Ultimate Black Diamond Non-Sasquatch pics thread

[dingle87]

Agreed. I haven’t wheeled anything bigger than 33’s the last 10 years, and I’ve rarely been disappointed. Bigger is nice, but expensive and harder on the rig. I’ll honestly probably go up to a 285/75 (small 34”) sometime in the future, but I’ll get my money’s worth out of the 265’s first. It’s more important to get a good quality tire than just getting something bigger. Plus keeps the everyday drivability.
Same concept as quality over quantity.

I was throwing around the idea of adding Sas to my BD build, but it wasn't for the tire size. It was for the front locker, Dana 44 front axle, and upgraded suspension. Probably the same concept though is that I wouldn't be using it right out of the gate and probably would only need those upgrades way down the road.

Doing that I was sticking with the 2.3L I4 cylinder to offset some cost and stay within my budget. Just another option, but I'm thinking in my situation Sas wouldn't make as much sense for my usage. Who knows. Love seeing stock 4dr BD pics though, they look much better than the CGI on B&P.

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[RBF 1401]

I was throwing around the idea of adding Sas to my BD build, but it wasn't for the tire size. It was for the front locker, Dana 44 front axle, and upgraded suspension. Probably the same concept though is that I wouldn't be using it right out of the gate and probably would only need those upgrades way down the road.

Doing that I was sticking with the 2.3L I4 cylinder to offset some cost and stay within my budget. Just another option, but I'm thinking in my situation Sas wouldn't make as much sense for my usage. Who knows. Love seeing stock 4dr BD pics though, they look much better than the CGI on B&P.

I kept alternating between BaseSquatch and nonSAS Black Diamond. If I really needed a front locker, I'd go back to BaseSquatch.

Most of my "wheeling" has been done in a 2wd Dakota. There have been times I wanted 4wd because the Forest Service sometimes closes roads to non4x4 vehicles, and a few times I really, really wished I had a rear locker.

Once I got to see the Black Diamond in person, I was hooked. I love the shiny black steel wheels and the height is perfect. Maybe I might get 33" tires someday, but the 32s look great.

 

[5280Bronco]

Agreed. I haven’t wheeled anything bigger than 33’s the last 10 years, and I’ve rarely been disappointed. Bigger is nice, but expensive and harder on the rig. I’ll honestly probably go up to a 285/75 (small 34”) sometime in the future, but I’ll get my money’s worth out of the 265’s first. It’s more important to get a good quality tire than just getting something bigger. Plus keeps the everyday drivability.
Same concept as quality over quantity.

Plus since I'm new to offroading, going with the smaller tire for the a bit will force me to learn how to take the best lines, etc. since i won't be able to just drive over everything with 35s. If i decide to upgrade size later, I'll also have the knowledge that i got from wheeling with smaller tires as well.

 

[Gr8Hortoni]

Plus since I'm new to offroading, going with the smaller tire for the a bit will force me to learn how to take the best lines, etc. since i won't be able to just drive over everything with 35s. If i decide to upgrade size later, I'll also have the knowledge that i got from wheeling with smaller tires as well.

Excellent way to look at it. Learn how to do more with less. Another thing to keep in mind… most of us are buying these as daily drivers, don’t get too out of hand building for the 1% of driving that it’ll benefit and sacrifice the other 99%.

 

[Gr8Hortoni]

I’m already way ahead of the game with the gears, crawler and rear locker, more than I’ve had on any of my Jeeps (and I did a lot of wild shut with those). I can make the 32’s work for me.

 

[dingle87]

I just got my quote back from Granger for BD-2.3L-SAS-MID.... Looks like I need to go drive a 2.3L Ranger and a 2.7L F150 to get a feel for both. Price is close enough for my 2 BD builds that test driving will determine the route I go with this vehicle. Clarity is a great thing. I'm figuring this out and feel driving the 2.3L/2.7L will solidify the choice for me.

 

[5280Bronco]

I just got my quote back from Granger for BD-2.3L-SAS-MID.... Looks like I need to go drive a 2.3L Ranger and a 2.7L F150 to get a feel for both. Price is close enough for my 2 BD builds that test driving will determine the route I go with this vehicle. Clarity is a great thing. I'm figuring this out and feel driving the 2.3L/2.7L will solidify the choice for me.

That's what my wife and i did in order to make the decision between the engines. Have fun!

 

[dingle87]

Just realized I hijacked the BD non Sas pics thread. Sorry everyone.

 

[Gr8Hortoni]

I just got my quote back from Granger for BD-2.3L-SAS-MID.... Looks like I need to go drive a 2.3L Ranger and a 2.7L F150 to get a feel for both. Price is close enough for my 2 BD builds that test driving will determine the route I go with this vehicle. Clarity is a great thing. I'm figuring this out and feel driving the 2.3L/2.7L will solidify the choice for me.

Ultimately the decision for me was the 7mt. That was how I landed on non sas BD. For what I wanted and my intended purposes for vehicle, the 7 spd with the A4x4 was the one requirement for my build.

 

[Gr8Hortoni]

Just realized I hijacked the BD non Sas pics thread. Sorry everyone.

Meh, keeps it towards the top and keeps us “utilitarians” talking.

 

[RBF 1401]

Ultimately the decision for me was the 7mt. That was how I landed on non sas BD. For what I wanted and my intended purposes for vehicle, the 7 spd with the A4x4 was the one requirement for my build.

I've been asking everybody...
What does the Adv 4x4 really give me with the 7spdMT?

It's a lot of extra money that doesn't fit in my original budget. I don't drive in snow and ice, and most of where I will drive off-road I was able to do with a 2wd Dakota (although I was really wishing for a rear locker a few times). I am 99% sure I don't need it, but I just need to hear why people are getting it to make sure I am not missing something crucial.

 

[dingle87]

Ultimately the decision for me was the 7mt. That was how I landed on non sas BD. For what I wanted and my intended purposes for vehicle, the 7 spd with the A4x4 was the one requirement for my build.

My gut is telling me I'll drive the 2.7 and I'll be sold, but I've been wrong so many times in my life I keep an open mind with decisions like this.

 

[RBF 1401]

My gut is telling me I'll drive the 2.7 and I'll be sold, but I've been wrong so many times in my life I keep an open mind with decisions like this.

You should drive them both. If I didn't want MT, I would have a hard time deciding. A few people have said the 2.7 is better, but not enough better to offset the initial purchase cost or the long term gas mileage cost.

 

[kencantrell]

Linking to a related thread some of us will find interesting: https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...on-my-black-diamond-bronco.19068/#post-686533

 

[dingle87]

You should drive them both. If I didn't want MT, I would have a hard time deciding. A few people have said the 2.7 is better, but not enough better to offset the initial purchase cost or the long term gas mileage cost.

Yep. I’ve been reading more after I started considering the 2.3L and found a bunch of useful posts. Heck if I like driving the 2.3L I might end up with a non Sas BD with the 2.3L as well. I’m open to that possibility for sure.

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