Which Trim? Black Diamond or Outer Banks for the Two Door

Gator

Hey y’all!

So, a little background on me- I'm a recent college grad with a decent corporate job (honestly a blessing to have it during these times) living in LA. I wouldn't consider myself a TRUE outdoorsman, but I do love the outdoors. Currently, I am still on my first beater car (a 2002 Honda Civic w 200k miles) and am planning on making the 2021 Bronco 2-Door my first "big-boy" purchase! The goal is to have at least ~20K for the down payment by the time the car becomes available to me (aka I’m not really looking to break the bank here).

However, my issue is which trim to go with. There are just so many options but as of right now I'm stuck between the Black Diamond and the Outer Banks. Now, have I ever been off-roading? No. My family never did that growing up and my current rig isn’t really fit to do that, if you know what I mean. Yet, I feel like if I had the necessary parts to do so then I’d definitely be down to do it! It’s kind of hard to work through but my MUST haves when it comes to this car:

1. That Sasquatch Package – I want that look but I also want put it to use, I’m not trying to be a “mall crawler” … however if I’m being completely candid I just found out the purpose of beadlock wheels the other day, so safe to say I’m an off road novice FOR SURE
2. Rubberized Flooring: Washout Capable with Drain Plugs + Vinyl (Or leather?) Seats- I’m really trying to easily clean out the car and this seems to be the best option for it. Whether that be mud from hiking boots or sand from deserts/ beach, easy cleanup is a must for me.
3. A Good Speaker System. Perhaps that B&O – I'm not sure how good of a system that it is, but it sounds nice and anything is better than my current one. However, I know there is a slew of decent aftermarket speaker systems available, I just want to have the most already on the car the moment I take it out of the lot. I’m dying to blast Fortunate Son out in the wild.
4. Transmission – I'm leaning towards an Automatic as I live in LA and LA = Disgusting amounts of traffic... also don’t slam your keyboards yet but isn’t an auto better for off-roading anyways? (Don’t kill me).

I feel as if both Trims are capable here, but it seems as if the Black Diamond is REALLY capable + it has those easy-to-wash rubber floors and seats, while the Outer Banks doesn’t. It also has the heavy-duty bash plates and rockrails, and as a novice, I feel like I’d need those. The last thing I’d want is to completely wreck the paint job/ under undercarriage. But... what the Outer Banks does have are those creature comforts which I’d want in a new, mainly used as a commuter, car. Plus, the option to get that upgraded speaker system, which I do think I want, but I could probably get a cheaper/ better one after market (right?). I’m just not trying to break the bank and I know that I’ll have to add ~3,800 at the end for that Sasquatch Package.

Ultimately, I was never really a car guy before I found out about the Bronco, but I’ve always like the look of those outdoorsy cars and I always wanted to have that ability to hit the great outdoors with ease, and I think this car is the one! I also admit that I’m a n00b here, and I don’t really know what I’m doing so any insight at all would be greatly appreciated- ya gotta start somewhere right? Thanks y'all, and I look forward to reading your responses!

Mel Ervin Ford

Go with a Bronco Sport Badlands

Gator

Cute. Gonna have to be a pass from me tho, chief. Thanks for the suggestion!

Mel Ervin Ford

Lol, just messing

Mel Ervin Ford

I am going with a BD. 4cyl manual. NO SASQUATCH. Will build my own. Only factory option at this point is the roof rack.

RedneckBronco

I'd go Black diamond get the skid plates , they protect your vitals from stumps rocks and such. The sasquatch package gives you the 35s and some other cool toys where you can go ride dunes, beaches and trails and the rubberized floor is awesome.

There is nothing wrong with not being a car guy or new to offroad we all were new at some point. If you are going for cost effectiveness and are going to do some offroading. Start with the Black Diamond and the saquatch package. The bash plates and ride height allow for some mistakes. As you get more into offroading there will be a plethora of options aftermarket to build your rig the way you want as you can afford it.

Commodore

I’m down with the Black Diamond for you, as well...

RedneckBronco

I'd go Black diamond get the skid plates , they protect your vitals from stumps rocks and such. The sasquatch package gives you the 35s and some other cool toys where you can go ride dunes, beaches and trails and the rubberized floor is awesome.

There is nothing wrong with not being a car guy or new to offroad we all were new at some point. If you are going for cost effectiveness and are going to do some offroading. Start with the Black Diamond and the saquatch package. The bash plates and ride height allow for some mistakes. As you get more into offroading there will be a plethora of options aftermarket to build your rig the way you want as you can afford it.

moze

I agree with RedneckBronco and Commodore: Black Diamond + Sasquatch + bash plates. I also agree that it’s totally cool that you’re just getting in to it. My 2013 Jeep was my first ever and I really love it. I got an auto too (even though manual is what people want for off-roading for the control) it’s been great, on some pretty serious trails. Also, I’m originally a SoCal guy and there’s some great stuff near you in Big Bear, Holcolm Valley and Idyllwild (for mountains and crawling) or Johnson Valley (for dessert bashing - working that Baja GOAT mode). You got stuff from easy to pretty hardcore. And plenty of clubs to learn with. You’ll have a blast.

RedneckBronco

Anytime, and see if you can procure a Copy of the 4 wheelers bible or the Haynes guide too at the library or amazon or ebay used if you want to go on the cheap. Lots of good info there. And remember while it can be hard there is no need to race off and buy every toy at once. Work into offroading at your pace, talk to friends and other wheeling enthusiasist and learn their opinions. Most importantly ask why they do what they do or why they have the parts they have. You will save money and have the bronco you want.

When I was building my 89 Bronco I was on a fairly strict budget so I did all this with my Bronco friends and filtered my list into This is the offroading I enjoy so I need this, I want this, This would be nice to have, and I don't need. Then I procured the parts as my budget allowed. And I was lucky enough to have friends who do Fabrication who did some work for me, and taught me how to weld and do the other parts. You may not be a car guy now but don't let that intimidate you, getting into the offroad community you will make friends who can point you in the right direction and you might even be able to learn the skills to do some of your own upgrades and become kind of a car guy.

Gator

Yeah, RedneckBronco and Commodore have the right idea. But to be honest, I do want to get that auto- I'm decent with a clutch but I imagine focusing on that while a trail would be a pain in the neck. Not only that but as a commuter in LA ahhhh I dunno bout that. How much does Ford usually mark up for an auto? Oh and Holcolm Valley! I never heard of it - now I'm really interested! And you know desert running is gonna be something I gotta try especially in So Cal - however, I think Baja mode is only offered in BL, WT, and FE trims sadly :/ (correct me if I'm wrong tho).