The Ford Bronco RTR with Vaughn Gittin Jr. | The AutoGuide Show Ep 108

In this episode of the AutoGuide Show, host Greg Migliore catches up with Vaughn Gittin Jr. to discuss his latest creation, the Ford Bronco RTR. Just back from a win at the Baja 1000, Vaughn explains what the Bronco RTR is, why it exists and how it fits in with the Bronco Raptor.

Then Mike Schlee joins for his latest gear test, the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3. Speaking of Raptor, Mike has been rolling around in the F-150 Raptor, and we stick with the off-road theme by breaking down Greg’s time in the Honda Passport Trailsport. That’s all in the AutoGuide Garage. We close things out with the mailbag, where we discuss the future of the Tesla Roadster.

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Show Notes (times)

• Introduction: Welcome and Episode Overview (00:08)
  • Host Greg Migliore 
  • Guest: Vaughn Gittin Jr. discussing the Ford Bronco RTR, recently back from a Baja 1000 win.
  • Gear Test: Mike Schlee with the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3.
  • AutoGuide Garage: Mike's time in the F-150 Raptor and the speaker's time in the Honda Passport TrailSport.
  • Closing with the Mailbag.
  • eBay Motors Secure Purchase advertisement (00:54).
• Interview with Vaughn Gittin Jr. on the Ford Bronco RTR (01:30)
  • Bronco RTR Overview: The Bronco RTR is described as the most capable, fun-to-drive, and thrilling Bronco, just below the Raptor. It is the result of over a year of close work with the Ford Enthusiast Vehicles team and the RTR team. It is built for and by enthusiasts, featuring RTR DNA, racing pedigree, and aims for mass-production attainability and affordability.
  • Bronco RTR Modifications (02:29):
    • Appearance: Hyperlime styling and the signature RTR grille with integrated lighting.
    • Anti-lag: Eliminates turbo lag, giving the driver the response they command, which is very useful off-road. The speaker feels this may be the first off-road production vehicle with anti-lag.
    • Steering: Has the largest steering gear (Raptor steering gear) for strength, especially under high loads when crawling or articulating.
    • Cooling System: Enhanced cooling system with parts "stolen" from the Raptor parts bin to keep the vehicle cooler, aiding slow-speed cooling and recovery time.
    • Suspension and Dynamics: The base Bronco RTR comes with a high-clearance suspension with Bilstein components and a wider track. This provides roughly an inch or more of ride height than a standard Bronco.
    • Sasquatch Package: Adds 35-inch tires, Fox internal bypass, lockers, and a modular front bumper.
    • Wide Track Benefits: The wide track, achieved with aggressive wheel offset, increases stability, making the vehicle feel more planted during off-camber turns and sliding.
    • Engine: All RTR Broncos use the 2.3L 10-speed automatic transmission, a conscious choice for nimbleness, lightweight, and vehicle dynamics.
  • Bronco RTR vs. Bronco Raptor (06:28): The RTR slots below the Raptor and is pitched as a more accessible Bronco. The Raptor is considered the most capable in the portfolio for rock crawling and tighter stuff, but it is bigger and wider. Attainability is a key focus of the entire RTR lineup. RTR's spec vehicles (Mustang and Bronco) range from $70,000 to over $100,000, so people will be "shocked" by the value of the mass-produced RTR Bronco.
  • Vaughn Gittin Jr.'s Journey with Ford (10:03):
    • RTR started with the passion to make the Mustang cool again to a younger generation.
    • The relationship grew from a dealer-installed package (where dealers were sent a literal pallet of parts) to a true collaboration with Ford.
    • Ford saw the RTR team's capabilities, approach, passion, and commitment. RTR has never built a product for any vehicle other than Ford vehicles.
    • This project was a "mesh of both of our strengths," leading to a quick wheel design (Ford had "never made a wheel so quickly").
    • The collaboration is the second time for the Mustang and the first for the Bronco at this level.
  • Comparison to Carroll Shelby (15:15): The speaker suggests Vaughn is like the only other person besides Carroll Shelby to have such an in-depth relationship with Ford products. Vaughn is humbled, but the priority is the pride in what they produce for the customer, allowing people to feel "like a superhero".
• eBay Motors Advertisement (Secure Purchase) (17:06).
• Gear Test: Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3 with Mike Schlee (17:42)
  • Mike requested this small, easy-to-install dash cam to use in all his weekly press cars.
  • It is very small, and Mike uses the accessory suction cup mount for portability.
  • It is ideal for travelers or those frequently using rental cars.
  • The camera records in good quality and saves footage to a micro SD card. It has an automatic save alert if it detects an accident.
  • Limitations: There is no screen, and the Wi-Fi download from the camera to the phone is quite slow.
  • Conclusion: It is a good option for portable, multi-use needs, backed by the quality of the Garmin name.
• AutoGuide Garage: Off-Road Vehicles (22:22)
  • Mike Schlee on the F-150 Raptor (22:36):
    • Mike drove the regular F-150 Raptor (turbo six-cylinder, not the Raptor R).
    • The valved exhaust can be "illegally loud".
    • The mud and snow all-terrain tires handle snow storms effectively.
    • Downsides: It is "massive" and difficult to park in tight spaces.
    • The Raptor is "way overkill for probably almost everyone who buys it," but worth it if used for its intended purpose even once or twice a year.
    • The base model starts at about $79,000 in the US with the 3.5L EcoBoost and is considered worth it.
    • The Raptor appeals to two types of buyers: those who will "beat on it pretty good" off-road and those who "just want the look".
  • The Speaker on the Honda Passport TrailSport (29:10):
    • The Passport TrailSport is considered an outstanding vehicle for occasional use on rough roads, like a cottage path.
    • The 3.5L V6 is great on the highway with decent fuel economy, and the vehicle is comfortable for long drives with family.
    • Honda has done a good job with the TrailSport trim, which is part of a "golden age" of off-road-ish trims (including Wilderness).
    • It looks rugged with a "truck kind of vibe" and includes knobby tires and extra ground clearance.
    • The Elite model driven was about $54,000.
    • The speaker recommends it over a Jeep Wrangler for drivers who won't do much off-roading, because the Passport is "way more comfortable" for the other 90% of life.
  • Mike Schlee's thoughts on the TrailSport (34:01): Mike agrees that the suspension and all-wheel-drive tuning make it more confident on rough roads. This class of vehicle is designed to repeatedly take the abuse of beat-up roads without wearing out components, unlike a regular car.
• The Mailbag: Tesla Roadster Patents (36:45)
  • A user asks about the Tesla Roadster.
  • The Speaker's speculation: Tesla teased it a few years ago. Patents might be to keep the name or for branding toys. A Roadster would start a new conversation about Tesla. The speaker predicts maybe in two years.
  • Mike Schlee's cynical prediction: Roadster is "never, never coming".
  • Reasons for skepticism (Mike): Tesla slowed production of the Model S and Model X, and the Cybertruck and Semi have not caught on as hoped. Mike questions the business sense of adding another low-volume, niche vehicle.
  • Alternative theory (Mike): The patents are to protect intellectual property, or for toys, video games, or branding.
  • Final consensus: The speakers are speculating that the Roadster is unlikely to arrive anytime soon.
• Conclusion and Credits (42:20)
  • eBay Motors Secure Purchase advertisement (42:31).