2 Door Badlands or Black Diamond?

[Brian_B]

Yeah the idea of a lower end Badlands still sounds nice, especially for the prices they’re still asking on Badlands. I am still up in the air if I need the 2.0 suspension system and the M210 front end with locker for my needs, even after going through all this info.

So, two schools of thought on that.

The first is, get exactly what you want from the factory. It will be just what you want from jump, and you get the warranty to cover it.

The other thought is - whatever it is you are wanting, can probably be added aftermarket, or OEM after the fact. Sometimes with either higher quality components, or better selection, or lower price (or some combination thereof).

The only thing I would say is not practical to do aftermarket (apart from engine swap or tranny swap) would the the 4A transfer case, and the value of that is somewhat debateable. The rear locker is more difficult/expensive than it ought to be after the fact, but you get it in either of these packages you are looking at. Everything else, really, is not bad to swap if/when you need it.

So I wouldn't get hung up on Badlands. A SAS Black Diamond would be a very nice haul and comparable in almost every meaningful way. And even a non-SAS Black Diamond is an extremely capable Bronco that's going to be much lighter on the pocketbook, and easy to perform with readily available parts to ugprade the bits that are different if/when you find out you need them later on.

I guess what I'm burning a lot of words on: there are not really any wrong answers here, other than to overthink it and not do anything as a result.

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[Brian_B]

Reading around here, I get the impression the Hitachi suspension is the least desirable and many swapped to the Bilstien setup even with the failures.

So, yeah, the Hitachi is the lowest end suspension. It's not bad with the stock 33's that come on the lower trims, and it will go off roading ~ok~. But you aren't hitting the dunes at 80MPH with them, and if you want to step it up to 35(+) tires you want something with a bit more support.

They are very easy to upgrade though, and a lot of nice options that are going to cost less (and many that can be much more capable, albeit for more money) than HOSS 2.0 Bilsteins. I'd throw out the Bilstein 6112 package - which is more or less the same thing as the Ford Performance shock with an adjustable collar. And there's always the 4WP Coilover set that's still a killer deal, that Boss4x4 ~still~ seems to have available (although some folks in the 2Drs have said they seem to be more tuned for the 4Dr crowd).

Unless you are thinking about Wildtrak with the Fox HOSS 3.0... the factory suspension on either HOSS 1 or HOSS 2 is just something you live with until you decide to eventually upgrade -- be that the Hitatchis to get a step up, or the Bilsteins because they fell apart on you...

Not sure if the SAS Bilsteins are subject to the same recall as the Badlands ones - I thought they are more or less the same shock, just with a slightly different perch height.

 

[TheShark]

I'd throw in one more choice, how about a 2dr Heritage?

 

[Oldhippie]

Anything without Sasquatch is equally capable (except tires, advanced transfer and rear locker)…Anything with Sasquatch is equally capable (Fox coilovers, sway bar and steering excepted)…stock coilovers and wheels/tires are easy upgrades…your current use plans fit a black diamond (rear locker) well…if ya get more into it upgrades are available…pay up front or down the road…imho the aftermarket usually has better options than ford…good luck!

 

[GroovyGeek]

The Hitachi is the premium suspension with shocks that don't leak. And if you don't know if you need a front locker, then you don't need a front locker. (And probably you don't need a rear locker either.)

I agree that front locker is something most don't need. But on more than one desert trail with moderate runoff ditches crossing them I have needed rear lockers to get through without needing to ram them at higher speeds.

I was not willing to pay BL prices so I ended up with a BD. You can upgrade the shocks for around $2k if you pay someone to do it. But the Hitachis should be good for most people.

 

[CalvinT]

Black Diamond used to be a like a lower-end version of Badlands.

You got the steel skid plates and steel bumpers, you got a rear locker and washout interior, but you didn't get the sta-bar disconnect or the m210 front end/locker or HOSS 2.0 suspension. Steelie no-nonsense 17" rims and the nice looking open-bar grill in black, wired for fog lights (although I don't know if it came with any stock). ('24 Badlands further got the Severe Duty steering rack upgrade too)

And you could option it with SAS if you wanted too, and once you do that it's not that different from a Badlands at all (SAS or non-SAS).

Biggest drawback for some folks would be you couldn't get Lux on the Black Diamond.

To be honest it was the trim level I was after when I bought, but couldn't find one in a manual where I lived. Plus I think it has the coolest trim badge and trim color.

In 2023 you could order a Black Diamond with the advanced 4WD and locking front axle without the Sasquatch package for around $785. Many people, including dealers, didn't know that. So you're not very likely to find one.

It was what I originally ordered before I upgraded to a Badlands.

 

[CalvinT]

happily use my sway bar disconnect every time I air down, love that feature

Highly recommended at Off Roadeo.

 

[MNBigfoot]

In 2023 you could order a Black Diamond with the advanced 4WD and locking front axle without the Sasquatch package for around $785. Many people, including dealers, didn't know that. So you're not very likely to find one.

It was what I originally ordered before I upgraded to a Badlands.

I don't believe a non-sas BD could ever be had with a front locker.

 

[CalvinT]

wired for fog lights (although I don't know if it came with any stock).

2023 BD came with fog lights with the standard bumper. It was similar to the combination bumper but with plastic end caps. The fog lights were deleted if someone upgraded to the modular bumper.

 

[CalvinT]

I don't believe a non-sas BD could ever be had with a front locker.

I knew someone would doubt me. My salesman also doubted me until I showed him on Ford's website. The part where you could build your own Bronco. I think I still have a copy of my Black Diamond order somewhere. I'll scan and post it if I still have it.

 

[alivecchi003]

That was my original plan, I felt the non SAS Badlands was enough for me but getting it at a price I wanted with the 2.7L and the mid package, with the recall on the shocks is really hurting my options, especially wanting a 2 door.

I would also consider a Black Diamond with those options but with the SAS package.

I have a ‘23 non-sas 2 door 2.7L Badlands with Wildtrak SAS rims and tires on, all I needed to do was take the crash bars off (and find a set to buy). Capable bumper w/ fogs. Sport mode added via FORScan. It has everything and it fucking rocks. You should consider a similar route if you find one available.

 

[CalvinT]

Like I said, the salesman didn't believe me either. But he put the order in and it took. But that was in February 2022. So maybe I misspoke about 2023.

Here's the 2022 price list. You'll find the models in question with Series Codes E5C and E5D. It appears you could also order a Big Bend the same way.

I have the 2023 order guide, it has the same codes. I won't upload it since it's 1.4MB.

 

[MNBigfoot]

Like I said, the salesman didn't believe me either. But he put the order in and it took. But that was in February 2022. So maybe I misspoke about 2023.

Here's the 2022 price list. You'll find the models in question with Series Codes E5C and E5D. It appears you could also order a Big Bend the same way.

I have the 2023 order guide, it has the same codes. I won't upload it since it's 1.4MB.

Advanced 4wd doesn't give you a front locker.

 

[CalvinT]

Advanced 4wd doesn't give you a front locker.

The E5C and E5D codes give you a front locker. They're the same codes for a Badlands and Wildtrack.

The Advanced 4WD comes with the Dana AdvanTEK M210 front axle which includes the Spicer Performa-Trak electronic locker.

 

[MNBigfoot]

The E5C and E5D codes give you a front locker. They're the same codes for a Badlands and Wildtrack.

The Advanced 4WD comes with the Dana AdvanTEK M210 front axle which includes the Spicer Performa-Trak electronic locker.

That order guide appears to use Advanced 4wd as synonymous with as Sas package, just look at the Base trim. However in my21/22 (pretty sure other year as well) you could you could have a OB or BB(?) with the 190 front axle and Advanced 4wd (transfer case).

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