Build Advice - First Time going in to a Bronco

[3pedals]

I have not yet read through this complete thread so forgive me if I’m repeating something somebody’s already mentioned. You said you would use this as a daily driver on snowy roads. I don’t think the 4 a (all wheel drive) is available with the manual transmission. Another issue to double check is if snow chains can be installed. According to the owners manual at least on the Sasquatch models it says they cannot.

So I should clarify. We live in Denver and go up to the mountains to go skiing in the winter. This is typical winter highway driving that there is occasional snow, but it is mostly just highway driving in the cold, up and down the passes with all the other SUVs, sedans, sport wagons, and crossovers on the road. If my Volvo XC90 and my GLC can handle it, I don't think it should be an issue in the Bronco. No chains required. Question I'll look into is whether I would want snow rated tires for the winter or use the stock OEM all seasons year round.

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[Gopher]

I hate my fabric seats with a passion. Once I got some vinyl covers they got liveable. It's like the fabric and foam can't breath at all, and it gets very swampy. But the vinyl with a few vent holes seems to help a lot.

You'd think it would be the opposite.

Also - I love the washout interior (I did armorlite, but wish I had it from the factory). No need for stupid weather mats, clean clean it out with a leaf blower and/or a water hose.

I have MGV seats and like them. Very comfortable for me and my wife. I have taken numerous 5-hour trips. They should wear well, too. They do get hot in direct sun but that is easy to address. I find the breathability better than expected but I am also Ok with a little heat. They are much better than the stock vinyl seats in my '1970 Mustang!

Will be best if you can get the extended test drive with these seats.

 

[Valhalla]

My MGV is great no issues 3.5 years.

 

[Nc211]

I fiddled with the website yesterday, you can certainly get the 4A option on a non-sas badlands in the 2.3 stick. For Denver, and certainly for going up 70 into the mountains in the winter, 4A would be an absolute requirement for me. You can always kick it into dedicated 4x4, or "Snow" mode on the Goat. But neither reaction will be as fast as the AWD system to react.

 

[MilesTeg]

It’s 4A comes with SAS and Badlands (and some older optioned OBXs) - not all manuals get it though.

Aye, meant to say that you can get 4A with the manual, not that it comes with it by default.

 

[crzyhawk]

There are a lot cheaper ways to get 33" wheels and SAS flares than buying a Badlands with thousands in equipment that you will never need, and only cost you money upfront, in maintenance, and in gas. If I were buying a Bronco for highway travel and wanted 33s I would absolutely just go aftermarket or take offs and put the thousands saved into other mods or keep it in the bank.

100% this. When it's time to change tires, I will be putting on 33 AT tires to replace the 32's it currently has. The ugly Big Bend rims went pretty quickly in favor of Badlands takeoffs. I bought a big bend because I didn't think I needed what you get out of a badlands. So far, I haven't tried to do anything my Big Bend could not do.

The ONE place I disagree with you is, 4a. Badlands gets it out of the box. Peasant trims require sasquatch to get it I think, and I think putting Sasquatch on a BB or OBX is a poor play generally speaking. I wish I had 4a, but it's not a deal breaker. If I lived in Colorado, I think the system math would change a bit and I'd go with a non-sas Badlands specifically for 4a, and I'd be happy I had the other goodies.

 

[MilesTeg]

The ONE place I disagree with you is, 4a. Badlands gets it out of the box. Peasant trims require sasquatch to get it I think, and I think putting Sasquatch on a BB or OBX is a poor play generally speaking. I wish I had 4a, but it's not a deal breaker. If I lived in Colorado, I think the system math would change a bit and I'd go with a non-sas Badlands specifically for 4a, and I'd be happy I had the other goodies.

4A is a great point for those that drive on ice/snow covered highways. The builder says you can get it on a BB with BD though. Only with SAS with Base and OB

 

[3pedals]

100% this. When it's time to change tires, I will be putting on 33 AT tires to replace the 32's it currently has. The ugly Big Bend rims went pretty quickly in favor of Badlands takeoffs. I bought a big bend because I didn't think I needed what you get out of a badlands. So far, I haven't tried to do anything my Big Bend could not do.

The ONE place I disagree with you is, 4a. Badlands gets it out of the box. Peasant trims require sasquatch to get it I think, and I think putting Sasquatch on a BB or OBX is a poor play generally speaking. I wish I had 4a, but it's not a deal breaker. If I lived in Colorado, I think the system math would change a bit and I'd go with a non-sas Badlands specifically for 4a, and I'd be happy I had the other goodies.

I believe the Badlands non-SAS gives me an improved but not SAS suspension over the Big Bend even if I don't need it, the 4A, the ability to get the LUX package with the B&O stereo, 360 camera, Heated Rear Seats and Heated Wheel, as well as the option to get a body matched painted hard top (I think the Big Bend only has the option for the Shadow Black painted top).

 

[crzyhawk]

The Badlands non-SAS has very similar shocks to the SAS. I'm not sure about the springs. It lacks the bumpstops that the SAS version has, and articulates better. With a manual, I'd not consider the SAS package at all. The only reason to do it on a badlands is with an automatic so you get the 4.7 gears. For a manual, sas is a tire and wheel package, and you could get takeoffs for a lot less.

 

[ducksface]

All of our vehicles have been in 4a, when not in 4L, since our bravada days...maybe 1996.
Why wouldn't I?
Really, why not?
we've not had a vehicle selected as 2WD in the last 30 years.

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