First 24 hrs in my Badlands Sasquatch 4dr 2.7L Velocity Blue Soft Top (w/ Rear Cargo Enclosure review)

[Felix808]

@stuston, Congrats on the new ride. Thanks for the write up. Could you tell me the width & height inside of the enclosure?
Thanks

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[JediMcMuffin]

I'll be getting that cargo enclosure thanks to you. I'm so happy for you right now and this thread has genuinely restored some excitement. My fingers are crossed for 7/29 scheduling for September. My build is almost identical, except Area51 + High Package - Tow

 

[stuston]

Congratulations, we have the same dealership! I've been happy with them so far. How do you rate their buying and delivery process? Also, good to hear that they got their Mannequins in. Do you know which trims they are? If its a 2 door I need to stop by and see it soon. Still debating internally between a 2 and 4 door.

Hardy has been great. My work does business with their Chevy side and I've never had issues with them. Ford tried to direct me to Wade, but... well, no... that's all I'll say. I had a contractor working on my house the day Luci showed up, so I couldn't be gone long. I had already setup a lot of stuff with them in advance anyway. Alison, my sales person was very sick, so they put me with another guy to finish out the process and it all went very well. They were even able to quickly do electronic documents so I could minimize my time in the dealership and get back home.

What is your opinion of the swaybar disconnect after having put it to use like that? Almost all of the Bronco marketing shows it being used in the ideal situation for disconnecting, where the car is flexed at opposite corners and lifting tires. From the photos on this berm it doesn't look like it had a big effect, but what's the seat of the pants feel?

I'm not very experienced with that sort of thing, but what you couldn't really see was the difference in tire contact. It will certainly make a difference in some situations, but it's all going to depend on grip.

Ugh, that sucks, I thought you were gonna say the badlands badge was crooked (at least it looked that way in photo.)

The box is nice, takes up territory obviously but we all have our own uses

Would that thing seriously affect the subwoofer sound if your package had one back there? Can't recall if they all do anymore

I've heard the sound system was terrible, so I wasn't expecting much... I can't say it's that bad. I'm not planning any upgrades. I would not suggest a subwoofer with the cargo enclosure. If you're into that kind of thing, put a small one under the rear seat, but then you can't fold it down.

The badge is straight, but it is just a sticker. It looks like something from Etsy. A little disappointing. I may order extras for when this one fades or comes off.

What day was yours listed as "shipped"? Mine may have been on the same rail shipment and might be in-bound .

Showed as shipped on 7/10. Est. 19 days to show up, but took only 9. The website never updated me after I got the email from Ford - the dealership called me. If you have a crappy dealer, they may not.

Nice review of the enclosure. I’ve had this in my cart for weeks. Im slightly disappointed that its not more “removable” and sounds like it is pretty fixed. But maybe that’s the whole idea anyways. I now might lean towards the plastic, temporary tonneau cover to “hide” items and not necessarily “secure” items. Thanks again for the review!

You might wait to see what the aftermarket comes up with. The tonneau cover was my backup plan too, but I really didn't like straps going over the back - again, I think the aftermarket will provide better options with time.

Looks awesome! Congrats and thanks for all the info. Can you lock ('click') the lowered soft top into place with the Tuffy security enclosure, or does the lowered top simply rest upon it? Finally I really appreciate the pics of the three windows in the rear. Have you noticed whether storing the rear window in the back not completely (but almost) flat causes any creases or wrinkling in the rear window? Many thanks

Yes, everything works as it should with the cargo box in place. The top will fully retract and lock in place. If you're careful with the windows, I don't think you'll have any issues with marring them up, but the enclosure is powdercoated steel. I am going to get a bag for them. I have some more thoughts on those window panels I will share when I get time - stay tuned.

Would you mind posting a video on how that cargo storage lock works? Can you slide it back if you need to put something taller in there

It is hinged at the backseat and lifts up at the tailgate side. I'll try to get a video and post it with my additional thoughts in the coming days.

 

[amccue90]

No. Anything you put in the back will prevent you from putting the doors back there.

but like, if I just take the drivers door off, I should be able to figure out a way to lay it flat back there? right?

 

[stuston]

Can you hear the back door table raddle at all? I was planning to order it but was curious about that while driving.

No, it's quite stable, and it has various gaskets and seals to keep it from rubbing too.

I noticed that there are two types of enclosures. The one like yours and then one with the top that is fixed shut. I'd probably go for the fixed shut, but not really sure what I'm gonna do for security?

I'd be interested to see if the fixed lid model is more moddable to make the lid removable as I suggest. The drawback may be that it becomes noisy.

 

[Cheshire]

Looks awesome! My 4Dr BaseSquatch 2.7L MIC Velocity Blue just shipped. I understand you're wanting a secure place for stuff, but I can't imagine living with that big metal cage in my vehicle. Also, not a fan of the fold down table. It looks to me that it will rattle like a MOFO before too long.

 

[Jim May]

So first, meet Luci. "Hi Luci." Luci is my Sasquatch, purchased from Hardy Ford in Dallas, GA. Here's the preview; She showed up on 7/19, but the dealer didn't have time to finish prepping her and installing my accessories. Apparently, they went through her with a fine-tooth comb. So these are the photos I got from my 'inspection' that day. IIRC they mentioned that there were three customer rigs and two mannequins delivered. BTW Cactus grey is a crap color for a Ranger, but looks great on a Soft-top Bronco (you can see it in the background, looks kind of white here).

The Build:

• Badlands
• Sasquatch
• Mid-package
• 4 door
• 2.7L EcoBoost V6
• 10-speed automatic
• Velocity Blue Metallic
• Soft-Top
• Black Marine-Grade Vinyl Seats
• Remote Start
• Keyless Entry Keypad (on the door)
• Tow package
• MSRP $54,270

Next.... Delivery

Delivery; I was apparently the first customer to take delivery from this dealership. They finished installing my accessories by around noon. I had ordered the tailgate table and the rear cargo enclosure with the raising lid. The salesman meets me and says he needs to show me something. I say, "There's a bunch of stuff you need to show me!" But, he says "I mean, something happened." My only thought is 'I'm taking this home today'. So as we're walking out to see Luci, he starts explaining, 'The tech followed all the Ford instructions and installed everything correctly. But they noticed there was a problem.' So we round the corner and there she is.

So, what's the problem? He takes me around the back, and points out this:

This could have ruined my day. But nah, I was too pumped, this was not going to ruin it for me. This was finally my day. So what happened? Apparently, one (or more) of the screws to secure the folding table were too long - from the Ford supplied kit. So it ended up poking through to the back skin of the tailgate and there is a slight crack in the paint that you can just feel. No problem though, Hardy Ford is going to take care of it. I told them to call Ford, and make Ford take care of it, and fix their kit while they're at it!

Other than that, the Marketing Manager just had to come out and take my picture, and at that point I realized I had been smiling the whole time -- I don't smile much, but that lasted all day.

Enjoy some more pictures from delivery and next I'll share some specific details and my thoughts from the first 24 hours.

(Yes, the 3rd brake light clears the 35's - unsure if it is a different PN)

It locks!

There was a lot of lithium grease on the door latches... it seemed to have gotten on someone's pants. There was also a small dab on the visor.

Easter eggs here and there.

So, before I move on to broader topics, a few notes on this cargo enclosure.

There are access holes for the 12v outlet, light, and the storage cubbies, but they could be bigger.

This thing is kinda sweet, but not fully hatched. If you plan on going around with the top or doors off but still want to securely store stuff... this is the answer. But, there is a cost. The lid on this model does raise up with gas shocks rated at 20lbs each. However, that is only enough to hold the lid itself. Add any more weight, and it falls. Unfortunately, with the softtop, the rear frame also rests on this piece, and you have to raise that at the same time. So, you end up having to hold up the whole assembly if you want to raise the lid of the cargo area. The rear frame for the top does have a little kickstand, but it doesn't work when the cargo lid is up. This wasn't really fully thought out.

Also, while this looks like it was intended to be removable, my dealer didn't give me the instructions. Taking a close look at it, it does not appear to be a simple process. I think if the hinges were spring-loaded pins, rather than nylocked-nuts & bolts, it would make a world of difference. Which brings me to another point. The lit raises, but it is not removable. Removal requires partial disassembly. If this were addressed, I think this would be the killer accessory.


Skipping forward a bit, lets just take a look at how the first 24 hours wrapped up. Not much need for words here, so here it goes..

.

Swaybar connected:

Swaybar disconnected:

It wasn't much, but at least I made sure the 4WD engaged.

That is awesome you took it off road already, Was there any rattle from the drop down tailgate table?

 

[stuston]

That is awesome you took it off road already, Was there any rattle from the drop down tailgate table?

None, no rattles at all.

NONE OF THE EQUIPMENT RATTLES.

 

[swooshdave]

but like, if I just take the drivers door off, I should be able to figure out a way to lay it flat back there? right?

I mean, you can try. How are you going to lay it flat and protect it? If you lay it skin side down you run a huge risk of damaging it. If you lay it with the inside down it may not sit level. But hey, it's your door not mine. You go for it.

 

[Dubsilk]

Nice review of the enclosure. I’ve had this in my cart for weeks. Im slightly disappointed that its not more “removable” and sounds like it is pretty fixed. But maybe that’s the whole idea anyways. I now might lean towards the plastic, temporary tonneau cover to “hide” items and not necessarily “secure” items. Thanks again for the review!

I’m wrestling with the enclosure as well. I assume no easy onboard storage for the doors, and if there is a need to pack the bag for a long trip the inability to remove it easily is a little concerning.

 

[Bronco Cash]

Congrats!! Your rig looks amazing and love that you already got it offroad. And thanks for the pics and info on the accessories, I have been looking at the tonneau cover versus what you got but it is so hard to decide not seeing or knowing how they will work/look. Enjoy!

 

[amccue90]

I mean, you can try. How are you going to lay it flat and protect it? If you lay it skin side down you run a huge risk of damaging it. If you lay it with the inside down it may not sit level. But hey, it's your door not mine. You go for it.

strap er down with those lassos

 

[Triathlonfun]

Great write up. Love that VB!

For the security enclosure it looks like 4 bolts to remove that panel next to the back seats if you needed to put something longer in there with the seats down?

Also, do they list a weight limit for the top of the enclosure?

 

[HardenUp]

I’m wrestling with the enclosure as well. I assume no easy onboard storage for the doors, and if there is a need to pack the bag for a long trip the inability to remove it easily is a little concerning.

Agree. The more I think about the plastic tonneau cover, the more I like it. You could likely just roll it up and store it somewhere until you’re ready to use it. Obviously, you’re limited on storing valuable items with the tonneau, but you have more flexibility. Even simple things like groceries that you don’t want to hear blowing in the wind, just throw the tonneau over and done. Roll it back up when you’re done.
Maybe someone will make a small “toolbox” that could be stored on the side that’s out of the way.

 

[Aardvark53]

Looks great. I wasn't a big fan of the cargo storage but I like how it looks. Thanks for giving us look at yours. Sorry about Ford put a little bit too much torque on the screw. Great to see you enjoying life to the fullest.

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