Build planning help

[jarod7736]

So my Bronco is finally built and waiting for shipment. I had originally ordered a Black Diamond with SAS and had to drop the SAS this spring. In my frustration and in the middle of uncertainty, I switched the whole thing to a Big Bend. I was under the impression that the mod bumper was still a constraint, and some of the SAS features would be as well.

So, now I want to add wheels and tires, a lift, and i'd MUCH rather have bumpers that aren't plastic. The thing is, each of these things seems to be interdependent the closer I get to deciding.

Tire size means that the lift matters. 33" vs 35"
And if I were to add bumpers the lift would need to support more weight so as not to sag.

The issue is doing this all at once I guess. I know i'm going to do wheels and tires first. If I want 33"s, i can just get them and go. If I want to add bumpers, I am thinking it's likely it will need a beefier suspension. If i'm adding a suspension upgrade, I may as well go with 35"s...

I think what I really need is more $ to do it all at once. Or go back in time and click the stupid mod bumper option. Or never drop the SAS since it seems that there are still plenty of those being built, even those ordered a few months ago.

How do y'all go through this process? What should my order of operations be if I can't do everything up front? Can I do wheels/tires/lift and will that lift be enough to add bumpers down the line?

I've been researching myself to death.

Thanks.

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[indio22]

I wouldn't get too hung up on not having Sas, think about all the Sas Broncos out there that will never go off-road or do much of anything exciting with that functionality. You can have more fun and excitement with your Big Bend, ultimately it's comes down to the driver, not the vehicle.

I think you only need a 1.2" lift for your Big Bend to match the suspension height of a Sas. (Can be done relatively easy with a spacer lift.) You can fit 35" tires even without a lift, although probably want the lift if you will be working the suspension travel, to avoid tire rubbing the fender on full compression. And some reduced offset couldn't hurt.

Personally I'd stay away from overly heavy bumpers (and other extra stuff weighing down a vehicle), in particular if bumpers protrude outward too far. I was watching an offroad video here on 6G the other day, of a lightweight XJ on 33" tires, showing the more uprated vehicles including a Bronco, how it's done.

 

[jarod7736]

I wouldn't get too hung up on not having Sas, think about all the Sas Broncos out there that will never go off-road or do much of anything exciting with that functionality. You can have more fun and excitement with your Big Bend, ultimately it's comes down to the driver, not the vehicle.

I think you only need a 1.2" lift for your Big Bend to match the suspension height of a Sas. (Can be done relatively easy with a spacer lift.) You can fit 35" tires even without a lift, although probably want the lift if you will be working the suspension travel, to avoid tire rubbing the fender on full compression. And some reduced offset couldn't hurt.

Personally I'd stay away from overly heavy bumpers (and other extra stuff weighing down a vehicle), in particular if bumpers protrude outward too far. I was watching an offroad video here on 6G the other day, of a lightweight XJ on 33" tires, showing the more uprated vehicles including a Bronco, how it's done.

Yeah, I think the bumpers are the last in line on the list. I'm not a fan of the ones that stick waaay out. Honestly, a big reason I switched to the BB was a reality check I had with myself that I wouldn't be doing much of any serious off roading. I'd like the capability to do some mild stuff though. You're probably right that the bumpers aren't really a blocker to that. I guess I should stick with the wheels/tires and lift.

I mean, none of it's really necessary, but once I start down the rabbit hole.

 

[V1Rotate]

Personally I'd stay away from overly heavy bumpers (and other extra stuff weighing down a vehicle), in particular if bumpers protrude outward too far. I was watching an offroad video here on 6G the other day, of a lightweight XJ on 33" tires, showing the more uprated vehicles including a Bronco, how it's done.

If its the same video I’m thinking of - the part installed between the steering wheel and the driver’s seat was far superior on the XJ by comparison to the one in the Bronco too

 

[HotLap]

LOL, not going to be much help, but did want to let you know you're not alone. I too skipped on the SAS/Mod bumper, (due to perceived constraints), only to see quite a few of them being scheduled for build recently. I'm currenlty scheduled for production week of 6/12/23 and did speak with my dealer about adding SAS/Mod. He strongly advised against it - if I wanted to see my Bronco anytime soon!

Did order the Adv 4x4 pkg. and am picking up takeoff OEM Wildtrack wheels tomorrow. Will add 35" tires and the Bilstein 5100 suspension lift of 1.5" - 2". My Bronco will be set up for light to medium overlanding/camping with MTB and Kayak, not so much hard-core rock crawling. Oh, will be adding the OEM MOD bumper with front skid and may just pick up the entire OEM skid package as I found it at Tasca for $663.00 (plus shipping).

 

[jarod7736]

LOL, not going to be much help, but did want to let you know you're not alone. I too skipped on the SAS/Mod bumper, (due to perceived constraints), only to see quite a few of them being scheduled for build recently. I'm currenlty scheduled for production week of 6/12/23 and did speak with my dealer about adding SAS/Mod. He strongly advised against it - if I wanted to see my Bronco anytime soon!

Did order the Adv 4x4 pkg. and am picking up takeoff OEM Wildtrack wheels tomorrow. Will add 35" tires and the Bilstein 5100 suspension lift of 1.5" - 2". My Bronco will be set up for light to medium overlanding/camping with MTB and Kayak, not so much hard-core rock crawling. Oh, will be adding the OEM MOD bumper with front skid and may just pick up the entire OEM skid package as I found it at Tasca for $663.00 (plus shipping).

That's pretty similar to the usage i'd likely be doing most of the time. As far as the Bilsteins, is this the appropriate package for it?
https://www.stage3motorsports.com/2...co-4-door-bilstein-b8-5100-shock-package.html

 

[PWillette]

IMO, in your suggested uses, best bang for your buck on a lift to fit 35s would be to pick up a set of SAS or Badlands take-offs.

 

[indio22]

Yeah, I think the bumpers are the last in line on the list. I'm not a fan of the ones that stick waaay out. Honestly, a big reason I switched to the BB was a reality check I had with myself that I wouldn't be doing much of any serious off roading. I'd like the capability to do some mild stuff though. You're probably right that the bumpers aren't really a blocker to that. I guess I should stick with the wheels/tires and lift.

I mean, none of it's really necessary, but once I start down the rabbit hole.

It's a new world these days with the OEM "arms race" of functionality and components. Can be hard not to get caught up in it. Seems like everyone and their uncle are driving around with OEM lockers these days, regardless if they ever have a legit use for them.

If still living in Colorado and off-roading every other weekend, I'd probably have gone for a 2-door V6 Sas auto base Bronco. But the manual base better fit my situation now, and I didn't want to spend over 30k.

I did get a deal on some 315/70/R17 take-offs and used Ranger wheels in nice shape. (The 30" base tires are too small for off-roading.) Will likely install a mild 1" spacer lift. Plan to fab up some skid plates and rocker guards. Will see how the Bronco works out.

Like a lot of folks, I had loads of fun over the years off-roading in mostly stock Jeeps with open diffs and 31-33" tires. So there is no reason a lower optioned Bronco with some decent tires etc can't be a lot of fun and capable on and off-road.

 

[kojack19]

So my Bronco is finally built and waiting for shipment. I had originally ordered a Black Diamond with SAS and had to drop the SAS this spring. In my frustration and in the middle of uncertainty, I switched the whole thing to a Big Bend. I was under the impression that the mod bumper was still a constraint, and some of the SAS features would be as well.

So, now I want to add wheels and tires, a lift, and i'd MUCH rather have bumpers that aren't plastic. The thing is, each of these things seems to be interdependent the closer I get to deciding.

Tire size means that the lift matters. 33" vs 35"
And if I were to add bumpers the lift would need to support more weight so as not to sag.

The issue is doing this all at once I guess. I know i'm going to do wheels and tires first. If I want 33"s, i can just get them and go. If I want to add bumpers, I am thinking it's likely it will need a beefier suspension. If i'm adding a suspension upgrade, I may as well go with 35"s...

I think what I really need is more $ to do it all at once. Or go back in time and click the stupid mod bumper option. Or never drop the SAS since it seems that there are still plenty of those being built, even those ordered a few months ago.

How do y'all go through this process? What should my order of operations be if I can't do everything up front? Can I do wheels/tires/lift and will that lift be enough to add bumpers down the line?

I've been researching myself to death.

Thanks.

I am a day 1 reservation holder who dumped the WT to get my 2 door built which was just delivered. Having too much time, I bought a bunch of stuff before my non sas badlands arrived...I would encourage you to get it and go drive it for a month before buying anything. In my case, I may have ended up in the same place that I am now with a bunch of parts ordered or I might not have. These broncos are all really capable and really customizable. What works for someone else may not work for you and vice versa. Just my thoughts....

 

[Fortydegnorth]

I immediately swapped non sas badlands wheels and tires on my wife’s 4 door big bend when she got it last year. Simple bolt on 33” that made it look like a bronco. i personally don’t care for the big bend wheels and I’ve ordered two now. My ordered 2 door will have a set of bilstein 5100’s that can easily make room for Sasquatch take-offs. That is my current plan, unless my Wildtrack take-offs sell, then I’ll do aftermarket wheels and tires. Don’t overthink it. find a modular bumper, someone’s take off wheels and tires and drive it. The look changes instantly with little effort and the capability is more than most need. First picture shows the big bend in the front and badlands in the rear. Simple change. Speedo basically the same and it looks more like a bronco.

 

[jarod7736]

I think y'all are right. I'll start with wheels/tires and suspension. (I won't order anything until after I take delivery and put some miles on)

I forgot to mention I also have the 3.73 rear, so maybe it's just best I go with the 33"s.

 

[helifino16]

I've advised several people to stick to what they want and don't compromise just to get it quicker. I had a long wait through several 'constrained' options, but ended up with exactly what I wanted. There's a BIG difference walking out to the Garage and absolutely loving everything about your Bronco and having something you compromised on mock you every time you get in it.

There's a LOAD of people with soft tops shopping for a Hard Top now and regretting waiting a few more weeks to get one for a few hundred dollars on their order. Similarly, there are people who thought they'd just add a $100 hitch mount but are left wondering just how to get the plug-in wiring harness for lights and brake module to complete the Towing option they could have gotten.

It's good that you'll have your Big Bend soon, I just hope you don't end up breaking the bank trying to get it to the SAS'd Black Diamond you originally wanted. Best of Luck and Congrats.

 

[EBroncoB]

I immediately swapped non sas badlands wheels and tires on my wife’s 4 door big bend when she got it last year. Simple bolt on 33” that made it look like a bronco. i personally don’t care for the big bend wheels and I’ve ordered two now. My ordered 2 door will have a set of bilstein 5100’s that can easily make room for Sasquatch take-offs. That is my current plan, unless my Wildtrack take-offs sell, then I’ll do aftermarket wheels and tires. Don’t overthink it. find a modular bumper, someone’s take off wheels and tires and drive it. The look changes instantly with little effort and the capability is more than most need. First picture shows the big bend in the front and badlands in the rear. Simple change. Speedo basically the same and it looks more like a bronco.

Any lift or level on this? Any difference in ride or MPG? Thinking of doing the same for my daily driver

 

[Fortydegnorth]

Any lift or level on this? Any difference in ride or MPG? Thinking of doing the same for my daily driver

Nope, just bolted them on. Mileage may have changed slightly, but with 4.27 gears, she still gets 19-20mpg with the badlands take off wheels and tires.

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