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It’s been a while since I’ve reviewed another Bronco model. Ford usually likes to send us higher trim levels to test, but this time around we have a Big Bend. This particular model sits one level above the steel-wheel-wearing Base, and is priced at less than $1,000 more than the entry level Bronco. For that you get dual-zone climate control, push-button/remote start, lane keeping assist, BLIS, and access to a pile of options; not to mention aluminum wheels and fancier trim. It’s a lot of content for a small increase in price.

Our particular test rig was equipped with the 2.3L EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine and 10R60 10-speed automatic transmission. I typically describe this particular combination as adequate. It moves the fairly heavy 4x4 SUV with confidence, but you’re not going to mistake it for a Raptor R. However, for the average Bronco buyer the 2.3’s 310 lb-ft of torque coming in at a low’ish 3,400 RPM will more than get the job done. Add to that its cranking out 275HP at 5,700...

A while back I had the opportunity to put about 600 miles on an early pre-production Ford Maverick Hybrid. This XLT model version was very lightly optioned with basically what I consider the “essentials” on a vehicle like this. In other words; this is the exact Maverick spec I had been waiting to get my hands on, and it did not disappoint.

Over the years I’ve driven about every higher-end version of a Maverick you can imagine. We’ve done full reviews on a Lariat FX4, a loaded-to-the-gills Tremor, and even the new Lobo Model (more to come on that one in the future). However, none of those had the hybrid drivetrain of the original $20,000 base model truck. This one has just that, along with cloth seats and some decent wheels in place of the base steelies (I’m not trying to look like Mini-Landman running around in this thing). IMO, That’s really all this truck needs over the base model to make it a more enjoyable DD.


Out on the...

Back in the heat of summer Ford sent us an Electric F-150 to test out for a week or so. IMO, this particular truck was spec’d perfectly. It was an Oxford White XLT, with cloth seats and the extended range battery. If I were to purchase an F-150 EV with my own money, it would have been this one. I spent my time with it going through my normal test driving routine for a truck, and it performed flawlessly up until a point. However, that inflection point showed exactly why Ford is now discontinuing its electric truck offering.

This is the second electric F-150 that I’ve had the pleasure of having as a test vehicle, and I really do mean pleasure. Outside of the Raptor (and especially the Raptor R), the Electric F-150 is the best riding and driving ½ ton truck Ford builds. The steering and brakes are perfect, the ride is firm and controlled without being harsh, the interior comfort and NVH levels are top of the line, and the acceleration capability is simply intoxicating. Throw in a ton...

I've had a set of SPD Downpipes with the optional Gesi Cats on my Bronco Raptor for over a year now, and they are still one of my favorite mods. They add just enough growl when you want, but are easily tamed with the BRaptor's factory selectable exhaust modes. Add to that their perfect fit, excellent quality, and a decent bump in power and you have an overall winner of an upgrade.

Since I installed them I got a little busy and forgot that I had shot a video comparing my BRaptor's SPD equipped exhaust to a bone-stock one. This silver Bronco Raptor was a test vehicle from Ford, and was very nicely equipped. So here is my found footage comparison - Enjoy!! -

It wouldn’t be December without a trip to PRI, and that was my destination last week. We loaded up and drove to Indianapolis for the annual Performance Racing Industry show, where Hi-Po manufacturers from around the world display their latest and greatest go-fast parts. You’ll see everything from turbos and superchargers, to tires and wheels, to swap oil pans, to full tube race chassis. There’s a little something from just about any form of motorsports you can think of, all under one snow covered roof.

New Ford specific parts were in a more limited supply than I’ve seen in years past. I chalk this up to Ford not having released many new high performance models in the past couple years. New vehicles/engines are what typically spur production of new performance parts. There were still a fair amount of new Godzilla parts on display and a handful of Coyote items as well. I particularly liked seeing Coyote swapped Chevy and GMC trucks, along with a Cornett built Ford D3 Powered Dirt...

A few months back we showed off the first prototype of the BRONCOVER Half-Top cover for modern 4-door Ford Broncos. BRONCOVER actually used our Bronco Raptor to design this new product, and we debuted it at the Broncos and Brews show in New Bern, NC. Since then they made a few minor tweeks to the design and finalized it for production.

What you’re looking at here is the final production version of the Half-Top. The purpose of this cover is to fill a gap in the market. BRONCOVER has a variety of covers for just about every Bronco top and door-count combination you can think of. However, many 4-door hard-top owners only like to remove the front three roof panels while leaving the large rear cap in place. The issue is, those front three pieces are a pain to carry around. That’s where the Half-Top comes in. Check out this vid:


The Half-Top is perfect for those who like to soak up some rays the easy way in their Bronco without...

Ford has an absolute hit on their hands with the new Bronco, and it’s pretty obvious that they know it. Very few vehicles in their line-up, beyond the flagship F-150, are available in as many models and configurations as the latest Bronco; and the Everglades version we recently got to test. This tester was something of a special treat because I got to pick it up brand-new from Ford in Detroit and bring it back to South Carolina to become part of the local media fleet. She was unspoiled by the grubby mitts of uninitiated bloggers.

This swamp specialist of the Bronco line-up came equipped with the 2.3L EcoBoost I-4, 10R60 Auto, unique wheels, Everglades graphics, and an exclusive snorkel for deep fording adventures. As a package, I feel the Everglades model offers just enough to set it apart from the rest of its Bronco brethren. Think of it as being the equivalent of a Bullitt Mustang Vs a GT Premium. The ‘Glade packs in all the content/capability from the Sasquatch package and tops...

HP Tuners has pulled off a miracle and saved the Ford aftermarket as we know it. By cracking the encryptions on Ford's latest generations of ECUs they have created a new rush of performance modding. To no one's surprise, the guys over at 5 Star Tuning in Florence, SC had a backlog of employee owned vehicles ready for calibration development. This stone stock 10R80 equipped S650 Mustang GT was one of the first to get their attention, and the results did not disappoint.

As you can see, starting from a strong baseline of 433HP they were able to pick up 30HP on 93 Octane and 50HP on E85. Torque gains largely track with the horsepower gains. If I owned one of these cars added a custom tune would be high priority. Besides gaining power everywhere in the rev range, the driveablity of the car is greatly improved. That's doubly true on an automatic car like this one, where optimizing the shifts makes a huge difference in the driving experience. What do you guys think?

Back in 2023 we headed out to 5 Star Tuning in Florence, SC to test a slew of VMP Performance parts on a new F-150 Raptor R. That truck was nicely modified, and looked great, but the owner wanted to squeeze some more power from its Supercharged 5.2L V8. Unfortunately, we ran into a brick wall with the trucks encrypted ECU. No matter what we tried, the factory tune limited the power output to about 610RWHP. For a refresher, check out this thread :: F-150 Raptor R Mods from VMP Tuning | Exploring the Limits of the OEM Calibration at 5 Star Tuning

Thankfully, HP Tuners has finally come to the rescue for the Ford Performance Industrial Complex with custom tuning for a host of previously locked Ford computers. 5 Star Tuning didn't waist any time reaching out to the owner of that Raptor R so they could get his truck back on...

If there’s one thing you can count on with Mustang fans it’s that every new generation will bring with it polarized opinions. The S650 Mustang was no exception. A lot of people really liked it, and some acted as if it was worse than stubbing your toe on the corner of the bed. I fell somewhere in between. I initially had an overall ‘meh’ feeling; that is until I drove one. That’s when things really changed for me. After spending a week with a loaded up Performance Pack Dark Horse, I’m left saying this is a very nice addition to the Mustang family.

Let’s start off strong with what I consider the best attribute of the Dark Horse, its feeling of completeness. This car feels like a total package. Everything blends together and meshes seamlessly into an outstandingly fun to drive Mustang. The healthy dose of power it delivers is complimented by the excellent handling of the suspension package. The insane amount of grip provided by the Pirelli Trofeo RS tires can be harnessed by the...

We've had such great feedback from our SVTP Premium Members on our SVTP Soft Launch Coffee that we've decided to put together a follow up for the SVTP coffee lovers out there. Because shipping is insane these days, it doesn't make sense to sell this stuff as a single bag. So we're doing a 5 bag whole bean variety pack with the following varieties:

• SVTP Soft Launch - Dark Roast Nicaraguan - Same one we sent to SVTP Premium Members
• Ethiopian Light Roast
• Brazilian Medium Roast - Washed Beans
• Guatemalan Medium Roast
• Honduran Dark Roast

These are 12oz bags, roasted in South Carolina. Also included is special bonus "gift" that's valued at ~$35 by itself. We're offering the 5 bags of exclusive SVTP Whole Bean Coffee, plus the bonus "gift" (see below for details) shipped to your door for $100 - plus tax. We're limiting this to 50 units. Proceeds go to the "Keep SVTP on the Internet Fund". Thoughts???

You can make your purchase in the SVTP Store...

Evolution is a well understood and accepted scientific theory that often goes beyond the nature of biological organisms. In this case, the venerable Motorcraft FL-1A has adapted to changing engineering requirements for over half a century. The FL-1A became the gold standard for Ford V8 engines sometime in the late-60s. It replaced cartridge style filters like the Motorcraft FL-20. I searched for a more detailed history of these filters, but didn’t find anything definitive. I believe the FL-1 (the “A” would come later) was originally fitted to the 221 Windsor V8 when it was introduced in 1961, and it was originally marketed as an Autolite part instead of Motorcraft. There was even an FL-1HP Racing Oil Filter available at some point.

Still we can assume that most of the various filters I was able to collect were designed to deal with a range of fitment issues. The FL-300 is esstially a shorter version of the FL-1A, while the Motorcraft FL-400S is skinnier and the Motorcraft FL-910S...

For the first time ever, we putting everything in the SVTP Store on sale. Everything is 10% off.

It's getting to be hoodie weather and we have a handful of them in stock. I'm not planning on ordering any more this year, so what we have on hand is it. Now would be a great time to pick one up - they make great Christmas Presents. Plus, purchasing swag from the SVTP Store is a great way to support the site. Check it out - Store

Let me put it to you simply, the F-150 Raptor R is the ultimate expression of Ford Truck. That’s it. That’s the review. You can stop reading right now, and you’ll have my take away from spending two weeks and 2,500 miles behind the wheel of the 5.2L Predator Powered Super Raptor. If you’re interested in learning how we came to that conclusion, read on.

From the outside, you may assume that the Raptor R is just a Raptor 37 with more power. The reality is that it is much more than that. Ford’s engineers spent a significant amount of time retuning the suspension and the rest of the drivetrain on the R to optimize performance with the blown 5.2L under the hood. Make no mistake, this truck is the total package. It is the ultimate expression of everything a Ford Raptor is meant to be. This video review lays it all out (including some significant towing):


The exterior modifications of our “Plane Jane” Raptor R were very minimalistic...

Last week we posted an article lamenting the cheapening of the Motorcraft oil filter spec’d for many Coyote and EcoBoost engines. Today we have much better news. Ford recently the Motorcraft FL-2124S oil filter for the 6.7L Powerstroke diesel engine. This filter supersedes the FL-2051S filter that debuted on the 6.7 PSD in the 2011 model year. I’m here to tell you that this new filter appears to be an upgrade over the already very good older design.

These two filters appear to be nearly identical save for one major difference, the filter media. The FL-2051S appears to use a synthetic media very similar in appearance to the Stratapore filter media found in certain versions of Cummins Fleetguard filters. It’s a well constructed and filter that overall is a very nice quality piece. However, due to Ford adding a variable volume oil pump to the 6.7 PSD and wishing to be able to run longer drain intervals the developed the Motorcraft FL-2124S oil filter. This inspection vid will give...

Records are meant to be broken. In the case of our Bronco Raptor’s ¼ mile record, it was meant to be shattered. Our best run was a 13.56 @ 98.9MPH in August 2023 at an NMRA event in Norwalk, OH. As far as I can tell, that run still stood as the best ¼ mile ET for a Bronco Raptor. That pass was made with a Whipple Intercooler and Calibration, and a set of SPD Downpipes. Since that time we have switched to an HP-Tuners based calibration from 5 Star Tuning and added an S&B Cold Air...

Cost cutting, down-sizing, and supplier issues are unfortunate facts of life that we have sadly become more accustomed to over the past several years. Not surprisingly, our required automotive maintenance parts occasional fall victim to this trend as well. That certainly seems to be the case with the recently introduced Motorcraft FL-2121 Oil Filter, which for a time replaced the now nearly 15 year old FL-500S filter design (which itself is a modification of the venerable FL-820S). It appears the 2121 was the result of a supplier issue, and Ford being forced to search-out an acceptable stand-in.

We decided to snag one of each of these filters, cut them open, and do a detailed inspection. The results were disappointing. The first and most obvious difference is the overall size of the FL-2121, which is a little larger than the 500. However, the 2121 is significantly lighter than the older 500. It’s plain that the FL-2121 is constructed by a different manufacturer (looks to be...

A while back I got to spend some time with a Lux Package equipped Bronco Raptor, and thought it might be a good idea to compare it to my personal BRaptor. I ordered mine as a more stripped down model with vinyl seats and floors. While I really like the comfort of the leather trimmed Lux seats, the ease of cleaning the vinyl seats are a huge selling point for me. In the vid below I walk through the differences I noticed. Which one would you pick?

The new 2025 Bronco Free Wheeling appearance package has arrived with a burst of red, orange, and yellow style inspired by Ford’s Free Wheeling trucks, vans and Broncos of the ‘70s and ‘80s. From the late 1970s to the early 1980s, the Free Wheeling package was available for the Ford F-100, F-150, Bronco, Econoline van, and added graphics with red, orange and yellow gradients, painted steel wheels, and black finishes on the grilles, mirrors, and bumpers. Inside the vehicle featured red and orange pin striping on the dash and seat stitching.

The 2025 Bronco Free Wheeling honors that vibrant and confident style.

“Bronco has always been about fun and capability since day one and Free Wheeling’s looks kick that up a notch with its sunset inspired beach vibes,” said Steve Gilmore, Ford Vehicle Personalization chief designer. “We’ve modernized the new Bronco Free Wheeling in line with today’s fashion and graphic trends, including seats that mimic the color palette of the...

A Baja 1000-winning legendary name returns to the Ford lineup for 2025 with the new Bronco Stroppe Special Edition. A successor to the original Stroppe Baja Bronco from the ‘60s and ‘70s, this new limited-edition Bronco pairs the desert-racing spirit of the original with today’s off-road capability to create a special high-performance Bronco SUV.

“When you purchased a Stroppe Baja Bronco in 1971, it rolled out of Bill Stroppe’s factory ready to tackle the Baja 1000,” said Jason Hyde, Bronco brand manager. “That capability was at the core of our development process for the new Bronco Stroppe Special Edition, including Fox Internal Bypass Dampers designed for performance and improved control during high-speed desert running, a standard EcoBoost 2.7-liter V6 engine, and Baja G.O.A.T. Mode.”

The Bronco Stroppe Special Edition is available exclusively as a two-door model and takes the place of the Wildtrak in the Bronco lineup. It also includes a standard Stabilizer Bar Disconnect...