Recomendations for buying a used Bronco for offroad use?

[OffroadCamper]

Hello,

Just joined. First Post. Let me know if this is wrong place or anything admins.

My '21 F150 4x4 5.0 3.73, Icons, RCi,ADD, Baja designs, Apex, R/T Trails 35x12.5R17, etc etc
... got totaled by a 75 yo lady who ran a red light and T boned me.
Now looking to get a Bronco.
Need some experienced suggestions.

Trails we run:
Sand Hollow, Toquerville, White mountains, Eastern Sieeras, Mojave, Death Valley, Saline, Coyote Flats, Funnel Lake, Humpback, Az Peace Trail, Grand Canyon West, Red Rocks, Gila WIlderness, etc
Don't run Rubicon, John BUll, Gold Mountain etc,
So need some offroad capabilities.

My Must haves (?) check boxes so far (7-8) :

2023-2026 <40k mi (Is this smart? )

Badlands, e sway bar disconnect, front e locker, (I think I'd need this to not get tipsy)

6 cylinder 2.7 Yeah drove I4 and it sucked !!

4 door

Sasquatch 35’s with HOSS? Billys OK (dont want to spen 10k agin in upgrades, maybe later for 37's LOL)

12” Must have big screen TV NOT the tiny 8”: so I can see Gaia GPS mid or lux? (Old eys LOL)

Hard top blk moulded in color ! Maybe soft top if all else correct? NO cant see out read window with mirror ??? cant cook/work out of back with soft top too low (Esthetics, vs painted)

Only black or gray interior not puke tan orange (wtf just cant live with that funky 2 tone in sand/ornge)

Cactus Gray or Oxford White, (Love it, had space white cant afford new avalance gray in 2026 but touoched one at dealer, almost cried))

Optional: Area 51 or Azure gray (meh could live with it)

metallic carbonized gray last resort

Trying for 45-50k budget.

Thanks to anyone who can help guide me.

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[Neps]

https://www.autotrader.com/

How do you feel about Blue?

 

[Felix808]

Welcome!
Up to MY23 I believe, you had to go up to a Badlands mid High package to get the 12" screen. Later years they all have them. Anything with the Sasquatch package will have lockers front & rear.
I think you should be able to find what you want in that price now that people are feeling the gas pinch and selling.
Good luck in your search

 

[EvilJim1971]

Welcome!
Up to MY23 I believe, you had to go up to a Badlands mid package to get the 12" screen. Later years they all have them. Anything with the Sasquatch package will have lockers front & rear.
I think you should be able to find what you want in that price now that people are feeling the gas pinch and selling.
Good luck in your search

In 23 mid package got the 8", had to step up to the high/lux package for the 12".
24 the 12" was standard.

 

[Felix808]

In 23 mid package got the 8", had to step up to the high/lux package for the 12".
24 the 12" was standard.

Right you are Sir.
It's bad when I can't even remember what my truck is

 

[Beach_Bum]

For the OP, if your primary use is offroad, I'd look at a MY'24 BaseSquatch. Add the front stabilizer bar disconnect after so it isn't tied into the computer nannies. A MY'24 still has some factory warranty coverage.

 

[Area51BS]

Nothing wrong with the 2.3 run on 93. Run 87 when you don’t need the extra power. Fill up on 93 for up coming needs. It adapts and adjusts power quickly.

 

[theblackangus]

I would say try to find a HOSS 3.0 Bronco with the Fox Shocks.
They are a much better daily ride than the Bilstens, and the upgrade was actually pretty cheap when purchased new.

 

[userdude]

2024 WildTrak with High or Lux package (you don't want the leather, which is the tan interior). Add the e-disco after (it's easier to add than remove because it's tied into the computer, and they don't necessarily look like they'll last forever). Get your own armor (it does have a gas tank skid). The WT up to 2024 at least was a Sas, so you'll get front locker, 35's, etc.

 

[timn]

Look for a 25 left over i found a Sasquatch base rudy red 2 door love it 39k out the door 6 Mile's on it I drove like 8 different ones none of them compared to this one and cheaper than used ones we drove and I drove them all. But I will say that 2.7 was fun. Like someone said just chip the 2.3 and its a 2.7 pretty much.

 

[userdude]

Like someone said just chip the 2.3 and its a 2.7 pretty much.

You probably mean a tuned 2.3 is similar to a non-tuned 2.7? I have the 2.3 and have driven the WT version of my BL a few times and this isn't really accurate in my opinion. Brass tacks, though, the 2.7 has more up side (two turbos, for instance) and with a tune will always be able to outperform the 2.3 by a lot. I have no problem with my 2.3 (I'm not a speed guy), but if what someone wants is more premium performance, they want the 2.7. In my opinion. And that's with the newer aftermarket tunes that can really improve the 2.3 (which is nice!).

 

[Brian_B]

You probably mean a tuned 2.3 is similar to a non-tuned 2.7? I have the 2.3 and have driven the WT version of my BL a few times and this isn't really accurate in my opinion. Brass tacks, though, the 2.7 has more up side (two turbos, for instance) and with a tune will always be able to outperform the 2.3 by a lot. I have no problem with my 2.3 (I'm not a speed guy), but if what someone wants is more premium performance, they want the 2.7. In my opinion. And that's with the newer aftermarket tunes that can really improve the 2.3 (which is nice!).

I agree with this. Only problem with the 2.7 is that it comes with the wrong transmission.

 

[GnormalGnome]

If I were in your shoes, I would be looking for a gently used Wildtrak. That gets you the sasquatch package (dual lockers, 35's) plus the Hoss 3 (Fox) suspension. The only thing you'd have to add would be a sway bar disconnect but, as mentioned, that is neither difficult nor all that expensive.

Badlands with Sas will check all your boxes, too. But don't overlook BL without Sas if the price is right and it meets all other requirements. You can then upgrade tires and suspension exactly how you like.

Good Luck!

 

[23OBX2.7]

Not wanting to spend $10K upgrades is a tough one. I would personally get a pre '24 with lockers. Can easily add take off, FP, or Fox 2.5-3 cheaply and take off wheel / tires, winch and skid protection.

Bronco take off supply is huge.

I always go for lightest weight possible as well as pizza cutters ...it just works.

 

[RobWTX]

I'll say. coming from an F-150 and doing way too much to it to do the things the Bronco can easily do, it will not make any difference which you get. You will still want to mod every aspect of it as you go out and see what others have done to theirs.

That being said, just over 2 years ago I picked up a used 22 Wildtrak with the HOSS 3.0, ride is pretty nice.

Mod's are a never ending hobby with these things.

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