First Group @ Moab Off-Roadeo: Bronco Drive Notes & Video

[Provoflyfisher]

Headed to the Moab off-roadeo next month. Do they have any two doors to drive?
Thanks!

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[RubyRedGT]

So the $2,500 Sasquatch package for a BL really just boils down to tires? I guess I could see $500 per wheel of you count the beadlock wheels.

Yes I believe that's been the consensus. I'm not bashing SAS as it's a great package. But Badlands has all the stuff except the wheels/tires and wider flares. I didn't like the SAS wheels/tires much so was determined to do my own thing. Plus my wife is short and I was concerned over the height, before we learned that SAS was minimal lift. And I ended up putting on larger tires immediately anyway

 

[4avor8ntfair]

Yes I believe that's been the consensus. I'm not bashing SAS as it's a great package. But Badlands has all the stuff except the wheels/tires and wider flares. I didn't like the SAS wheels/tires much so was determined to do my own thing. Plus my wife is short and I was concerned over the height, before we learned that SAS was minimal lift. And I ended up putting on larger tires immediately anyway

Don’t forget the 4.7 rear axle gearing, instead of 4.46. I’m not sure that most of us will need the difference, but it sounds like it’s not a cheap upgrade.

 

[Panzer948]

I was at the same OFFROADEO driving a Badlands with 33s. We did do a decent amount of “hard” stuff, but I think driver skill has a lot to do with clearing obstacles. I basically kept the sway bar disconnect on the whole time and it automatically disengaged above 20. It made the ride very smooth and I only needed to use lockers in some form 3 times. I don’t think I had issues clearing anything other than what others in 35s also scraped on. Personally, after driving the Badlands with 33s and no camera I felt a lot better about losing some options to save a few bucks.

The 35s look cool but I’ll bet your mileage will suck due to the extra weight and the extra weight will harm some areas of performance. I averaged slightly above 8 mpg including the freeway portions so the trail mileage was basically about 7 mpg with the 2.7 L.

Personally, I plan to drive the 33s and if I need to upgrade I’ll look at a stage 1 lift from Loren Healey’s company and go with 37s and better tires than the stock Sas tires. But for a family off-roader I think the 33s were totally sufficient on your “average” Moab trail. If you need more clearance you’re going to want 37s and additional mods.

A few additional thoughts though: the stock stereo is horrible and the soft top will be regrettable if you live in a hot or cold climate. It was 103 F in Moab (where I live) and the entire roof was radiating heat. The AC kept up just fine, but turbo Fords make loud, awful sounds when running the AC at idle on hot days. I always fear something will eventually break. For efficiency I think an insulated roof is sensible.

Also, the door glass seems very light and wobbles like crazy when you open the door. I agree that GOAT modes were gimmicky. Land Rover’s automatic system seems much better for novice drivers.

Overall, that extra articulation from the sway bar disconnect seems far more valuable than 2” of clearance. We did a test where the wheel was maybe a foot off the ground and with the sway bar disconnect it dropped ~6”. This was on a Sasquatch Badlands. I made a video so you can check it out yourself.

Maybe so about 35s but I was also leading the pack and my guide was letting me pick my own line usually (maybe letting me learn the hardway) allowing the Bronco behind me with 35s to readjust his line as necessary. He did have bit of an advantage with that and mentioned as such several times. I would have loved to see how 35s did on the trail, but like I said in another post you better chose carefully at beginning!

I don't think it was as hot for us on day 2 but I was actually impressed with AC in front and back (had a 12 year old in back that didn't even complain).

 

[HardenUp]

I have done most of the trails in Moab, from easy to difficult, and this is one of the easiest trails.

That’s what I was afraid of. I booked MOAB in October but now thinking about switching it. Although the scenery and ranch they recommend staying at look amazing.

 

[RubyRedGT]

Don’t forget the 4.7 rear axle gearing, instead of 4.46. I’m not sure that most of us will need the difference, but it sounds like it’s not a cheap upgrade.

Good point. Very expensive upgrade. If you plan to go to 37s someday, I'd get the 4.7 ratio. If only 35s or less, I feel that 4.46 is a great ratio. Also, if you are getting 2.3 vs 2.7 you may want to consider the 4.7 ratio even with 35s (?). For reference, I had Jeep TJ daily driver for years on 35s with 4.56 and Jeep XJ on 33s with 4.10 and those were perfect with the inline 4.0 6-cylinder.

 

[BroncoPls!]

Random question but if you pay for a +1 do you both get to drive?

All of your paid additional guest can drive if they are 18+ and have their drivers license with them.

 

[Daktari]

nice write up and video, thanks! I just love that area, but I think I'll sign up for the Nevada one myself. Easier to get to for me and the terrain looks more like what I'll mostly encounter in the Sierras here. I do plan to drive to Moab eventually, without using freeways as much as possible, go past Mono Lake etc.
I'm waiting until I have my Bronco to sign up, maybe also drive there through the mountains. Also want to take my son who's off to college soon, so I have to work around his schedule.

And thanks for that thing about parking, I've been doing it "wrong" all this time, but it makes sense to me, gonna try and switch.

 

[brettclutch]

No two doors we saw, only 4 doors. (They had a single 2 door on display)

RE: SAS package, let me make clear what I felt I learned in real world driving. Sitting in your computer chair it's really easy to go back and forth the 33's vs the 35's and arguing the pros and cons. However on the trail, it becomes instantly clear and not in the way that you likely will expect (although it surely does help).

I feel it's likely more of a mental help than actual physical help. Let me explain this difference in mental head capacity.

What would be going through my head if I was driving the 33's (or less for that matter)

-> White knuckle on the wheel, oh man are these 33's going to make it through. Do I need to take a safer line than that guy ahead of me on 35's, Oh man, that rock in the middle am I going to clear? Oh crap I gotta go super slow off this drop I got less clearance of the back end, am I going to smack it and flatten the tailpipe?!?!

VS

-> I'm in a Bronco with Sasquatch and I can take whatever line I want.

Hopefully, it's clear the difference more in mental headspace then anything. It was nice knowing that there was 'extra capacity' in the tank and margin for error was increased. It made for a more enjoyable day with less concern and more fun. If you have more off-road experience then I think you would be fine since then you wouldn't be having those concerns I imagine. For me is was a safety blanket and I wanted every edge I could get when out there in the rocks.


Now I'm back in my computer chair and wondering if the 4 times per year I would run "hard" trails like that is worth it again for the decreased gas mileage or not for the DD I intend to use the Bronco for. Funny how that works. GL out there everyone with your decisions.

 

[Bronco_or_bust]

All of your paid additional guest can drive if they are 18+ and have their drivers license with them.

Awesome thankyou!

 

[ICUGAZN]

That’s what I was afraid of. I booked MOAB in October but now thinking about switching it. Although the scenery and ranch they recommend staying at look amazing.

Yeah the Vegas trail looked like it may have been more technical. I'm hoping to see more video of the 3 new locations before making my decision.

 

[Panzer948]

Yeah the Vegas trail looked like it may have been more technical. I'm hoping to see more video of the 3 new locations before making my decision.

As I said above I just got back from Day 2 at Moab and I can't see how Vegas or another facility was more technical than Moab. I don't have pics or videos on my phones of the good stuff but my daughter and wife video'd me with our real camera that I will have to download when I get home next week. Thus the phone pics I shared here (and apparently its the same as the OP) do not do Moab justice. We went up some rock outcrops that I never would have guessed a Bronco or a Jeep with similar setups could tackle and i never would have tried alone or in a brand new truck. Some were nearly vertical and I at first missed not having the camera feature but now am glad i learned without it (evidently it doesn't represent depth of field well and that isn't good when new).

Believe me you will be impressed if you go to Moab. Yes the main trail was Dome Plateau but it had plenty of offshoots with technical challenges. Plus the scenery couldn't be beat whether on road or off. I am sure Vegas is nice and I could have done Vegas since that is where I am about to drive to before flying home but I don't regret doing a real trail in jeep country at all! The Moab team is also evaluating more trails for times it rains or to change things up etc.. which they obviously have plenty to chose from. Up to you guys though....

 

[rgwinn]

So the $2,500 Sasquatch package for a BL really just boils down to tires? I guess I could see $500 per wheel of you count the beadlock wheels.

Also, gear ratios, the Sasquatch package changes the final drive ratio to 4.7 : 1

 

[goatman]

At the Nevada location, we did also shift to M1 on the way down to save wear on brakes.

I'm going to the Las Vegas event in Sept and will be driving my Motorhome pulling a car trailer. I'm trying to figure out how to get out there. Did you see if there is room to park a motorhome and trailer anywhere close to the facility? I called and talked to Program Headquarters but they don't think I can drive through the gate with the motorhome. Trying to figure out how to do this. Any info is appreciated.

 

[Sgtwrm]

I was in first group also. This was a great event. Drove my Bronco Wildtrak 4dr from Missouri. Highway driving is far better than my Jeep Rubicon unlimited. Was very impressed with the off-road capability of the Bronco. The lockers are amazing.

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