Braptor or Wildtrak

[mpeugeot]

Dollar for dollar, the best bang for your buck on a Ford lot right now is the Ranger Raptor.

Only downside is the seating is more cramped than the more door Bronco.

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[rgwinn]

I had a 21 FE. I just got a 24 Braptor. The Raptor is a blast to drive. It’s actually more comfortable than the FE. And it has decent towing capabilities. For your needs the WT with a few mods should serve you well.

and we should mention MPG. I’m getting 12 at the moment. I was getting 18 in my FE. So not the most economical vehicle either.

 

[rgwinn]

Only downside is the seating is more cramped than the more door Bronco.

Agree. I sat in a Ranger Raptor. The Braptor feels much roomier.

 

[Blackbox0903]

I would buy the WT. Braptor is amazing but I can’t get into how wide it is and its fenders. Like the more classic vibes

 

[stampede1]

I had a 21 FE. I just got a 24 Braptor. The Raptor is a blast to drive. It’s actually more comfortable than the FE. And it has decent towing capabilities. For your needs the WT with a few mods should serve you well.

and we should mention MPG. I’m getting 12 at the moment. I was getting 18 in my FE. So not the most economical vehicle either.

The mpg is based on various criteria especially driving style and topography. I averaged 17.9 mpg over the first 8 k miles and on my current tank should get 400 miles. I maximize cruise control, speed limit and use start/stop with mostly country road driving at around 55 mpg.

 

[Wtb13000]

Same problem when I purchased.

went with a wildtrack and haven’t upgraded rhe suspension although thought I would. No need to throw off warranty and it’s already pretty lifted, unless you’re seriously off-roading.

running boards a must to get in and out easy, I upgraded to metal bumpers and some nicer lighting for trails. Good to go, and compliant on the road.

I can only imagine trying to get a braptor through a tight drive thru line. Lol. I passed given the multiple uses for my truck.

 

[userdude]

Had an old timer on Big Rich podcast the other day say the Braptor is like a couch on wheels. Definitely the nicest interior. I suspect the long term costs with the Braptor are higher, although I assume it'll hold it's value better. I don't think there's a lot you can modify on the Braptor.

The WT is the poor man's Braptor (relatively), it's more high speed desert but can do what you describe just fine as well given some basic upgrades. The Braptor is a lot wider, like 8"? Which is a lot on a trail. Also, you'll want steel bumpers/rock rails/more skid plates, and most likely a swaybar disconnect or a torsion bar like RockJock's AntiRocks. You will end up spending some money, but it will be for what you want.

The Badlands (Sas or Non-Sas) are a great deal if you want to off road, however going 2023 is a good deal but you'll want to consider upgrading the steering rack, probably ~$2k installed. Also, there have been issues with the BL's shock reservoirs falling off. You may be getting new shocks in a few years. It has swaybar e-disconnect already. If you want better armor than stock, you'll also be getting new plates, but if you off road, you know that's a wear item anyway.

Overall, interesting options. Braptor's are nice but will limit you on some trails, otherwise should be fine doing even difficult trails. WT is narrower but you'll want some upgrades if you're going to do non-trivial off roading (like 5/10's and above I would say). The 23 BL's are cheaper right now, but you'll probably be spending some cash soon. I don't think you'll spend $23k+interest on either the WT or BL upgrades.

 

[Madman1133]

Had an old timer on Big Rich podcast the other day say the Braptor is like a couch on wheels. Definitely the nicest interior. I suspect the long term costs with the Braptor are higher, although I assume it'll hold it's value better. I don't think there's a lot you can modify on the Braptor.

The WT is the poor man's Braptor (relatively), it's more high speed desert but can do what you describe just fine as well given some basic upgrades. The Braptor is a lot wider, like 8"? Which is a lot on a trail. Also, you'll want steel bumpers/rock rails/more skid plates, and most likely a swaybar disconnect or a torsion bar like RockJock's AntiRocks. You will end up spending some money, but it will be for what you want.

The Badlands (Sas or Non-Sas) are a great deal if you want to off road, however going 2023 is a good deal but you'll want to consider upgrading the steering rack, probably ~$2k installed. Also, there have been issues with the BL's shock reservoirs falling off. You may be getting new shocks in a few years. It has swaybar e-disconnect already. If you want better armor than stock, you'll also be getting new plates, but if you off road, you know that's a wear item anyway.

Overall, interesting options. Braptor's are nice but will limit you on some trails, otherwise should be fine doing even difficult trails. WT is narrower but you'll want some upgrades if you're going to do non-trivial off roading (like 5/10's and above I would say). The 23 BL's are cheaper right now, but you'll probably be spending some cash soon. I don't think you'll spend $23k+interest on either the WT or BL upgrades.

This is helpful.

This post has me looking at a badlands now. It has 4.7 gears but not the steering upgrade. When you say upgrade the steering, are you talking about the ford upgrade?

 

[userdude]

This is helpful.

This post has me looking at a badlands now. It has 4.7 gears but not the steering upgrade. When you say upgrade the steering, are you talking about the ford upgrade?

There are two options on the steering upgrade:

1. Get a tie rod kit and spare (inner) tie rods and fix on the trail. This is the "probably not gonna happen but wanna be prepared" approach. Cheap, especially if you're not afraid of a trail repair. A TD Industries tie rod kit from @Tricky Mike I think is less than $200 w/spare tie rod, so this is the cheaper and probably fine option.

2. Get a replacement heavy duty (HD) steering rack as it comes with the HOSS 3.0 (the whole HOSS thing gets really confusing). Basically, you're probably fine in 2024 BL/WT/Sas or a 2023 WildTrak (has Sas/HOSS 3.0), cuz they have the HD steering rack (actually, the full High Output Steering and Suspension 3.0 package). The HD rack is a bigger housing, strong motor upgrade. You're unlikely to break this. I suspect this should be $2k-3k installed, if you need it.

The Braptor is HOSS 4.0 with the long travel and active suspension, but also has the same HD steering rack from HOSS 3.0. Literally nothing to do there*.

* There is the 74Weld billet rack, but that's an expensive upgrade for if you want to grind in the rocks.

 

[mpeugeot]

This is helpful.

This post has me looking at a badlands now. It has 4.7 gears but not the steering upgrade. When you say upgrade the steering, are you talking about the ford upgrade?

Userdude went all in and installed the indestructible 74Weld unit. The Ford Performance unit is much cheaper and probably more than adequate for 90% of Bronco owners.

The Badlands will save you additional money over the WildTrak, but you will likely spend the difference on the suspension to equal the WT.

 

[DewarT]

I bought a Raptor- and I haven't regretted it for a minute. That said- not everyone could or would want to spend that much.

The engine is by far superior, rear axle is bigger and the suspension is alot better. The seats are nicer and mine are heated. The Raptor mode in mine is used alot, but its 100% not necessary. If you are concerned with money- get a sasquatch with a 4 cylinder- it will get you on the trails for half the cost and generally look the same as a Wildtrack.

The width issue is crazy to me and fear mongering. Many (most) trail rigs are built with truck axles (1/2 ton thru 1 ton) and they are as wide as the Braptor track width- and usually have deeper offset wheels increasing it even more. I have no issue parking this in the city, parking garages or at the local grocery store. Those with this concern, probably haven't driven a Raptor.

The plans for My Raptor- Swap out the bumpers for something more significant, add a winch and better tires (similar size). Then I'm done and will still have the warranty.

My advice- get as much vehicle as you are comfortable with the payment- then modify from there. Don't spend more than you can afford or you will regret it everday. The Squatch packages comes with the lower gears, lockers and clearance for "35s", that wolud be the entry level minimum, but you will still struggle on alot of the trails you are looking at.

 

[Canyon Coolers]

This is the best problem ever, as their isn't a huge downside.

Braptor gets points for bells and whistles. 23K is fair for all the differences, if you value them. one an done, for the most part.

Wildtrak with upgraded suspension and minor performance mods might look better, and be a total beast, but hard to finance aftermarket parts and get a decent resale. The right choice if your ok with a little dirt under your nails.

 

[Canyon Coolers]

Dollar for dollar, the best bang for your buck on a Ford lot right now is the Ranger Raptor.

I like that Ranger allot, and on paper you are totally correct you get more for your dollar, but the Bronco looks so much better, and you get a convertible. The Ranger Raptor kind of gets lost on the road with a billion other full size Raptors out there.

If they can build a Ranger Raptor and sell it for $60k then the Bronco Raptor shouldn't be all that much more.

 

[Mdozier]

Just to clarify (sorry if someone already mentioned this) all MY24 Badlands come with the upgraded steering rack and goodies included.

Not that this should alter the advice you have above regarding the WT v Br.

 

[Ninjak]

I run a 21 Badlands, I just go to the parkks here in S. FL, and I really do not crawl, though I could with the mods I have.

WT vs Braptor. Well it comes down to what you really will use the vehicle for. The Braptor, is a LOT more than fenders, It is upgrades all around the vehicle, and things you will never need to look at or touch ever again. There will be no need to add this or get that, It has it in spades, also it has it at the top of the food chain in suspension and other mods within it. Get a better rear bumper, some lights perhaps, and you are done. The width argument I do not understand because people are slapping portals on and they are the same width or wider than a Braptor.

The Wildtrack will have next best in suspension, also something you will not need to look at, but if you start adding mods, you may need to look into things for it. Depending how it is setup, you may need rockrails, bash plates, etc.

The Badlands IMO is the one that is built to crawl. You will get the updated steering rack, but lesser shocks in Blistien. That said you will have the disco, bash plates, gearing, to step out on the trails and go. I feel the Badlands would be easy to upgrade if you wanted to go to 37s.

What to do. Well it depends on what your goal is. You want to stay stock? You want to mod? You want to go fast in the desert? When I purchase there was no Braptor. Is my RIG to my liking? HELL YES! I can put it up on just about anything and not worried about it breaking. Build or buy? That is what it is about, and your use.

Go do it!

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