2 Door Badlands or Black Diamond?

[ChrisOfPA]

I have been holding out on a 2 Door Bronco Badlands with the 2.7L and the mid package, a local dealership had 3 of them for a good price but the price shot up $8000 while I was waiting on the recall for the shocks, dealer is telling me the earliest it will be ready is August and 5 other people are showing interest in them. Problem is not many of the 2 doors are floating around with the equipment I want and Ford stopped offering the them 2.7L on the 2 door for 2025 (Not counting the model for $75,000....).

I am also trying to get a final out the door price of around $45,000, most dealers that have the Bronco I want either a Badlands or a Black Diamond with the Sasquatch Package want almost $55,000 for them even though they have been sitting around for a year. So I am considering settling on a Black Diamond without the Sasquatch package as they're more of them in my area with the equipment I want at a price I find agreeable. I am just trying to figure out if I can do without the additional features of the Badlands or Sasquatch.

I live in Eastern Pennsylvania, I probably won't be doing rock crawling, just hitting trails in my area and trying to get to work in heavy snow. I see the Black Diamond has the full underside steel skid plates, which I want. I should be fine without the 4 Auto mode, I don't think I am going to be at a loss running 33" wheels, I don't think I need bead locks. What I am more upset about losing out on is the front lockers, I see they can be added on later but it will probably cost me thousands but do I even really need front lockers? The only other concern is suspension system (Hoss 1.0) much worse than what's available on the Badlands or the Sasquatch package? Plus I am sure the aftermarket and Ford Performance offer the parts to add it on down the road.

Thoughts?

Sponsored

 

[CalvinT]

Badlands has Hoss 1.0.

I went to the Nevada Off Roadeo a couple of months ago. Part of the course is a stream bad. They said don't use front lockers unless you're in a situation where you need them. Otherwise leave them off. But to lock the rear axle before you think you'll need it. We never used front lockers.

I was going to get a Black Diamond until I decided I wanted the Bilstein shocks. I think a Black Diamond would fill most people's needs unless they plan on some very rough roads.

This is looking back to the start of our route down the stream bed.

Notice the Bronco below only has three wheels on the ground.

 

[ChrisOfPA]

Badlands has Hoss 1.0.

I went to the Nevada Off Roadeo a couple of months ago. Part of the course is a stream bad. They said don't use front lockers unless you're in a situation where you need them. Otherwise leave them off. But to lock the rear axle before you think you'll need it. We never used front lockers.

I was going to get a Black Diamond until I decided I wanted the Bilstein shocks. I think a Black Diamond would fill most people's needs unless they plan on some very rough roads.

Thanks for sharing, I figured the front lockers might not be needed but the shocks is something I was concerned might be lacking. But if they’re good enough for the off roading typically of the Northeastern US than I might let it go if it gives me a lower price and more options.

Plus I am sure Fore Performance and aftermarket solutions can make up the difference if I feel it needs it later.

 

[MNBigfoot]

Badlands has Hoss 1.0.

Badlands have had Hoss 2.0 since my21, then
got the 3.0 rack in my24(?).

 

[CalvinT]

The instructor and Off Roadeo mentioned the shocks. They're not really needed unless you plan on high speed driving over rough roads.

 

[CalvinT]

Badlands have had Hoss 2.0 since my21, then
got the 3.0 rack in my24(?).

I stand corrected.

 

[ChrisOfPA]

The instructor and Off Roadeo mentioned the shocks. They're not really needed unless you plan on high speed driving over rough roads.

So does the Badlands even have one of those HOSS suspensions? I am a little confused. Or is it the Hitachi suspension that from what I am reading here, people seem to upgrade out of?

 

[CalvinT]

So does the Badlands even have one of those HOSS suspensions? I am a little confused. Or is it the Hitachi suspension that from what I am reading here, people seem to upgrade out of?

This explains it better than I can. Bear in mind it's for 2023, but I assume it's close for 2024. Others may be able to enlighten us.

https://brandonford.com/blog/what-is-the-2023-ford-bronco-hoss-suspension-system-phc

Bear in mind a 2-door non SAS Bronco will accept Ford's Severe Duty Steering Upgrade Kit.

https://www.trackey.ford.com/part/M-3200-WT

 

[Brian_B]

Black Diamond used to be a like a lower-end version of Badlands.

You got the steel skid plates and steel bumpers, you got a rear locker and washout interior, but you didn't get the sta-bar disconnect or the m210 front end/locker or HOSS 2.0 suspension. Steelie no-nonsense 17" rims and the nice looking open-bar grill in black, wired for fog lights (although I don't know if it came with any stock). ('24 Badlands further got the Severe Duty steering rack upgrade too)

And you could option it with SAS if you wanted too, and once you do that it's not that different from a Badlands at all (SAS or non-SAS).

Biggest drawback for some folks would be you couldn't get Lux on the Black Diamond.

To be honest it was the trim level I was after when I bought, but couldn't find one in a manual where I lived. Plus I think it has the coolest trim badge and trim color.

 

[MNBigfoot]

So does the Badlands even have one of those HOSS suspensions? I am a little confused. Or is it the Hitachi suspension that from what I am reading here, people seem to upgrade out of?

There is very little difference between a non-sas Badlands and the Sasquatch package (a little lift .5" and a little gearing, tires/wheels). You can pick-up a set of 35" take-off wheel/tires, and not worrying about breaking shit. That's a very simplified explanation.

 

[ChrisOfPA]

This explains it better than I can. Bear in mind it's for 2023, but I assume it's close for 2024. Others may be able to enlighten us.

https://brandonford.com/blog/what-is-the-2023-ford-bronco-hoss-suspension-system-phc

Bear in mind a 2-door non SAS Bronco will accept Ford's Severe Duty Steering Upgrade Kit.

https://www.trackey.ford.com/part/M-3200-WT

This helps clear it up a bit, thanks, I wasn’t even aware of this steering upgrade kit. I have been reading about the Bronco for months, it’s a lot of info to absorb.

 

[ChrisOfPA]

Black Diamond used to be a like a lower-end version of Badlands.

You got the steel skid plates and steel bumpers, you got a rear locker and washout interior, but you didn't get the sta-bar disconnect or the m210 front end/locker or HOSS 2.0 suspension. Steelie no-nonsense 17" rims and the nice looking open-bar grill in black, wired for fog lights (although I don't know if it came with any stock). ('24 Badlands further got the Severe Duty steering rack upgrade too)

And you could option it with SAS if you wanted too, and once you do that it's not that different from a Badlands at all (SAS or non-SAS).

Biggest drawback for some folks would be you couldn't get Lux on the Black Diamond.

To be honest it was the trim level I was after when I bought, but couldn't find one in a manual where I lived. Plus I think it has the coolest trim badge and trim color.

Yeah the idea of a lower end Badlands still sounds nice, especially for the prices they’re still asking on Badlands. I am still up in the air if I need the 2.0 suspension system and the M210 front end with locker for my needs, even after going through all this info.

 

[ChrisOfPA]

There is very little difference between a non-sas Badlands and the Sasquatch package (a little lift .5" and a little gearing, tires/wheels). You can pick-up a set of 35" take-off wheel/tires, and not worrying about breaking shit. That's a very simplified explanation.

That was my original plan, I felt the non SAS Badlands was enough for me but getting it at a price I wanted with the 2.7L and the mid package, with the recall on the shocks is really hurting my options, especially wanting a 2 door.

I would also consider a Black Diamond with those options but with the SAS package.

 

[ChrisOfPA]

The Hitachi is the premium suspension with shocks that don't leak. And if you don't know if you need a front locker, then you don't need a front locker. (And probably you don't need a rear locker either.)

Reading around here, I get the impression the Hitachi suspension is the least desirable and many swapped to the Bilstien setup even with the failures.

TBH, I think for the kind of off roading in this part of the country (not rock crawling) I can probably live without the front lockers. With the 4WD system of the Black Diamond, I can probably get out of any trouble I find here but having the ability to lock both the rear wheels for additional traction won’t hurt.

 

[Karsa]

I gots a ‘24 Badlands, 2.7, HOSS 2.0 w/ heavy steering rack

Two things I noticed about where / how you’re driving, 1/ heavy snow - 4A is wonderful in snow and ice, especially with quality tires, 2/ not much rock crawling, mostly trails - I impact my skid plates more on rutted, uneven trails more than the moderate rock crawling I do

My 2 cents is Black Diamond with the 4A upgrade, but you’ll never not love a Badlands if that’s the way you go! Good luck

Edit: only ever needed my front lockers twice, happily use my sway bar disconnect every time I air down, love that feature

Sponsored