Moving Up in the World

[Elegance]

Hey y'all. I'm a current Sport Badlands owner from NC who has been searching for a Bronco Badlands for a bit now. I love my Sport dearly, but really want the added capability of the full size to do more technical rock climbing and some more difficult trails. After all, it's about smiles per gallon, not MPG.

I found a used 2 door 2021 Badlands with Squatch and low miles at a dealership about 11 hours away from me, and the price is exceptional - Less than $40k. I've spoken to the dealer for the past two days and it seems to be the actual price. I even pressed about dealer addons, which they guarantee me there are none of. They gave me my out-the-door price in writing and nothing seems to be shady. It's got a ton of aftermarket upgrades and looks to be in fantastic shape, plus the Carfax is clean. I went ahead and reserved it and have already started applying for financing.

I'm left wondering what would cause a Badlands with Squatch to be listed in the $30,000s. What's the catch?

I've heard the 2.3L is a pretty reliable engine and the Badlands is super fun to drive. Are there any watch out situations I should be on the lookout for before I head up north and purchase this Bronco? Are there reasons an owner would add expensive modifications to a vehicle and decide to let it go before 25,000 miles? Is there a common flaw in the 2021s that would encourage trade-ins? The dealer claims there simply isn't a huge market for Broncos in their area, but I'm still skeptical. I want to be realistic and listen to those who may be able to give me the insight to pounce on a great deal or avoid a horrible one. Thanks in advance!

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[WheresMyBronco]

Nice find. I don't believe there are any specific issues with that year/model/engine that would make someone let go of it after doing all those mods. If I had to guess, it's probably related to it being:

• A 2 door (growing family?)
• Too loud
• Too "uncomfortable" for them (I think my Bronco is comfy, but looks like they did some suspension work that might have changed that)
• Change in their financial situation

I've seen a lot of broncos with extensive mods for sale on this forum, but no one ever seems to list a reason as to why they're selling them

Hoping it's not too good to be true and that you get to make the switch

 

[Elegance]

Nice find. I don't believe there are any specific issues with that year/model/engine that would make someone let go of it after doing all those mods. If I had to guess, it's probably related to it being:

• A 2 door (growing family?)
• Too loud
• Too "uncomfortable" for them (I think my Bronco is comfy, but looks like they did some suspension work that might have changed that)
• Change in their financial situation

I've seen a lot of broncos with extensive mods for sale on this forum, but no one ever seems to list a reason as to why they're selling them

Hoping it's not too good to be true and that you get to make the switch

Should I be leery of shoddy aftermarket suspension work? I actually asked the dealer to send some up close photos, but I'm just not sure what I'm looking at on the full size. I know all there is to know on the Sport and that's about it.

 

[JerryC]

I think you should be cautious. Fake SAS Broncos have been advertised as SAS before.

Badlands badges are easy to put on to make a fake Badlands.

Does it have the dash switches for front and rear lockers plus sway bar disconnect? If it a manual it will have open spot on the dash panel for the hero switches, an automatic will have a full panel. Anything less will make it a fake Badlands.

I recommend finding somebody that knows Broncos take a good look at it before you buy it. As always, have a mechanic check it out before you buy.

 

[Elegance]

I think you should be cautious. Fake SAS Broncos have been advertised as SAS before.

Badlands badges are easy to put on to make a fake Badlands.

Does it have the dash switches for front and rear lockers plus sway bar disconnect? If it a manual it will have open spot on the dash panel for the hero switches, an automatic will have a full panel. Anything less will make it a fake Badlands.

I recommend finding somebody that knows Broncos take a good look at it before you buy it. As always, have a mechanic check it out before you buy.

It does. I've also got the original window sticker and the VIN matches the dealer listing. It's definitely a Badsquatch. Asked them to send me a bunch of photos via text earlier today to prove it's that exact Bronco on their lot. Everything seems to line up - At least to the point where it would be quite challenging to fake.

 

[Beach_Bum]

There aren't any known issues with a MY'21 2.3L (regardless of trim). With regards to someone trading/selling a vehicle with the added modifications, there can be many reasons, but nothing that you should be alarmed about.

Looking at the picture(s), I'm not convinced it was built with the optional Sasquatch package. Looks like they swapped wheels/tires with Sasquatch takeoffs. The flares are from the standard Badlands trim.

For MY'21, the modular bumper was standard on the Badlands. Not sure why they would have opted for a thinner steel bumper from 4WP other than it having the integrated winch platform. At the time, the aftermarket was limited in options and the FP Warn Winch and plate at the time was over $5k.

The only thing that "pops" from the second set of pictures is a tie rod brace.

I wouldn't think too hard on this one. Price is right. Go get it.

 

[Elegance]

Window sticker for reference. The VINs do match on this sticker and the door panel sticker.

 

[Beach_Bum]

Window sticker for reference. The VINs do match on this sticker and the door panel sticker.

Than the owner swapped the Sasquatch flares for the standard flares. That leaves the difference of the swap of the HD modular bumper for the 4WP winch bumper. Just know that without a camera relocation (which likely never happened), the winch will block the front camera. The tie rod brace is no biggie. Can't tell from the picture of the vendor.

 

[Calm horse]

To me it doesn't look like a tierod brace...it looks like beefier tierods.

 

[Beach_Bum]

To me it doesn't look like a tierod brace...it looks like beefier tierods.

Can't really tell from the photo. Figured there was no one left in this world still using a flip-phone other than The Stig. I was proven wrong.

With regards to braces, some were bulky that "sandwiched" the tie rod. Those could easily be added/removed without needing an alignment. Then there were "sleeves" that would be slid over the tie rod after it was disconnected. They were usually thinner and cheaper.

My guess is that it was the latter type as I don't recognize the color as being associated with a performance upgraded tie rod.

 

[Neps]

Pictures look good, that's a nice looking Bronco.

I see nothing that would worry me from the information provided. I'd check the vin tags and look for signs of body work. Just because the cax fax is clean doesn't mean it hasn't had extensive work done.

 

[Neps]

Could be RPG Steering??

 

[Beach_Bum]

Could be RPG Steering??

Maybe. Hard to tell from that picture (not yours, but the dealer's flip-phone photo).

 

[Nc211]

I'd go to your local Ford dealership where you bought your current version and see if the shop will look up the car in the Ford system via the VIN number to see if any serious mechanical issues were needed. I would suspect all warranty covered given mileage, so likely a record within the Ford service database of things done by Ford. I wouldn't suspect much, the 2.3 is a solid engine for sure.

 

[JL8jeff]

The 2 door Broncos don't have a lot of cargo space so if that might be an issue for you, you might want to stop by a dealer that has a 2 door just to check it out. It does seem odd that someone did those addons to a $51K truck and the dealer is under $40K on it, but a used 2 door with winch/bumper is probably a limited audience and they just want it gone.

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