Keep 2021 vs 2026 upgrade

[96GreenBronco]

Hi all, I know we aren't sure yet what, if any, significant changes are coming for 2026. Based on the 60th anniversary package they previewed it doesn't look like much is changing from 2025.

I'm at the point where I can start doing some serious upgrades to my 1st day order 2021 Non-Sas Badlands, but I'm always wondering if I should wait and see if I should trade in on a 2026 and upgrade that when funding recovers.

Question for the forum; are there are any major quality or upgrade issues from early 2021 MY I am overlooking that have been addressed since then in terms of reliability/upgrades?

List of 2021 issues I know about:

-Mic Top Defects: I have a MIC 2.0 with just one minor delamination so far that looks like it could be glued back together (Ford Warranty Expired), I'm thinking of painting whole top with bedliner or something else if I keep
-I seem to have dodged the manual transmission noise issue so far (35K miles atm)
-Early Gen Steering Rack; according to Ford Performance, Hoss 3.0 steering rack should be available in 2026 for non-Sas Badlands
-Hoss 2.0 Shocks; These are being "addressed" by ford but I would upgrade when I do the steering rack
-Rear Sway Bar Mounts: I see there are no rear-sway bar brackets for me to add one on my frame, not sure yet if there is another solution

Overall, a new build to same spec would be closing in on 70K with all the upgrades, it's hard to justify that just to get a newer truck, especially since Ford probably won't offer an orange color I like.

Thoughts?

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[Brian_B]

I think you hit the high points

‘23 got Subwoofer standard
‘24 got 12” sync by default and rear cup holders - badlands got heavy duty steering
‘25 got Digital instrument cluster and the improved 2.3 with dual injection
‘26 may move the front grab bars, and may move from Sync 4 to the Android system - but nothing confirmed yet


Umm I can’t think of anything else - not really anything major that couldn’t be done aftermarket

 

[96GreenBronco]

I think you hit the high points

‘23 got Subwoofer standard
‘24 got 12” sync by default and rear cup holders - badlands got heavy duty steering
‘25 got Digital instrument cluster and the improved 2.3 with dual injection
‘26 may move the front grab bars, and may move from Sync 4 to the Android system - but nothing confirmed yet


Umm I can’t think of anything else - not really anything major that couldn’t be done aftermarket

I should have added, I did the High package at the last min, which gave me the 12" screen and trail cams, I'm glad I did. I'd like leather seats but I have kids so the carpet floor is a minus for me. that digital cluster looks good esp. since the original cluster speedometer is useless and should be a tach

 

[Ninjak]

I have a 21 Badlands and I will be holding on to it. I have fallen waaaaay down the rabbit hole, and honestly, I'm ok with it. I have done many mods to make it my own, also I have not seen anything from the newer models that would make me want to buy it. That includes a Braptor.

From how things have shaken out, I can upgrade a component if something comes along, and that is better than acquiring a new car payment.

 

[DrewBronc21]

I was an early reservation holder and have a 21 Self Squatch 2Dr 7MT Badlands. $46k MSRP. I think same spec is like $8k more now .

There is no 6G Bronco I would want more. It fits exactly what a Bronco should be to me…. Removable top and doors, 2 doors and a manual with some off road goodies.

 

[Brian_B]

I have a 21 Badlands and I will be holding on to it. I have fallen waaaaay down the rabbit hole, and honestly, I'm ok with it. I have done many mods to make it my own, also I have not seen anything from the newer models that would make me want to buy it. That includes a Braptor.

From how things have shaken out, I can upgrade a component if something comes along, and that is better than acquiring a new car payment.

Same boat for me with a MY23. The only thing that would make me reconsider would be a 5.0 option with a manual. Which I don’t think is coming

 

[96GreenBronco]

Same boat for me with a MY23. The only thing that would make me reconsider would be a 5.0 option with a manual. Which I don’t think is coming

I told my wife the exact same thing about the V8 in manual; all bets are off it's getting ordered

 

[96GreenBronco]

I was an early reservation holder and have a 21 Self Squatch 2Dr 7MT Badlands. $46k MSRP. I think same spec is like $8k more now .

There is no 6G Bronco I would want more. It fits exactly what a Bronco should be to me…. Removable top and doors, 2 doors and a manual with some off road goodies.

My heart is team 2-door, but I have 3 kids so I'd never get to use it if I hadn't gone 4-dr.

 

[96GreenBronco]

I have a 21 Badlands and I will be holding on to it. I have fallen waaaaay down the rabbit hole, and honestly, I'm ok with it. I have done many mods to make it my own, also I have not seen anything from the newer models that would make me want to buy it. That includes a Braptor.

From how things have shaken out, I can upgrade a component if something comes along, and that is better than acquiring a new car payment.

I hear you, I am trying to make an informed decision before going down said rabbit hole. Your list of upgrades looks sick, do you have a build thread or pics?

 

[Ninjak]

I hear you, I am trying to make an informed decision before going down said rabbit hole. Your list of upgrades looks sick, do you have a build thread or pics?

Thanks!

I never put together a "build" thread. I do have pics of the upgrades when I did them over the time of my Bronco.

I guess one day I will put a build thread together.

 

[coadr]

Honestly I feel like if you haven't had any reliability issues it isn't worth upgrading. I reprice my spec every year and my $56k Badlands is now $72k which is just insane.

The other thing is you can slowly upgrade your existing vehicle with the parts from later model years pretty easily. Obviously there's a cost associated with that, but it's a lot less than a new ~$30k note at 5+% interest

 

[thesocalexplorer]

Same as many on here, the only thing that would sway me is a MT+5.0 v8 option.

Even then, I would probably keep my 2022 just because it's been so fun and I got it at the "grandfathered" 2021 pricing. Just recently wheeled it through some 105*F high desert trails and it didn't skip a beat.

 

[VirginiaHeritage]

What are the odds it’s a new 2.7 in 2026?

They already redid the 2.3, so…

 

[Nc211]

[QUOTE="Ninjak, post: 2616834, member: 34180"

From how things have shaken out, I can upgrade a component if something comes along, and that is better than acquiring a new car payment.
[/QUOTE]

Smart move! One of the aspects of the Bronco that I like, is that the older they get, the cooler they become, especially when they're paid for and you're out of warranty, opening the door to do whatever the heck you'd like to it.

My advice, if the Bronco is starting to feel a little stale, and is paid for, don't buy a new one, just buy something entirely different and keep the Bronco. Buy a sedan, or a sports car, or something like that and switch back and forth. For one, it'll split the miles and make the cars last longer.

It doesn't matter what you have. A 911 turbo, or a Camry. If you drive it every single day year in/year out, eventually you get that "itch" for something new. But instead of throwing yourself down the $70k rabbit hole to scratch it, buy something used/fun for like $20k instead and enjoy both.

 

[King63]

Hi all, I know we aren't sure yet what, if any, significant changes are coming for 2026. Based on the 60th anniversary package they previewed it doesn't look like much is changing from 2025.

I'm at the point where I can start doing some serious upgrades to my 1st day order 2021 Non-Sas Badlands, but I'm always wondering if I should wait and see if I should trade in on a 2026 and upgrade that when funding recovers.

Question for the forum; are there are any major quality or upgrade issues from early 2021 MY I am overlooking that have been addressed since then in terms of reliability/upgrades?

List of 2021 issues I know about:

-Mic Top Defects: I have a MIC 2.0 with just one minor delamination so far that looks like it could be glued back together (Ford Warranty Expired), I'm thinking of painting whole top with bedliner or something else if I keep
-I seem to have dodged the manual transmission noise issue so far (35K miles atm)
-Early Gen Steering Rack; according to Ford Performance, Hoss 3.0 steering rack should be available in 2026 for non-Sas Badlands
-Hoss 2.0 Shocks; These are being "addressed" by ford but I would upgrade when I do the steering rack
-Rear Sway Bar Mounts: I see there are no rear-sway bar brackets for me to add one on my frame, not sure yet if there is another solution

Overall, a new build to same spec would be closing in on 70K with all the upgrades, it's hard to justify that just to get a newer truck, especially since Ford probably won't offer an orange color I like.

Thoughts?

I think since there isn't likely to be more than cosmetic upgrades to the 2026's, you could save yourself some money and look at getting a 2025 instead, which you could "spec" now the way you like it and then look for one on a lot that the dealer is closing out as the 2026's come in.

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