42s and a wider track for sure.
The D44 are great axles, but even yota axles are somewhere between a 44 and a 60 strength wise. Then again the 44s will be fine off the rocks.
When I started to do my research on the Bronco I wanted the 2.3 and manual. I now want the 2.7 with a manual, but that is not happening for now. So it is a 2.7 and auto.
I am a Toyota guy (handful of 4runners). I had a heavily modified 2nd Gen, Straight Axle Swap, stretched, caged, gear driven t-case, caged and I would destroy my buddies modded Land Cruisers and Jeeps. I agree with everything you say. Nonetheless, I am a Ford guy too. I know the Bronco will not...
They do indeed, there will be a joint venture on VW's Amarok (Actual pickup) based on their Atlas. I heard they may change the name to Tarok (mini Avalanche) or something.
4-Door Badlands squatched and it will not be my daily driver. I plan on some Overlanding, camping, skiing etc. I did a lot of rock crawling for many years and already know it will not be rock crawling vehicle I am accustomed to beating on the rocks. I am in a different state of mind now focused...
I have used the M-22 rock crusher on a few high HP-built Chevy engines with no issues. I wonder if Ford had a variant? Although I have owned a handful of Fords in the past I never had a manual one. Yeah, I know the M-22 is an older transmission. Just saying...