Base vs Big Bend, what am I really missing?

[mpeugeot]

Finally had the opportunity to drive some broncos today.

Drove a big bend black diamond Sasquatch with black painted hardtop and a base soft top without Sasquatch.

It’s amazing how loud and rough riding the big bend was compared to the base. I assume it’s all due to tires but it seemed like the hard top was louder in general compared to the soft top. It almost had a wind buffeting sound like a motorcycle helmet.

I also think I prefer the cloth seats, I was quite sweaty from the vinyl and it was only 91° today.

How big of a wheel / tire upgrade can I put on the base with 3.73 gears? Any good all terrain tires that aren’t too loud on the road?

Bad hardtops will sound worse than the soft top. The top needs to be removed, reinstalled, and adjusted as it is reinstalled. It can make a huge difference. A properly installed and adjusted hardtop will sound quieter than the soft top. Also, did it have the sound deadening headliner?

Seat covers can easily address the MGV issue, but I love my cloth seats.

There are plenty of good tires, even my 315/70r17 KO2's are pretty quiet.

You can run 35's on the 3.73 gears, but it will feel a bit gutless (especially without a tune). I would recommend 33's as the max that you "want" to run on the 3.73, but plenty of people will say that I am wrong and 35's are fine. If you run a 35 A/T tire on it, keep the wheel and tire combo as long as light as possible, that will help preserve performance.

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[moose05]

Bad hardtops will sound worse than the soft top. The top needs to be removed, reinstalled, and adjusted as it is reinstalled. It can make a huge difference. A properly installed and adjusted hardtop will sound quieter than the soft top. Also, did it have the sound deadening headliner?

Seat covers can easily address the MGV issue, but I love my cloth seats.

There are plenty of good tires, even my 315/70r17 KO2's are pretty quiet.

You can run 35's on the 3.73 gears, but it will feel a bit gutless (especially without a tune). I would recommend 33's as the max that you "want" to run on the 3.73, but plenty of people will say that I am wrong and 35's are fine. If you run a 35 A/T tire on it, keep the wheel and tire combo as long as light as possible, that will help preserve performance.

It had black sound deadening panels on the inside.

I was thinking 33’s, maybe a 285/75r16 or 285/70r17 depending on wheels. Good to know k02’s aren’t as loud.

 

[Marc L]

Okay, spill the beans!

We do a draft. We both have to throw out 2 names. You either get to provide 1st and 4th OR 2nd and 3rd. Once 4 names are out there, 2 provided by each of us the decision is usually obvious or at least we are down to 2 and and one of us will be able to sell the other. YOUR WIFE MUST HAVE SKIN IN THE GAME so she can't just poo-poo your suggestions.
Note: We are both engineers so this logic stream might not work for a non-engineer wife.

 

[mpeugeot]

It had black sound deadening panels on the inside.

I was thinking 33’s, maybe a 285/75r16 or 285/70r17 depending on wheels. Good to know k02’s aren’t as loud.

I was able to run 295/70r17 on a RTR +30 offset rim (17x9) with no other modifications and full articulation with no rubbing.

 

[tock13]

One more thing, if it is between the Base and Big Bend - living with the Big Bend will be much nicer for a variety of reasons.

A/C - dual zone in Big Bend
Steering Wheel - nicer in the Big Bend
Windows - Already tinted in the Big Bend
Proximity Sensor - Door unlocking
Keyfob Remote Start - nice in winter
Longer range Keyfob - also nice to have

There are other differences, but those are just a few off the top of my head. I have an F-150 with the standard A/C and I am always messing with it to get the temperature right, but in my Bronco, I just dial the temperature I want and leave it.

I rented a stock ‘25 BB for week and the whole time I was wondering why the heck they make both the base and big bend because the BB seemed pretty stripped down to me already. Did love the cloth seats in Fla though. The thing didn’t even have a real BB grille, though I’m probably one of the few here who like the old BB grille.

I have a friend asking this very question so appreciate your list, it helps clear up the differences between base and BB. I’ve never really looked that close at a base.

 

[Marc L]

I rented a stock ‘25 BB for week and the whole time I was wondering why the heck they make both the base and big bend because the BB seemed pretty stripped down to me already.

Interesting, in '24 we bought a BB specifically as none of the other trims had any features we were interested. We added a package to get heated seats, but otherwise everything else was appearance or off-road and no actual features/technology.
Note: They did change content quite a bit between '24 and '25.

 

[mpeugeot]

Interesting, in '24 we bought a BB specifically as none of the other trims had any features we were interested. We added a package to get heated seats, but otherwise everything else was appearance or off-road and no actual features/technology.
Note: They did change content quite a bit between '24 and '25.

ya, I think that was back when the mid-package was still optional.

 

[mpeugeot]

I rented a stock ‘25 BB for week and the whole time I was wondering why the heck they make both the base and big bend because the BB seemed pretty stripped down to me already. Did love the cloth seats in Fla though. The thing didn’t even have a real BB grille, though I’m probably one of the few here who like the old BB grille.

I have a friend asking this very question so appreciate your list, it helps clear up the differences between base and BB. I’ve never really looked that close at a base.

The best way to see all of the differences is to download the order guide. It has all the differences listed in it. Read it slowly and carefully, some stuff is easy to miss.

 

[DALOLA]

I just posted a similar thread....I'm convinced I want a 2 door base w/squatch, and challenged anyone to talk me out of it.

I'm still convinced....

Forget "need", with a Bronco, it's all about WANT. So, get what you want. I guess, if you don't know what you want, other opinions might be helpful. Good luck OP.

 

[moose05]

I just posted a similar thread....I'm convinced I want a 2 door base w/squatch, and challenged anyone to talk me out of it.

I'm still convinced....

Forget "need", with a Bronco, it's all about WANT. So, get what you want. I guess, if you don't know what you want, other opinions might be helpful. Good luck OP.

Yea I’m nearly done working a deal on black 4 door base soft top without squatch. Having a hard time because my heart really wants squatch but my brain knows I’ll never use it/it rides rough/can’t get the soft top that I really want.

Trying to convince myself that a 1” level kit and 285/70r17 tires will satisfy the itch

 

[DALOLA]

Yea I’m nearly done working a deal on black 4 door base soft top without squatch. Having a hard time because my heart really wants squatch but my brain knows I’ll never use it/it rides rough/can’t get the soft top that I really want.

Trying to convince myself that a 1” level kit and 285/70r17 tires will satisfy the itch

I hear you! I will also never use the full capability of the squatch, but I don't care, it's cool AF, and I want it, simple as that. You only live once my friend.

 

[crzyhawk]

Yea I’m nearly done working a deal on black 4 door base soft top without squatch. Having a hard time because my heart really wants squatch but my brain knows I’ll never use it/it rides rough/can’t get the soft top that I really want.

Trying to convince myself that a 1” level kit and 285/70r17 tires will satisfy the itch

Depends on what you want from the squatch. Is it the look? Are you there for the gear ratios, diff lockers, etc? If it's just the look, you can throw a 2-inch lift on and get some squatch take off wheels and you'll have the look pretty much locked down, and you're probably not out a lot of money.

As for the soft top, I'd probably rather have an aftermarket one than an OEM so I can get rid of the wave in the window.

Fixing the ride on the sasquatch though if you don't like it is probably going to cost a bit more coin than getting the look. Of course, if the equipment that comes with it, then there's no cheaper substitute. So, what about the squatch is it that your heart really wants? if it's the look, just simulate it.

 

[OscarHTX]

Personally I'd go with the vinyl seats since you'll be bimini top a lot of the time. They're much easier to clean imo.

If you're worried about heat, we use some Sprints towels over the seats when we're topless. They're stitched in a way they go over the head rest.

Plus the towels are nice to have around when outdoors.

https://a.co/d/j17qo6a

 

[UncleBrad]

I may have missed this important point in this thread: the 2025 Big Bend is only available in a four-door. If having 2-doors and the shorter wheelbase is important to you, opt for the base.

2024 was the last year for the Big Bend 2-door.

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