are there any black diamond stock owners out there?

[ejpaul1]

I work for one of the largest engineering firms in the world and the point isnt anything other than I deal with alot of people. I get asked about my bronco a good bit and the younger engineers that work for me ask if theres a bronco thats more reasonably priced than mine is/was.

I respond that I think the best bang for the buck is a black diamond. You get skid plates, rear locker, better tires, the advanced traction stuff and realistically it'll do more than a vast majority of owners will do. If I were younger with less cash and looking into the most offroad for around 45k (with a deal) Id just go the black diamond route and if I were ordering? Id keep the manual.

Front locker in my opinion is alot less needed than the rear one and yes, I would move up to 33's at some point with better suspension. THeres Stock badlands billstiens all over for 300 to 400 you could easily upgrade to and as well, usually stock badlands 33's for sale for 1200-1500. all things you could get later. And,,,,, theres manual swaybar disconnects that frankly are easier to replace of they break than this automatic one. I still cringe thinking about the day it breaks,,,,, anyway, I think this is an undervalued trim that should get more love. Heck of a value for what you get.

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[Brian_B]

I’d mostly agree, really depends on use case though. Black Diamond was what I was shooting for when I was originally shopping and its a nice trim package

Base SAS and standard BL are both decent deals too - depending on what you plan to
do with them.

I bought one of the least attractive (in terms of
options) trims, but have no regrets. Its a very flexible platform, and just getting into it at any level is the first biggest obstacle

(irl you may be doing work for some of my projects!)

 

[MNBigfoot]

It's about an extra $3400 for a Badlands, or $3k for a Base Sas. So it depends on how much one needs the better rack, axles, gearing, shocks (with lift), disco, tires.

 

[BillyB]

Used 2024 BD here, non-SAS...no choice for me...it was what the FD had...lucky me, for now, one year into ownership, it's THE ONE I would have ordered new.... ;-)

 

[Wilbur's son]

As a fairly early reservation holder, I spec'd out the BD as a good price point vs value for me. 4-wheeling in Colorado with some light rock crawling. But many of the places around St. Elmo (Tincup Pass, Hancock Pass, Hancock Lakes and Pomeroy Lakes) that I go to are receiving more and more traffic resulting in trails degrading. Rock crawling is becoming the norm not the exception for me. I've added rear lower shock mount skids and the Raptor skid plate kit for more coverage. If I was to do it again, I'd ManSAS a BD or save a little longer and get a Raptor.

 

[Bronco21fan]

I got a black diamond 2 door with Sasquatch package which seems to be a unicorn cause I have yet to see another black diamond 2 door Sasquatch near me

 

[dgorsett]

As a fairly early reservation holder, I spec'd out the BD as a good price point vs value for me. 4-wheeling in Colorado with some light rock crawling. But many of the places around St. Elmo (Tincup Pass, Hancock Pass, Hancock Lakes and Pomeroy Lakes) that I go to are receiving more and more traffic resulting in trails degrading. Rock crawling is becoming the norm not the exception for me. I've added rear lower shock mount skids and the Raptor skid plate kit for more coverage. If I was to do it again, I'd ManSAS a BD or save a little longer and get a Raptor.

Your assessment of trail conditions degrading from (over)use is spot on. Back in the day any factory 4x4 with low range (not the current crop of "SUVs") could go about anywhere in CO/UT, now rock ledges and rock gardens have become the norm due to overuse from high performance 4x4s and UTVs digging out what little dirt there ever was. It has taken some of the relaxed pleasure of just getting out and seeing the world.

 

[dgorsett]

I work for one of the largest engineering firms in the world and the point isnt anything other than I deal with alot of people. I get asked about my bronco a good bit and the younger engineers that work for me ask if theres a bronco thats more reasonably priced than mine is/was.

I respond that I think the best bang for the buck is a black diamond. You get skid plates, rear locker, better tires, the advanced traction stuff and realistically it'll do more than a vast majority of owners will do. If I were younger with less cash and looking into the most offroad for around 45k (with a deal) Id just go the black diamond route and if I were ordering? Id keep the manual.

Front locker in my opinion is alot less needed than the rear one and yes, I would move up to 33's at some point with better suspension. THeres Stock badlands billstiens all over for 300 to 400 you could easily upgrade to and as well, usually stock badlands 33's for sale for 1200-1500. all things you could get later. And,,,,, theres manual swaybar disconnects that frankly are easier to replace of they break than this automatic one. I still cringe thinking about the day it breaks,,,,, anyway, I think this is an undervalued trim that should get more love. Heck of a value for what you get.

I agreed 100 with your assessment. I ordered a Big Bend with locker (because I wanted cloth and some other BB things) added Skids, bumper, tires turning it in to a functional BD. Too bad the BD is not offered in two door anymore, definitely a sweet spot. Now as to the perfect Bronco: a non Sas Badlands fits the bill with the front locker, 33s and disco.

In my previous life I had a LJ Rubicon and the front locker adds just a small amount of capability. It might add more with the Broncos IFS having trouble keeping four feet on the ground, but I worry about the IFS having the strength to hold together in vigorous front locker use.

 

[ejpaul1]

Your assessment of trail conditions degrading from (over)use is spot on. Back in the day any factory 4x4 with low range (not the current crop of "SUVs") could go about anywhere in CO/UT, now rock ledges and rock gardens have become the norm due to overuse from high performance 4x4s and UTVs digging out what little dirt there ever was. It has taken some of the relaxed pleasure of just getting out and seeing the world.

Well stated!

 

[Headsong]

Trying to not remember all the anxiety when first ordering!!!

But I wanted the Advanced Auto and the MGV seats....the rest was pretty secondary...

 

[Wilbur's son]

Your assessment of trail conditions degrading from (over)use is spot on. Back in the day any factory 4x4 with low range (not the current crop of "SUVs") could go about anywhere in CO/UT, now rock ledges and rock gardens have become the norm due to overuse from high performance 4x4s and UTVs digging out what little dirt there ever was. It has taken some of the relaxed pleasure of just getting out and seeing the world.

I don't know how long you have been 4-wheeling, but here is a personal story that helps proves your point. Dad had a '68 Bronco, stock, no lockers and street radials. He did Grizzly Lake routinely in the early '70s to early 80s. Yes, the stream channel has moved, but it takes custom rigs or a winch to do that part of the trail. If you get past that, the rest of the trail is no picnic either. Lots of displaced or eroded out boulders the rest of the way. I've hiked in since the late '80s. Best piece of equipment to have on the trail? A spotter.

 

[dgorsett]

I don't know how long you have been 4-wheeling, but here is a personal story that helps proves your point. Dad had a '68 Bronco, stock, no lockers and street radials. He did Grizzly Lake routinely in the early '70s to early 80s. Yes, the stream channel has moved, but it takes custom rigs or a winch to do that part of the trail. If you get past that, the rest of the trail is no picnic either. Lots of displaced or eroded out boulders the rest of the way. I've hiked in since the late '80s. Best piece of equipment to have on the trail? A spotter.

Exactly. I can name countless trails that have gone to similar condition. An example is Poughkeepsie Gulch. The 'Falls" used to be just a fun challenge in the family 4x4 (F150, Ranger, 94 Explorer, even a fairly helpless Jeepster Commando) now you have to wait in line with a bunch of super jeeps beating the crap out of it.

Said Commando above the lake 1988ish

 

[Snacktime]

2021-2022 Base or Black Diamond was a really good starting point for a budget build. Fast forward pricing has gotten out of hand for basic models and used broncos.

Really if someone wanted to get into 4 wheeling, a used Ford Ranger is a better starting place for 33" tire build.

 

[ChrisB351]

I spent about 6-8mo prior to ordering mine playing with build and price. I knew my budget and what features I wanted and prioritized them. The BD ended up being the best value for what I wanted. I loved the washout interior and mgv seats cause I tend to get caught in the rain often. Overall it had everything I needed and no extra shit I didnt care for.

 

[CitrusBronco]

Exactly. I can name countless trails that have gone to similar condition. An example is Poughkeepsie Gulch. The 'Falls" used to be just a fun challenge in the family 4x4 (F150, Ranger, 94 Explorer, even a fairly helpless Jeepster Commando) now you have to wait in line with a bunch of super jeeps beating the crap out of it.

Said Commando above the lake 1989ish

I agree with you guys, I feel I’m likely in the minority on this next point, I think the mindset that stacking rocks or logs for trail clearance or improvement being a “no no” is a leading cause of the damage. Instead it’s tear it up trying to make it up or over, which leads to building a bigger vehicle because everything is so tore up.
Trail rigs on 33’s were considered lifted and could go most anywhere with no lockers, 40” tires were for mud trucks not rock crawlers, now 40 and larger are common place for the rocks.
I’m not passing any judgement on anyone as I like seeing all the crazy rigs and the spectacular obstacles they can conquer.
Just my opinion on the matter.

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