The best trim for a new buyer

[Scoop]

For friends who describe their potential use similar to the OP's use, I recommend the Badlands non-Sasquatch. Those who have followed my advice seem to be very happy with the choice.

Sponsored

 

[CalvinT]

For friends who describe their potential use similar to the OP's use, I recommend the Badlands non-Sasquatch. Those who have followed my advice seem to be very happy with the choice.

I have a non-SAS Badlands. I don't "need" it's capabilities but I like having the options. I used to buy only what I needed when buying bicycles, stereos, computers, etc. I discovered that I'd end up wishing I had bought more capabilities. I've never regretted buying more capability than I needed unless it increased cost of ownership. Buying a Sas Bronco increases cost of ownership (tires and gas).

I was going to get a Black Diamond. A Black Diamond would have met all my anticipated needs. I'm glad I spent the extra money.

 

[timhood]

For friends who describe their potential use similar to the OP's use, I recommend the Badlands non-Sasquatch. Those who have followed my advice seem to be very happy with the choice.

It's a tough call, because we can't get into the mind of the OP. FOMO is definitely a reason to buy up, but over-paying can be equally disappointing for others. Technically speaking, a Badlands (even non-Sas) is way overkill for his stated use case. I've done lots of Moab rock crawling in my non-Sas Badlands on trails like Hell's Revenge and Top of the World--all of those way beyond how OP said he would use it. Of course, there are many people who buy a Badlands or Sas package just to get bigger tires.

Ford initially did a pretty good job of creating a trim level for every standard use case. My main gripe was that the marketing team used package limitations to get people to buy-up to higher mechanical trims just to get access to features they wanted. Just because someone wanted the Lux package shouldn't have meant that they needed to buy a rock-crawling Badlands or desert-running Wildtrack. Fortunately, that wasn't a problem for me because I had decided on a non-Sas Badlands, which I think is the perfect rock crawler for 95% or more of owners who want to do rock crawling. A Black Diamond with access to the Lux package would probably be the perfect Bronco for almost every Bronco owner that doesn't want to do rock crawling.

 

[BillyB]

The one Bronco model that has the least recalls...oh...wait up...there isn't one...

 

[Snacktime]

Things to avoid if you want 75k+ mile ownership

Factory sway bar disconnect
4Auto Transfer Case
M190 Differential
Manual Transmission

No matter what trim you get you will get one of the to avoid item.

 

[MayhemMike]

As a retirement reward one should just forgo the indecision and obtain the non Sasquatch Bad Lands. If you are ordering your Bronco and go with the Bad Lands I suggest not optioning the bar disconnect and use the savings on a painted MOD hard top. In the end you have to ask yourself ,” why wouldn’t I want the Bronco trim with the best name BAD LANDS”?

 

[dgorsett]

My first choice was a Black Diamond. Then before production started I upgraded to a Badlands. They're the only two that came with rock rails and a manual transmission. I can't stand seeing the pinch welds, so if my Bronco hadn't come with rock rails I would have had to buy them.

Second on the list is a rear locker. After those two items I don't think it makes much difference.

If you're ordering one built, add the upfitter switches if the one you're ordering doesn't come with them. They'll make life easier later.

I don't think the transmission makes that much difference in capability. I know this will raise a lot of hackles, but it's the driver that makes the difference, not the transmission. I just like a manual, I've been driving a manual for 50 years. I can do the three pedal dance. I think most people would be better off with an automatic.

Some say skid plates, but they take away from payload you could use if you're overlanding. And you can reduce the need for skid plates by avoiding roads/trails where they might be needed. The weight of skid plates is why you couldn't order a pull out tailgate from the factory for a Black Diamond, Badlands or Everglades. I've never needed them, I like the idea of the protection. YMMV

Agreed except skids, piece of mind so you dont have to "avoid roads", weight for engine and tc is probably 25 lbs, maybe a bit more for fuel tank if r door that doesn't already have one. That factory weight limit never made sense to me

 

[Gopher]

it’s going to be an early retirement to myself…one that i plan to keep 15+ yrs so reliability is paramount

Then get a 4Runner! Seriously, I love the Bronco but not for reliability.

 

[CalvinT]

Agreed except skids, piece of mind so you dont have to "avoid roads", weight for engine and tc is probably 25 lbs, maybe a bit more for fuel tank if r door that doesn't already have one. That factory weight limit never made sense to me

For 2023 a 4-door Badlands weighs 352 pounds more than a Wildtrack with the same engine and transmiission. Badlands 5,109 pounds, Wildtrack 4,757 pounds.

Yet the Wildtrack comes with 35" tires, the Badlands 33" tires. I admit part of the weight is the sway bar disconnect but the skid plates add a lot.

 

[MNBigfoot]

For 2023 a 4-door Badlands weighs 352 pounds more than a Wildtrack with the same engine and transmiission. Badlands 5,109 pounds, Wildtrack 4,757 pounds.

Yet the Wildtrack comes with 35" tires, the Badlands 33" tires. The skid plates add a lot.

You used a 2-door WT

 

[EvilJim1971]

The one Bronco model that has the least recalls...oh...wait up...there isn't one...

Eh, mine has had 2.
Neither were an issue for me.

 

[ThunderFlash]

You used a 2-door WT

As everyone should. jk...you knew it had to come into the discussion at some point.

For the OP, we have both a 2-dr and a 4-dr Wildtrak. If you think you could make a 2-dr work for you in your retirement, I personally find the 2-dr to be considerably more fun. And after living with both, I far prefer the larger doors of the 2-dr. It's even kind of fun figuring out optimal load out scenarios for various trips with dogs and gear........oh, and a wife.

 

[CalvinT]

You used a 2-door WT

No I didn't. It says four door right on that page. But then my information is for a US spec Bronco. Yours is for Candian.

 

[MNBigfoot]

As everyone should. jk...you knew it had to come into the discussion at some point.

For the OP, we have both a 2-dr and a 4-dr Wildtrak. If you think you could make a 2-dr work for you in your retirement, I personally find the 2-dr to be considerably more fun. And after living with both, I far prefer the larger doors of the 2-dr. It's even kind of fun figuring out optimal load out scenarios for various trips with dogs and gear........oh, and a wife.

There's nothing wrong with the glorified golf cart, but I think the 2 door should come from the factory with turf tires and a bag rack, for tooling around the Villages.

 

[thomasj2352]

Then get a 4Runner! Seriously, I love the Bronco but not for reliability.

Man, that’s not what I wanted to hear! I’ll have almost bought a off-road premium forerunner, but there are a number of compromises that I have to make with it one being the iPad for a screen and the way the steering wheel and the dash and the front seat worked together is just not overly comfortable for me, but I when I sat in the bronco it’s like dang this is it

Sponsored