Bronco Badlands Wheel Evolution (non-Sasquatch)

[Favero]

Hoping for your input and deep Badlands knowledge.....has the color of non-Sasquatch Badlands OEM wheels evolved or changed over the years, EXCLUDING the obvious change here for 2026 to a black wheel? I personally prefer the older, more metallic, OEM non-Sas stock look of Badlands - and I have a 2026 on order so I'm looking to swap stock wheels for a clean set of 2025 or earlier Badlands OEM wheels.

I saw a 2025 Badlands yesterday and I swear its wheels had a darker gray look than earlier versions - my ChatGPT doesn't see any changes over the years and claims that wheel color called "Carbonized Gray," and I'm likely seeing different reflections in different light. So I'm clearly crazy.... that's obvious

Anyone noticed a color change over the years, 2021-2025? Or is it the lighting playing tricks on me?

Attaching 2 examples - The 2025 Carbonized Gray Bronco looks like it has gray wheels, but this Ruby Red one looks more silver.

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[Smocaine]

2025 Badlands wheels were indeed darker, as they omitted the machined face of '21-'24 and made the whole wheel grey.
They are the same color in the pockets, '25 is darker on the face.

 

[RagnarKon]

Yes, it's changed.

2021-2024 were a carbonized grey with a machined face.
2025 effectively the same, without the machined face.
2026 is obviously different.

There was some overlap between the model years. Many of the early 2025 builds got the same wheel that was on 2024, for example. (Probably just leftovers and remaining stock from the previous model years.)

 

[TomC]

I have a set of four 2021 BL in my garage you could swap out, but I'm 480 miles south you. Having said that I see these regularly on here for sale, as well as CL. FWIW I went with Ford performance wheels that were on sale and were an impulse buy.

 

[crzyhawk]

I have a set of the older (23 I think) Badlands wheels on my Big Bend. I bought them from a local forum member, you may be able to find some in the for sale section

 

[Wolfhound]

These wheels show Up on Craigslist, I sold five with tires ( less than 10000 miles) for five hundred dollars. They were advertised for over a month.

 

[Beach_Bum]

If your looking for prior years OEM Badlands wheels, then don't ignore the optional wheels available only the first 3 years.

 

[MilesTeg]

I have a 2024 Badlands and would like to swap to the 26+ years because they have more poke +40 instead of +55). If you're in the northern colorado area and up for it, DM me. My wheels are pretty decent though have a couple minor scratches. We could work out a deal to your liking.

 

[Rough Rider]

My understanding is that the older badlands wheels don’t fit the 26 without the sway bar disconnect. It was optional in 26 and it caused the offset change. So if you didn’t order the sway bar disconnect on your 26. You might not be able to run the older wheels

 

[Q1svt]

For 2026 Badlands non sas ford went to a 40mm offset so they work/look better with the wider SAS fender flares… with a wider track it should ride better/ handle better … grant you it’s a few inches.

 

[Beach_Bum]

For 2026 Badlands non sas ford went to a 40mm offset so they work/look better with the wider SAS fender flares… with a wider track it should ride better/ handle better … grant you it’s a few inches.

From the older +55mm offset to the newer +40mm, it is .59" inches difference.

 

[Q1svt]

From the older +55mm offset to the newer +40mm, it is .59" inches difference.

‘Per side 1.18” total. Marketing… the old brand Pontiac is a wide track…. less than 1.0” total ;^)

 

[Favero]

I have a 2024 Badlands and would like to swap to the 26+ years because they have more poke +40 instead of +55). If you're in the northern colorado area and up for it, DM me. My wheels are pretty decent though have a couple minor scratches. We could work out a deal to your liking.

Sorry, @MilesTeg - I’d totally do this if you were closer to Charleston, SC.

 

[Favero]

Yes, it's changed.

2021-2024 were a carbonized grey with a machined face.
2025 effectively the same, without the machined face.
2026 is obviously different.

There was some overlap between the model years. Many of the early 2025 builds got the same wheel that was on 2024, for example. (Probably just leftovers and remaining stock from the previous model years.)

@RagnarKon - Love your YouTube videos. Thank You for this contribution as well your greater ones. I’m watching!

 

[Favero]

Love the discussion herein, thank you all.
- During the depths of Covid 2020, I ordered Antimatter Blue 2Dr Badlands Manual Lux…..it was to arrive in March 2023 (in Oxford White, thx Ford), however that February, my job had been terminated so timing not optimal, then had to put kid through college, etc, etc…. so 42 months later, I’m ready for Ruby. All this to say, I’m personally stuck on the narrower look of the +55 with the older narrower fenders as well. It may seem silly, but worth it for me - I’ve been patient!

- I am concerned about @Rough Rider comment above that the +55 may not work with my 2026 Badlands without the sway-bar disconnect, but I believe I’ve seen posts of folks with Outbanks models (no sway-bar disconnect) showcasing their +55 Badlands non-squatch OEM wheels. I will call my dealer, Palmetto Ford, tomorrow to triple check.

Thx all

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