Guidance needed--possibly changing order

[88to21bronco]

I have ordered a 4-dr BB with mid package, aux switches, rear locker in Cactus gray (June 22 reservation). I'm rrreeeaaalllyyy thinking I may eventually need the front locker, which would mean either a. Adding $5000 squatch to my BB, or b. Going down to a Basesquatch for same $$ I'm spending now. I would lose my color choice and 110 converter. I can do all other squatch mods AM, but I'm worried about $$ to properly install AM front locker.

If I end up as a MY22, I may make the switch and hope for more Base colors. Thoughts?

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[Mattwings]

If you "need" a front locker, I am assuming you will be seeing some heavy duty use. In my opinion SQ is a "no brainer" because you get the more stout front axle. Ford doesn't offer a locker in the 190 axle and also doesn't offer anything larger than a 32" tire with that axle. 35' tire, lighter axle+ locker=durability issues. It's not just the gears and half shafts either, it adds a cast iron vs. aluminum housing. Hard do all of that in the aftermarket at a similar price, even if you do your own wrenching.

 

[Cappy]

I have 4-dr BB with mid package, aux switches, rear locker in Cactus gray. I'm rrreeeaaalllyyy thinking I may eventually need the front locker, which would mean either a. Adding $5000 squatch to my BB, or b. Going down to a Basesquatch for same $$ I'm spending now. I would lose my color choice and 110 converter. I can do all other squatch mods AM, but I'm worried about $$ to properly install AM front locker.

If I end up as a MY22, I may make the switch and hope for more Base colors. Thoughts?

The thing that would sway me in one direction versus the other is factory installation and warranty on the lockers. I'd take a look at what you're getting for that $5000 (I thought it was closer to $5800) versus how much it would cost you to install.

You're getting bigger tires, beadlock capable wheels, upgraded suspension, extra ride height, an extra hero switch on the dash, gears and something I'm probably forgetting.

Cost estimates on DIY or AM lockers range wildly for IFS systems, but you could easily spend $4000 ensuring you got a professionally installed, warrantied, high quality locker from the AM.

If you're saying your practical use case is at some point going to require a locker, then I'd just get it straight from the factory and not worry about it any longer. Just my $.02.

 

[Dads_bronze_bronco]

You should Squatch - as others have pointed out, for the front axle. you’ll have to decide on model costs to you.

I can go find my post on how I added a 110 inverter to my JK if you decide to Basesquatch.

 

[BlueBronco]

You need to ask yourself what your true off-road usage will be. I have taken my JKU on plenty of trails and over rocks with 4wheel drive, 35's and a rear locker.

 

[88to21bronco]

If you "need" a front locker...

You need to ask yourself what your true off-road usage will be. I have taken my JKU on plenty of trails and over rocks with 4wheel drive, 35's and a rear locker.

See, this is the question. While not completely new to outdoor recreation, I have never been a true "offroader." But my oldest son is 15 and I would love to get into it. It's hard to know what I will "need" since I can't foresee what I'll be doing.

So the real question is: for what percentage of the average trail will I need a front locker? And if I upgrade tires/suspension, how quickly would I stress the SD front end?

 

[indio22]

If you "need" a front locker, I am assuming you will be seeing some heavy duty use. In my opinion SQ is a "no brainer" because you get the more stout front axle. Ford doesn't offer a locker in the 190 axle and also doesn't offer anything larger than a 32" tire with that axle. 35' tire, lighter axle+ locker=durability issues. It's not just the gears and half shafts either, it adds a cast iron vs. aluminum housing. Hard do all of that in the aftermarket at a similar price, even if you do your own wrenching.

Good points. And I wonder what is the overall strength of the lighter duty Bronco front 190 axle assembly, compared to other front axle assemblies of the past. I wheeled for many years with mediocre Dana 25 and 30 front axles in my Jeeps. But those were live axles, so I'm not sure how the Bronco IFS 190 would compare in terms of overall strength and likelihood of issues with larger tires and such.

 

[88to21bronco]

You should Squatch - as others have pointed out, for the front axle. you’ll have to decide on model costs to you.

I can go find my post on how I added a 110 inverter to my JK if you decide to Basesquatch.

I'm leaning this direction. I've done research on converters/solar/aux battery systems. Seems straightforward enough.

EDIT: inverters I know... I get confused between the two when talking RV's too.

Also...any idea if they will introduce new colors to the Base? I'm really not feeling the pallette right now.

 

[Wide Open Roads]

Lots of good advice here regarding the functional pieces of your quandary. As for color, if you decide to go Base, think about getting white, and having a body shop apply a wide Cactus Gray stripe down the side. It could be a very cool vintage look, if that suits your tastes. I considered Base at first with that color treatment in mind.

 

[88to21bronco]

Lots of good advice here regarding the functional pieces of your quandary. As for color, if you decide to go Base, think about getting white, and having a body shop apply a wide Cactus Gray stripe down the side. It could be a very cool vintage look, if that suits your tastes. I considered Base at first with that color treatment in mind.

Hmmm... the wife--who is not totally on board but is allowing me to chase my Bronco dream--liked the stripes on the 4wp mod Bronco. Might be something to consider.

 

[88to21bronco]

BTW...thanks all for not saying, "What does $5000 matter? It's just x amount extra per month." That doesn't apply when I'm trying to pay "straight cash homie" lol.

 

[Nickp]

Good points. And I wonder what is the overall strength of the lighter duty Bronco front 190 axle assembly, compared to other front axle assemblies of the past. I wheeled for many years with mediocre Dana 25 and 30 front axles in my Jeeps. But those were live axles, so I'm not sure how the Bronco IFS 190 would compare in terms of overall strength and likelihood of issues with larger tires and such.

The 190 diff is used in the Colorado ZR2 with 32’s and military version (ISV or something?) with 35’s. I wouldn’t push it past 35’s or do insane wheeling with it but locking it aftermarket would be silly. If the rear locker+brake lock diff up front doesn’t get you where you need to go... Sasquatch is a no brainer.

You should Squatch - as others have pointed out, for the front axle. you’ll have to decide on model costs to you.

I can go find my post on how I added a 110 inverter to my JK if you decide to Basesquatch.

I’d love to read about this. I don’t need an inverter (all I’ll probably end up with is one of those electric coolers... I hate soggy camping food) but it would be nice to have just for coffee lol. Not gonna lie.

 

[Mattwings]

Good points. And I wonder what is the overall strength of the lighter duty Bronco front 190 axle assembly, compared to other front axle assemblies of the past. I wheeled for many years with mediocre Dana 25 and 30 front axles in my Jeeps. But those were live axles, so I'm not sure how the Bronco IFS 190 would compare in terms of overall strength and likelihood of issues with larger tires and such.

My understanding is it is similar to the Dana 30. 33" tires open diff is probably fine without a ham fisted driver. Manufacturers are understandably conservative, because they have to warranty their products. Other interesting change, even the base 2.3 has way more toque and HP than my LJ with a Dana 30 front, 44 rear.

 

[HBTFD]

The half shaft is going to be the weak link on either SAS or nonSAS. I’m not sure if the half shafts are different. If your going to get into “serious” off-roading I would suggest getting a 10-15k jeep vs a brand new 50k bronco.

 

[stampede1]

Hmmm... the wife--who is not totally on board but is allowing me to chase my Bronco dream--liked the stripes on the 4wp mod Bronco. Might be something to consider.

Should not cost an arm and a leg but will have the advantage of making your bronco a real stand out as unique.

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