Torn between Wildtrak and Badlands with SAS 2024 (lots of inventory)

EZAPAR

The extra 4 inches of travel from the sway bar disconnect won't get you much.

Huh? You are the first person I've ever heard say an extra 4" is meaningless when off-road...

But - being able to disconnect the swaybar is crucial, imo, when off-roading in the rough stuff as you are going to gain a considerable amount of articulation up front.. That articulation? Yeah, it's what's gonna help keep those tires planted in the rough stuff / uneven terrain and keep you moving forward.

My .02

raqball

Swaybar disconnect and standard skid plates. The Wildtrak is marketed, and equipped, for more of a high speed type terrain. Even Ford says so...

I don't remember Ford ever going wheeling with me. lol. 4.7 diffs and 35s either way. My Wildtrak came with the same skids as the Badlands. Tossed the rear two and kept the front one when I bought after market ones for my trans and transferase. I'm gonna stick by my statement that 4 xtra inches of travel won't get you much. It still wouldn't compare to the travel my old Jeep had.

4 inches of travel wouldn't have made any kind of difference in the pic of my Bronco below, these things are constantly on 3 wheels and do great.

And yes, the Fox shocks do perform much better at high speeds, on or off road.

EZAPAR

I don't remember Ford ever going wheeling with me. lol. 4.7 diffs and 35s either way. My Wildtrak came with the same skids as the Badlands. Tossed the rear two and kept the front one when I bought after market ones for my trans and transferase. I'm gonna stick by my statement that 4 xtra inches of travel won't get you much. It still wouldn't compare to the travel my old Jeep had.

4 inches of travel wouldn't have made any kind of difference in the pic of my Bronco below, these things are constantly on 3 wheels and do great.

And yes, the Fox shocks do perform much better at high speeds, on or off road.

Both models are great so I guess it all depends on what someone is after.. For me, the swaybar disconnect is a must have and I use it all the time when off-road. The stock skids on the Badlands are also an added bonus.

On the Wildtrak you get better suspension components. Sure you can add skids to a Wildtrak via options or aftermarket. You can also add a swaybar disconnect if wanted to the Wildtrak via aftermarket options.

Similarly, you can upgrade the Badlands suspension components to mimic that of the Wildtrak if wanted.

Both are great options they just have a different target audience for those who want to keep their Bronco stock or stock'ish. IMO, Badlands for rough / rocky terrain and the Wildtrak for high speed off-roading.

Or just get the one you get a better deal on and build it how you want.. :)

Laura

The great thing about the Badlands vs. Wildtrak if you're going mudding is the potential for Badlands to have washout flooring/vinyl interior. I get mine filthy in Michigan but know it will clean up so well. Both have benefits, however!

The vinyl was a must have in my opinion.

Thanks all
Prices are all over the place. Lots of inventory and it seems some dealers are more ahead of the game in pricing.

Saw the note about savings in Tennessee. Found some deals in Maryland as well. Will require shipping but saving $4k makes shipping worth it.

sundin67

Thanks all
Prices are all over the place. Lots of inventory and it seems some dealers are more ahead of the game in pricing.

Saw the note about savings in Tennessee. Found some deals in Maryland as well. Will require shipping but saving $4k makes shipping worth it.

We want pics of that new Bronco after it lands in your driveway! 💪 👍

EZAPAR

My Wildtrak will rock crawl as well as any Badlands. Same gearing. The extra 4 inches of travel from the sway bar disconnect won't get you much.

While I don't totally agree with that statement, I will say that the person behind the wheel makes more of a difference than having or not having the sway bar disconnect. Technique plus picking the right path is king.

Deano Bronc

While I don't totally agree with that statement, I will say that the person behind the wheel makes more of a difference than having or not having the sway bar disconnect. Technique plus picking the right path is king.

Agree that the driver and / or spotter along with experience and choosing the correct angle of approach / departure all play a major role..

But the goal should always be to keep all 4 tires planted on the terrain, when possible. I understand that is not always possible but extra articulation will / can help accomplish that.

I've never been an extreme rock crawler and never will be, not my thing but I assume rock crawlers want as much articulation as they can get.. I could be wrong..

If you do the rough stuff you have to get used to three wheeling and freaking out the Jeep people. Barely notice it until the cooler ends up in the front seat. Lol. Oh and when the spotter says don’t hit the brakes- don’t hit the brakes. 😂 see photo.

Jakob1972

If you do the rough stuff you have to get used to three wheeling and freaking out the Jeep people. Barely notice it until the cooler ends up in the front seat. Lol. Oh and when the spotter says don’t hit the brakes- don’t hit the brakes. 😂 see photo.

Looks like there was lot of space to avoid / bypass that though? I get it, it's cool but I always try to keep all tires on the terrain as much as possible..

Me? I would have bypassed that. I am not afraid of it and if there was no other option then I'd do it but I also am not interested in rolling over, causing thousands in damage and risking injury..

I've seen a few rollovers due to 3 wheeling but I've never seen a rollover when all 4 tires are planted. I understand it can happen, even with all 4 planted, if you get into an extreme off camber situation.

I try to be as safe and cautious as I can be when 4-wheelin'. I do go solo most of the time so maybe that's where my caution stems from..

raqball

Agree that the driver and / or spotter along with experience and choosing the correct angle of approach / departure all play a major role..

But the goal should always be to keep all 4 tires planted on the terrain, when possible. I understand that is not always possible but extra articulation will / can help accomplish that.

I've never been an extreme rock crawler and never will be, not my thing but I assume rock crawlers want as much articulation as they can get.. I could be wrong..

Extra articulation up front also allows for more of a balance between front and rear suspension travel.

Besides keeping all four wheels on the ground, the vehicle body being level helps the suspension perform optimally.

Three wheeling is gonna happen.

Wildtrak rides so much better..........

raqball

Looks like there was lot of space to avoid / bypass that though? I get it, it's cool but I always try to keep all tires on the terrain as much as possible..

Me? I would have bypassed that. I am not afraid of it and if there was no other option then I'd do it but I also am not interested in rolling over, causing thousands in damage and risking injury..

I've seen a few rollovers due to 3 wheeling but I've never seen a rollover when all 4 tires are planted. I understand it can happen, even with all 4 planted, if you get into an extreme off camber situation.

I try to be as safe and cautious as I can be when 4-wheelin'. I do go solo most of the time so maybe that's where my caution stems from..

This was the first obstacle on the test track at Merus, had we rolled through it like the spotter said we would have only lifted about half as high. but my wife's first time, she jabbed the brakes and the Bronco bucked, by the end of the weekend she was doing black trails. She learned a lot that trip and sitting in the passenger seat the whole time I learned a lot as well.

Thanks for all ur help. Went with the wildtrak. Looking forward to doing more than just driving in snow.

sundin67

Thanks for all ur help. Went with the wildtrak. Looking forward to doing more than just driving in snow.

Congrats! Enjoy that Bronco and welcome to the club!

Congrats on your new WildTrak!!

I'll add that wifey & I very thoughtfully ordered a Bronco Badlands, but weeks later our dealer called saying they had a WildTrak available. Yeah, someone had ordered this WildTrak, but couldn't close the deal on arrival.

Well, as soon as Cindy sat in the WT, there was no more talk about Badlands - She loved it, we bought it!

Cheers

Congratulations on your new Wildtrak. You'll love it!!!

Once you've had a Wildtrak, you'll never look back. 😀 Congratulations on the purchase.