Perspective owner - Questions

[Ape Factory]

I was in your shoes not long ago and was basically looking at a used Wildtrak and have a modded out Rubicon in the family as well. I ended up getting a used Raptor as prices had dropped pretty drastically and I ended up with a very low mile '23 fully loaded with every option but graphics for less than a new loaded WT. Might be worth a look.

Otherwise the WT was the right choice as I really didn't want to go through the process of heavy modifications. The Raptor, however, is a no regrets purchase as you get everything and the kitchen sink. With the Raptor, you never loose sleep over the what if's.

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[cmtaz]

I was in your shoes not long ago and was basically looking at a used Wildtrak and have a modded out Rubicon in the family as well. I ended up getting a used Raptor as prices had dropped pretty drastically and I ended up with a very low mile '23 fully loaded with every option but graphics for less than a new loaded WT. Might be worth a look.

I started out wanting a raptor, but after investigation I decided it was too wide. A raptor is a full foot wider than my Rubicon X. That would be great in the open desert, but not on the local trails. It's a bummer because the raptor is a BEAST! It seems that a WT or badlands seems to be the best solution so far.

 

[Ape Factory]

I started out wanting a raptor, but after investigation I decided it was too wide. A raptor is a full foot wider than my Rubicon X. That would be great in the open desert, but not on the local trails. It's a bummer because the raptor is a BEAST! It seems that a WT or badlands seems to be the best solution so far.

It is wide. I mean the whole thing is just ridiculous but yeah, if you have a lot of narrow trail off-roading, not the best choice. Pretty wide open for the most part here in Texas.

I actually have zero difficulty parking, maneuvering or otherwise placing it where I need to but do get a bit nervous with an 18-wheeler on either side. And then there's the issue of parking garages if that's a regular parking solution. I've run into two thus far that weren't tall enough for the Braptor with a roof rack installed. But I don't tackle parking garages often.

 

[Beach_Bum]

... The Raptor, however, is a no regrets purchase as you get everything and the kitchen sink. With the Raptor, you never loose sleep over the what if's.

Until this guy shows up @5GENIDN

 

[5GENIDN]

Until this guy shows up @5GENIDN

I would still pick the Raptor for high speed desert running. but for my trails, yea I like the Badlands.

 

[5GENIDN]

My Jeep/Toyota friends all say a Bronco on 35's is a Jeep on 33's.

And the Jeep can change tires all it wants and it will never be a Bronco on the road... And that includes any two track you can hit 15 mph on....

 

[rdg04578]

And the Jeep can change tires all it wants and it will never be a Bronco on the road... And that includes any two track you can hit 15 mph on....

I can honestly say that the last consideration I had for buying either one had anything to do with how well it drives on the road

 

[5GENIDN]

I can honestly say that the last consideration I had for buying either one had anything to do with how well it drives on the road

Sounds like you would prefer a rock buggy that you trailer to the trail head.

Just thinking that if your only consideration is how it preforms on the trail Then you can not beat a rock buggy.

My Bronco sees the trails probably way more than most as a proportion of it's total milage, mine is not a daily driver (* there are others on here that hit the trail harder and more often than I do) and yet it still sees more pavement than dirt.... Mostly getting to and from the trail head. And since I do not want to trailer, pain in the ass in my opinion, that part of the ride is important to me. In fact most of the trail.... two track stuff between obstacles, forest service roads, etc... I am old enough that I can appreciate a level of comfort that the other options just can not deliver.

 

[rdg04578]

Sounds like you would prefer a rock buggy that you trailer to the trail head.

Just thinking that if your only consideration is how it preforms on the trail Then you can not beat a rock buggy.

My Bronco sees the trails probably way more than most as a proportion of it's total milage, mine is not a daily driver (* there are others on here that hit the trail harder and more often than I do) and yet it still sees more pavement than dirt.... Mostly getting to and from the trail head. And since I do not want to trailer, pain in the ass in my opinion, that part of the ride is important to me. In fact most of the trail.... two track stuff between obstacles, forest service roads, etc... I am old enough that I can appreciate a level of comfort that the other options just can not deliver.

Pavement ends in 17 miles north of me--from there there are thousands of miles of dirt, logging, and old but passable roads. So no I do not see a lot of tar time in mine. I have had the bronco since May but I bought it to replace my 13 Rubicon. Based on the Rubicon history--I had about 55k on it with at least 80% of it on dirt and about 15K of that in 4WD. Bottom line for me is though the bronco has way better pavement manners it is not a big factor. The only time the Rubicon was a daily driver was when I was working wind projects on the top of mountains and you kinda needed it--lol

 

[5GENIDN]

Pavement ends in 17 miles north of me--from there there are thousands of miles of dirt, logging, and old but passable roads. So no I do not see a lot of tar time in mine. I have had the bronco since May but I bought it to replace my 13 Rubicon. Based on the Rubicon history--I had about 55k on it with at least 80% of it on dirt and about 15K of that in 4WD. Bottom line for me is though the bronco has way better pavement manners it is not a big factor. The only time the Rubicon was a daily driver was when I was working wind projects on the top of mountains and you kinda needed it--lol

Makes sense... I can keep up with 99% of the jeeps out there. I do not have the front articulation they have (I can match with the rear axle). Because I have front and rear lockers (do not need to use them often but sometimes for a few feet I do need them) I can 3 wheel all day long... It is a bit different and takes a bit of getting used to. It does change my lines slightly sometimes. When running the FS roads and anything where you can get up to 15 mph or higher it does ride dramatically better... The weak link is that steering rack as it is in ALL IFS....There are some nice upgrades to the rack but they are not cheap. I would not upgrade the tie rods until you do the rack first. I carry HOSS 2 and HOSS 3 tie rods with me for others on the trail. They will not fit mine but I am probably in deep sh17 if I break mine.

 

[BeachTiger]

been looking at Broncos, or as they say in my 4x4 club "thinking of going over to the dark side"

My current ride is a:

I'm pretty versed in off roading in a Jeep, however in the Bronco world I'm looking at 23 / 24 Wildtracks and Badlands (both Sasquatched). Seems to me that the major difference is Wildtracks = Hoss 3.0 and Badlands = Swaybar Disconnects. That is one of my questions. In my Jeep, I disconnect the swaybar , (when I remember to - because I just push the button). I'm pretty sure most of the places I go it isn't necessary but it may make things a little easier. That said, the Hoss 3.0 setup appears to be all the suspension I would need and appears more "heavy duty" the hoss 2.0 on the Badlands.

Any thoughts on this, and has anyone added Swaybar Quick disconnects to the wildtracks? Any additional information that maybe useful? One thing I noticed on the test drives is the Bronco is "head and shoulders" above the Jeep on the highway. The 2.7 is more responsive than the Jeep's 3.6 and it out handles and accelerates on the road. If anyone has experiences off roading the Bronco, I'd like to hear how the Bronco is on trails and in the desert (AZ & UTAH).

Thank you

I'll offer a slightly different take. Since you already own what appears to be a top of the line Rubicon X, why not keep it and get some kind of normal car to daily drive. I get it that Wranglers suck on the highway (I've had 3), but financially it may be plausibly better to just get a second vehicle. I'm very happy with how my 2-door Badlands tracks and steers, but I was also coming from a 2014 JK, not last year's $70,000 best thing Jeep makes. The Jeep will be better in most off road scenarios and it's much simpler to fix on the trail.

 

[5GENIDN]

The Jeep will be better in most off road scenarios and it's much simpler to fix on the trail.

I disagree about capability... Yes they have better front articulation.... BUT few have the front locker. BUT what exactly is simpler to fix on the Jeep? The only real weak point on the Bronco (relative to the jeep) is the steering rack.... A tie rod is very quick and easy to replace... So what makes the Jeep simpler to fix?

 

[userdude]

I disagree about capability... Yes they have better front articulation.... BUT few have the front locker. BUT what exactly is simpler to fix on the Jeep? The only real weak point on the Bronco (relative to the jeep) is the steering rack.... A tie rod is very quick and easy to replace... So what makes the Jeep simpler to fix?

Duct tape sticks to it easier. Who knew!

 

[BeachTiger]

I disagree about capability... Yes they have better front articulation.... BUT few have the front locker. BUT what exactly is simpler to fix on the Jeep? The only real weak point on the Bronco (relative to the jeep) is the steering rack.... A tie rod is very quick and easy to replace... So what makes the Jeep simpler to fix?

The OP has front and rear lockers, so there's that. The worst damage I've ever seen to a Jeep's steering components on the trail (like a bent tie rod -- not just the ends, but the entire bar) or possibly the drag link can be straightened out. Even the old hi-lift jack handle trick works. I've personally driven off a trail with a TRE bent to almost a 90 degree angle, resulting in massive toe in. I can't image what one would do with a rack failure. Far fewer overall components due to simplicity.

 

[5GENIDN]

Duct tape sticks to it easier. Who knew!

I always carry a roll of 100 mph tape! Even used a come-along once to "sling" a 302 that broke it's motor mounts.... You do what you have to out on the trail.

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