New Build Advice: Locker vs V6

[Nate Train]

True... here is a video of what a base, no-lockers, on 35's can be expected to do.



His previous video about putting 35's on there was pretty good. This is with an unmodified stock suspension, 3.73 gears, and it will rub slightly at full flex up because the suspension stops do not limit the upward travel enough at full flex.

That video brings up another question about skid plates. I gather that the stock "skid plate" on the Base and BB are plastic. You can upgrade to "steel bash plates," while Black Diamond comes with "full vehicle steel bash plates." Is it safe to assume upgrading Base/BB to "steel bash plates" will not cover as much as what comes with Black Diamond?

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[KirchTX]

I was BD, 2.7, Sas after doing the Off Rodeo and now that I'm offered $2500 to drop Sas and pricing out wheels, tires, suspension lift... I'm seeing sasquatch is an absolute steal. I wasn't a fan of the sas wheels but I found out you can just powder coat the rings and effectively turn them into wildtrak wheels.

Here's what you should do. Build one exaclty how you like and it's going to take probably 2 years to get it. In the meantime find a Big Bend that works for you and just buy it. You can always bail on your order or trade in the big bend. Either way putting in an order now you won't see it for a very long time. I reserved in Oct 2020 and I'm still waiting.

 

[Nate Train]

I was BD, 2.7, Sas after doing the Off Rodeo and now that I'm offered $2500 to drop Sas and pricing out wheels, tires, suspension lift... I'm seeing sasquatch is an absolute steal. I wasn't a fan of the sas wheels but I found out you can just powder coat the rings and effectively turn them into wildtrak wheels.

Here's what you should do. Build one exaclty how you like and it's going to take probably 2 years to get it. In the meantime find a Big Bend that works for you and just buy it. You can always bail on your order or trade in the big bend. Either way putting in an order now you won't see it for a very long time. I reserved in Oct 2020 and I'm still waiting.

Damn, that's a bummer that you would have to wait that long. Hopefully they can get it going for you before too long.

My dealer is telling me that with the very few options/additions I've included, I shouldn't have to wait as long as you have. I might be one of the only people out there who is actually okay waiting a bit, since I'm trying to save more money in order to just buy it outright and avoid the payment.

 

[mpeugeot]

That video brings up another question about skid plates. I gather that the stock "skid plate" on the Base and BB are plastic. You can upgrade to "steel bash plates," while Black Diamond comes with "full vehicle steel bash plates." Is it safe to assume upgrading Base/BB to "steel bash plates" will not cover as much as what comes with Black Diamond?

Yes, but all two doors have a full metal gas skid plate, regardless of trim. The Rough Country hidden winch mount and the Rough Country shackles are a nice bash plate and standard bumper upgrade for not a lot of money.

That set me back about $440 total and provided good recover points mounted to the frame and a nice steel front bash plate. The hidden winch mount was $309 and the shackle mounts were $129 (iirc).

Basically, I need the engine skid plate (factory was plastic) and the transfer case skid plate (no protection at all) now.

 

[indio22]

My two cents , I am not an off roader, but just went on our first trip for some light off roading and we had a blast !
With that being said, I have a 21 Base ,2.3 , Non Sas, 2 inch lift kit, and 35s, no lockers , no sway bar disconnect.
With none of those options, this rig still went through areas where I never thought it could.
It was pleasantly surprised.

I don't plan on doing any hardcore rock crawling, but some light adventures with the family and friends.

You'd be very surprised what your Base bronco can do.

Right on. All the Bronco versions can be used for fun off-roading. Although as mentioned, I'd bump the base tires up in size, and add some bash plates where needed. It's the driver not the vehicle config, that will allow or prevent off-roading.

For anyone new to off-roading, and wondering what you can do without lockers and the other extras, checkout the trail report link (not my video) below for an idea.

The video shows one of my favorite trails (first trail I ever ran in Colorado), that I ran many times, driving my CJ-7 and CJ-5 with open diffs and 31" tires. In fact my CJs were arguably less well equipped than a base Bronco (less power, worse crawl ratios, some questionable strength components Jeep was known for at the time).

 

[Butzy]

The 2.3 is a very powerful engine pushing out 300 hp on premium. That's twice as much as my 2.4L wrangler.......you don't need the 2.7 to wheel and you'll save some weight with the 2.3. I'd do lockers all day and you can also get your manual transmission and scratch that itch as well.

 

[Butzy]

Keep in mind that Ford sells the 4.46 locking rear for 2500 which can be added later if desired. Same ratio that would come on the base and black diamond manual.

 

[indio22]

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.

I attended a Ford event (not an off-roadeo) and test drove a 2-door manual Badlands at an off-road park. There were several pre-determine locations on the course, where the Ford guy sitting in the passenger seat had me drive unlocked, told me to stop and essentially get "stuck", and then showed how switching the lockers on would help me get "unstuck".

And it was true, switching the lockers on got me going again. But the thing is, I would have never driven that way on a trail, foolishly stopping at the worst time at the wrong spot of a trail. And if for some reason I had done that, I could have still gotten going again without the lockers, by backing up a bit or whatever and using some maneuver.

I guess my point is there are some trails where lockers are for sure a great idea, while other times they are more a nice to have, and some really not much needed. So the future owner should give it some thought and purchase accordingly.

 

[indio22]

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!

Based on your experience with the 35" tires, manual trans and 4.46 diff, I wonder about the Sas version with 4.7 gearing. The 4.46 jump to Sas 4.7 isn't much of a change. I think at highway speed in top gear there is maybe a 150rpm difference between the two diffs (don't quote me on that, I had ran the calculation a while back, but don't recall exactly).

If you are finding issues with 35" and 4.46, I imagine Sas with 4.7 might have similar issues? The manual trans diff gearing has puzzled me for a while. Because the base comes with 30" tires, which seem rather small for 4.46 diffs. And bumping up to Sas and 35" tires only bumps the diffs mildly to 4.7.

 

[Calm horse]

Wait it out! Save more money and get what you desire! Don't settle!

 

[Nate Train]

Wait it out! Save more money and get what you desire! Don't settle!

But....I want it NOW!

Actually, that's sound advice, and I'm totally fine with waiting. I think, ultimately, I want a versatile vehicle that can do several things fairly well.

 

[Calm horse]

But....I want it NOW!

Actually, that's sound advice, and I'm totally fine with waiting. I think, ultimately, I want a versatile vehicle that can do several things fairly well.

I originally wanted base squatch...but heated seats was a must...cost me thousands more but I love it

 

[2100]

Definitely 2 door. Auto vs manual was strictly based on engine option. If it's the I4, I was staying with the manual. I'd like the advanced 4x4 but not the Sasquatch. Guess I'm doing without advanced 4x4.

4dr BD 2.3 manual owner here, just adding my $0.02 to say you won't be disappointed in the 2.3 manual. Like others I'd see if you can swing te advanced 4x4

 

[‘21OBX]

Just sold out ‘21 with v6 and kept the 2.3 4 cyl. Get the locker it gives you 4.27 gearing and no FAD(front axle disconnect) that I’ve seen fail on a few occasions. The 2.3 has plenty of power and I actually find it more fun to drive around town. The only place I could really tell the difference in motors is sound and freeway merging or passing. As mentioned base Sasquatch is the best value out there for off roading but if it’s not in the cards go BB with locker.

 

[Nate Train]

Thanks for all the tips. I ended up just spending a little extra for my original idea: 2 door Black Diamond, if anyone was curious.

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