Drop Weight. Besides less beer, what can I do to strip a badlands for my DD? Lighten up!

[MadMan4BamaNATL]

Bronco Sport Badlands maybe? Just sayin.....

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[amccue90]

Bronco Sport Badlands maybe? Just sayin.....

I know I shouldn't, but I'm taking that as an insult.

But really, would you run with a roof top tent year round of you weren't camping weekly? Would you leave your cargo carrier on the hitch because you got to pick up some awkward things from home depot a few times a year.

Or what if you like hitting the gas every once in a while? Can't you gain some speed by dropping a few hundred pounds here and there?

This is an academic question, I will accept the fuel economy.

 

[MadMan4BamaNATL]

I know I shouldn't, but I'm taking that as an insult.

But really, would you run with a roof top tent year round of you weren't camping weekly? Would you leave your cargo carrier on the hitch because you got to pick up some awkward things from home depot a few times a year.

Or what if you like hitting the gas every once in a while? Can't you gain some speed by dropping a few hundred pounds here and there?

This is an academic question, I will accept the fuel economy.

Well, your first post mentions not getting out. If this means the truck won't see much dirt and you don't camp, but may think about doing so in the future, the Sport is a perfect pick. The tires alone that'll come on that thing will conquer most trails and even some mud.

However, to address your inquiry directly, you should not leave a rooftop tent on year round unless you do 3-4 season camping. I use a ground tent and inflatable bed (Gazelle Overland Edition), but if you go rooftop, that does kill fuel milage.

A Badlands on Squatch is heavy because of the armor, the stronger axles and beefy suspension. Also, 35" tires weigh a ton.

Best, just chalk up that you'll burn gas like a thirsty guy in the desert. However, this is a purpose built vehicle really, so it's expected. Leaving anything on your hitch will likely affect braking and wear them faster.

Basically, if you resolve to use some tools to take things off, put them back on, sure you can shave some weight, but do not have illusions that this will be anything near an efficient vehicle. It's not.

 

[amccue90]

Well, your first post mentions not getting out. If this means the truck won't see much dirt and you don't camp, but may think about doing so in the future, the Sport is a perfect pick. The tires alone that'll come on that thing will conquer most trails and even some mud.

However, to address your inquiry directly, you should not leave a rooftop tent on year round unless you do 3-4 season camping. I use a ground tent and inflatable bed (Gazelle Overland Edition), but if you go rooftop, that does kill fuel milage.

A Badlands on Squatch is heavy because of the armor, the stronger axles and beefy suspension. Also, 35" tires weigh a ton.

Best, just chalk up that you'll burn gas like a thirsty guy in the desert. However, this is a purpose built vehicle really, so it's expected. Leaving anything on your hitch will likely affect braking and wear them faster.

Basically, if you resolve to use some tools to take things off, put them back on, sure you can shave some weight, but do not have illusions that this will be anything near an efficient vehicle. It's not.

Appreciate the input. The tent and hitch comments were rhetorical. I understand that this is a purpose built vehicle and I won't use it for it's purpose daily. I understand that it'll get crap mileage. But I don't want a Bronco Sport, that looks like every other SUV.

I want the Bronco, the first SUV in my memory that looks unique (aside from the wrangler). I want something that looks cool. Seems overbuilt and will live forever.

And dudes, you can take the doors and roof off. That's freaking sweet.

Well over half the buyers won't leave pavement, but they'll take the roof and doors off. Tell them they're doing it wrong and they should be climbing rocks and racing dunes. Then tell them and me what other SUV can I take the doors and roof off of and I'll go buy that instead.

 

[timhood]

I think the MGV is really cool, and i'd still want a rear locker and the advanced 4x4. Then a small visual lift down the road, probably make the wheel well space look a little too weird for 32". I think I'm ok with spending the extra $$ up front because it seems too marginal at that point.

But yes, I've tried to convince myself to cut down many times and still might. But even still, my thoughts are what can we strip down from any trim I guess to lighten it up as needed.

Get the Outer Banks with the Advanced 4x4. That automatically adds the rear locker. But it saves all the weight of those other things you'll never use--front steel bumper, bash plates, heavy-duty front axle, etc. That would have all the capability you'd probably ever need, but if you reaaaaaally wanted, you could get a set of 17" wheels and 33" tires and switch to those when you want to go off-roading. The stock tires will give you better gas mileage on road (and will take you to many places off-road).

We've taken our Ford Escape with its stock passenger tires on heavily rutted dirt and rocky roads and trails. People way under-estimate what even the most basic Bronco can do.

 

[timhood]

Fold the windshield down? we are still talking about 2021 broncos's right?
Also I would be amazed, despite the aerodynamics of the bronco, that with doors off and top off wouldn't be worse. but maybe the weight difference would exceed the air disturbance.

One of the car magazines did a test of A/C vs. windows down and found that above about 40 MPH, it was cheaper to run the A/C. Doors off, top down, that's gonna be way less fuel-efficient than the weight saved. Plus, don't forget, the top and the doors are intentionally light weight.

 

[harpo]

I'm way over-buying a badlands. Probably never do any rock crawling and anything besides pavement will certainly be a well planned trip living in Northern Illinois.

I like the look of the suspension lift, but don't care for the biggest tires. Even sizing down tires from a squatch doesn't make sense on another trim to me as the price difference is just not that much of an incremental increase in my opinion. And I want Lux. So badlands it is. Just seems a little crazy this thing will weigh in at more than some F-150s; hopefully overbuilt, not under engineered.

Having said that, what can I strip off on my daily commute to save some weight? thinking under armor/rock rails won't be that hard to put back on for an adventure. I could consider taking out the rear seat (4 door) depending on how the dogs handle the open floor. Swapping bumpers probably won't save any money in fuel compared to the cost of something lighter. Run doorless/topless as often as possible (around town, not very aerodynamic on the highway).

Anybody else? Not too worried about the fuel economy, but also it doesn't make much sense for me to run it fully loaded daily.

Used the search function an found this thread ; ) lets revive it.

We all know the bronco, especially the BL and Sasquatch versions, has a weight problem, how can we solve it?

Best places for weight reduction?

Me – 20 lbs (cheapest reduction, shouldn’t be too difficult)

Wife – 10 lbs (I need volunteers to tell my wife her goal, plus the real goal is 20 but I never said that…)

Spare – 70lbs? (*in town only)

Doors – 2 door version say 65lbs/door – 50 net after LW fabric door added? Say 100lbs

MIC top versus fabric – 100 lbs delta?

Rear seat delete, 2 door, 40lbs?

Bumpers – Ford (and many forum members) make a big deal about the heavy duty bumpers. What is the real benefit of the heavy bumper? Will there be a strong but light aftermarket replacement?

Bash plates – how heavy are the BL/sasquatch plates, how effective/costly are lighter versions? This seems like a high cost/effort per lb of reduction.

Rock rails ?

Lighter tires, rims 100lbs

Swing gate delete, 100lbs

What else could be done?

I know, Tim is right “ Outer Banks with the Advanced 4x4”. We used to take the kids camping the San Rafael Swell and definitely got a few "WTF are you doing out here in a minivan" looks. A little ground clearance goes a long way.

Overall, I’m a big fan of LW gear and have a more minimalist approach to packing so all my camping stuff wght runs low and volume runs low. Except for water – here in Utah, it is best to not skimp on water.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Buy a Base with whatever powertrain.

Strip it down until it looks like most of the Early Broncos out there.

Sheet metal, seats, seatbelts & steering wheel will be about all that's left.

Pull the doors, top and tailgate.
Install a Bimini top.
Hang a small duffle bag from the shifter to keep personal stuff in that you don't want to roll out or blow out.

Enjoy the ride!

 

[Rick Astley]

If you're serious about shedding weight and not willing to give up cup holders, may I suggest....

 

[ATLBronco75]

If it's highway miles aerodynamics is a bigger problem than weight. Get some of those wheel covers and road tires.

 

[Old Guy]

What little weight you remove won’t make any measurable difference in your fuel economy.

Agree with this. I would go another trim, and then stay with 32's, but put on a beefier looking tire after they wear out. Likely unless your next to a Badlands, you would never know the difference.

Almost sounds more like OBX fits your desired usage more. That being said, I am getting the BD, and the Big Bend likely fits my usage more.

 

[Thane]

Drop your order to Base Squatch, all the capability of Badlands sans the disconnect and shiney objects.

Take the $15k difference and pick up an off lease elec. Bolt with 5 yrs left on warranty.

Don't degrade a specialist into a mediocre experience.

 

[harpo]

If it's highway miles aerodynamics is a bigger problem than weight. Get some of those wheel covers and road tires.

Dude, I've got grand aeromod plans to go with the rear door delete!!! Spats, splitters I'm all in!

My goal isn't tied to MPG. Lighter has better acceleration, lighter has better offroad capability, lighter may reduce maintenance.

Lighter is better.

I may still want doors though, side impact fears....

 

[ATLBronco75]

Dude, I've got grand aeromod plans to go with the rear door delete!!! Spats, splitters I'm all in!

My goal isn't tied to MPG. Lighter has better acceleration, lighter has better offroad capability, lighter may reduce maintenance.

Lighter is better.

I may still want doors though, side impact fears....

If you get really crazy with the weight reduciton you may have to get coilovers because the sprung weight will have changed enough. Just an excuse to get Fox remote reservoirs!

 

[harpo]

Drop your order to Base Squatch, all the capability of Badlands sans the disconnect and shiney objects.

Take the $15k difference and pick up an off lease elec. Bolt with 5 yrs left on warranty.

Don't degrade a specialist into a mediocre experience.

If I could get the base with rear locker, 12" screen and cameras I would....

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