Badlands.... Do I need the Sasquatch Upgrade (Newbie)

[ThunderFlash]

Poor OP...he's thinking this is all clear as mud!

It comes down to all the Bronco packages are very capable trucks out of the box and you'll likely love it no matter what you get. If you got the money to spend, you won't hate having Sasquatch....but on the Badlands trim, it's not the greatest value. Sway bar disconnect...you can live without that, but a "Badlands" should have an SBD in my book...it "defines" the BL package....or you can address that aftermarket. If you have to skimp on just about anything for now, you can probably add the missing feature w/ the same or better in the aftermarket.

Broncos are awesome...you really can't lose.

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[23OBX2.7]

No, the SAS is a waste of money in your case, for sure. I'm not sure about '26, but in my '24 there were three differences:

• bigger, mud terrain tires - provides ~1" of additional ground clearance. These are uncomfortable and LOUD on a highway.
• 3/4" of suspension lift - provides a tiny bit better approach, departure and breakover angle.
• bigger fenders (because bigger tires)

That was not worth $6,000 to me, ESPECIALLY since those mud terrain tires are LOUD and not very good on highway, especially in water/snow/ice. And, to get fully to SAS spec will cost LESS than $6,000 for me, should I chose to upgrade because none of those things require a huge amount of work (the hardest/most expensive would be the slightly bigger coil overs/suspension)

Everything else about the SAS is already a default part of the Badlands:

• front/back locker
• 4.7 diffs
• sway bar disconnect
• beefed up steering/tie rods
• auto 4x4

The stock Badlands will be far, far more machine than you need for many years if you are a total newb, and IFF you get to the point where you outgrow the Badlands, you probably want to upgrade BEYOND the SAS (bigger lift, bigger tires, etc.) so.. don't waste your money IMO.

You are much better off taking that money and putting into things that WILL benefit you now for overlanding, like recovery equipment, safety equipment, etc.

Like a 5 yr old low hr offroad dirtbike and body armor

 

[Karsa]

It probably comes down to if you think you would ever want to go taller on the tires (35's or 37's and you will most likely think about it at some point) then going with Sas is a good idea. Adding Sas to a Badlands isn't as much of an increase in price compared to the other models if you plan on getting the AT anyway since it's included with Sas. If you can, go and test drive a Sas Bronco vs a non Sas and see how you like the ride/drive, that might convince you. I went base Sas and I'm really glad I got the Sas vs just adding lift/tires later on. I ended up going with some lift and 37's and it still drives great, tows the boat easily and gets 18-20 mpg. I think the biggest option you might want is the Hoss 3.0 shocks which looks like is only available with Sas.

Just a note on tires ( for our prospective buyer ) - the 33” KO2’s are firm, the 315/70 Goodyears are marshmallows. By going with the 35” Falken RT01’s, I get that same firm ride I liked in the KO2’s. The stock 315/70 Goodyears are downright SOFT. Just something to keep in mind during test drives.

 

[Q1svt]

Do I need to upgrade to the Sasquatch package?

… a bronco is not a need, it’s a want… If you can afford a new vehicle you ‘want’ buy it.
SAS or not

Life is to short and you only get one. Too many friends died young.

 

[michelle227]

Poor OP...he's thinking this is all clear as mud!

It comes down to all the Bronco packages are very capable trucks out of the box and you'll likely love it no matter what you get. If you got the money to spend, you won't hate having Sasquatch....but on the Badlands trim, it's not the greatest value. Sway bar disconnect...you can live without that, but a "Badlands" should have an SBD in my book...it "defines" the BL package....or you can address that aftermarket. If you have to skimp on just about anything for now, you can probably add the missing feature w/ the same or better in the aftermarket.

Broncos are awesome...you really can't lose.

Sway disconnect does not require Sasquatch package. I added it as an option when I ordered not knowing how much I might use it, but I'd rather have it and not need it than be somewhere that it's beneficial and not have it.

Badlands also got me the Aux switches which makes add-ons a bit easier...

 

[michelle227]

Just a note on tires ( for our prospective buyer ) - the 33” KO2’s are firm, the 315/70 Goodyears are marshmallows. By going with the 35” Falken RT01’s, I get that same firm ride I liked in the KO2’s. The stock 315/70 Goodyears are downright SOFT. Just something to keep in mind during test drives.

The KO2 is not the tire delivered with early '26 Badlands non-SAS.

 

[ThunderFlash]

Sway disconnect does not require Sasquatch package.

Yeah, but I believe the SBD is optional on a BL now, though. The SBD was the signature part of the BL package. I would be jealous knowing that person was looking at a full compliment of hero buttons on their dash! Without the SBD, it's very much like other trims, give or take some things that are not nearly as unique.

 

[Roger123]

We've had both, 2 door BL non-SAS and 2 door BL SAS. We only got SAS on the second one as the first one got totaled and we were up against the wall finding a red 2 door. SAS is all we could find.

On a 2 door SAS isn't "required". On a 4 door I'd get SAS as I feel the bigger tires look better on the 4 door.

 

[Karsa]

The KO2 is not the tire delivered with early '26 Badlands non-SAS.

Oh right! So marshmallows either way

 

[Surge]

The KO2 is not the tire delivered with early '26 Badlands non-SAS.

Which tires does it come with now?

 

[Q1svt]

I added it as an option when I ordered not knowing how much I might use it, but I'd rather have it and not need it than be somewhere that it's beneficial and not have it.

… sounds like an X Girl Scout. ;^)

 

[michelle227]

Which tires does it come with now?

Mine came with the Goodyear Territory that few seem to care for...

 

[michelle227]

Yeah, but I believe the SBD is optional on a BL now, though. The SBD was the signature part of the BL package. I would be jealous knowing that person was looking at a full compliment of hero buttons on their dash! Without the SBD, it's very much like other trims, give or take some things that are not nearly as unique.

I skipped squatch and have the full array. SBD is an option but it's one i elected for when placing my order...

 

[Crush]

Get the Sas! Overlanding is the gateway to rock crawling! Before you know it, you'll be wanting to do more and more. You can't escape it. So it's better to already have it...

 

[blg]

Doug, Thank you so much for your dealer suggestion. I am going to look at AutoNation Bellevue this weekend. Your offer to take a newbie on to some trails...yes! My next question after i bought this thing was how do i find someone that would take me off road and show me the ropes. I have no clue when to do what when we roll onto something I have plenty of experience in the backcountry via back packing and high altitude mountaineering so i get how to be "out there" or at 23,000 feet I just have no clue how drive on anything over the basic forest service road. Really appreciate that!!
Brad

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