Badlands vs Wildtrak

[Tman22]

So I've been going back and forth lately between Wildtrak and Badlands and would love to hear your feedback on what way you guys would go when I have two builds that are only a few hundred dollars different (around $52,500) and being that I'm new to this Offroad vehicle world (coming from a volt, but the wife has a 4Runner) would love to hear your thoughts

Here are the two builds I'm comparing:

Wildtrak (Cactus Gray or Area 51)
2.7L 10 Speed Auto
High Package
Cloth Seats - Don't love the interior, can't afford to go with leather
Sasquatch looks cool but worried bigger tires will affect gas mileage negatively
Rear Locking Differential
4.7 Locking Rear Axle Final Drive Ratio

Badlands (Cactus Gray or Area 51)
2.3L 10 Speed Auto
High Package
Roof Rack - cause apparently that can't be added to Wildtrak
17" Black High Gloss-Painted Aluminum Wheels
Marine Grade Vinly Seats - which I love the look of and durability
Front Bumper - Heavy-Duty Modular
Upgraded Bash Plates

So for really the same price the main difference I would say is the Engine, the interior, and then the bigger sasquatch tires and lift

What are you guys thinking?? Is the engine difference drastic? Would love advice

I’m not seeing the interior difference, maybe you can outline them.

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[da_jokker]

I'm getting the WT and will be doing everything the Badlands folks are planning on doing (short of beating up a brand new 60k ride)

So don't let anyone scare you into thinking the Badlands is the only Bronco that can be taken offroad or do things like Moab, Rubicon, sand, etc.

Here are some questions that may help you...

Q: I MUST have the best possible gas mileage

A: Badlands, because of the 2.3L plus most likely better aerodynamics with smaller tires, not as high suspension, higher gears.

Q: I must have leather-ish seats because I cant stand cloth. (Or I must have that washout floor)

A: Badlands since you said you can't swing the leather option in WT

Q: I totally hate have anything resembling an interior with lighter colors. Everything must be dark/Black

A: Badlands

Q: I must have a Bronco but I can do without alot of the basic bells and whistles when it comes to creature comforts if I can save money.

A: Badlands...since it comes stock with soft top, manual, and not even the Mid package.


Basically in the end, if you are trying to save money but really want an off-road capable rig from the factory, Badlands is the way to go. You get what you need, without being forced to add any creature comforts.

However if you are going to build up the Badlands to the creature comfort level of a Widtrak, it can be done, but will cost you.

Final thought... if the Disconnect isn't a selling point for you... why not the BD? Does it come with front lockers?

 

[BuckinT29]

IMO badlands is currently the best trim- only thing I dislike is the rims, wish it had the WT Rims.

 

[JeR2D2]

I'm getting the WT and will be doing everything the Badlands folks are planning on doing (short of beating up a brand new 60k ride)

So don't let anyone scare you into thinking the Badlands is the only Bronco that can be taken offroad or do things like Moab, Rubicon, sand, etc.

Here are some questions that may help you...

Q: I MUST have the best possible gas mileage

A: Badlands, because of the 2.3L plus most likely better aerodynamics with smaller tires, not as high suspension, higher gears.

Q: I must have leather-ish seats because I cant stand cloth. (Or I must have that washout floor)

A: Badlands since you said you can't swing the leather option in WT

Q: I totally hate have anything resembling an interior with lighter colors. Everything must be dark/Black

A: Badlands

Q: I must have a Bronco but I can do without alot of the basic bells and whistles when it comes to creature comforts if I can save money.

A: Badlands...since it comes stock with soft top, manual, and not even the Mid package.


Basically in the end, if you are trying to save money but really want an off-road capable rig from the factory, Badlands is the way to go. You get what you need, without being forced to add any creature comforts.

However if you are going to build up the Badlands to the creature comfort level of a Widtrak, it can be done, but will cost you.

Final thought... if the Disconnect isn't a selling point for you... why not the BD? Does it come with front lockers?

This is great thank you!

 

[ClaviusBase]

IMO badlands is currently the best trim- only thing I dislike is the rims, wish it had the WT Rims.

i was thinking, at some point, you'll be able to buy those black beauty rings and swap them on to the badlands or squatch wheels. That's the only difference, the inner part is already gloss black. I plan on doing that at some point.

 

[andi]

So I've been going back and forth lately between Wildtrak and Badlands and would love to hear your feedback on what way you guys would go when I have two builds that are only a few hundred dollars different (around $52,500) and being that I'm new to this Offroad vehicle world (coming from a volt, but the wife has a 4Runner) would love to hear your thoughts

Here are the two builds I'm comparing:

Wildtrak (Cactus Gray or Area 51)
2.7L 10 Speed Auto
High Package
Cloth Seats - Don't love the interior, can't afford to go with leather
Sasquatch looks cool but worried bigger tires will affect gas mileage negatively
Rear Locking Differential
4.7 Locking Rear Axle Final Drive Ratio

Badlands (Cactus Gray or Area 51)
2.3L 10 Speed Auto
High Package
Roof Rack - cause apparently that can't be added to Wildtrak
17" Black High Gloss-Painted Aluminum Wheels
Marine Grade Vinly Seats - which I love the look of and durability
Front Bumper - Heavy-Duty Modular
Upgraded Bash Plates

So for really the same price the main difference I would say is the Engine, the interior, and then the bigger sasquatch tires and lift

What are you guys thinking?? Is the engine difference drastic? Would love advice

go with badlands for mpg concerns and u get leather!

 

[Axxlrod]

I ordered a WT, so I didn't pay too much attention to the other models, but I don't like the WT interior so might switch.

Just so I understand, Badlands comes with the Sasquatch suspension components. The difference is the 33" wheels tires. Yes?

So if I prefer a black interior, and plan on swapping to aftermarket wheels/tires anyway, seems silly to pay for the Sas pkg on a BL...

Seems I'd be better off with non-SAS Badlands, and order my own Method/Fuel wheels and 35" KO2's.

 

[ColoradoGuy]

For me it came down to a couple of things that swayed me enough to go BL optioned up with 2.7L and Sasquatch (which makes it very similar to the Wildtrak).

Interior color options (I don't like the "tan" dash and tan seating with blue accents at all) and I really like MGV and the washout interior.

I've been thinking about MGV and the washout interior a lot lately because I was originally thinking about upgrading to leather with power seats. For me, I won't be changing my seating position as I'm the only one driving it (so power seats aren't really necessary) and the feedback on the feel of MGV from first had people has been very good (some like the feel more than leather).

So with that, I started thinking about when it would be nice to have MGV and the washout interior... and one thought stood out. Leaving camp or cabin for the day with the tops and doors off (maybe just a bimini for sunblock) to go up a mountain backroad with the family for a hike/bike and picnic. It doesn't look like the second row modular top fits anywhere for storage so I'd have to choose leaving it at camp or not taking it off (I'm sure my kids would prefer it off so would need to leave it). CO weather changes quickly in the summer (especially at high elevation) and it is not uncommon for a decent afternoon rainstorm to come through. With MGV and washout interior, I don't have to worry if some rain comes along... and I don't have to keep the second row and back part of the top on for our day adventure.

Jeez, didn't realize this was such a long post until looking now. Daydreaming about Bronco adventures, lol. Anyway, I'm sold on MGV and unless Wildtrak gets it as an option, it's BL for me.

 

[TXJeepScientist]

Ford really messed up the WT with black top and the interior and that's why I changed to the BLs. Also, the BLs has more options compared to the WT. I liked the WT because it would have been a better fit for me, but Ford changed my mind for me.

 

[Limecreek]

Wildtrak (Cactus Gray or Area 51)
2.7L 10 Speed Auto
High Package
Cloth Seats - Don't love the interior, can't afford to go with leather
Sasquatch looks cool but worried bigger tires will affect gas mileage negatively
Rear Locking Differential
4.7 Locking Rear Axle Final Drive Ratio

Badlands (Cactus Gray or Area 51)
2.3L 10 Speed Auto
High Package
Roof Rack - cause apparently that can't be added to Wildtrak
17" Black High Gloss-Painted Aluminum Wheels
Marine Grade Vinly Seats - which I love the look of and durability
Front Bumper - Heavy-Duty Modular
Upgraded Bash Plates

You made your decision. It’s the BL for the same reason I moved from WT to BL.

 

[JeR2D2]

You made your decision. It’s the BL for the same reason I moved from WT to BL.

Yeah I hear you I guess it’s just a bummer that I’m turning down Sasquatch and 2.7 for basically MGV and bash plates/bumper

 

[Builtwild]

u've got a winner. Can't turn a Wildtrak into a badlands. And not having those Wildtrak graphics gives you roughly 2 extra whe

Add the 2.7 to the Badlands and you've got a winner. Can't turn a Wildtrak into a badlands. And not having those Wildtrak graphics gives you roughly 2 extra wheel horsepower.

Add the 2.7 on BL and its a clear winner. WT graphics are not awesome and you can get better after market later. Roofrack can be done after market too but there are some GVWR concerns, if it is just for look, then it may be different discussion.
Add SASQ also for BL if you would like, they will impact mileage negatively with little extra raod noise. 33s will do the job for most off-road, extreme would need 35s and some lifting.

 

[Builtwild]

I'd wait to see what prices settle in at. If 2.7L is really only 300 more than automatic option, I'd go that route even if going Badlands. I don't see fuel economy being much different between the two. Remember F-150 2.7 is rated 18-23 vs 20-24 on Ranger 2.3L. I expect Bronco to be lower than these, but I do expect both engines to be pretty close in a Bronco

Now Sasquatch I do expect to really hurt fuel economy (but I expect Badlands to get worse fuel economy than others due to 33's and weight), but if you're buying a Bronco, fuel economy should be pretty far down your list of desires as I expect it to be bad in the real world.

Dont see a huge difference in WT vs BL fuel economy with sasq. I drive a 4-runner 18-23 pretty much, used to that kinda mileage

 

[Builtwild]

d the feedback on the feel of MGV from first had people has been very good (some like the feel more than leather).

So with that, I started thinking about when it would be nice to have MGV and the washout interior... and one thought stood out. Leaving camp or cabin for the day with the tops and doors off (maybe just a bimini for sunblock) to go up a mountain backroad with the family for a hike/bike and picnic. It doesn't look like the second row modular top fits anywhere for storage so I'd have to choose leaving it at camp or not taking it off (I'm sure my kids would prefer it off so would need to leave it). CO weather changes quickly in the summer (especially at high elevation) and it is not uncommon for a decent afternoon rainstorm to come through. With MGV and washout interior, I don't have to worry if some rain comes along... and I don't have to keep the second row and back part of the top on for our day adventure.

+1

 

[CFC]

IMO badlands is currently the best trim- only thing I dislike is the rims, wish it had the WT Rims.

Just powder coat the ring black on the badlands . It’s the same wheel

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