New Member - Making a List & Checking It Twice

[Smokewagun]

Howdy folks. Long-time lurker here. Finally joined as I gear up to take the plunge.
My son bought a Black Diamond a little over a year ago, added a Bilstein suspension, and Fifteen 52’s, and since then, I’ve been kicked by the Bronco.
I’m finally getting ready to order a new Bronco for me and the wifey to have fun with, in early spring, or take delivery of a dealer build this fall.
I always wanted an Everglades, and as luck would have it, my buddy who owns a dealer, has one to my spec actually scheduled to be built on my birthday. But then, I have also considered building my own starting with a non-Squatch hot pepper red Black Diamond order, and outfitting it like my son. Right now, the BD comes in at $56k, and the Everglades at $59k. Not sure if I’m smart or dumb. Suspension, wheels, and tires drain at least $6k more from my wallet to slightly compare a BD to an already Squatch-equipped Everglades.
I haven’t seen one Everglades in the Midwest close to home (N. Illinois), so I wonder if it’s a red herring, or if I just live under a rock.
Any thoughts for this ‘Ol man I should consider?
Thanks in advance.

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[DriveAllNight]

Depends if you want the winch and snorkel

 

[KT_bronco]

And if you want a v6, as the everglades only comes in a 4.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Howdy folks. Long-time lurker here. Finally joined as I gear up to take the plunge.
My son bought a Black Diamond a little over a year ago, added a Bilstein suspension, and Fifteen 52’s, and since then, I’ve been kicked by the Bronco.
I’m finally getting ready to order a new Bronco for me and the wifey to have fun with, in early spring, or take delivery of a dealer build this fall.
I always wanted an Everglades, and as luck would have it, my buddy who owns a dealer, has one to my spec actually scheduled to be built on my birthday. But then, I have also considered building my own starting with a non-Squatch hot pepper red Black Diamond order, and outfitting it like my son. Right now, the BD comes in at $56k, and the Everglades at $59k. Not sure if I’m smart or dumb. Suspension, wheels, and tires drain at least $6k more from my wallet to slightly compare a BD to an already Squatch-equipped Everglades.
I haven’t seen one Everglades in the Midwest close to home (N. Illinois), so I wonder if it’s a red herring, or if I just live under a rock.
Any thoughts for this ‘Ol man I should consider?
Thanks in advance.

Welcome to the community, Bob! Can’t wait to see pictures of your Bronco later on .

 

[Aonarch]

Howdy folks. Long-time lurker here. Finally joined as I gear up to take the plunge.
My son bought a Black Diamond a little over a year ago, added a Bilstein suspension, and Fifteen 52’s, and since then, I’ve been kicked by the Bronco.
I’m finally getting ready to order a new Bronco for me and the wifey to have fun with, in early spring, or take delivery of a dealer build this fall.
I always wanted an Everglades, and as luck would have it, my buddy who owns a dealer, has one to my spec actually scheduled to be built on my birthday. But then, I have also considered building my own starting with a non-Squatch hot pepper red Black Diamond order, and outfitting it like my son. Right now, the BD comes in at $56k, and the Everglades at $59k. Not sure if I’m smart or dumb. Suspension, wheels, and tires drain at least $6k more from my wallet to slightly compare a BD to an already Squatch-equipped Everglades.
I haven’t seen one Everglades in the Midwest close to home (N. Illinois), so I wonder if it’s a red herring, or if I just live under a rock.
Any thoughts for this ‘Ol man I should consider?
Thanks in advance.

Depends if you want the winch and snorkel

And if you want a v6, as the everglades only comes in a 4.

Yup, but Everglades comes with M210 front differential and locker, plus shorter gears, which is better for bigger tires.

Swapping a M210 is about $2500 in just parts.

 

[DefNotBuddyLee]

What @Aonarch said. Do you know what gearing the BD is equipped with? For me, the special edition wheels, gearing, and lockers make it well worth the additional $3k for the Everglades. However, if you don't plan to off-road and don't like the wheels/tires on the Everglades, you may go the route of your son.
What Bilstein suspension did your son go with? If he basically used Sasquatch take offs, then I really don't see the point of going with the BD unless you just like the exterior/interior better.
Also @Smokewagun thank you for your delicious bourbon.

 

[Smokewagun]

Thanks for the replies. I’m aware of the basic differences: snorkel, winch, rims, front locker, etc.
My son has the 4.46 gears with 35’s on Fifteen52’s. It’s setting on Bilstein 6112’s and looks great. Taller than any Squatches. I’ll say, it hauls. That light rig and that 2.3L purring on 92 octane just hauls. Plus, he gets 21+mpg running on the highway. Love the torque, too.
I don’t want the 2.7L. So, the Everglades or 2.3L BD will work. I’m not impressed with the Squatch cheap shocks with welded reservoirs, and the issues I’ve read, but I’m going to cruise it 70% of the time, and 30% off-road. Been enough times in crap in the woods in an old ‘79 Ford, or an old Jeep recon with nylon tires, and survived. I’d rather the front locker and the winch to save this old man.
Still time to think. I appreciate the feedback. In the end, I’ll still want to make it my own.

 

[CitrusBronco]

Also worth note is any Sasquatch equipped Bronco also comes with a stronger steering rack and tie rods as well as the front diff and 4.7 gears as previously noted. If you plan to add a lift and larger tires this is the way to go.
For the smaller upfront price difference the Everglades is the better deal over a BD. This was my conclusion and why I went ahead with the Everglades.
I hope you get a few $k off MSRP, at least here in FL its easy to get below MSRP even on a Everglades.

 

[Smokewagun]

Great information on the Squatch. Thanks.
I have a good friend who owns our local Ford dealer. I should see a few hundred or more below invoice.

 

[Aonarch]

Also worth note is any Sasquatch equipped Bronco also comes with a stronger steering rack and tie rods as well as the front diff and 4.7 gears as previously noted. If you plan to add a lift and larger tires this is the way to go.
For the smaller upfront price difference the Everglades is the better deal over a BD. This was my conclusion and why I went ahead with the Everglades.
I hope you get a few $k off MSRP, at least here in FL its easy to get below MSRP even on a Everglades.

* only for 2024

2020-2023 do not get the better steering rack and tie rods.

Since the OP wants the 2.3l the Everglades is an excellent choice.

For me the 2.7l is the only way to go. It is a great engine and the power is phenomenal. Same MPG as 2.3l as well.

 

[Smokewagun]

Have they resolved the 2.7L issues? My son just had cam phasers done at 12k on his 2023 F-150. I have the same in my 2023 F150. Not against it in the Bronco. Just like the 2.3L low end torque for off roading.

 

[MNBigfoot]

* only for 2024

2020-2023 do not get the better steering rack and tie rods.

Since the OP wants the 2.3l the Everglades is an excellent choice.

For me the 2.7l is the only way to go. It is a great engine and the power is phenomenal. Same MPG as 2.3l as well.

The steering rack/tie rods even in 2020-2023 was an upgrade over the Hoss 1.0 in the BD. But yes they did improve the Sas rack in my24.

 

[userdude]

Have they resolved the 2.7L issues? My son just had cam phasers done at 12k on his 2023 F-150. I have the same in my 2023 F150. Not against it in the Bronco. Just like the 2.3L low end torque for off roading.

I have the 2.3 in a BL (2dr) and it's more than adequate IMO. As far as I understand, Ford's likely to never fix the cam phaser issue after all these years. You can't go wrong really either way (the 2.7's don't all have the issue, I think it's a small percent), unless you want to upgrade the engine, which you'd want the 2.7 for.

 

[MNBigfoot]

$4k for the Sasquatch package (better rack, tie rods, advanced 4wd, gearing, front locker, lift, 35's, and the best wheels in the line-up) a winch is the icing on the cake................ And the snorkel is sellable now that the HE got the Everglades square wheel wells. If you are swapping out wheels, you could get $1600 for the EG take offs vs $500(?), for the Black Diamonds. Also worth looking at is the HE, which is the Bargain Sas Bronco. Add lift and 35's to the BD and you have a drive-line issue, Ford may wash their hands of the warranty.

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