Sasquatch vs. Non-Sasquatch Handling and Stability

[EasternSierra]

I recently did a couple of Bronco test drives. The goal was to check out the handling, ride, and noise of a non-Sasquatch Badlands. Well, the dealers weren't able to produce the vehicles they claimed to have in stock on their websites. As a result I first drove a Badlands Sas, then at a different dealer a Big Bend non-Sas.

I loved driving the Sasquatch. The vehicle felt very solid and stable at all speeds and when maneuvering. The Big Bend non-Sas also was good but felt a little less solid and stable somehow, and I had a vague impression that might relate to the narrower track.

So here's the question. Was this difference in driving experience mainly due to bigger tires, wider stance (wider tires + less positive offset), different tire makes/models irrespective of size, or different suspensions? Does anyone who has changed tire sizes or wheel offsets have any thoughts on this?

Thanks!

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[Oldhippie]

Completely different coilovers on lower trims without Sasquatch …difference between badlands non Sasquatch and Sasquatch is only tire size and 1/2” lift

 

[cbrenthus]

Non Sasquatch models are better because they aren't blurry in photos

 

[Brian_B]

Gear ratios have a lot to do with how they feel driving too

 

[DriveAllNight]

The short answer is, it all matters.
It's why when some people just lift their ride to get bigger tires underneath them it's not the same.

 

[Lcubed]

hitachi vs ford spec bilstein shocks are noticeably different

of course, bilstein spec bilstein shocks are even better

 

[indio22]

I recently did a couple of Bronco test drives. The goal was to check out the handling, ride, and noise of a non-Sasquatch Badlands. Well, the dealers weren't able to produce the vehicles they claimed to have in stock on their websites. As a result I first drove a Badlands Sas, then at a different dealer a Big Bend non-Sas.

I loved driving the Sasquatch. The vehicle felt very solid and stable at all speeds and when maneuvering. The Big Bend non-Sas also was good but felt a little less solid and stable somehow, and I had a vague impression that might relate to the narrower track.

So here's the question. Was this difference in driving experience mainly due to bigger tires, wider stance (wider tires + less positive offset), different tire makes/models irrespective of size, or different suspensions? Does anyone who has changed tire sizes or wheel offsets have any thoughts on this?

Thanks!

The larger Sas tires would typically feel a bit more squirmy and less solid due to more sidewall. 25mm extra track width each side unless pushing to the limits, I doubt also would be felt much in terms of stability. Image can impact perception. For the various vehicle configs, it would be interesting to do blind comparisons and see what people report.

 

[HighVelocity]

I'm still waiting on Ford to post numbers from the Nurburgring before plunking down my hard earned euros.

 

[EasternSierra]

Thanks for the replies!

Completely different coilovers on lower trims without Sasquatch …difference between badlands non Sasquatch and Sasquatch is only tire size and 1/2” lift

That's helpful. I'm aware that there are different shocks for different trims and for Sas, but I didn't know at what point springs changed between different non-Sas trims.

Gear ratios have a lot to do with how they feel driving too

Well, the Badsquatch had 4.7 gears with the 2.7 engine, while the BB had the 2.3 engine with auto and probably 3.7 gears based on the online builder. Yeah, the latter certainly felt less powerful under acceleration, but my impression above was about maneuvering at some speed rather than acceleration.

Assuming I get the Badlands non-Sas, I'll have 4.7 gears with the 7-speed.

 

[t3n2and4]

I'm still waiting on Ford to post numbers from the Nurburgring before plunking down my hard earned euros.

He went off at the first turn, so the clock is still running.

 

[EasternSierra]

In case people are wondering, there are good reasons why I haven't bought a Bronco yet a year after I signed up at this site.

First, a little bit of open-heart surgery (with my breastbone sawn in half for access to my heart) followed by the required long recovery. I wasn't going to make any big purchases before all that was taken care of and I came out ok at the other end. I knew that was coming when I signed up here.

Then, buying and moving into a new house in a cheaper urban area was a big priority. We had to keep our financial nose clean for a good long time for that while the house was finished and the loan approved. Meanwhile I learned more about Broncos and aftermarket mods.

At this point we're still waiting for some money to come in not too long from now, and then all the reading I've done here and the advice people have given is going to really help me with ordering and aftermarket mods. I'm getting pretty excited!

 

[WhoMe]

I recently did a couple of Bronco test drives. The goal was to check out the handling, ride, and noise of a non-Sasquatch Badlands. Well, the dealers weren't able to produce the vehicles they claimed to have in stock on their websites. As a result I first drove a Badlands Sas, then at a different dealer a Big Bend non-Sas.

I loved driving the Sasquatch. The vehicle felt very solid and stable at all speeds and when maneuvering. The Big Bend non-Sas also was good but felt a little less solid and stable somehow, and I had a vague impression that might relate to the narrower track.

So here's the question. Was this difference in driving experience mainly due to bigger tires, wider stance (wider tires + less positive offset), different tire makes/models irrespective of size, or different suspensions? Does anyone who has changed tire sizes or wheel offsets have any thoughts on this?

Thanks!

I have 2022 Badlands non-sas. I installed 1.5” spacers and it drives and rides completely different than stock. Best $300 I’ve spent on the Bronco.

 

[jrollo7]

In case people are wondering, there are good reasons why I haven't bought a Bronco yet a year after I signed up at this site.

First, a little bit of open-heart surgery (with my breastbone sawn in half for access to my heart) followed by the required long recovery. I wasn't going to make any big purchases before all that was taken care of and I came out ok at the other end. I knew that was coming when I signed up here.

Then, buying and moving into a new house in a cheaper urban area was a big priority. We had to keep our financial nose clean for a good long time for that while the house was finished and the loan approved. Meanwhile I learned more about Broncos and aftermarket mods.

At this point we're still waiting for some money to come in not too long from now, and then all the reading I've done here and the advice people have given is going to really help me with ordering and aftermarket mods. I'm getting pretty excited!

Good luck to you

 

[Brian_B]

Well, the Badsquatch had 4.7 gears with the 2.7 engine, while the BB had the 2.3 engine with auto and probably 3.7 gears based on the online builder. Yeah, the latter certainly felt less powerful under acceleration, but my impression above was about maneuvering at some speed rather than acceleration.

My rig is a 2.3 7MT with the 4.46. For off rodeo, I had a Badlands 2.7 Auto, 4.7

I felt the exact opposite as you - the Badlands felt sluggish and ponderous. It had some extra weight from the armor, sure, but not ~that~ much extra weight. My 7MT doesn't exactly accelerate like a sports coupe or anything, but compared to that Badlands it is a rocket ship.

Having driven that Badlands exactly once offroad, and having taken my own rig off road a handful of times now - I can't say there was a huge difference in capability at my level of driving. In 4L that crawler gear will nearly idle right over most obstacles - just like the bigger 2.7 in that Badlands would. That probably changes in more advanced trails and obstacles; I'm mostly doing trails in the 4-7 rating now, and I think that's right around where the Moab run was (Dome Plateau)

Now, neither of those are SAS, so maybe they don't necessarily apply. But despite having the larger engine, the Badlands felt like I was driving a dump truck - and I figured most of that was the 4.7 shorter gears going through all 10 speeds of that Auto trans. It could also have been the fact that the Badlands was on 33's and not 35's, although I think that would be contrary to the point I was making and the 2.3 7MT felt faster even with 35's....

I dunno. My non-SAS rig is nearly SAS now anyway - I'm still missing the 210 up front, and the Advanced T-case (lower 4L ratio), and the 4.7 final gearing. So maybe my experience isn't really relevant to your case.

 

[EasternSierra]

My rig is a 2.3 7MT with the 4.46. For off rodeo, I had a Badlands 2.7 Auto, 4.7

I felt the exact opposite as you - the Badlands felt sluggish and ponderous. It had some extra weight from the armor, sure, but not ~that~ much extra weight. My 7MT doesn't exactly accelerate like a sports coupe or anything, but compared to that Badlands it is a rocket ship.

Having driven that Badlands exactly once offroad, and having taken my own rig off road a handful of times now - I can't say there was a huge difference in capability at my level of driving. In 4L that crawler gear will nearly idle right over most obstacles - just like the bigger 2.7 in that Badlands would. That probably changes in more advanced trails and obstacles; I'm mostly doing trails in the 4-7 rating now, and I think that's right around where the Moab run was (Dome Plateau)

Now, neither of those are SAS, so maybe they don't necessarily apply. But despite having the larger engine, the Badlands felt like I was driving a dump truck - and I figured most of that was the 4.7 shorter gears going through all 10 speeds of that Auto trans. It could also have been the fact that the Badlands was on 33's and not 35's, although I think that would be contrary to the point I was making and the 2.3 7MT felt faster even with 35's....

I dunno. My non-SAS rig is nearly SAS now anyway - I'm still missing the 210 up front, and the Advanced T-case (lower 4L ratio), and the 4.7 final gearing. So maybe my experience isn't really relevant to your case.

One issue is that I was driving cautiously (best behavior) on both test drives. I didn't push either vehicle hard. Then you toss in the other differences between the two vehicles and my experience was even less informative. That's why I posted here so I could get feedback from more people who've driven a variety of rigs, especially before and after mods.

After purchase I'll be changing tires and wheel offset soon, probably axle gears later on, and maybe even springs/shocks eventually. It's not that I'm planning to get a Sasquatch up front, but I want to get more of a handle on aftermarket mods that will get me more of that solid, stable feeling I experienced. I've been planning to go with pizza cutters on maybe +30 offset and this thread is a reality check on that plan.

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