Upgrade to basequatch? Or stay base

[goatman]

I’ve decided that I want to upgrade to a basequatch. And when I called my dealer today he didn’t want me to because I’m way high up on the list, and he’s afraid that upgrading would affect my place in line. Should I still upgrade or stick with my original order?

If you want a mall crawler with a lift and bigger tires, stay base. If you want to actually go off road with it and do more then just dirt roads, then you have to add Sasquatch. Besides the lockers, which you'll definitely want, you get the deeper gears and bigger front axle to handle the bigger tires. Easy decision.

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[2DoorForSure]

One additional thing to consider is the ride... From what I've heard in the reviews, getting the revised setup with Squatch (including better dampers) provides an amazing ride with 35" tires. If you lift and put 34" or 35" tires on, the ride may indeed be harsher on the road with the regular suspension.

 

[Gr8Hortoni]

This. Moving from manual base to Sas is a BIG financial hit. And still a hit otherwise as well.

Will you for real use the Sas components? Regardless of what anyone says, there is no "deal" in buying something you will not use. Spending 8K extra to imagine using something is hardly a deal.

Also that's my old red CJ in my 6G icon going up some slickrock in Moab - with 31" tires and open diffs. You do NOT need Sas to have lots of fun offroad. Most Sas will be doing parking lot duty anyway, similar to Rubicons.

If you for real will use Sas functionalities - consider getting it. Better to get Sas than trying to replicate Sas on your own. But otherwise manual base (comes with 4.46 diff gears) and swap to 32/33" tires, and you have a nice rig for on/off road fun.

As another whos never had the luxury of wheeling anything but open diffs with 33’s and 4.10’s, you’re spot on. The fun is what you make it. BUT, as someone who (until I sold my jk way too soon) is out at least every other weekend, thr idea of 35’s locked on both ends with added clearance and the stronger front axle from the factory makes too much sense. Once the manual is eventually available, I think it’s gonna make an amazing weekend warrior out of the box without sacrificing on road ability, especially at the price point. Probably the best price point in its class for that kind of equipment, nearly 10k less than a stripped down rubicon.

 

[JimL]

As much as I would personally want to Squatch, I know that right now my only off-roading is driving up and down the beaches of OBX. Of course , the 4Auto would be perfect for the snowy & icy hills of my home in southwest PA. But I also think that with Squatch, I would seek out some trails up in the Laurel Highlands. So, Squatching it may lead you to open a few doors you otherwise would’t have.
Bottom line, it’s going to be a very personal decision, of which finances have to play a part.

 

[gentlemanbronco]

I’ve decided that I want to upgrade to a basequatch. And when I called my dealer today he didn’t want me to because I’m way high up on the list, and he’s afraid that upgrading would affect my place in line. Should I still upgrade or stick with my original order?

My logic to go baseSquatch was I'd rather have the beefy suspension now, rather than trying to modify it after the fact. Plus, I know I'd envy others who have the sasquatch package.

 

[survivormanca]

So, I have a four door, base - non-sas. This is the one item that I am mixed about on mine. But, after spending time at off-rodeo with the instructors there and discussing not have the front and rear lockers, I attempted all of the obstacles without using them. There were a few that I had to engage the lockers on. If I had taken more time, moved rocks around for more traction, etc., I might have been able to do most of them. It really depends upon what kind of off roading you are going to do.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

As the last couple of posts have stated, I learned to wheel in that open diffed 69 in my garage.... on 33's.
I always tell wheeling newbs ..."You'll be amazed at how far 33's and open diffs can take you!" ..... and as a plus, modern traction control "GOAT Modes" will get the most out of those open diffs.

For the record, I am waiting impatiently for my manual baseBase, which will recieve at least 34's and a 2" spacer lift .... MAYBE 35's.

(285/75-17 or 315/70-17)
(33.8" vs 34.6")
Both having C load range ratings for better ride comfort with some durability above standard tires.
Probably all in at around $3k.

 

[Sooner]

I’ve decided that I want to upgrade to a basequatch. And when I called my dealer today he didn’t want me to because I’m way high up on the list, and he’s afraid that upgrading would affect my place in line. Should I still upgrade or stick with my original order?

Heck with the dealer, Upgrade!

 

[Frankie945]

If you wheel it on the harder obstacles you’ll need to do everything faster with open diffs if you even make it. All depends on the obstacles on trail. If you only plan to wheel few times a year just stick with base and upgrade to larger tires. Just my opinion. I ended up with a big bend with 4:27 gears and rear locker. Gonna upgrade to 35s and small lift and call it a day. With IFS suspension your almost always going to have a wheel off the ground at some point on the obstacle it’s best to have least one locker to get you over it since that locked wheel will be touching the ground and give you the traction you need vs a open diff which will require a lot of the skinny pedal.

I don’t think it matters if you change your order it shouldn’t set your build time back unless you go with the parts that are in short supply like the Sasquatch package.

 

[Wanted33]

I really don't have anything to add as everything has been covered. So I'll just say, it depends on how you will use your Bronco, and just how long you want to wait. Your dealer told you the truth, so it's one of those decisions you'll have to make for yourself. We can opine all day long, but you da man to make that big decision. Good luck.

Check out this post. Tim @Timinpgh put 33's on the 16" rims, and goes over details that may help you out.

 

[RobbyBronco]

Same 7/15 but feels like looking at 2024 with Sasquatch. There aren’t any other real options though so no idea.

 

[Colorado buff]

Squatch it.

If your dealer told that you if you changed your order to a Focus you would get your vehicle sooner, would you make the change? Get the rig that YOU want, not the one that the dealer wants to sell.

This. Buy what you want.

 

[goatman]

Also, from personal experience in 30 years of wheeling, leading tons of trails, organizing events, being president of a couple Jeep clubs, and owning a shop...you WILL do more wheeling than you currently think you will. You WILL look at doing more upgrades than you currently think you will. It happens to almost everyone who buys a Jeep, and it's going to happen to most people who buy a Bronco. You said you're thinking you want Sasquatch, that's the end of the discussion...get it. You will regret it if you don't.

 

[hemiblas]

The front diff gets upgraded with the SAS package. Plus all the other stuff everyone said. If you add it all up.....its a deal.

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