styling, and the fact that for the first time in decades, there is another production vehicle with removable top AND doors. (which is one of the reasons I've owned so many Jeeps over the years).

The aftermarket has stepped forward to cash in on the Bronco, but nothing will ever compare to the Jeep aftermarket. Even today, you can buy every single part you need to build a CJ from the ground up with all new parts and the add-ons and modifications are practically endless for Jeeps.

The bottom line is... I'm just some jackwagon on the internet.

You do you friend. Good luck, whatever you decide.

Mouse · Jul 6, 2023

Totally agree with guruman, Ford brought back the bronc as a ghost of its former self. Just using the name for marketing purposes. As soon as it was introduced Jeep was treated tike a red headed stepchild, saying that they were holding customers hostage with high prices and a lack of progress. when Ford discontinued the Bronco to appease the masses who flocked to dealerships to buy school bus sized SUVs they abandoned an entire customer base. In the meantime Jeep just did their thing and evolved. You can call it what ever you want but it’s not a true Bronco, I feel the same way about Chargers and Challengers, they are great vehicles but they are nothing like the originals and did not evolve. once a name is retired just let it go, but Jeep has always been Jeep no matter what automaker owns the rights to the name. If the Bronco had evolved into what it is today I could respect it more but it didn’t and it isn’t. I hope Ford does put a V8 in the Bronco, maybe it will force Jeep to keep the 392 in production a bit longer. I still wouldn’t buy one, but competition is good.