Bronco Options/Features Question

[Ned Kelly]

I've been tossing around adding a Bronco to the stable in the near future. I'm wondering which options/features are must haves from the factory that aren't reasonably priced/easily obtainable in the aftermarket. Off the top of my head, I would venture to guess that the 2.7L V6 (prefer the bigger engine option) and 10 speed automatic (honestly just too lazy to switch gears these days) are better off coming from the factory. Are there any others? My current ride is a '19 Ford Ranger Lariat FX4 and honestly, I only wanted the FX4 so I didn't have to worry about an aftermarket rear locker, which really wasn't out when I bought it. Picture of my Ranger attached just because. Full disclosure, I will be keeping my Ranger. I don't think a Bronco would care pulling our Rzr too much. Thanks!

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[Headsong]

Welcome. So what ARE you going to do with it? (I think it could pull that easily...)

The 2.7 is a solid engine, the 10 speed is great. Rear lockers are nice....I like the Advanced 4x4, esp. this morning in the snow. Tho' in OK, you don't know snow!

 

[Oldhippie]

Yes 2.7 is a no brainer…I will say aux switches…Sasquatch for basic off roading…if you are planning serious off roading do the lockers and sway bar disconnect after the fact so they aren’t computer controlled…if you are planning road use only, think about a different vehicle…party on!

 

[Shrek27]

If you want a 2 door with a 2.7L you should shop the 2024 MYs.
Mid package or High is needed if you like heated seats and dual zone AC.

 

[Ned Kelly]

Welcome. So what ARE you going to do with it? (I think it could pull that easily...)

The 2.7 is a solid engine, the 10 speed is great. Rear lockers are nice....I like the Advanced 4x4, esp. this morning in the snow. Tho' in OK, you don't know snow!

Ideally, I wanted to use it as a Tourer. A ride we could travel in to see some more National Parks and other sites but still have the functionality to do passes in Colorado, or off road trails like Hidden Falls in Texas. I am not a rock crawler, that's for sure. I thought pulling our Rzr would be out of the question. Our Rzr is 2000lbs, and I am not quite sure what our trailer loaded down with gear would be, but was hesitant on pushing the 3500 limit of the vehicle. And, finally, my wife personally wants a Wrangler, but I am not a fan of their road manners, so this could be a happy compromise.

True, we don't know Snow, but we know its cousin, Dusting! Happy to receive the meager 3 to 5 inches we did, to the dismay of some of my fellow Okies.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

New/used?
What model?
2dr?
4dr?

I don't think a Bronco would care pulling our Rzr too much.

I pulled a 3000 lb boat with a 4dr 2.3/auto Badlands/ 33's.
Maybe 12 hours of towing with that set up.
Handled it beautifully.
Beautifully.
Better than our old crew cab 1/2 ton.
Power was better, stability just BARELY less than the truck. Only difference was at Interstate speeds, and really tight curvy roads, but again, it was just slightly less than the ol' truck.

The two door Base manual , .... not so much. LOL!!
Slightly more "bucky", but the major downfall was the transmission. I would do it again, but it is not as effortless as the 4door/auto Badlands was.

That 10 speed made the 4 door phenomenal.

Mated to the v6, it would probably be superb.

If you MIGHT offroad it, Sasquatch used to be an outrageous value.
If you are looking at a Badlands you can skip Squatch because a standard Badlands is 98% Squatch anyways.

Miss the hell outta that Badlands, but I could only keep one and the 2dr has it's claws in me, lol .

 

[HoosierDaddy]

That 3000lbs was across the scales, not a guess.

I also used the 4dr for two of our family road trip vacations.
Touring will be a perfect fit.

 

[mpeugeot]

TBH, the Ranger Raptor is a better value for a tourer that you can off-road.

 

[carlonyc77]

I'd say Sasquatch package (comes with 35's & lock diff), 2.7 auto is really nice, 4 doors for touring is ample, and mid package at the least.
It's good practice to compare the price of the options you think you'd wanna add on against Ford parts or aftermarket parts. For example, it's cheaper to get a roof rack from the factory than buy it later as a part (if you want OEM). Also, if you will tow, the tow package from the factory is cheaper than buying it later
On the other hand, the storage bag for the mid panel (hard top) is cheaper to buy separately than ordering from the factory. Wheel lock kit too, cheaper to buy as a part instead of adding this option to your order

 

[Ned Kelly]

TBH, the Ranger Raptor is a better value for a tourer that you can off-road.

I like where your head is at! But, it has to be a compromise with the missus, and she wants a Wrangler. She wants to be able to take it anywhere and wants the ability to take the top off. I'm not a Jeep fan, especially the ride, and I like the style of the Bronco, so this is my compromise.

 

[Ned Kelly]

New/used?
What model?
2dr?
4dr?








I pulled a 3000 lb boat with a 4dr 2.3/auto Badlands/ 33's.
Maybe 12 hours of towing with that set up.
Handled it beautifully.
Beautifully.
Better than our old crew cab 1/2 ton.
Power was better, stability just BARELY less than the truck. Only difference was at Interstate speeds, and really tight curvy roads, but again, it was just slightly less than the ol' truck.

The two door Base manual , .... not so much. LOL!!
Slightly more "bucky", but the major downfall was the transmission. I would do it again, but it is not as effortless as the 4door/auto Badlands was.

That 10 speed made the 4 door phenomenal.

Mated to the v6, it would probably be superb.

If you MIGHT offroad it, Sasquatch used to be an outrageous value.
If you are looking at a Badlands you can skip Squatch because a standard Badlands is 98% Squatch anyways.

Miss the hell outta that Badlands, but I could only keep one and the 2dr has it's claws in me, lol .

It would be new. I am weird and like to know everything that has been done or happened with the vehicle. I run a particular oil and filter and fuel in all my Ecoboosts and like to know that it has been serviced the way I want. I have been doing my best internet researching and I had it narrowed down to between a Wildtrak and a Badlands without Sasquatch. Obviously, the pricing is a bit of a gut punch, hence the post to see what are the must haves from the factory to see if I can get away with a lower trim level and just add what I want in the aftermarket.

 

[Beach_Bum]

It would be new. I am weird and like to know everything that has been done or happened with the vehicle. I run a particular oil and filter and fuel in all my Ecoboosts and like to know that it has been serviced the way I want. I have been doing my best internet researching and I had it narrowed down to between a Wildtrak and a Badlands without Sasquatch. Obviously, the pricing is a bit of a gut punch, hence the post to see what are the must haves from the factory to see if I can get away with a lower trim level and just add what I want in the aftermarket.

Going to have to research a bit more. The Wildtrak has been discontinued for MY'25. You'll have to find a leftover MY'24 on a dealer lot if you are wanting one.

While you are doing your research, you might want to look at the MY'25 Big Bend with Black Diamond package. You get your rear locker with 4.46 gears, AUX switches, 4A transfer case, and more without having to get a Sasquatch optioned Bronco.

 

[mpeugeot]

I like where your head is at! But, it has to be a compromise with the missus, and she wants a Wrangler. She wants to be able to take it anywhere and wants the ability to take the top off. I'm not a Jeep fan, especially the ride, and I like the style of the Bronco, so this is my compromise.

If that's the case, get a 2024 Badlands Non-Sasquatch 2.7 lux package Bronco, the discontinued WildTrak with the HOSS 3.0 suspension, or possibly the Outer Banks with the Sasquatch package. You will save a bunch of money with a 2024 being clearanced. The Badlands Non-Sasquatch won't demand a premium (complain that it's missing the Sasquatch package and get a better price, lol) also it will get better mileage overall.

You will greatly appreciate the adaptive cruise control on the long trips to get you to those epic destinations that comes only with the Lux package.

Also plan to get the MoBridge amplifier and speaker upgrade to deal with the limited stereo system that comes with the Bronco lux package (even the B&O sucks, the non-B&O sucks worse).

Also, if you want to take long trips at highway speeds, get the hardtop. You can't run a roof rack with the soft top very easily (there is the Gobi rack, but it's not cheap or easy).

I am making an assumption that you are looking for a 4 door. So my advice is specific to that.

2025 is an option, but the price is a bit higher all around, but even I would consider a non-sasquatch Badlands lux package in Ruby Red with the matching painted hardtop.

 

[TruckCamper]

I'd say... 2dr manual if looking for the authentic Bronco experience. And it's the easiest manual I've ever driven: hill hold, light clutch, easy to shift, engine idle up... 2dr is just fun (less weight). Great MPG too.

If going 4dr (not a real Bronco). I'd only consider the Raptor. It is truly a different rig. Most comfortable. Powerful. Capable.

 

[JAD67428]

Here a nice article.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/reviews/a61612994/2024-ford-bronco-big-bend-review/

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