40K Mile Long-Term Test Review Wrap: "Life with a Rock Star" (2022 Badlands).......how Car & Driver would spec a new Bronco now

[Kevin Scarbel]

Car & Driver ordered a 2022 7-speed manual transmission-equipped 4-door Bronco Badlands with the Sasquatch package and had the time of their life over 40,000 miles.

2022 Ford Bronco Badlands Sasquatch Long-Term Wrap: Life with a Rock Star

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a41937201/2022-ford-bronco-badlands-sasquatch-reliability-maintenance/

"It's not for everyone......and far from perfect........but what a great truck!
Technical Editor Mike Sutton

From all that Car & Driver learned about their Ford Bronco Badlands, Car & Driver's editors pooled their thoughts and commented on how they would spec one.......now.

We would choose a Bronco Heritage Edition with the white wheels, white grille and white hard top as they offer choice style, especially in Robin's Egg Blue.

We'd go with the same 2.3-liter four, 7-speed manual transmission and four-door body style of our long-term 2022 Badlands, and add auxiliary switches and a tow package.

And, we'd install the 330-hp tune from Ford Performance upon delivery.

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[Kevin Scarbel]

If Tremec, famous for their transmission engineering and quality, can supply the transfer case to the Ineos Grenadier, then I don't understand why Ford won't say goodbye to Getrag and purchase a 7-speed manual from Tremec instead.

 

[va011101]

Coincidentally, my off-the-lot 2023 Bronco was almost exactly like the C&D-spec test vehicle. I do have the factory sound-liner, but other than that - identical. I wouldn’t change a thing.

 

[Deanh]

If Tremec, famous for their transmission engineering and quality, can supply the transfer case to the Ineos Grenadier, then I don't understand why Ford won't say goodbye to Getrag and purchase a 7-speed manual from Tremec instead.

exactly why?

 

[Kevin Scarbel]

exactly why?

Tremec has an earned reputation for making high-performing trouble-free transmissions with excellent quality.

 

[Deanh]

Tremec has an earned reputation for making high-performing trouble-free transmissions with excellent quality.

Are you saying the GETRAG is bad? Ive had no issues at all....I think the getrag in the Bronco was selected for various reasons...if horsepower and torque weres significantly higher perhaps they would have gone with the TRemec...I think you may jsut have a personal preference/ bias...Tremec are excellent, but in this unit the Getrag is fine...I love it...shifts great...and the Grenadier isnt avail with a manual as far as I know...

 

[xmod]

My model year 21 Badlands no Squatch 2.3 manual with 46,000 miles is definitely a rockstar. Looking back I wouldn’t change anything on my order and Ford hit it out of the park.

 

[tourproto]

My model year 21 Badlands no Squatch 2.3 manual with 46,000 miles is definitely a rockstar. Looking back I wouldn’t change anything on my order and Ford hit it out of the park.

Mine is a 22, and the only thing I would change would have been to hold out for the HD bumper. I gave mine up at the strong urging of my dealer and got the "capable" bumper instead. Can't add a damn thing to the **capable** bumper but I did get my Bronco within 3 months of updating my preorder. I might never have gotten my '22 if I didn't do that, but that is my only regret.

 

[Valhalla]

I had a tremec in a 1983 1/2 baby ranger.... it spun the rear bearings out of the tail shaft...

 

[GroovyGeek]

I would never get a Heritage, I strongly dislike the look. It looks like a Ken car. Nor would I ever get a painted top, the first time I drive through the brush or the AZ desert forest it will be toast.

For me the perfect trim for the occasional off-roader (without a Sugar Daddy/Momma to pay for things) is the Black Diamond - reasonable amount of armor from the factory, rear lockers. The Badlands is just too much for 99% of the people out there, and is like $10k more. I put Bilstein 6112 with 2" lift on mine, added a transmission skid, swapped out the Grabbers for KO2s, put better rock rails on it, and now it is everything I will ever need. The only thing I would have wanted over my current config is the trail camera, but Ford in their infinite wisdom thought that I would be willing to spend $10k more just to get it. Nah, I added a $100 aftermarket one and called it a day.

 

[Kevin Scarbel]

I had a tremec in a 1983 1/2 baby ranger.... it spun the rear bearings out of the tail shaft...

I ordered 1985 and 1986 Rangers equipped with the optional Mitsubishi turbocharged 2.3L diesel engine, paired with 5-speed manual transmissions, for use as parts trucks at our truck dealer. With proper maintenance, I put 600,000 miles on both and I still see them around town.

 

[Sparkherd]

It looks like a Ken car.

Bwah Hahahahahaha!!!!!

 

[BroncocnorB]

Bwah Hahahahahaha!!!!!

Agree. Plus REB is a bit foo foo

 

[UNBROKN]

From the article..."Ford did it right and resisted slapping the venerated nameplate on some characterless, blob-shaped crossover."
Blazer???

 

[Poppavein]

For me the perfect trim for the occasional off-roader (without a Sugar Daddy/Momma to pay for things) is the Black Diamond - reasonable amount of armor from the factory, rear lockers. The Badlands is just too much for 99% of the people out there, and is like $10k more. I put Bilstein 6112 with 2" lift on mine, added a transmission skid, swapped out the Grabbers for KO2s, put better rock rails on it, and now it is everything I will ever need. The only thing I would have wanted over my current config is the trail camera, but Ford in their infinite wisdom thought that I would be willing to spend $10k more just to get it. Nah, I added a $100 aftermarket one and called it a day.

What camera did you get?

I thought about getting a transmission skid, but it wasn't high priority since I have an MT and not a plastic transmission. Which one did you get?

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