Why is Outer Banks so popular?

[l88m22vette]

I have a Badlands, and decided to go that way pretty early on when I started my search. I originally thought I'd get a Black Diamond, since it was basically a Badlands that hadn't gone all the way through puberty, but after thinking about what it gives up I decided to seek out F/R lockers, the sway disconnect, MGV, etc.

I got the Bronco as my first truck, and also as the first vehicle I want to be active with instead of just street driving. I've always had performance cars but needed something different, and do plan to use this thing. I didn't ever look at an OBX because it just isn't really there as far as what I'm hoping to be able to do. There isn't anything wrong with the trim, it's just not what I wanted, and that's ok since they're all Broncos.

It coulda been a Blazer, folks

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[DD214]

I bought the OBX as that is want the dealer had in stock. I would have done a BL if they had one and if it was in a decent color. Having said that, I don’t regret the OBX edition and even took it to OBX where it did awesome in the sand.

 

[omi205]

No. It’s 100% capable. There isn’t anything that makes it any less off-road worthy as any other Bronco. Some prefer colored trim, to trim that will most likely get chalky like a Chevy Avalanche in a few years time. Plus malls aren’t even a thing anymore. They have all about closed.

I don’t understand why some have to bash other trims or if someone wanted 4 doors. It should be a Pro Bronco community.

Who said it wasn’t capable. In the same sense that the wrangler Sahara is not as capable as the wrangler rubicon. I know. I traded in a Sahara to get my bronco. It was a amazing suv. Took it off road all the time. I really abused that thing offroad and it never complained once. But there were definitely trails that I had to park on the side when the rubicons got to play. Its the exact same way when comparing the outbanks (Sahara) to say the badlands (rubicon).

Nobody is bashing anything. Just telling the truth. I mean. It’s pretty clear as Ford says it on the site. Nobody was making fun of anything. Dont take “mall crawler” the wrong way. My badlands is a “mall crawler” 60-70% of the time, when im in town and mid week. But come weekends im up in the mountains on a trail. Let me put it this way…If I didnt spec my badlands with all the goodies, your outer banks would come with more “comforts” as standard.

If people just want the offroad capability but not all the way, then they go black diamond. If they want all the way offroad, then they go badlands. If they want the most street/comfort oriented bronco (from the factory), they go outer banks. Nobody is bashing anything.

Anyone who tries to argue that a outer banks is just as capable as a badlands or rubicon, has never gone offroad. True offroad. Because they will know that at some point when you are truly off roading you will NEED full lockers. You will NEED to disconnect the front and get traction while the front is also locked. You can only do that on the badlands and the rubicon. Yah you can lift the outer banks and add king suspension and add 37” tires. I did that with my Sahara. But that just gives you more clearance. It dosnt change anything with regard to locking the front and disconnecting.

The Sahara was my first suv and entrance to the off road lifestyle. So I selected a trim that was heavy on the confort side but still could get me off roading on 70% of the trails. And it did that amazingly. But that was 4.5 years ago and I dont want to sit on the side while the rubicons get to play. Hence why I went badlands for round 2. So that I can play on those select trails. Cheers.

Edit: if you get the sas pkg on the obx it will come with front and rear lockers but no disconnecting sway bar is available on obx. I was not aware of front locker option until after the post.

 

[SkiSquatch]

Winter and driving in really bad weather in northern NH/VT/ME to go skiing. Some dirt/mud, no boulders. I didn't want a pickup, and want the roof off in the summer. wranglers - eh. OBX/Sas/Lux ordered 3/27, maybe I'll end up w/ a 2024 next summer if I'm lucky. Really, its all about the heated steering wheel

 

[broncobase1]

It blows me away the Base is such a small slice, considering how well equipped it is and expensive top models are. It basically has the same interrior as top models, same configurable screens and Sync4 system. I'm glad Ford offers a model that doesn't have auto climate control, lane keeping, heated seats, and thank goodness they kept LEDS functional and minimalist! I got my 4Dr automatic Base with modular bumper and aux switches for $36K delivered, nearly half the price of some Badlands. The real bargain (compared to other trims) is a 2Dr Base Sasquatch, which gets you a hard core off roader for about the same $36K (2022 price, everything is more now).

 

[Lowcountry Bronco]

Browse thru the site and it's already hard to tell what trim is what with all the personal mods. Wheels and tires are an easy first change, follow that up with suspension, debadging, changing grilles, wrapped body's and tops and katskinz interiors and only the one that's going to know what it is will be the DMV.

 

[broncobase1]

No. It’s 100% capable. There isn’t anything that makes it any less off-road worthy as any other Bronco. Some prefer colored trim, to trim that will most likely get chalky like a Chevy Avalanche in a few years time. Plus malls aren’t even a thing anymore. They have all about closed.

I don’t understand why some have to bash other trims or if someone wanted 4 doors. It should be a Pro Bronco community.

I agree except that 'chalky' comment, you don't know that. MIC trim has its own advantages, especially the flares which are subject to being hit. One of my flares already has a small scuff most likely from a shopping cart. Its hardly noticible, with painted it would look really bad. Not only that, MIC flares can be replaced for a few bucks, with painted, you have to buy the flare and have a body shop color match and paint it $$$. I'm happy with the quality of the MIC parts, they seem durable. Sure there could be some discolor over the years, but one year in the sun had no effect, I beleive they will lood good many years only time will tell. If not replacements aren't expensive. Yeah malls are the pits today, basically ghettos. The mall I used to go as a kid is now closed, and the area crime infested. Pretty sad.

 

[omi205]

I agree except that 'chalky' comment, you don't know that. MIC trim has its own advantages, especially the flares which are subject to being hit. One of my flares already has a small scuff most likely from a shopping cart. Its hardly noticible, with painted it would look really bad. Not only that, MIC flares can be replaced for a few bucks, with painted, you have to buy the flare and have a body shop color match and paint it $$$. I'm happy with the quality of the MIC parts, they seem durable. Sure there could be some discolor over the years, but one year in the sun had no effect, I beleive they will lood good many years only time will tell. If not replacements aren't expensive. Yeah malls are the pits today, basically ghettos. The mall I used to go as a kid is now closed, and the area crime infested. Pretty sad.

I was actually considering painting my black trim. But its just going to get dinged up on the trails. I do prefer the look of them painted tho. Was thinking to have two sets. One for road (colored) and one for off-road (non-colored). Its not cheap tho.

 

[AKBronc49]

Anyone who tries to argue that a outer banks is just as capable as a badlands or rubicon, has never gone offroad. True offroad. Because they will know that at some point when you are truly off roading you will NEED full lockers. You will NEED to disconnect the front and get traction while the front is also locked. You can only do that on the badlands and the rubicon. Yah you can lift the outer banks and add king suspension and add 37” tires. I did that with my Sahara. But that just gives you more clearance. It dosnt change anything with regard to locking the front and disconnecting.

Ummm, my Outerbanks has front and rear lockers, 4.70 gears, 315/70R17s straight from the factory, so are you completely forgetting the optional Sasquatch package?

 

[22OBX]

Who said it wasn’t capable. In the same sense that the wrangler Sahara is not as capable as the wrangler rubicon. I know. I traded in a Sahara to get my bronco. It was a amazing suv. Took it off road all the time. I really abused that thing offroad and it never complained once. But there were definitely trails that I had to park on the side when the rubicons got to play. Its the exact same way when comparing the outbanks (Sahara) to say the badlands (rubicon).

Nobody is bashing anything. Just telling the truth. I mean. It’s pretty clear as Ford says it on the site. Nobody was making fun of anything. Dont take “mall crawler” the wrong way. My badlands is a “mall crawler” 60-70% of the time, when im in town and mid week. But come weekends im up in the mountains on a trail. Let me put it this way…If I didnt spec my badlands with all the goodies, your outer banks would come with more “comforts” as standard.

If people just want the offroad capability but not all the way, then they go black diamond. If they want all the way offroad, then they go badlands. If they want the most street/comfort oriented bronco (from the factory), they go outer banks. Nobody is bashing anything.

Anyone who tries to argue that a outer banks is just as capable as a badlands or rubicon, has never gone offroad. True offroad. Because they will know that at some point when you are truly off roading you will NEED full lockers. You will NEED to disconnect the front and get traction while the front is also locked. You can only do that on the badlands and the rubicon. Yah you can lift the outer banks and add king suspension and add 37” tires. I did that with my Sahara. But that just gives you more clearance. It dosnt change anything with regard to locking the front and disconnecting.

The Sahara was my first suv and entrance to the off road lifestyle. So I selected a trim that was heavy on the confort side but still could get me off roading on 70% of the trails. And it did that amazingly. But that was 4.5 years ago and I dont want to sit on the side while the rubicons get to play. Hence why I went badlands for round 2. So that I can play on those select trails. Cheers.

Can’t you get the SAS OBX with lockers and be just as capable if that is what you want? No one ever says a Base isn’t capable? And calling it a mall crawler is offensive to some .

 

[2023bronco]

If you're worried about the black trim turning gray just take care of it. Cerakote, Aerospace 303, pick your flavor. And if you don't take of it and it turns gray in 10 years, then just go get some Cerakote at that time. It'll work either way.

 

[22OBX]

I agree except that 'chalky' comment, you don't know that. MIC trim has its own advantages, especially the flares which are subject to being hit. One of my flares already has a small scuff most likely from a shopping cart. Its hardly noticible, with painted it would look really bad. Not only that, MIC flares can be replaced for a few bucks, with painted, you have to buy the flare and have a body shop color match and paint it $$$. I'm happy with the quality of the MIC parts, they seem durable. Sure there could be some discolor over the years, but one year in the sun had no effect, I beleive they will lood good many years only time will tell. If not replacements aren't expensive. Yeah malls are the pits today, basically ghettos. The mall I used to go as a kid is now closed, and the area crime infested. Pretty sad.

I agree! I do hope they don’t chalk! My bumpers are the same material Based on name of the OBX, coast cruiser is more appropriate. Look good while playing in the sand.

 

[omi205]

Ummm, my Outerbanks has front and rear lockers, 4.70 gears, 315/70R17s straight from the factory, so are you completely forgetting the optional Sasquatch package?

Ah yes. You are correct. I stand corrected. I wasn’t accounting for sas, just standard.

 

[omi205]

Can’t you get the SAS OBX with lockers and be just as capable if not hard what you want? No one ever says a Base isn’t capable? And calling it a mall crawler is offensive to some .

Actually you are correct. The OBX can be outfitted with a sas pakge that gives the lockers. Thats a nice step up that jeep dosnt offer on lower trims, only the rubi. I stand corrected. Nothing offensive about the term to me.

 

[AKBronc49]

Ah yes. You are correct. I stand corrected. I wasn’t accounting for sas, just standard.

Also the non-sas obx can be optioned with a rear locker, which makes it more capable than a non-sas base that cannot be equipped with any lockers.

These trim levels are mostly purely visual, different colors. A Big Bend, Black Dimond and Outerbanks non Sasquatch can all be equipped with a rear lockers, all have roughly the same size tires, all have exactly the same capabilities in the regard.

The only thing the Badlands has over other trims is the front sway bar disconnect. Now the value of that is subjective to the owners use. I don't see much (any) of a difference if you're comparing Sasquatch models between any Bronco when it comes to capabilities.

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