First Edition vs Newer Models

[ThatWilsonGuy]

The only thing I can think to add is that FE should have a different interior color than what is available in the 21'-24' Wildtrak. I don't care for the sand/tan interior of the Wildtrak and it is one reason we were looking at the FE.

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[RagnarKon]

Thanks for all the info!
I am specifically looking at the Lightning Blue. I like that much better than the Velocity. And it kind of makes it a one off color, like my Atlas Blue Super Duty.
We don’t do any hard-core rock crawling, mostly trail running. So, it sounds like the HOSS 3.0 is the biggest difference and I’m sure I can upgrade from the 2.0 if I ever have problems in the future.

Lightning Blue would be my first choice, simply because it was First Edition-exclusive.

But also keep your eye out for Cyber Yellow. That's the iconic "Bronco 6th generation launch color" was only available for the first few years.

 

[Tdub0527]

This year I bought a used 2021 Badlands Sasquatch with 6,500 miles on it for 49k. I thought that was a fantastic deal compared to a 65k 2024 with the only difference being the upgraded steering rack and 6k miles on it. It also had the discontinued color I wanted and had the modular bumper.

I’m also not wheeling nearly as hard or frequently as others and the 2.0 rack was worth the nearly 20k difference in price for me.

Best decision I ever made. Be honest for how you’ll use it then make the decision. If you aren’t hardcore wheeling I think you’ll be fine IMO.

If the FE has a V6 there was a bad batch of those that failed. A bunch of threads here on that.

 

[Ninjak]

Depends I guess on the price of the FE. It also depends on the use. If you are going to be using it to do some major crawling or wheeling, getting the HOSS 3.0 may be worth it from the jump. Also, people have upgraded the HOSS 3.0 who have needed to upgrade with no issues.

While we are speaking about this, the HOSS 2.0 is not made out of paper mache. Yes, people have broken tie rods, and the steering rack, but it was not like someone was going down a trail and it just fell apart. Most who have broken these parts were doing serious wheeling. I take my RIG out, 21 Badlands and I am running the 2.0 system with no issues.

So if you can get a FE for a major discount, it may be worth it. The other route is to negotiate a better deal on a newer model. Either way I think it can be a win.

 

[mpeugeot]

A good price on a lightly used or leftover 2023 is where I would try to catch a good deal. Many models are no longer available in 2024 in the configurations that were available (and better deals) in 2023.

The only real improvement in 2024 is the inclusion of the heavy duty steering rack in some of the Broncos.

They essentially destroyed the OBX in 2024 - no advanced 4x4 except in the Sasquatch, no cloth seating option, no 2 door, and no 2.7 plus price increases = nope!

The 2024's are ridiculously expensive and they have gamed the builds in such a way as to almost force you into much higher trims to get capabilities that we easy to spec previously at a much lower cost.

 

[Dral97]

I got a used FE and it's been good over the year and a half I've had it so far. It has an electrical gremlin or two, but otherwise I've loved it.

If you go the FE route, look into this:
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...ist-68-so-far-updated-december-13-2022.31951/

It's not to say something out of those julian dates won't blow and something within those dates won't run until it falls apart without blowing, but it is something to consider.

I spent a lot of time making sure the one I got was out of the Julian date range (and I think I taught a few salespeople what a Julian date is and where to find it on the engine).

Glad to hear you're looking at LB, it really is the only option in my mind, but I'm biased.

 

[BroncoDymond88]

I had a '21 Wildtrak and now I have a '23 Wildtrak. I also noticed the sealing around everything is much better, doors, top etc. The vehicle feels more solid and rattles less, the '21s were rushed into production and some of the parts were still flaky, like the top and potentially the engine depending on when it was built.

I wouldn't purchase a '21 model, especially given the suspension comments everyone else made.

 

[Dral97]

I'll add that I agree with most that you're probably better off getting a 24 (or 23). It has a better chance of being an all around better vehicle (and obviously this is coming from someone who owns a 21).

The only exception is as mentioned by someone earlier, if you are getting a FE to sort of baby and preserve. I don't think that's the case since if it was, you wouldn't be asking which to get.

I don't necessarily baby mine. I'm good to my vehicles and take care of them, but I daily driver it and use it. I'll likely trade it in when either a PHEV or update rolls around though (Sure am going to miss this color though). Until then, I'm very happy with it and hope that continues.

 

[BigMeatsBronco]

I like my FE better than the badlands we had or the Bad/trak we just traded in. The 2.0 rack is a non issue for me as the 3.0 swap was something I made PRIORITY...
and did that swap before anyone else.

It's far easier to buy a wild track and swap out the sway bar than it is to buy a badlands and swap out the shocks and the steering (22-23)

I enjoy the unique LB color and graphics on FEs.

I look forward to adding any and all new features future models might get to my dated 21 model...

 

[jrollo7]

If you're going to baby it as a "collector" car, get the FE. If you're going to use it and wheel it, get a new Wildtrak or Badlands.

Exactly.

 

[Jonny way]

Early 2.7's had engine issues. Maybe something to look into.

 

[userdude]

It's far easier to buy a wild track and swap out the sway bar than it is to buy a badlands and swap out the shocks and the steering (22-23)

The OP has mentioned that they're not crawling with it, but this is what I wish I had known before I bought my BL. Not that I dislike my Bronco, but the hassle of removing the e-disco for something different (something I've heard can be done but yet to see how?), plus the issues with the e-disco failing, plus the upgraded shocks/suspension, these are all worth stronger consideration if someone is planning to crawl.

 

[BigIron]

Thank you all for your input and great insight.
we decided to get the LB FE mostly because I love the color and it appears to have all the options I want. I will monitor the suspension and engine closely and I see the HOSS 3.0 is a possible upgrade down the road. This engine has 18k miles and sounds good, so we are hoping for no issues. It appeared to me that most of the failures happened at lower miles.
thanks again for the advice and input.

 

[BigMeatsBronco]

The OP has mentioned that they're not crawling with it, but this is what I wish I had known before I bought my BL. Not that I dislike my Bronco, but the hassle of removing the e-disco for something different (something I've heard can be done but yet to see how?), plus the issues with the e-disco failing, plus the upgraded shocks/suspension, these are all worth stronger consideration if someone is planning to crawl.

I swapped in the Badlands SWAYBAR disconnect into pur Wildtrak....super easy swap, (6 bolts) and wired it to one of the AUX switches. you can find used ones from LKQ for $100 delivered to yer doorstep.

 

[userdude]

I swapped in the Badlands SWAYBAR disconnect into pur Wildtrak....super easy swap, (6 bolts) and wired it to one of the AUX switches. you can find used ones from LKQ for $100 delivered to yer doorstep.

I'm talking about the other way, removing it. My understanding is (I haven't tried anything, would wait until it goes out prolly), the computer expects it so just disconnecting it won't work.

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