Straightforward Bronco Raptor Initial Impressions from Lite Brite

[Demodog]

The risk of body damage from wheeling a 90k Raptor or 392 like that would stress me out.

 

[Damnright]

The risk of body damage from wheeling a 90k Raptor or 392 like that would stress me out.

Yep. Not worth it. There is plenty of fun to be had without going that hard. As for them...it is essentially their job. I would imagine that their channel is generating full time job $. So ultimately, it is interesting to see them do it so I can be entertained without breaking my own sh't

 

[dog]

The risk of body damage from wheeling a 90k Raptor or 392 like that would stress me out.

Crunching a flare or scratching the paint on a Rubi 392 costs the same as crunching it on a Wrangler Sport!

Yeah we paid more up front, but most common trail damage probably won't cost more than wheeling any other JL. Someone pointed that out recently either here or on JLWF, and it made me feel better.

 

[dog]

Damn! I thoroughly appreciated seein' em push that Bronco. Can't even argue with their analysis at the end. End of the day watching and listening to that Demon at the end was cherry on top. All fun!

 

[Mouse]

To me the Bronco is the red headed stepchild of a rented mule. Like i have said before I’m sure it is perfectly capable and great on road as seen in the video but even if ford stuffed a V8 in the Bronco tomorrow and hired some over the age of 5 to redesign the fenders I would still keep my 392, zero regrets. Still enjoy seeing it in action though, even more curious what lite brite will do as far as modifications.

 

[byhumba]

Let's see how much abuse this Bronco Raptor can take.

 

[392Rubitoo]

As my gramps used to say, she looks good from 100ft...

We used to call them 50-50’s. They look great from 50 feet or 50mph….

 

[developerlaw]

I've had a Bonko sitting in my garage over the weekend. One of the nicer models. Compared it to my 392. It's dog shit. Bolting on a larger engine and a few parts to make a Raptor is not going to change that fact. By the way, the electric windows crack open every time you open and close the door like my 2008 Z06. The windows wobble when the the door is opened. The antenna mount and rear view mirrors are strange. The interior is ok. It is an obvious copy of the Jeep but more car like. Feels more like a Grand Cherokee than a rugged Wrangler. Glad Jeep is coming out with the Recon to copy/one-up the Bonko.

 

[john_wants_a_jeep]

To me the Bronco is the red headed stepchild of a rented mule. Like i have said before I’m sure it is perfectly capable and great on road as seen in the video but even if ford stuffed a V8 in the Bronco tomorrow and hired some over the age of 5 to redesign the fenders I would still keep my 392, zero regrets. Still enjoy seeing it in action though, even more curious what lite brite will do as far as modifications.

I'm with you. I've owned Fords since 1989 and I'm eagerly awaiting my 392. If nothing else, we should appreciate the Bronco for being the catalyst for Jeep putting the 392 in the Wrangler. Competition is a good thing.

 

[computertom]

Never actually been in a base Bronco so I can’t speak to those, but have been in a 2022 Bronco Raptor a fair amount as there is one in my garage right now. The only quality issue I’ve I’ve found so far is the wireless CarPlay is seriously finicky.

 

[Loosescrews]

If I could find a Braptor at MSRP I would consider it.

 

[Jeepstin392]

Didn’t someone post a video of the Braptor and 392 running a 1/4?
The 392 finished with a few car lengths.
Not that it matters much.
But who doesn’t like, or know, the hole shot takes the win most often.

 

[392Rubitoo]

The Raptor may turn out to be as colectable as the 392, either way I wouldn’t kick a Raptor out of my garage..
Lite Brite left a positive impression on me...

I just kicked a Braptor out of my garage. After waiting 7 months my msrp Raptor came in. There were Just too many little niggling things I didn’t care for vs my 392. The ergonomics of getting in and out was difficult for my 70 yr old body. Visibility out the rear was almost nonexistant and the extra width makes parking it here in SoFlo with crowded small parking lots more tedious. Sound wise there is no comparison. The Raptor rode a tiny bit better and lacked any looseness in its steering. Gas mileage was worse than I get with the 392 although it was still in the breakin period.

Granted that I don’t do much offroading so these complaints mean nothing for someone who is lucky enough to live out west desert running at 65 mph, but the Raptor is out of its element down here. Dealer reversed the deal (so no sales tax) and wrote me a big fat check to get it back. im glad I had the opportunity to live with a Braptor for a few hundred miles to compare it to the 392, but the Brapter is gone and the 392 Jeep Is still in my garage.

 

[computertom]

I just kicked a Braptor out of my garage. After waiting 7 months my msrp Raptor came in. There were Just too many little niggling things I didn’t care for vs my 392. The ergonomics of getting in and out was difficult for my 70 yr old body. Visibility out the rear was almost nonexistant and the extra width makes parking it here in SoFlo with crowded small parking lots more tedious. Sound wise there is no comparison. The Raptor rode a tiny bit better and lacked any looseness in its steering. Gas mileage was worse than I get with the 392 although it was still in the breakin period.

Granted that I don’t do much offroading so these complaints mean nothing for someone who is lucky enough to live out west desert running at 65 mph, but the Raptor is out of its element down here. Dealer reversed the deal (so no sales tax) and wrote me a big fat check to get it back. im glad I had the opportunity to live with a Braptor for a few hundred miles to compare it to the 392, but the Brapter is gone and the 392 Jeep Is still in my garage.

Totally agree on getting in and out. The BRaptor has a side curtain airbag where the 392 has the grab handle that I didn’t realize I used all the time. It took me a bit to get the motion in and out with the step down. The Broncos grab handle is actually better material and looks better but is lower and not ver useful. The carbon looks fancy though.

 

[Damnright]

I just kicked a Braptor out of my garage. After waiting 7 months my msrp Raptor came in. There were Just too many little niggling things I didn’t care for vs my 392. The ergonomics of getting in and out was difficult for my 70 yr old body. Visibility out the rear was almost nonexistant and the extra width makes parking it here in SoFlo with crowded small parking lots more tedious. Sound wise there is no comparison. The Raptor rode a tiny bit better and lacked any looseness in its steering. Gas mileage was worse than I get with the 392 although it was still in the breakin period.

Granted that I don’t do much offroading so these complaints mean nothing for someone who is lucky enough to live out west desert running at 65 mph, but the Raptor is out of its element down here. Dealer reversed the deal (so no sales tax) and wrote me a big fat check to get it back. im glad I had the opportunity to live with a Braptor for a few hundred miles to compare it to the 392, but the Brapter is gone and the 392 Jeep Is still in my garage.

I appreciate that review. Good perspective and things to think about.

 

[Demodog]

I will be making the same choice in a few months. I have a 392 on order and a msrp Bronco Raptor being built on 11/21.

I see pros and cons to both rigs and will keep whichever one feels right

 

[Damnright]

I will be making the same choice in a few months. I have a 392 on order and a msrp Bronco Raptor being built on 11/21.

I see pros and cons to both rigs and will keep whichever one feels right

I'd love to hear your thoughts after you spend some time with both.

 

[392Rubitoo]

Totally agree on getting in and out. The BRaptor has a side curtain airbag where the 392 has the grab handle that I didn’t realize I used all the time. It took me a bit to get the motion in and out with the step down. The Broncos grab handle is actually better material and looks better but is lower and not ver useful. The carbon looks fancy though.

The side step and the grab handle ergo’s didn’t work for me. The grab handle was too low so I kept using the steering wheel. Very awkward to get in and out of. The width of the step won’t allow me to bypass it so it’s always a two step operation getting in, while getting out I was bypassing the step and rubbing a pant leg on it. Just didn’t fit my body mechanics and couldn’t see myself fighting it mulitiple times a day.

 

[computertom]

The side step and the grab handle ergo’s didn’t work for me. The grab handle was too low so I kept using the steering wheel. Very awkward to get in and out of. The width of the step won’t allow me to bypass it so it’s always a two step operation getting in, while getting out I was bypassing the step and rubbing a pant leg on it. Just didn’t fit my body mechanics and couldn’t see myself fighting it mulitiple times a day.

I'll post another thread after I get some time with the Braptor with some experience if folks are interested. Would love your feedback in there too @392Rubitoo as it seems to have gone the other way for your garage.

 

[392Rubitoo]

I'll post another thread after I get some time with the Braptor with some experience if folks are interested. Would love your feedback in there too @392Rubitoo as it seems to have gone the other way for your garage.

Another owners opinion would be welcomed. The more information out there will help people decide which one best suits their needs if they aren't able to experience both vehicles side by side for a few hundred miles.