Differences Between Wildtrak and Badlands

[BlueBronco]

Really it comes down to the stabilizer bar disconnect and the vinyl interior. If you need/want either one of those, stick with the badlands. Otherwise, get the Wildtrak for the better suspension

Has it been 100% confirmed and in writing that a BL-Squatch (or any MY24 Sasquatch) has the upgraded steering? I remember early MY24 info eluded to it being so, and the Bronco brand manager said so in an interview back in August, but all of Ford's current posted literature and info (website and updated order guide) make no mention of the Sasquatch package receiving the upgraded steering rack and tie-rods. Where-as the same literature confirms that the WT does receive the steering upgrades. Just looking to get the issue resolved, in-writing, and put to bed, instead of relying on what someone said.

Or, we might just need to have one of the guys that recently took delivery crawl under there and take some pics.

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[Ducati1098]

Has it been 100% confirmed and in writing that a BL-Squatch (or any MY24 Sasquatch) has the upgraded steering? I remember early MY24 info eluded to it being so, and the Bronco brand manager said so in an interview back in August, but all of Ford's current posted literature and info (website and updated order guide) make no mention of the Sasquatch package receiving the upgraded steering rack and tie-rods. Where-as the same literature confirms that the WT does receive the steering upgrades. Just looking to get the issue resolved, in-writing, and put to bed, instead of relying on what someone said.

Or, we might just need to have one of the guys that recently took delivery crawl under there and take some pics.

Yeah it has already been confirmed.

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...k-on-2024-bronco-badlands.87104/#post-2131235

 

[BlueBronco]

Yeah it has already been confirmed.

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...k-on-2024-bronco-badlands.87104/#post-2131235

Perfect. That was exactly the kind of info and confirmation I was looking for. Don't know how I missed that thread.

Edit. Still doesn't make sense on why Ford doesn't promote it in their current literature.

 

[Ducati1098]

Perfect. That was exactly the kind of info and confirmation I was looking for. Don't know how I missed that thread.

Edit. Still doesn't make sense on why Ford doesn't promote it in their current literature.

Yeah I don’t understand why there isn’t more information out about it either

 

[WestlakeHorn]

Badlands has electronic sway bar disconnect, Wildtrak does not.

Wildtrak has full HOSS 3.0 system, with FOX shocks, Badlands does not.

Badlands has HOSS 2.0 with Bilstein shocks

‘24 and newer badlands has HOSS 3.0 steering rack & tie rods but not the fox shocks (this is true for all '24 and newer sasquatch in addition to non-sas and sas badlands).

No 2.3L engine or manual transmission option on Wildtrak, Wildtraks all have the 2.7L V6 with automatic transmission.

All Wildtrak have sasquatch package, it’s an option on badlands.

Badlands can have Marine Grade Vinyl or Leather Trimmed Vinyl seats.

Wildtrak only has Leather Trimmed Vinyl seats.

Wildtrak has blue interior highlights vs orange in badlands.

I’m sure there are a few other options that aren’t available on Wildtrak and vice versa for badlands.

I figured I would use the shocks everyday vs the sway bar disco once a year if I'm lucky so I went with wildtrak. If I equpipped a badlands with the same options as I ordered on my wildtrak, I think the badlands was more expensive by $800.

The only thing I couldn't get on the Wildtrak was the ford rock rails; it wouldn't let me pick those because fully optioned with "full vehicle steel bash plates" the Wildtrak is apparently too heavy. Maybe those Fox shocks just put it over the weight limit whereas the Badlands is allowed to have the rock rails.

FYI my dealer ordered the rock rails for me and installed them at the time of delivery. I could have found some aftermarket ones and installed them, but I liked the simplicity of the Ford design.

 

[timhood]

The fact that people debate this at all means Ford Marketing may have been successful in convincing people to shell out tens of thousands of dollars for features they don't use, given how seldom those features factor into the way owners intend to use their vehicles.

That's called selling a lifestyle, and good marketing teams know how to do that. A lot of people imagine themselves doing things in Broncos and Wranglers but never actually do them.

But it doesn't stop with the initial purchase. A lot of people convince themselves they need upgrades they really don't need, either.

And all of the above isn't limited to vehicles.

 

[Mjasi3]

The wildtrak may still be the only trim to give you a rear sway-bar on a 2-door.

WT only 4 door for '24

 

[Mjasi3]

Badlands has electronic sway bar disconnect, Wildtrak does not.

Wildtrak has full HOSS 3.0 system, with FOX shocks, Badlands does not.

Badlands has HOSS 2.0 with Bilstein shocks

‘24 and newer badlands has HOSS 3.0 steering rack & tie rods but not the fox shocks (this is true for all '24 and newer sasquatch in addition to non-sas and sas badlands).

No 2.3L engine or manual transmission option on Wildtrak, Wildtraks all have the 2.7L V6 with automatic transmission.

All Wildtrak have sasquatch package, it’s an option on badlands.

Badlands can have Marine Grade Vinyl or Leather Trimmed Vinyl seats.

Wildtrak only has Leather Trimmed Vinyl seats.

Wildtrak has blue interior highlights vs orange in badlands.

I’m sure there are a few other options that aren’t available on Wildtrak and vice versa for badlands.

I figured I would use the shocks everyday vs the sway bar disco once a year if I'm lucky so I went with wildtrak. If I equpipped a badlands with the same options as I ordered on my wildtrak, I think the badlands was more expensive by $800.

The only thing I couldn't get on the Wildtrak was the ford rock rails; it wouldn't let me pick those because fully optioned with "full vehicle steel bash plates" the Wildtrak is apparently too heavy. Maybe those Fox shocks just put it over the weight limit whereas the Badlands is allowed to have the rock rails.

So i'm going to put OEM rock rails on my WT. (building 3/11) Is that going to be a problem?

 

[Ducati1098]

WT only 4 door for '24

Wildtrak is available in 2 door or 4 door for MY24
Both have a rear sway bar

 

[Mjasi3]

Wildtrak is available in 2 door or 4 door for MY24
Both have a rear sway bar

sorry, i was thinking OB, was going to editd but you beat me...

 

[Herewegoagain]

Important thing to remember is SAS on a Badlands is a ripoff.

I agree! It's junk !!! It's all junk!! If I could do it over again I would have built my own SAS with real off road suspension!

 

[Sk3tchy]

I’m just here to wait for the “Wildtrak is the highest trim level (other than a Braptor)” folks to show up.

Common comment from a Badlands owner... lol

 

[604Bronco]

Common comment from a Badlands owner... lol

Common defensive comment from a Wilktrak owner

 

[userdude]

It’s a daily driver that has seen Ballarat, Barker Ranch and Mengel Pass in Death Valley, Sand Hollow State Park in Utah, Top of the World and similar trails in Moab, Jeep badge of honor trail Beasley Knob in Ga, JBOH trail Daniel and sister trail Dickie Bell in Uwharrie National Forest in North Carolina to name a few. The pic above my name is the level 8 portion of Top of the World in Moab. So when we wheel, it’s those kinds of trails. Most is lower speed crawling as opposed to high speed running. Like most, I’d say the overall percentage of miles spent in 4lo wheeling compared to total miles is low. Those places are a long and longer distance from the Florida flatlands.

Thats why I said, not having electronic sway bar disconnect is giving me pause.

Get the WT, add your own (better) sliders/skid plates and upgrade the bumpers (at least the rear, if it's not metal...), and get the Rock Jock AntiRock sway bar (this is cheaper than adding the e-disco after the fact, and will wear better, they also act as passive disconnects). Eventually RockJock will have the rear sway bar, which works with the front. However, until then you can just disconnect the rear.

Given different knowledge, I might have gone this route had I known removing the e-disco isn't easy, since the computer expects it.

 

[DaddyMuffin]

Owned a number 4WD trucks over the years, but I’m not a seasoned off roader by any means. But, I’m a quick learner, seem to have a knack for “seeing” the correct line, and can precisely maneuver a vehicle where I want it to go. Have grown to really enjoy this hobby. I’m old and live in an over 55 community. What one learns here is that life is great, until it’s not. I intend to enjoy as much of what the lower 48 has to offer while I’m still able. This year will have us wheeling in Colorado and Moab.

You’re correct, I need a Badlands exactly like the one I have.

I think that is probably right.

I was out multi day wheeling recently with a group of 6 broncos. 3 were badlands, one was obx, one was BD, one was a Braptor. The BD had been self-squatched and the main complaint that owner had was lack of sway bar disconnect.

Having disco just adds an extra get out of jail free card when the going gets tough. Enjoy your new rig.

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