Wildtrak 2.7L Sasquatch Lux Leather Tow Review and Build Thread

[Trueblue2296]

I do have another question for you. As you know, with the front steel bumper you can remove the end caps. From your off-road driving experience, do you plan to remove these caps?

The reason I ask relates to my plan to use the pockets to install a set of Baja Designs lights.

My goal is to cover the light zones 1,2 and 3 as described in the link below.

Baja Designs - Ford Bronco, Fog Pocket Kits

Lighting Zones System (bajadesigns.com)

Check out stage 3 motor sports they bought a bunch of those kits from Baja Designs and are selling them for 100 dollars cheaper.

https://www.stage3motorsports.com/447762up-bronco-baja-fogpocket-led-kit.html

Sponsored

 

[1IH]

Check out stage 3 motor sports they bought a bunch of those kits from Baja Designs and are selling them for 100 dollars cheaper.

https://www.stage3motorsports.com/447762up-bronco-baja-fogpocket-led-kit.html

Following that thread on here and waiting for a response from them.

 

[1IH]

Do you mind seeing if the A/C vent tabs are easy to remove? Curious to see how easy it is to swap them out for other colors

Possibly good troll post but I gave it a look. The vents themselves can Be removed with a body panel tool, but the pins risk being broken so I am not going to remove on right now, as for the “blue” vertical adjustment tabs, I would say from messing with them for a few minutes that you could get them off by removing the vent inserts first and then gently prying on the rear of each tab, the tabs are not connected in the rear there is a slot that you could use to pry them open enough to remove.

 

[BroncoBoy22]

Possibly good troll post but I gave it a look. The vents themselves can Be removed with a body panel tool, but the pins risk being broken so I am not going to remove on right now, as for the “blue” vertical adjustment tabs, I would say from messing with them for a few minutes that you could get them off by removing the vent inserts first and then gently prying on the rear of each tab, the tabs are not connected in the rear there is a slot that you could use to pry them open enough to remove.

Thank you so much!! So it will essentially require removing the vents (carefully ) and then prying off the tabs.

looks like trading these may be difficult since they can be accidentally broken when removing them. I might be better served to buy a set in the color I want, remove the old ones and install the new

 

[History]

Oh yeah and the “badges” are literally refrigerator magnets with adhesive back vs magnet backing and they come off very very easy. The aftermarket will solve this with some cool Sasquatches I’m sure!

Need to check out billet badges http://www.billetbadges.com/ I am going to have my stickers made into actual aluminum badges.

 

[Meandeane]

Just leaving the Wrap joint. Getting satin versus matte. Did a sample and it will give it a good concrete look while protecting it from trail rash.

Thanks for all of the great info! Super helpful review especially given your ownership history.

Any pics of the satin sample? Now you’ve got me curious

 

[KKCrunch]

Picked up my WT 2 night ago. I will start this build thread with a brief review of it as I break it in and will add to this as the build out progresses.

My 4x4 Background:
I have owned 3 4Runners (1 of them a TRD model 2016, 1 a Limited 2011, and 1 a V8 Sport 2004), 1 FJ Cruiser 08, 5 Wranglers (TJ 06, JK Rubicon 13, JKU Rubicon 15, JLU Rubicon 2018, JL Rubicon 2020) and several 4X4 Trucks from Tundras to Rams Never a Chevy or a Ford. All of these vehicles have seen various forms of builds, from overlanding to rock crawling to even converting one of my JK Rubicons to Coilovers for a bit more high speed running.

Initial Bronco WT impressions:

• Size - I like the size of the Bronco much more than the Wranglers, it is more akin to the 4Runners, much more like an SUV versus an Off-Road vehicle for my tastes, I would say a good blend of current day and the full size broncos of yesteryear. Interior space is much better than a wrangler, Bronco trounces the Jeep for “elbow” room.
• Engine - until I hit 1K miles I am going to drive it like I have a cop behind me, I have had several twin turbo BMW’s and initial breakin is very important on the turbos in my experience so I can’t say how happy I am overall yet with this engine but initial impressions are that it is night and day over the 3.6L, 2.0L Turbo, 4.0L (TJ) Jeep engines, NO COMPARISON for street driving at low speeds, zero lag off the start and plenty of torque for stop light to stop light. Now I Hemi Swapped one of my Wranglers with a 5.7L and this feels similar so far in light daily driving. This engine feels similar to the 4.0L 4Runner engine at low RPM so far, which to me is a good thing. The Toyota 4.0L suffers at higher RPM, it drops torque quick as you get the needle moving up, and this twin T should make great gains at higher RPM’s.
• Fit and Finish:
  • Exterior Metal parts are high quality, all doors, hoods, and panels line up very well (I have had vehicles not JEEP that had ¼” gap differences from top of door jamb to bottom upon delivery - $50K vehicles) and am impressed. The Gunsights to keep the tree branches off the windshield in the woods (or jungle as they were intended) are high quality and well made. The doors are of decent weight and close well unlike a Wrangler where you have to remind everyone every time not to SLAM the damn door.
  • Exterior NON METAL parts: Sasquatch Fenders are just OK, but something that draws my ire a bit is that Ford added some sort of Mud Flap/Flare piece the to rear bumper to extend the bumper out to meet to flare width and it looks like something you would go to Autozone and buy and add on…….very cheap and AFTERTHOUGHT look to it. The MIC Top is not very good, took both front panels and mid panel out to air out the horrible plastic smell of the interior and sat it outside for a day. The panels latches work well but they are not as easy to remove and install as the wranglers, the holes/pins are more difficult to line up, might get easier over time but initial impressions is that it is a first build vehicle and refinements will be welcomed just like from the 2012 JK’s to the 2015+ JK‘s were by the Jeep crowd. The WIldtrak badge definitely feels like a Refrigerator magnet, I will debadge this thing as well as removing the mountains off of the sides.
  • Interior - overall a WIN here over the Toyotas and the Jeeps. Space is utilized well for elbow room, storage, and access to dash items. Steering wheel controls are a bit crowded but this is a mute point compared to the competitors I listed. As for the steering wheel though a few notes, the size if perfect, feels great to the touch, and the bottom center part is almost a dead ringer for the latest Wrangler Rubicon Steering wheel, the hole is large enough to 2 finger steer but nothing more. Overall like the cockpit feel from the drivers seat a lot.
    • This is where I am disappointed in the interior: Plastic panels whether it be door panels, dash panels or sides of console are all very thin plastic that scratches EASILY, this is of a lesser quality than a 4Runner for instance and expected but I didn’t expect it to be of lesser quality than a Wrangler. At the end of the day this is an Off-Road SUV so it isn’t a big deal but it was surprising so I am mentioning it with some emphasis.
  • ADDITIONAL INTERIOR ISSUES (UPDATED)
    • They seatbelts are not on a sliding track. So far it hasn’t affected me like some vehicles being mounted so high (I am on the shorter side of 5’9” and I like the seat low for street driving), it is just a difference in the other comparable vehicles so thought I should mention it.
• B&O Sound System and Ford Sync4 - Upgrade over the Toyota systems by a mile, and I would say overall an upgrade over the latest Rubicon system and UConnect (had software issues in all of my UConnect vehicles over the years). Sound wise it is more than sufficient for my middle aged ears and I invest heavily in my home audio systems and headphone systems.
• Tires - Ordered Nitto Ridge Grapplers already, these Goodyear are a typical LOW TREAD OEM tire and not good rubber at that in my estimation. Turning the Bronco they have that feel of a SXS or 4-wheeler on the pavement, if you know you know.
• UPDATES on the GOOD: The more miles I put on it the more comfortable it gets and I mean this from getting used to all of the controls, locations, and manners from the drivers seat. I would say it is very akin to a 4Runner Limited more so than a Wrangler as eluded to earlier. I believe overall the 4Runner is a much better comparison between the vehicles versus the Wrangler. The top/doors coming off is the only reason I would consider it as a competitor to the Wrangler at this point. It is MUCH MORE SUV than old military field transport. I believe this is a good thing for FORD and us, meaning more of these on the road better the prices and aftermarket options. Overlanding LONG distances will be this vehicles BREAD AND BUTTER! This will be a great journey.

Build (parts dependent):

• As already mentioned changing to true 35” Ridge Grapplers as soon as delivered, took the brush guard off and sold it already (not a fan of the redesign), ordered the 1” leveling lift for the front for now (has as much rake as a 4Runner, was surprised that pics didn’t show this better than it shows in person), will add coilovers along with front winch eventually to offset load and level it properly. Will order proper sliders when a good design hits the market. Sway bar disconnects when available. I will tune this 2.7 with intake and downpipes after breakin and parts availability to squeeze a bit more power out of it. Depending on the wheeling this gets into it might get another lift and 37’s, but that would require me to get another daily driver as I have in the past when I have went for off-road manners vs a good mix of the on/off. 37’s for everyday on road are overkill and the mall Cops don’t like it.

I won’t be going off road until the 1000 mile break-in but will add to the review at the top at that time.

Oh yeah a note on the color, I wanted Iconic Silver but chose Cactus Grey based on family input, I should have went with Iconic Silver. I like the Cactus Grey but it draws more attention and conversations as to where the Silver would have flown a bit better under the radar and I am interested in a clear matte wrap over that silver as well for a unique Back to the Future Delorean look.

Thanks for reading and while it was a long wait it was worth it!

View attachment 139744

View attachment 139745

Great review and thanks for your insight. If the top is in that bad of shape are you going to file a claim with your dealer for Ford to send you a new one ? I would be interested to see pics of the roof defects you mentioned.

 

[1IH]

Thanks for all of the great info! Super helpful review especially given your ownership history.

Any pics of the satin sample? Now you’ve got me curious

I went in wanting Matte but the Owner (friend) talked me into Satin which with all the gloss on a Squatch WT should be a good mix. So I taking a pic slipped my mind but I’m going back tomorrow and I’ll get a pic of matte and satin side by side that I’ll post. The billet badges above are awesome. I think I want to go with gloss black old school Bronco (italicized) logo on the front quarters but I ordered some Bigfoot peace decals for now I might have applied under the PPF.

 

[Bdisco]

Oh yeah and the “badges” are literally refrigerator magnets with adhesive back vs magnet backing and they come off very very easy. The aftermarket will solve this with some cool Sasquatches I’m sure!

Thank you, finally a picture of sandstone leather. Not bad. I got a chance to briefly sit in an Outer Banks Navy Pier vinyl it was nice, buttery soft. I’m concerned about the seat bottom‘s outer bolster wearing quickly and developing a lean due to sliding in and out of such a tall vehicle.

 

[Balthezor]

I have removed badges myself with some fishing line, body repair tools, and goo gone but if I was getting it wrapped they would do it as a part of the install. I have used DreamwrapsUSA over the years located here in Northern Kentucky (suburb of CIncinnati) and they are first rate, but vehicle wrapping has become a big business in recent years so most cities have a few good ones it seems.

I might get clear matte put over a small section of this Cactus Grey and see what it looks like. I will check into it tomorrow.

Joe, how much they charging you for a full wrap? Thanks for the pics man

 

[M&M Beer]

Picked up my WT 2 night ago. I will start this build thread with a brief review of it as I break it in and will add to this as the build out progresses.

My 4x4 Background:
I have owned 3 4Runners (1 of them a TRD model 2016, 1 a Limited 2011, and 1 a V8 Sport 2004), 1 FJ Cruiser 08, 5 Wranglers (TJ 06, JK Rubicon 13, JKU Rubicon 15, JLU Rubicon 2018, JL Rubicon 2020) and several 4X4 Trucks from Tundras to Rams Never a Chevy or a Ford. All of these vehicles have seen various forms of builds, from overlanding to rock crawling to even converting one of my JK Rubicons to Coilovers for a bit more high speed running.

Initial Bronco WT impressions:

• Size - I like the size of the Bronco much more than the Wranglers, it is more akin to the 4Runners, much more like an SUV versus an Off-Road vehicle for my tastes, I would say a good blend of current day and the full size broncos of yesteryear. Interior space is much better than a wrangler, Bronco trounces the Jeep for “elbow” room.
• Engine - until I hit 1K miles I am going to drive it like I have a cop behind me, I have had several twin turbo BMW’s and initial breakin is very important on the turbos in my experience so I can’t say how happy I am overall yet with this engine but initial impressions are that it is night and day over the 3.6L, 2.0L Turbo, 4.0L (TJ) Jeep engines, NO COMPARISON for street driving at low speeds, zero lag off the start and plenty of torque for stop light to stop light. Now I Hemi Swapped one of my Wranglers with a 5.7L and this feels similar so far in light daily driving. This engine feels similar to the 4.0L 4Runner engine at low RPM so far, which to me is a good thing. The Toyota 4.0L suffers at higher RPM, it drops torque quick as you get the needle moving up, and this twin T should make great gains at higher RPM’s.
• Fit and Finish:
  • Exterior Metal parts are high quality, all doors, hoods, and panels line up very well (I have had vehicles not JEEP that had ¼” gap differences from top of door jamb to bottom upon delivery - $50K vehicles) and am impressed. The Gunsights to keep the tree branches off the windshield in the woods (or jungle as they were intended) are high quality and well made. The doors are of decent weight and close well unlike a Wrangler where you have to remind everyone every time not to SLAM the damn door.
  • Exterior NON METAL parts: Sasquatch Fenders are just OK, but something that draws my ire a bit is that Ford added some sort of Mud Flap/Flare piece the to rear bumper to extend the bumper out to meet to flare width and it looks like something you would go to Autozone and buy and add on…….very cheap and AFTERTHOUGHT look to it. The MIC Top is not very good, took both front panels and mid panel out to air out the horrible plastic smell of the interior and sat it outside for a day. The panels latches work well but they are not as easy to remove and install as the wranglers, the holes/pins are more difficult to line up, might get easier over time but initial impressions is that it is a first build vehicle and refinements will be welcomed just like from the 2012 JK’s to the 2015+ JK‘s were by the Jeep crowd. The WIldtrak badge definitely feels like a Refrigerator magnet, I will debadge this thing as well as removing the mountains off of the sides.
  • Interior - overall a WIN here over the Toyotas and the Jeeps. Space is utilized well for elbow room, storage, and access to dash items. Steering wheel controls are a bit crowded but this is a mute point compared to the competitors I listed. As for the steering wheel though a few notes, the size if perfect, feels great to the touch, and the bottom center part is almost a dead ringer for the latest Wrangler Rubicon Steering wheel, the hole is large enough to 2 finger steer but nothing more. Overall like the cockpit feel from the drivers seat a lot.
    • This is where I am disappointed in the interior: Plastic panels whether it be door panels, dash panels or sides of console are all very thin plastic that scratches EASILY, this is of a lesser quality than a 4Runner for instance and expected but I didn’t expect it to be of lesser quality than a Wrangler. At the end of the day this is an Off-Road SUV so it isn’t a big deal but it was surprising so I am mentioning it with some emphasis.
  • ADDITIONAL INTERIOR ISSUES (UPDATED)
    • They seatbelts are not on a sliding track. So far it hasn’t affected me like some vehicles being mounted so high (I am on the shorter side of 5’9” and I like the seat low for street driving), it is just a difference in the other comparable vehicles so thought I should mention it.
• B&O Sound System and Ford Sync4 - Upgrade over the Toyota systems by a mile, and I would say overall an upgrade over the latest Rubicon system and UConnect (had software issues in all of my UConnect vehicles over the years). Sound wise it is more than sufficient for my middle aged ears and I invest heavily in my home audio systems and headphone systems.
• Tires - Ordered Nitto Ridge Grapplers already, these Goodyear are a typical LOW TREAD OEM tire and not good rubber at that in my estimation. Turning the Bronco they have that feel of a SXS or 4-wheeler on the pavement, if you know you know.
• UPDATES on the GOOD: The more miles I put on it the more comfortable it gets and I mean this from getting used to all of the controls, locations, and manners from the drivers seat. I would say it is very akin to a 4Runner Limited more so than a Wrangler as eluded to earlier. I believe overall the 4Runner is a much better comparison between the vehicles versus the Wrangler. The top/doors coming off is the only reason I would consider it as a competitor to the Wrangler at this point. It is MUCH MORE SUV than old military field transport. I believe this is a good thing for FORD and us, meaning more of these on the road better the prices and aftermarket options. Overlanding LONG distances will be this vehicles BREAD AND BUTTER! This will be a great journey.

Build (parts dependent):

• As already mentioned changing to true 35” Ridge Grapplers as soon as delivered, took the brush guard off and sold it already (not a fan of the redesign), ordered the 1” leveling lift for the front for now (has as much rake as a 4Runner, was surprised that pics didn’t show this better than it shows in person), will add coilovers along with front winch eventually to offset load and level it properly. Will order proper sliders when a good design hits the market. Sway bar disconnects when available. I will tune this 2.7 with intake and downpipes after breakin and parts availability to squeeze a bit more power out of it. Depending on the wheeling this gets into it might get another lift and 37’s, but that would require me to get another daily driver as I have in the past when I have went for off-road manners vs a good mix of the on/off. 37’s for everyday on road are overkill and the mall Cops don’t like it.

I won’t be going off road until the 1000 mile break-in but will add to the review at the top at that time.

Oh yeah a note on the color, I wanted Iconic Silver but chose Cactus Grey based on family input, I should have went with Iconic Silver. I like the Cactus Grey but it draws more attention and conversations as to where the Silver would have flown a bit better under the radar and I am interested in a clear matte wrap over that silver as well for a unique Back to the Future Delorean look.

Thanks for reading and while it was a long wait it was worth it!

View attachment 139744

View attachment 139745

I like the color I was going to wait for the MOD top thought that the black will look better with the cactus gray paint. But over all looks great! Congratulations! Can't wait for mine!

 

[tritonx100]

Picked up my WT 2 night ago. I will start this build thread with a brief review of it as I break it in and will add to this as the build out progresses.

My 4x4 Background:
I have owned 3 4Runners (1 of them a TRD model 2016, 1 a Limited 2011, and 1 a V8 Sport 2004), 1 FJ Cruiser 08, 5 Wranglers (TJ 06, JK Rubicon 13, JKU Rubicon 15, JLU Rubicon 2018, JL Rubicon 2020) and several 4X4 Trucks from Tundras to Rams Never a Chevy or a Ford. All of these vehicles have seen various forms of builds, from overlanding to rock crawling to even converting one of my JK Rubicons to Coilovers for a bit more high speed running.

Initial Bronco WT impressions:

• Size - I like the size of the Bronco much more than the Wranglers, it is more akin to the 4Runners, much more like an SUV versus an Off-Road vehicle for my tastes, I would say a good blend of current day and the full size broncos of yesteryear. Interior space is much better than a wrangler, Bronco trounces the Jeep for “elbow” room.
• Engine - until I hit 1K miles I am going to drive it like I have a cop behind me, I have had several twin turbo BMW’s and initial breakin is very important on the turbos in my experience so I can’t say how happy I am overall yet with this engine but initial impressions are that it is night and day over the 3.6L, 2.0L Turbo, 4.0L (TJ) Jeep engines, NO COMPARISON for street driving at low speeds, zero lag off the start and plenty of torque for stop light to stop light. Now I Hemi Swapped one of my Wranglers with a 5.7L and this feels similar so far in light daily driving. This engine feels similar to the 4.0L 4Runner engine at low RPM so far, which to me is a good thing. The Toyota 4.0L suffers at higher RPM, it drops torque quick as you get the needle moving up, and this twin T should make great gains at higher RPM’s.
• Fit and Finish:
  • Exterior Metal parts are high quality, all doors, hoods, and panels line up very well (I have had vehicles not JEEP that had ¼” gap differences from top of door jamb to bottom upon delivery - $50K vehicles) and am impressed. The Gunsights to keep the tree branches off the windshield in the woods (or jungle as they were intended) are high quality and well made. The doors are of decent weight and close well unlike a Wrangler where you have to remind everyone every time not to SLAM the damn door.
  • Exterior NON METAL parts: Sasquatch Fenders are just OK, but something that draws my ire a bit is that Ford added some sort of Mud Flap/Flare piece the to rear bumper to extend the bumper out to meet to flare width and it looks like something you would go to Autozone and buy and add on…….very cheap and AFTERTHOUGHT look to it. The MIC Top is not very good, took both front panels and mid panel out to air out the horrible plastic smell of the interior and sat it outside for a day. The panels latches work well but they are not as easy to remove and install as the wranglers, the holes/pins are more difficult to line up, might get easier over time but initial impressions is that it is a first build vehicle and refinements will be welcomed just like from the 2012 JK’s to the 2015+ JK‘s were by the Jeep crowd. The WIldtrak badge definitely feels like a Refrigerator magnet, I will debadge this thing as well as removing the mountains off of the sides.
  • Interior - overall a WIN here over the Toyotas and the Jeeps. Space is utilized well for elbow room, storage, and access to dash items. Steering wheel controls are a bit crowded but this is a mute point compared to the competitors I listed. As for the steering wheel though a few notes, the size if perfect, feels great to the touch, and the bottom center part is almost a dead ringer for the latest Wrangler Rubicon Steering wheel, the hole is large enough to 2 finger steer but nothing more. Overall like the cockpit feel from the drivers seat a lot.
    • This is where I am disappointed in the interior: Plastic panels whether it be door panels, dash panels or sides of console are all very thin plastic that scratches EASILY, this is of a lesser quality than a 4Runner for instance and expected but I didn’t expect it to be of lesser quality than a Wrangler. At the end of the day this is an Off-Road SUV so it isn’t a big deal but it was surprising so I am mentioning it with some emphasis.
  • ADDITIONAL INTERIOR ISSUES (UPDATED)
    • They seatbelts are not on a sliding track. So far it hasn’t affected me like some vehicles being mounted so high (I am on the shorter side of 5’9” and I like the seat low for street driving), it is just a difference in the other comparable vehicles so thought I should mention it.
• B&O Sound System and Ford Sync4 - Upgrade over the Toyota systems by a mile, and I would say overall an upgrade over the latest Rubicon system and UConnect (had software issues in all of my UConnect vehicles over the years). Sound wise it is more than sufficient for my middle aged ears and I invest heavily in my home audio systems and headphone systems.
• Tires - Ordered Nitto Ridge Grapplers already, these Goodyear are a typical LOW TREAD OEM tire and not good rubber at that in my estimation. Turning the Bronco they have that feel of a SXS or 4-wheeler on the pavement, if you know you know.
• UPDATES on the GOOD: The more miles I put on it the more comfortable it gets and I mean this from getting used to all of the controls, locations, and manners from the drivers seat. I would say it is very akin to a 4Runner Limited more so than a Wrangler as eluded to earlier. I believe overall the 4Runner is a much better comparison between the vehicles versus the Wrangler. The top/doors coming off is the only reason I would consider it as a competitor to the Wrangler at this point. It is MUCH MORE SUV than old military field transport. I believe this is a good thing for FORD and us, meaning more of these on the road better the prices and aftermarket options. Overlanding LONG distances will be this vehicles BREAD AND BUTTER! This will be a great journey.

Build (parts dependent):

• As already mentioned changing to true 35” Ridge Grapplers as soon as delivered, took the brush guard off and sold it already (not a fan of the redesign), ordered the 1” leveling lift for the front for now (has as much rake as a 4Runner, was surprised that pics didn’t show this better than it shows in person), will add coilovers along with front winch eventually to offset load and level it properly. Will order proper sliders when a good design hits the market. Sway bar disconnects when available. I will tune this 2.7 with intake and downpipes after breakin and parts availability to squeeze a bit more power out of it. Depending on the wheeling this gets into it might get another lift and 37’s, but that would require me to get another daily driver as I have in the past when I have went for off-road manners vs a good mix of the on/off. 37’s for everyday on road are overkill and the mall Cops don’t like it.

I won’t be going off road until the 1000 mile break-in but will add to the review at the top at that time.

Oh yeah a note on the color, I wanted Iconic Silver but chose Cactus Grey based on family input, I should have went with Iconic Silver. I like the Cactus Grey but it draws more attention and conversations as to where the Silver would have flown a bit better under the radar and I am interested in a clear matte wrap over that silver as well for a unique Back to the Future Delorean look.

Thanks for reading and while it was a long wait it was worth it!

View attachment 139744

View attachment 139745

Why did you order this with the decals of you were going to take them off?

 

[1IH]

That’s a popular question so

Why did you order this with the decals of you were going to take them off?

that's a popular question so I updated the original post to include this:

“as well as removing the mountains off of the sides (I don’t like them in person, but I’ll do another custom with my company name in the stripe).”

 

[1IH]

If anyone would like Sasquatch flares and wants to trade their Non-Squatch let me know please.

 

[tritonx100]

I have these on my wildtrak so debating making a change. Do you like the hood graphic?

Eder so now

That’s a popular question so


that's a popular question so I updated the original post to include this:

“as well as removing the mountains off of the sides (I don’t like them in person, but I’ll do another custom with my company name in the stripe).”

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