Badgers 2025 Base Big Bend - Need Input

[BadgerSix]

Hi everyone - I am looking for folks with similar rig to provide input for boosting capability of this version. For reference I sold my 2010 Jeep Sport (2.5" lift, 33s, on 3.73 gearing, no lockers) to get a bronco. I was part of a jeep club years ago and did quite a bit of off-roading in the desert and sierras and never felt like I needed any mods. I am not interested in doing extreme trails for fun but would like it to have a solid range of off road capability.

This build is a daily driver and will spend most of the time on road. That said I do get in the off-road back country here in SoCal and Sierras mainly to camp, hike, and explore cool new places that 4x4s offer. I want to boost its capability to fit these parameters.
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Current Stats
2025 Big Bend 4dr
2.3l - 10 speed Auto
3.73 gearing - No Lockers
Wheels are BD pulloffs 265/70r17
Installed pull-off rock sliders
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I have 8k to spend to boost its capability. Here are some of my preliminary thoughts.
I will likely use 4WP since it is right down the street.
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Initial Priority:
- Undercarriage protection (Ford, RCI, ARB???)
- 33" Tires (285/70/r17) and Black Rhino Chamber Wheels
- 1" - 2" lift

Additional thoughts that I know nothing about cost vs effectiveness
- RockJock's Front Antirock Sway Bar
- Rear Air locker
- Re-gear both axles
- 35" tire / Wheel set-up (Light weight)
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Please make recommendations if you have some good solid experience. I really appreciate your time and feedback.

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[Brian_B]

Honestly - run it as is and see what kind of trouble you can get into first - then go spend money on addressing said trouble. Skid plates aren’t a bad idea to throw on before getting into too much trouble though — Ford kit is nice, often on sale and can use points… if you can get the shop to actually ship to dealer and not lose your order

Lockers will be an expensive proposition and probably best done in combination with a regear and front axle upgrade… and I won’t deny they are nice, they are hardly essential

I’d recommend ProComp coil overs for a lift upgrade and for general suspension for going to 35s — they are not the best shock you can buy, but a 2.5” adjustable coil over package for ~$1,500 for all four corners is an excellent deal and they perform as well or better than HOSS 2 Bilsteins (you will want a UCA and rear trac bar bracket to go with them)

 

[NC_Oak]

I second brian's approach of "f around and find out".

skids are always welcomed. def put a fuel tank skid on, depending on your use you may not need any else.

I'd grab some sasquatch coilover takeoffs for cheap and grab some 35s. if you don't wanna do the squatch coilovers, quite a few good upgrades for lift available.

Regearing and lockers is a financial hit. can throw a few grand at the above and see how you do.

 

[Wethepeople]

I'd look at some take off sasquatch tire and rims and uca and sasquatch suspension that should get you everything you need until you need more

 

[MNBigfoot]

OEM skids (as Brian mentioned), $698 on sale (and can use points).

https://www.ford.com/product/steel-full-body-bash-plate-for-vehicles-with-modular-front-bumper-for-4door-p2928889026?gmcid=marketplace-gs-cta-accessories&searchid=22015566393|175094121267|pla-293946777986&fcid=pse_22015566393_google&ef_id=EAIaIQobChMIku2jjJ-JjQMVB0n_AR0MNBhcEAQYASABEgIc0PD_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!2519!3!725258472634!!!g!293946777986!!22015566393!175094121267&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIku2jjJ-JjQMVB0n_AR0MNBhcEAQYASABEgIc0PD_BwE

Everything bolts right in, no need to make it fit, as you get with some other kits.

 

[BadgerSix]

OEM skids (as Brian mentioned), $698 on sale (and can use points).

https://www.ford.com/product/steel-full-body-bash-plate-for-vehicles-with-modular-front-bumper-for-4door-p2928889026?gmcid=marketplace-gs-cta-accessories&searchid=22015566393|175094121267|pla-293946777986&fcid=pse_22015566393_google&ef_id=EAIaIQobChMIku2jjJ-JjQMVB0n_AR0MNBhcEAQYASABEgIc0PD_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!2519!3!725258472634!!!g!293946777986!!22015566393!175094121267&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIku2jjJ-JjQMVB0n_AR0MNBhcEAQYASABEgIc0PD_BwE

Everything bolts right in, no need to make it fit, as you get with some other kits.

So I decided to start with new wheels and 33x10.5 17 tires + just bought the complete Ford Skid set. I will have to mod the front since I don't have the modular bumper that is fits with. Looks like I will be cutting some steel.

 

[MNBigfoot]

So I decided to start with new wheels and 33x10.5 17 tires + just bought the complete Ford Skid set. I will have to mod the front since I don't have the modular bumper that is fits with. Looks like I will be cutting some steel.

Pretty sure it will bolt up without any modification. Now if you added a steal bumper (mod or capable) to your OEM plastic "plate thing", the plastic needs to be cut down to fit. I've seen a few capable bumpers on marketplace/craigslist for $50-150.

 

[Bikeric]

You should be able to find some take-off yellow Bilstein SAS shocks for next to nothing (due to Recall). If they're not rusted they are just fine and will get you lifted for CHEAP. I'd sell you my spare set, but shipping would make it not worth it.

 

[Smocaine]

I was happy to have the skids on my Badlands when I was otherwise stock - I smacked them a few times before I lifted it. If I only did one thing at a time, I'd do those first.

If you want to keep it cost-effective then takeoff Bilsteins from a Badlands or Sasquatch are great, otherwise there are tons of lift options. Bilstein 5100s are a very popular and affordable option. I have the Eibach Pro Truck 2.0 kit and I really like how it rides both on and off road.

It sounds like you're already doing the wheels and tires, but as far as takeoffs go, you may also be able to buy a full set of Badlands wheels and tires for some 33" KO2s or Sasquatch wheels for 35" Wrangler Territory - wheel sets come across here and Facebook Marketplace all the time.

Instead of replacing the front sway bar, you can also consider just disconnecting the links when you go offroad - it's a bit of a pain, but it's free, and will give you a "full" disconnect.
Being a late-model 4-door, you may also have a stock rear swaybar. If so, removing it would of course allow more articulation from the rear in exchange for more body roll on the road.

 

[BadgerSix]

You should be able to find some take-off yellow Bilstein SAS shocks for next to nothing (due to Recall). If they're not rusted they are just fine and will get you lifted for CHEAP. I'd sell you my spare set, but shipping would make it not worth it.

I really wish I had the tools and confidence to take on a coil over project on all 4 corners. I got a quote from 4WP to install leveling spacers and they quoted $400 front and $400 rear for labor not including parts.

 

[MNBigfoot]

So I decided to start with new wheels and 33x10.5 17 tires + just bought the complete Ford Skid set. I will have to mod the front since I don't have the modular bumper that is fits with. Looks like I will be cutting some steel.

If it's being shipped to a dealer, I would suggest bringing a pick-up or small trailer, the kit comes on a pallet that's about 6' 2" long and is heavy. Or it may be easier to remove the parts from the container.

 

[Brian_B]

I really wish I had the tools and confidence to take on a coil over project on all 4 corners. I got a quote from 4WP to install leveling spacers and they quoted $400 front and $400 rear for labor not including parts.

That's actually not a bad price. Most people say $200-250 per corner is the going rate, just for labor. If it includes an alignment that's a really good price.

Doing coilovers in your driveway isn't hard to do either, but you can easily break a CV, depending on the type of coilover it could require specialty tools (35mm socket, spring compressor, etc), and you will most likely require an alignment afterwards. The rears are especially not too difficult, if you can get over that 350 ft-lb lower bolt torque the hardest part is just pulling the fender liner out.

 

[Smocaine]

I really wish I had the tools and confidence to take on a coil over project on all 4 corners. I got a quote from 4WP to install leveling spacers and they quoted $400 front and $400 rear for labor not including parts.

At my 4WP the labor price was the same ($800 total) regardless of the kit they installed, which was a big part of pushing me past spacers and into the Eibach coilover kit. Alignment was included, as well as a 30-day recheck.

 

[BadgerSix]

So If the price is the same to install coil overs vs spacers what would you recommend from 4Wp that would keep the job under $2k (If possible)? Looking at no more than 2"

 

[Brian_B]

If it's being shipped to a dealer, I would suggest bringing a pick-up or small trailer, the kit comes on a pallet that's about 6' 2" long and is heavy. Or it may be easier to remove the parts from the container.

I’d also say, it’s more or less the same job installing spacers as just installing new coil overs.

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