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A silver 2021 Ford F-150 Tremor stands atop a dusty hill

Tired of Waiting for the Ford Bronco? Get 1 of These Bad Boys

Feel like it’s been forever since you heard anything about the new Bronco? Well, it’s not just anticipation: The new Ford SUV is still experiencing production delays due to COVID-19. Torque News recently shared a letter the automaker sent to its eager customers, stating the Bronco won’t be delivered until summer 2021. As an apology, …

Feel like it’s been forever since you heard anything about the new Bronco? Well, it’s not just anticipation: The new Ford SUV is still experiencing production delays due to COVID-19. Torque News recently shared a letter the automaker sent to its eager customers, stating the Bronco won’t be delivered until summer 2021.

As an apology, Ford offered customers who already ordered a Bronco $300 worth of accessories and service fees. It’s a nice gesture, but some drivers want more to fill the Bronco-sized hole in their hearts. Autoweek compiled a long list of Bronco alternatives, and we’ve whittled it down to our favorite three. So if you’re itching to drive something as adventurous as Ford’s exciting new SUV, try one of these bad boys.

Bronco buster #1: Ford Tremor

Sure, the new Ford Bronco will offer off-roading capabilities, but the automaker’s flagship pickup might do the SUV one better. The Tremor off-roading package is currently available on Ford’s F-250 and F-350 pickup trucks. The package offers a locking rear differential, a limited-slip front differential, beefier shocks, and a retuned suspension. It boasts almost a whole foot of ground clearance and can ford through water up to 33 inches deep.

The running boards are in a higher position on these trucks to prevent damage on rough trails. The package also includes 35-inch all-terrain tires for maximum traction. For the 2020 model year, a 12,000-pound winch was also offered as optional equipment.

Ford also included some thoughtful technology in this package. Find low-gear rock crawling, trail-specific cruise control, and a new heavy-duty transmission. If you want to use the Super Duty’s brawny towing skills, Pro-Trailer Backup Assist is also included.

In 2021, the Tremor off-roading package will also be available on the Ford F-150 and its little brother, the Ranger. It comes with many of the same features as the Super Duty’s package, plus recovery hooks and a power bank onboard. The 2021 Ford F-150 Tremor will also have the same heavy-duty transfer case as the Raptor version. However, like the Ford Bronco, you’ll have to wait until 2021 to get one of these new trucks.

Bronco buster #2: Land Rover Defender

Another Ford Bronco alternative is the Land Rover Defender. It’s a classic off-roader for our British friends, and now Americans can enjoy it too. Though it may look the same as the classic SUV on the outside, the 2020 Defender is built with new unibody construction. That makes this crossover lighter and more comfortable, plus it boasts a nice air suspension.

Air suspension usually isn’t the most ideal for off-roading, but the Defender uses it wisely. Because all four corners are linked to the suspension, it can send traction to each wheel as needed. The Land Rover Defender also offers automatic locking differentials and a terrain management system.

The Defender can wade through three-foot water and offers 11 inches of ground clearance. It also has an impressive 40-inch departure angle and a 29-degree break-over angle. The highest trim level comes with a supercharged 3.0-liter engine that harnesses 395 hp, giving it plenty of power.

Bronco buster #3: Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

It’s hard to talk about the new Ford Bronco without mentioning its biggest rival, the Jeep Wrangler. Even the base Wrangler can tackle moderate off-roading, but the Rubicon is ideal. It comes with locking differentials, a larger transfer case, bigger brakes, and a sway bar.

Special rock sliders replace the traditional running boards, and all-terrain tires can take the Rubicon through rugged territory. Like the Bronco, the Rubicon lets you drive without doors and remove the top for a more thrilling off-roading venture. If you truly can’t wait for a 2021 Ford Bronco, the Wrangler is probably as close as you can get.

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