New Build Advice: Locker vs V6

[RagnarKon]

Well, damn. Now I'm starting to lean back toward Black Diamond. Haha

Not that this will help your decision in anyway... but I have a Badlands (manual trans, with Adv 4x4). I live in New England so we definitely get all four seasons, including plenty of snow. I have never once used 4-Auto. So I personally would consider Advanced 4x4 optional. And if you are getting a manual transmission, a Big Bend with locker and standard Black Diamond are identical mechanically.

So if you are avoiding a car payment (which is incredibly smart right now given interest rates), I personally don't see any reason to go Black Diamond unless you really feel like you want that Adv 4x4 transfer case upgrade.

The hardest part is knowing when to stop. I personally budgeted $40,000 for a Bronco, and that grew to $47,500. Granted a big reason why it grew is because my build was delayed for so long that I could continue saving money. But there was also a huge lack of will power on my part to tell myself "STOP ADDING STUFF".

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[Nate Train]

Not that this will help your decision in anyway... but I have a Badlands (manual trans, with Adv 4x4). I live in New England so we definitely get all four seasons, including plenty of snow. I have never once used 4-Auto. So I personally would consider Advanced 4x4 optional. And if you are getting a manual transmission, a Big Bend with locker and standard Black Diamond are identical mechanically.

So if you are avoiding a car payment (which is incredibly smart right now given interest rates), I personally don't see any reason to go Black Diamond unless you really feel like you want that Adv 4x4 transfer case upgrade.

The hardest part is knowing when to stop. I personally budgeted $40,000 for a Bronco, and that grew to $47,500. Granted a big reason why it grew is because my build was delayed for so long that I could continue saving money. But there was also a huge lack of will power on my part to tell myself "STOP ADDING STUFF".

Oh, the urge is there. It would be a different build for sure if money wasn't an issue.

 

[mpeugeot]

With that 10 speed automatic and a torque coverter, the gears are never an issue unless you are running 37's or larger.

With the manual transmission, the gears really are not an issue either, because (unless I am mistaken) all manual transmission Broncos come with either 4.46:1 or 4.70:1 gears. My math says that is a 5% difference between the two.

So at 2000 RPM in 4L with the adv 4x4 with the 4.70 gear on 33's, you will be going 2.01 MPH. At 2000 RPM in 4L with the adv 4x4 with the 4.46 gear on 33's, you will be going 2.12 MPH. If you are running 35's at 2000 rpm with the 4.70 gears, you will be screaming at 2.13 mph and if you have 4.46 gears, you will be ripping away at 2.25 MPH.

The difference between the 4.46 and the 4.70 is nothing but marketing. I mean seriously, can you tell the difference at idle between 0.50 MPH (33"/4.70) and 0.56 MPH (35"/4.46)?

 

[Mattwings]

I will weigh in one more time. New to Off Road, looking for bang for your buck 2.3 rear locker is the best bang for your buck. 4A transfer case is th next best option. After that, go Badlands for front 210 axle and stay bar disconnect. Everything else, other than SQ (depending on model) is window dressing ( nothing wrong with that I am high package, 2.7 Badlands non-squatch).

 

[BigBendBW]

Hi Everyone,

I will be ordering my Bronco when the banks reopen in March, and I'm waffling back and forth between a few different options. I'm trying to keep my price on the lower end, so I'm somewhat limited in what I can do.

Basically, this is where I'm sitting. I can either order a Base with a V6 and no lockers or a Big Bend with an I4 and lockers. The price difference is relatively small for me.

I'm not currently a big off roader, but the point of buying a Bronco is to do some off roading. Since I'm an amateur, I'll start small and build my way up to more difficult stuff. I've always wanted to get into it. I don't know if I'll ever get to the point where I'm doing serious rock crawling, but I want to be able to get myself out of trouble if I run into problems.

I've read a bunch about lockers on the threads here and they really seem desirable. It also seems, based on what I've read, that the V6 is really nice to have. I haven't seen a post yet asking this exact question, though: If have a choice between getting a V6 OR the rear locking differential, which is preferable?

Apologies if this has been done to death, but I just haven't seen it in all my reading.

The 2.3 is a great engine and I have the Ford Performance tune and it’s fantastic. I agree with others, the Basesquatch is an awesome way to go and most bang for your buck. That’s what I need up with and it’s great, I don’t need the extra stuff that some higher trims come with interior wise.

 

[orion]

Dude, Base Manual Sasquatch! It doesn't get any better than that at that price point!

 

[Broncobama]

Lots of people suggesting Base w/ Sasquatch but I’m under the impression that you won’t be able to order Sasquatch if/when the banks open up. Might have a chance if you already had an order that wasn’t built in 22, but even those people are being pressured by ford to drop sas. Am I missing something? If OP orders a base sas in March and gets delivered this year there will be a lot of angry people here.

 

[NVCowboy]

I'm confused. Are we still discussing Sasquatch like it's a thing? I thought it was on the list of things not to order . . . or else never see a Bronco till '24.

Big Bend locker is a good choice with better tires. Black Diamond 2.3 is a good choice (because skid plates, but they can be added) What interior do you like; i actually like my BIg Bend interior. Steelies are badass, so we're back to BD. Money is a thing though, so get nicer tires on a base base and go have some fun. Big Bend 'll probably get built sooner. I'm sure 2.3 on a 2D is plenty.

Lots of considerations, but having a Bronco is half the battle.

 

[JerryC]

With that 10 speed automatic and a torque coverter, the gears are never an issue unless you are running 37's or larger.

With the manual transmission, the gears really are not an issue either, because (unless I am mistaken) all manual transmission Broncos come with either 4.46:1 or 4.70:1 gears. My math says that is a 5% difference between the two.

So at 2000 RPM in 4L with the adv 4x4 with the 4.70 gear on 33's, you will be going 2.01 MPH. At 2000 RPM in 4L with the adv 4x4 with the 4.46 gear on 33's, you will be going 2.12 MPH. If you are running 35's at 2000 rpm with the 4.70 gears, you will be screaming at 2.13 mph and if you have 4.46 gears, you will be ripping away at 2.25 MPH.

The difference between the 4.46 and the 4.70 is nothing but marketing. I mean seriously, can you tell the difference at idle between 0.50 MPH (33"/4.70) and 0.56 MPH (35"/4.46)?

All good points.

Lower gears do three other things I can think of off the top.
Increase acelleration especially from a stop or low speed.
Increase vehicle control through the throttle. Again noticeably at low speed.
Decrease stress on the engine and trans under certain types of load.

IMHO, as long as I have enough gearing in the Trans to allow highway cruising at low rpms, I'll take the lower gears.

For the OP, not an easy choice but for me 4cyl and locker.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Having only read page 1, I really like these replys :

If you have a heavy foot, then V6 might be the way to go. In that case you will get a real benefit, every time you drive the vehicle and hit the throttle.

I like Indios reasoning and similar was mentioned earlier also .... but that being said, my preference was for the lockers ... UNTIL ...
you mentioned winter driving.

Then mpeugeot wrote this beauty...

I respect your choice, but given what you are saying and especially when you are looking at a winter vehicle, think carefully about forgoing the advanced 4x4 transfer case.

From initial reports, the advanced 4x4 transfer case is stronger and more durable than the standard transfer case. It also allows full time 4A which is a big deal in the winter.

Now I'll spend even more of your money.
Depending on your winter weather needs, this would be my priority (now that I have driven a part time 4x4 through two winters)

1. dedicated winter tires like Blizzaks
2. full time 4A
3. lockers

Tires --- Dedicated winters if your area justifies them. 1st priority.
Not the happiest with my Toyo OC AT3 tires performance in winter hard pack snow and ice or even just wet roads on colder days. The rubber simply does not engage the road surface. They do roll out very smoothly , even at speed.
NO AT (or worse Mud T) are even comparable to winters for your daily winter driving.

full time 4A --- I've been spoiled by the sheer competence of our Subarus on Blizzaks or X-ices. Best performing winter vehicles I've had yet.
I feel like trying to achieve that level of AWD would be the second step after good winter tire set up.

Lockers --- would be a nice option to have especially with my shit tires. The bitch is, the factory lockers disengage at 25mph. I'm not sure if any of the computer nannies will re-engage them at speeds over 25???
... and really, having one do that at the wrong moment could be disastrous.
So last priority, lockers, factory or aftermarket.

So, my next Bronco wll be a Badlands so that 2 and 3 are taken care of at the factory.
I have been buying aftermarket winter wheels/tires for years now, so that is an expected expense for me for just about any vehicle I would buy. Actually, I buy cool summer wheels and mount the factory tires and run the factory wheels with the winter tires.
win win with quality wheels/tires year 'round.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

All good points.

Lower gears do three other things I can think of of the top.
Increase acelleration especially from a stop or low speed.
Increase vehicle control through the throttle. Again noticeably at low speed.
Decrease stress on the engine and trans under certain types of load.

IMHO, as long as I have enough gearing in the Trans to allow highway cruising at low rpms, I'll take the lower gears.

For the OP, not an easy choice but for me 4cyl and locker.

I have the 4.46 manual and 35's ... driveable, but not "ideal".
6th gear is completely useless, it drives the boost numbers way up and fuel mileage goes straight into the shitter.
I now run 78/80 mph in 5th gear @2700rpm and it likes it there. As far as I can tell, I may have actually improved my fuel mileage, which even I cannot believe.
I, and others that have done it, TYPICALLY agree that 33" tires would probably be the best/tallest size for the 4.46. The Base 30" was too small for the 4.46 ... IN MY OPINION.
It drove almost like a manual Super Duty with a granny gear... not even talking about the Crawler gear!

 

[Mpatient1]

the simple original question of V6 or locker, I'd say locker. Thinking the 4 cyl with locker will more often be able to get you out of a sticky situation than 6 cyl without. I have a BD w/2.3 and personally I love it, I don't get people that act like it's so underpowered they are afraid it's going to get them killed trying to merge into traffic Mine's my DD and I run in ECO 95% of the time and never had a concern with power, if you need to put your foot in it it will still go. And there's always Sport mode

My wants were rear locker min, and washout floors. If only I could have added those two items to the base I would have been stoked... and about $5k ahead lol. But alas Fords trims and options had me ranging from base² up to Badlands w/Lux the build creep is real with these buggies lol.

 

[Nate Train]

You don't need lockers to go off-road though. And certainly not a front locker for many people. Nor are huge tires necessarily needed, depends on the terrain. Probably a Base swapped to 32/33 inch tires is plenty for a decent number of folks off-road. Might want to also add some skid plate protection, depending on how the vehicle is equipped.

Maybe the ease these days of ordering all the goodies stock with a vehicle, has changed perception of what is actually needed for off-road? For years people have been wheeling without all that stuff.

Consider before front e-lockers, putting a locker in the front end was typically not a common thing due to the negative consequences, and yet people were still off-roading all over the place.

This is kind of what I've been wondering with all the Sasquatch comments. I mean, sure it would be nice to have and would get me more places, but my '02 Ranger FX4 has gotten me up some pretty sketchy spider trails and through some muddy situations. And I know that thing isn't a serious off road vehicle.

It also sounds like Sasquatch is going to be hard to get and that I can make a lot happen with the BB I4 and rear locker.

 

[Beachin 74]

I have the 2.7 and the rear locker on our Outerbanks.
If I had to go with only one I would choose the rear locker. The added bonus of the 4.27 gears are better suited for larger tires/wheels later.

 

[MadMan4BamaNATL]

Hi Everyone,

I will be ordering my Bronco when the banks reopen in March, and I'm waffling back and forth between a few different options. I'm trying to keep my price on the lower end, so I'm somewhat limited in what I can do.

Basically, this is where I'm sitting. I can either order a Base with a V6 and no lockers or a Big Bend with an I4 and lockers. The price difference is relatively small for me.

I'm not currently a big off roader, but the point of buying a Bronco is to do some off roading. Since I'm an amateur, I'll start small and build my way up to more difficult stuff. I've always wanted to get into it. I don't know if I'll ever get to the point where I'm doing serious rock crawling, but I want to be able to get myself out of trouble if I run into problems.

I've read a bunch about lockers on the threads here and they really seem desirable. It also seems, based on what I've read, that the V6 is really nice to have. I haven't seen a post yet asking this exact question, though: If have a choice between getting a V6 OR the rear locking differential, which is preferable?

Apologies if this has been done to death, but I just haven't seen it in all my reading.

You have no reason to apologize for anything. Only way you’ll learn is to ask and that’s how all of us got to where we are, so even if others have asked, this is your experience, so let’s share some prospective to help get you outside and into the woods which you’ll enjoy to no end.

Know I”m late to this party and many have shared some insights with you, so I’ll do the same, so mileage will vary; piece together what you will from it all.

So, to your question, the lockers on the Bronco are pretty good, they’re electronic and engage on demand. Any time you’re on loose soil and traction is lost, a rear locker can get you unstuck unless you’re talking deep mud. My vote is to move up to the Big Bend, keep the 2.3 (which is a great engine), and get the rear locker.

What I’m not sure about is the difficulty and cost of trying to add a front locker later on, but a front locker should only be used in rare and really bad situations, since turning with front lockers engaged isn’t the best idea and only for off road usage.

I have the 2.7 in my newly acquired Bronco, but don’t confuse it with anything fast or quick. It’ll do what‘s needed, but I wouldn‘t say you’re missing out on too much with the 2.3. A Bronco is heavy and brick shaped and will take its time. On a trail when stuck, accelerating or bumping over an obstacle usually ends in heartache and an expensive repair, so it’s not advised no matter what YouTubers or built up Jeeps tell you, so no, the extra horsepower and torque won’t help you much to get unstuck. Best to avoid something that looks too interesting to begin with, or use traction boards, a shovel, or a strap.

Learning to wheel is the best part, don’t rush it, don’t let your ego or peer pressure eat at you (it will and they’ll try) and you’ll have a ton of fun camping and going for rides in that beautiful state where you live and any other place that adventure calls you out to.

Welcome to the forum, best of luck, and no matter which way you go, it’ll all work itself out.

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