How "weatherproof" is Badlands?

[Rentedmule]

Doing a little mental math and based on my intended use, I anticipate my open top Bronco would get rained in one or two times a year. Too lazy to install top on days where it might rain and would just choose to drive my truck. Leaning Wildtrak but if the Badlands is designed to handle a moderate rain it would probably be my pick as I would not be as reluctant to drive it on days where there is a chance of rain.

So with the limited knowledge we have now do we anticipate the entire vehicle can be drained (more than just the footwells) and can the electronics hold up?

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[rdperez9411]

I would also like to know everyone's opinions on this

 

[DaDanny]

In Doug's "pre-review", he did mention how the front electronics have a rubber sealant on them to potentially protect against the elements, but I won't trust anything about that until it's officially confirmed the electronics are waterproof.

 

[NateL]

“Waterproof” not likely. Water resistant is what you can hope for. Most likely the electronics and speakers will be marine grade, which means you can splash water on them, but heavy water or submerging will ruin it. Top off in an afternoon sprinkle or light rain ?? Top off during a thunderstorm or monsoon ??

 

[mrcx]

I can't speak for a Bronco, but I've owned a few Wranglers. They have been rained in to the point where there was 2-3" of standing water. Not one issue with anything. Knowing that Ford wants a Jeep competitor, I can't see them building the Bronco any less capable. I know I won't have any worries.

 

[FrogGrabber]

There are some known Jeep problems, in the JK’s at least, that happened with rain. The clock spring in the steering wheel would go bad if it got wet enough, so you’d lose buttons/ horn.

Throw your front hardtop panels in back (or install them) on days with rain threat and pull your plugs. Bet you’d be fine then. I ran mine with safari top and floor plugs pulled about 6 months out of the year. Never had a problem. Avoided rain where possible, but still got wet a few times a year.

 

[Atomicdog]

If you’re specifically looking to compare Badlands to other trims for surviving rain the only difference would be the marine vinyl seats and rubberized floors if you’re comparing it to a model without those options.

 

[Evolkidbell]

Ford Media says the HERO switches are sealed.
Read somewhere else all dash knobs were sealed the same and "water resistant"


"Instrument panel surfaces are wipeable, with seamless silicone rubber on the dash-mounted hero switches, while rubber touchpoints protect against dirt and water. Six available upfitter switches mounted overhead are silicone-sealed to protect against the elements and to make customization easy, with pre-wired leads to key accessory points."

https://media.ford.com/content/ford...two-door-and-first-ever-four-door-models.html

 

[TNBronc4344]

There are some known Jeep problems, in the JK’s at least, that happened with rain. The clock spring in the steering wheel would go bad if it got wet enough, so you’d lose buttons/ horn.

Throw your front hardtop panels in back (or install them) on days with rain threat and pull your plugs. Bet you’d be fine then. I ran mine with safari top and floor plugs pulled about 6 months out of the year. Never had a problem. Avoided rain where possible, but still got wet a few times a year.

Great idea about the front panels.

 

[_2020_]

Ford Media says the HERO switches are sealed.
Read somewhere else all dash knobs were sealed the same and "water resistant"


"Instrument panel surfaces are wipeable, with seamless silicone rubber on the dash-mounted hero switches, while rubber touchpoints protect against dirt and water. Six available upfitter switches mounted overhead are silicone-sealed to protect against the elements and to make customization easy, with pre-wired leads to key accessory points."

https://media.ford.com/content/ford...two-door-and-first-ever-four-door-models.html

That has been clear on hero switches since the beginning, how about windows controls, a/c controls, screen, usb and instrument cluster?

Edit: overhead switches are probably the less worrying (bc they are overhead)

 

[RockEye]

Not like this:

 

[Evolkidbell]

It's not really clear. Sealing a portion of switches but not all seems odd.
Third party media implies all are sealed.

"The interior's switches and knobs are rubberized and silicone sealed as well. A squall might soak the passengers, but the Bronco interior won't care."

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a33277335/2021-ford-bronco-specs-revealed/

 

[Hey19]

I've been wondering about that and am considering throwing a car cover in the back. I can deploy it if rain threatens and I'm away from the tops. Here in the southwest, I'm going to be more worried about dust storms. I honestly don't remember the last time it rained here...

 

[fltechpilot]

There are some known Jeep problems, in the JK’s at least, that happened with rain. The clock spring in the steering wheel would go bad if it got wet enough, so you’d lose buttons/ horn.

Throw your front hardtop panels in back (or install them) on days with rain threat and pull your plugs. Bet you’d be fine then. I ran mine with safari top and floor plugs pulled about 6 months out of the year. Never had a problem. Avoided rain where possible, but still got wet a few times a year.

This is one of the most intelligent things I've heard. You clearly don't work in ford marketing.

 

[BroncBro]

It’s going to be hard to tell since they haven’t built any production Broncos yet. The only ones so far are pre production test vehicles and assembly line test vehicles.

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