Squatch needed with Badlands trim??

Depends on whether or not you want a slight lift and the bigger tires from factory.

It's your call.

Suspension is essentially the same. So I don't personally see the purpose of Sas with a Badlands. I'd rather do my own wheel and tire choice and do a 1" level,

JasonAM

Do you need the Squatch package with the Badlands trim?

Depends on what you want for a build and what you want to do with it down the road

I had the nonsas badlands during offroadeo. It did get stuck on some rocks compared to the sas badlands. There was also more scraping. To be honest, I added sas after doing the roadeo. Better to have it if you plan on any offroad.

Mandogus

I had the nonsas badlands during offroadeo. It did get stuck on some rocks compared to the sas badlands. There was also more scraping. To be honest, I added sas after doing the roadeo. Better to have it if you plan on any offroad.

I had the flip of your experience. I had the SAS equipped Badlands at offrodeo in Moab, and didn't have any scrapping or getting stuck. I watched/heard the non-SAS Bronco not have the same luck. The way I looked at it was that the SAS package made the Bronco "more forgiving". If you didn't have it, you had to make up for that with driver skill and picking JUST the right line. So, the less experienced drivers in the non-SAS vehicle had more problems than the inexperienced drivers in the SAS-equipped Broncos. My experience offroading has shown me over and over again that an experienced driver can make up for some lack of equipment, at least up to a point. But there's a very distinct limit to how much. It also works the other way around, the equipment can make up for SOME inexperience, but there's a very distinct limit to that as well, and when you hit that limit it's usually really bad.

@JasonAM I'm going to chime in because I have a Badlands and had to do some research this morning on Ford Co-Pilot. The SAS also gives you the front and rear locking differentials (the front is not a locking diff-but about the same). But, everyone is correct, it is what you plan to do with it and your experience. I learned how to wheel in a 4X4 without locking diffs - erosion ruts could leave me hanging - it was hilarious. But, when I finally had a rig with locking differentials, it made wheeling so much more fun - imo. Lots of things to consider when building your Bronco!!! Wishing you the best experience ever!

Sasquatch?!?!

Darrel

@JasonAM I'm going to chime in because I have a Badlands and had to do some research this morning on Ford Co-Pilot. The SAS also gives you the front and rear locking differentials (the front is not a locking diff-but about the same). But, everyone is correct, it is what you plan to do with it and your experience. I learned how to wheel in a 4X4 without locking diffs - erosion ruts could leave me hanging - it was hilarious. But, when I finally had a rig with locking differentials, it made wheeling so much more fun - imo. Lots of things to consider when building your Bronco!!! Wishing you the best experience ever!

Badlands non-Sasquatch has front and rear lockers.
It has a 4.43 gear ratio instead of the 4.7 (unless you go manual).

I opted for non-sas, enjoying 19MPG on average around town.

What is important to you? If you’re buying BL then you’re planning to do a lot of off-roading. Some people may just want the “look”, and that’s fine too. Bigger tires, lockers, SBD are all going to perform better. Badlands Sasquatch is the most capable stock offering.

For me, most important thing was manual transmission. Don’t like the Ford autos (I’m sure some will disagree). …and I like the interactivity of driving. Couldn’t get 35” tires with MT in ‘21. So I went MT, 2.3, 33”. No regrets!

So, it was one non-negotiable nothing that drove my decision. What’s most important to you ?

If you are getting a manual transmission, the answer is NO, and I would actually advise against getting the Sasquatch package.

For the automatic transmission it is largely your choice. The big difference is the increased 4.70 axle ratio versus the standard 4.46 axle ratio. The higher axle ratio enables you to install larger tires (37”+) and is also preferred for more extreme rock crawling. Everything else—the minor <0.5” lift and 35” tires—can easily be added after delivery.

Clearly a subjective answer to your question @JasonAM but consider that adding SAS from the factory to your BL includes capable, warrantied components at a price that you will not be able to match price-wise via the aftermarket.

For the $$$, just do tires and lift

I went back and forth on this one too, but ended up going without SAS. The only difference is the larger tires and a 1/2” or so on ground clearance. We went with the 7MT (‘22 so you can still get SAS with it), and the cost to go to SAS seemed excessive with the manual. I also like the extra MPG or two along with the non-SAS, and I hear that the K02’s are better than the “don’t call them Wranglers”.

Bschurr

Clearly a subjective answer to your question @JasonAM but consider that adding SAS from the factory to your BL includes capable, warrantied components at a price that you will not be able to match price-wise via the aftermarket.

Key words right there.

I think he got tired of us! Great discussion though!

Great feedback from all! Intense off-road is a dream but not realistic for me--too worried about dents and dings. Will head to Moab (live in Utah) but too chicken to do many of the things I see posted. It will also be a DD. Seems like bigger tires, slight lift, and 4.7 are the primary differences so stuck with BL non-Squatch.

The question of the decade??? To Sqautch or not to squatch.,.,.,..,., Man I thought this was gonna be an easy build however we are having some very difficult times making some choices. First off was the color, dang we like that Area 51 and that white sure looks sweet and so does that Carbonized Grey!!! And we have noticed that with our build, the Badlands, Tow, MIC, LUX, 2.7L the Sasquatch is down to a $1500 difference. So my biggest concern is how the sasquatch will be with the deeper gearing on a day to day basis, street behavior vs that of a non sasquatch? Not enough people out there with these to get a good solid answer on feedback or experience. As for mileage, I'm not buying this thing for mileage or to be a commuter. I just don't want to be ringing it out to hall down the freeway a few hundred miles. If someone has some real experience with this their input would be greatly appreciated. And to the OP, I hope this will assist with your question as I do not want to highjack your thread here......

Smittys22

The question of the decade??? To Sqautch or not to squatch.,.,.,..,., Man I thought this was gonna be an easy build however we are having some very difficult times making some choices. First off was the color, dang we like that Area 51 and that white sure looks sweet and so does that Carbonized Grey!!! And we have noticed that with our build, the Badlands, Tow, MIC, LUX, 2.7L the Sasquatch is down to a $1500 difference. So my biggest concern is how the sasquatch will be with the deeper gearing on a day to day basis, street behavior vs that of a non sasquatch? Not enough people out there with these to get a good solid answer on feedback or experience. As for mileage, I'm not buying this thing for mileage or to be a commuter. I just don't want to be ringing it out to hall down the freeway a few hundred miles. If someone has some real experience with this their input would be greatly appreciated. And to the OP, I hope this will assist with your question as I do not want to highjack your thread here......

I have a squatched Badlands and it is my daily driver - and Darryl is very well behaved on the streets!! I live on a dirt road, but he won't see his 1st dirt until Saturday, but, I'm thinking that he will be well behaved there too.

Darrel

I have a squatched Badlands and it is my daily driver - and Darryl is very well behaved on the streets!! I live on a dirt road, but he won't see his 1st dirt until Saturday, but, I'm thinking that he will be well behaved there too.

Good to hear!!! I also like your Order to Delivery date! Maybe that soft top helped expedite that......;)