Big Bend + Sasquatch + Diamond vs. Badlands stock — 2026 manual, help me decide

[MilesTeg]

Thats actually a really good point. Got to check out the spread. I am assuming maybe 5%-10% difference. It being a manual for 4.7 gearing has to be a good feature for resale. I technically like to just buy new and ride it till the wheels fall off.

Being a manual will be bad for resale. Resale value comes from high demand. Manuals are in very, very low demand. (note: I have a manual, hah)

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[Pbethel]

Thats true, there is a little FOMO in me. Actually this BB is more than what I need. I would be fine with 33" tires but more focused on having the heavy-duty steering rack. Just like upgraded components for durability. It seems that it would tick all the boxes, plus hard-top and some goodies like the 400W inverter.

Bought mine off the lot. Options/features includes 35" tires,, advanced 4x4, front/rear 4.3 ratio locking axles, trail one pedal drive, sound deadening headliner hardtop, 2H/4H/4A/4L, and 4 goat modes for $52,935 msrp

 

[MNBigfoot]

Configured the same way, the Badlands is $3000 less.
Being the Badlands comes with the heavy duty rack, and every critical component you mentioned, it seems like the decision is simple.

Are you getting a hard top? If so: Are you aware of the problems with the MIC tops? Are you aware of the difference in top options between the BL's and the BB? This is where the BL's seal the deal.

 

[tickandtie]

provided you get a manual, the Badlands is the better purchase imo. Autos get 4.46 gears in the non-SAS badlands.

The basic badlands gives you everthing on your list save the inverter. front and rear lockers, upgraded steering rack, 4.7 gearing, and 33 inch tires. I am not certain you get the inverter without adding the mid package to the Badlands. I may be wrong on that detail, and you may be able to add mid for less than that BB/BD/SAS pricetag if you insist on the inverter

I can tell you I damned sure would not be paying 5k for the crappy inverter.

I've got it in my Big Bend, and I DO use it, but it's not HIGHLY useful. I can't charge my ecoflow with it, without resorting to shenanigans because it's a modified sinewave inverter, not pure sinewave. So, you can use dumb devices such as a drill, but smart devices might be unhappy.

Thanks for that info! It does seem best to go with a Badlands and even just base because I am going manual and I prefer upgraded hardware. Plus the 33'' tires should make it a little more lighter to move. I don't care for all the bells and whistles too. Also having a modified sine wave inverter would annoy me too. Explains why my Sienna's 1500W inverter works so well. Its a pure sine wave and can plug in anything without issues.

 

[tickandtie]

Being a manual will be bad for resale. Resale value comes from high demand. Manuals are in very, very low demand. (note: I have a manual, hah)

Haha true. But as long as its driven and enjoyed thats all that matters. Enjoy the three pedals and that crawler gear!

 

[tickandtie]

Configured the same way, the Badlands is $3000 less.
Being the Badlands comes with the heavy duty rack, and every critical component you mentioned, it seems like the decision is simple.

Are you getting a hard top? If so: Are you aware of the problems with the MIC tops? Are you aware of the difference in top options between the BL's and the BB? This is where the BL's seal the deal.

I agree, I think base Badlands with soft-top would be perfect for me. As long as I find the color. I do hear issues with the hardtops...I also heard issues on the soft-top but it was revised and now better? Which top is best for 2026 model year?

 

[MNBigfoot]

I agree, I think base Badlands with soft-top would be perfect for me. As long as I find the color. I do hear issues with the hardtops...I also heard issues on the soft-top but it was revised and now better? Which top is best for 2026 model year?

In regards to the hard-tops, the painted hard-top doesn't seem to have near the issues that the MIC top did (my mic top is 4 years old, 100k on the Bronco and still fine).
I believe the only way to get the painted top on the BB is by paying something like $5k for the Free wheeling package(?), and then it's still only available in black.
On the BL it's much more reasonable priced and you can get it color matched for ab additional $500?.

 

[Kestrel]

In regards to the hard-tops, the painted hard-top doesn't seem to have near the issues that the MIC top did (my mic top is 4 years old, 100k on the Bronco and still fine).
I believe the only way to get the painted top on the BB is by paying something like $5k for the Free wheeling package(?), and then it's still only available in black.
On the BL it's much more reasonable priced and you can get it color matched for ab additional $500?.

I just took delivery of my '26 BB with BD+Sas+mid package and got the black paint matched hard top, the only requirement for ordering it was the Black Appearance Package which I wanted anyways.

 

[crzyhawk]

how much did that run you?

 

[Smocaine]

Being a manual will be bad for resale. Resale value comes from high demand. Manuals are in very, very low demand. (note: I have a manual, hah)

This really isn't proving out. A friend of mine is trying to get into the game and really wants a 7MT, but similarly equipped autos go for $10k less.
High demand means nothing when met with overwhelming supply.

 

[profet]

Haha true. But as long as its driven and enjoyed thats all that matters. Enjoy the three pedals and that crawler gear!

Yes and no...

Take rate on the manual is very low, which means the pre-owned supply will be even lower.

You just need one person who wants a manual and has limited options because of limited supply. Meanwhile buyers will have their pick of pre-owned automatics.

 

[MNBigfoot]

I just took delivery of my '26 BB with BD+Sas+mid package and got the black paint matched hard top, the only requirement for ordering it was the Black Appearance Package which I wanted anyways.

My price and build is glitching, I'm getting a couple different responses, yesterday adding the black top, it said "must add Free Wheeling package" and it also showed the black package as something like $1500, today I get $600 for the black package and prompted to add that when selecting the painted top. Still sucks that you forced into a package with the BB, when it's simply an add on the BL's, but $600 wouldn't be a deal breaker for most.

 

[Mirage]

Being a manual will be bad for resale. Resale value comes from high demand. Manuals are in very, very low demand. (note: I have a manual, hah)

Agreed, this world is getting more and more sad when people don't know how to drive a stick... I traded my 2017 JK Rubicon 2dr manual in on my Bronco and they said that it being manual would hurt trade-in... I think they gave me $24k for it, pathetic, it was a very nice Wrangler!

 

[CalvinT]

I traded my 2017 JK Rubicon 2dr manual in on my Bronco and they said that it being manual would hurt trade-in..

If it had been an automatic they probably would have told you it hurt trade-in.

 

[Mirage]

Like everyone has said already, it really depends on what you want to do. I for one, in 2019 )or whenever the build a Bronco thingy showed up on Fords website?), I built two 2 doors;

One Base SAS with everything I wanted on it.

and

One Badlands SAS with everything I wanted on it.

The Badlands was cheaper with more options, than the Base, so it was a no-brainer on which model I wanted!

In 2024, I had no intentions of getting a Bronco like the one I got, (or even one at all), but I'm very happy with my Badlands! It was barely used, 12k miles on it, belong to the local Bronco club president, that he had just traded in for another, (yes, another) Bronco Raptor! I think he had owned 5-6 Raptors by 2024....

Anyway, I got mine for right at $50k, 2023 2dr Badlands, Sas, LUX and I just rolled over 20k miles the other day.

My wife wanted a 2dr Heritage Sas, but she didn't like the base Heritage at all. She wanted it to be Yellow, so that summed that up and ordered her a 2024 Heritage Limited in Yellowstone, which is basically the same as my Badlands.

So, there are lots of mountains in North Alabama/Southern Tennessee and 2 Badlands are perfect for that. That being sad, we've barely used either of out f/r lockers, we do use the SB disconnect often though. I thought we would need it more than we do, but they're both doing great without using the lockers We also don't use that tight trail turn option or trail control. Plus, neither of us use any of the GOAT options, LOL!

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