Couple n00b questions

Welcome!! Congrats on your OBX!

The GOAT modes are really just helpful presets... you can ignore them and set just about everything manually if you wish. The only real added benefit of the GOAT mode is it also modifies transmission behavior--although it also slightly changes how the throttle/steering acts as well. Personally I have the manual transmission, and I've never used anything except Normal mode, and all of the transmission/locker settings I set manually.

4-Auto behaves similar to the typical AWD vehicle, it can be used both on and off the road. You'll get better handing/performance out of the vehicle if the vehicle is dynamically sending power to all four wheels, which is why Ford programmed the Sport preset to activate 4-Auto. BUT, if you got the Part-time 4x4 transfer case that does not have 4-Auto... shifting the GOAT mode to Sport will leave the Bronco in 2H.

Regarding tire pressure... yes you can air down if you wish. I personally have been sitting around 33-34 PSI lately... ride comfort is a little better, but my fuel economy did suffer a little bit as a result. When I was at the recommended 38-39 PSI, I could squeeze 21 MPG out of the vehicle pretty easily. Since lowering my air pressure, I'm lucky if I get 19.5 MPG.

magicrobots

Hello!
Picked up the Bronco on Friday, and am hoping for some input on the following things I've noticed:

1. When I switch to sport mode, it auto switches to 4A. I am OK with this, but I noticed that I'm able to switch it back to 2H without it leaving Sport and going back to Normal. So it seems like Sport + 2H is indeed a thing, I'm jus wondering why it prefers, and initially forces me into 4A? I couldn't find anything about this in the settings.
2. I love the suspension (sasquatch); it is tight and relatively firm. I figure there isn't really a "comfort" mode but I'm wondering if folks choose to reduce the pressure in the tires to have a bit more forgiveness in the ride? My current city driving pressure is 38 warm (I think, I haven't driven a ton yet; not even on the highway). Wondering if going down to like 34 or something would have a noticable affect on ride comfort (and fuel economy, but that's ok with me ... maybe :) ).

Thank you! Any comments would be appreciated! Cheers

Congrats on your new Bronco!
To answer your questions:
1 - yes - being able to change setting of various GOAT modes is totally normal. In fact, the GOAT modes are nothing more than a set of shortcuts for setting various user selectable options (plus some special programming in the background for throttle response, timing etc).

Here’s a handy chart —>


2 - I have played with several different tire pressures for my Sasquatched Badlands and I like 33 PSI for daily, on road driving. YMMV

Thank you both; these are perfect answers!!
@Bschurr that chart is super handy. Downloaded!
Gonna try 34psi next.

Great to know the community is as good as the truck is. High fives!

Bschurr

Congrats on your new Bronco!
To answer your questions:
1 - yes - being able to change setting of various GOAT modes is totally normal. In fact, the GOAT modes are nothing more than a set of shortcuts for setting various user selectable options (plus some special programming in the background for throttle response, timing etc).

Here’s a handy chart —>


2 - I have played with several different tire pressures for my Sasquatched Badlands and I like 33 PSI for daily, on road driving. YMMV

The thing about Sport mode is that it does change the throttle response to aggressive. You can’t set that manually.

Yes I like Sport mode and usually change to 2H.
I prefer about 34 psi in the tires, rides nicer and I give zero sh*ts about 1-2 mpg less I didnt buy my truck for economy and yes I run premium.
Best mods so far for me so far (since you said you are new owner)
Change (4) 4" stereo speakers to quality 100 watt+ (I used Infinity) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PTT752Z/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Use speaker wires:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09P2QKBGG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
And base blockers:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007JYZ3BG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
AND plug n play kit:
https://plugnplaykits.com/products/...y-audio-harnesses-kits?variant=41130698473662
Dash kit for sunglass/phone holder, cheap and works for me there may be nicer:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09YLPYYHH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
DAsh pad for non slippy/slidey:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B211Z51S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Door pockets to get rid of horrible mesh net things that rip if your stare hard at them:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B3MRRZYF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
Ford 4" off road lights very bright:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09GGTT9XG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I also powder coated my wheel bead locks black they look great, got Ford rocks rails from CJ Pony:
https://www.cjponyparts.com/ford-rock-rails-black-pair-2-door-bronco-2021-2022/p/M2DZ78102D30AA/
And Rough Country trailer hitch:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09R35SBZF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Door handle bottom blocker things:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B3MV9ZZF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Grabd handles over the door:
https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Sparta...384&sprefix=bronco+handle,aps,142&sr=8-3&th=1
Thats all I can find for now..good luck and grab your credit card have fun

Somebody posted, somewhere, that there was a GOAT setting that allowed (or maybe just mimicked?) Sport mode, which for some reason is not available on the Badlands and 1st Edition. Does anybody have the answer to that?
Speaking of which, does anybody know why Sport mode was excluded from these two models? Or have a good working hypothesis?

Can't answer why your model was excluded from Sport mode, BUT:
Forscan can unlock ALL Goat modes, here is the cable that is required, I'm going to do that soon and also get rid of the dreaded double honk:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081VQVD3F/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Search BN forum for Forscan DIY info, you will need to download it and get a free license

BostonBadlands

Somebody posted, somewhere, that there was a GOAT setting that allowed (or maybe just mimicked?) Sport mode, which for some reason is not available on the Badlands and 1st Edition. Does anybody have the answer to that?
Speaking of which, does anybody know why Sport mode was excluded from these two models? Or have a good working hypothesis?

I have a Badlands which didn’t have Sport mode. I added it using Forscan.

BostonBadlands

Somebody posted, somewhere, that there was a GOAT setting that allowed (or maybe just mimicked?) Sport mode, which for some reason is not available on the Badlands and 1st Edition. Does anybody have the answer to that?
Speaking of which, does anybody know why Sport mode was excluded from these two models? Or have a good working hypothesis?

I believe it is Baja mode in the Badlands. The Ford pass app recommends 39 psi in cold weather. Since temperatures dropping to the 30s, I followed their recommendations.

RagnarKon

Welcome!! Congrats on your OBX!

The GOAT modes are really just helpful presets... you can ignore them and set just about everything manually if you wish. The only real added benefit of the GOAT mode is it also modifies transmission behavior--although it also slightly changes how the throttle/steering acts as well. Personally I have the manual transmission, and I've never used anything except Normal mode, and all of the transmission/locker settings I set manually.

4-Auto behaves similar to the typical AWD vehicle, it can be used both on and off the road. You'll get better handing/performance out of the vehicle if the vehicle is dynamically sending power to all four wheels, which is why Ford programmed the Sport preset to activate 4-Auto. BUT, if you got the Part-time 4x4 transfer case that does not have 4-Auto... shifting the GOAT mode to Sport will leave the Bronco in 2H.

Regarding tire pressure... yes you can air down if you wish. I personally have been sitting around 33-34 PSI lately... ride comfort is a little better, but my fuel economy did suffer a little bit as a result. When I was at the recommended 38-39 PSI, I could squeeze 21 MPG out of the vehicle pretty easily. Since lowering my air pressure, I'm lucky if I get 19.5 MPG.

Im new to the Automatic Bronco, from what I can tell, the SPORT MODE also locks out 8,9,10th? Is that correct? Which leaves the engine in a bit higher rpm range for more of that "seat of the pants feel" ... so when you call on it, it squats and launches. I'm at less than 300 miles..

Mikes2021Bronco

Im new to the Automatic Bronco, from what I can tell, the SPORT MODE also locks out 8,9,10th? Is that correct? Which leaves the engine in a bit higher rpm range for more of that "seat of the pants feel" ... so when you call on it, it squats and launches. I'm at less than 300 miles..

Hmmm, interesting. I added Sport to my Badlands with Forscan and really haven't played around with Sport Mode except around town. I'll have to try it out to see if stays out of those gears or not. Unless I count the shifts, there really isn't a way to tell what gear it is in, is there?

BostonBadlands

Speaking of which, does anybody know why Sport mode was excluded from these two models? Or have a good working hypothesis?

There’s no technical reason why Ford did that, it was just to better differentiate between the different trims. Ford gave Badlands Rock Crawling, since it is their low-speed off-roading focused on Rubicon Trail-style adventures. And they gave Wildtrak Sport mode since it is their high-speed desert running trim.

You may think “well Wildtrak doesn’t have sway bar disconnect, so of course it doesn’t get rock crawling”, which is true, but Black Diamond has Rock Crawling despite not having a sway-bar disconnect. And Black Diamond has Sport mode, because Ford wanted to reserve Baja mode for the upper trims.

Fundamentally there are only two (arguably three) Broncos, and Ford decided to squeeze six trims out of those two Broncos. So to do that and have it make sense they had to artificially limit GOAT modes.

Congrats on your Bronco, @magicrobots! You've found some of the Nation's all-stars in this thread; we're glad you're part of them too now.

magicrobots

Hello!
Picked up the Bronco on Friday, and am hoping for some input on the following things I've noticed:

1. When I switch to sport mode, it auto switches to 4A. I am OK with this, but I noticed that I'm able to switch it back to 2H without it leaving Sport and going back to Normal. So it seems like Sport + 2H is indeed a thing, I'm jus wondering why it prefers, and initially forces me into 4A? I couldn't find anything about this in the settings.
2. I love the suspension (sasquatch); it is tight and relatively firm. I figure there isn't really a "comfort" mode but I'm wondering if folks choose to reduce the pressure in the tires to have a bit more forgiveness in the ride? My current city driving pressure is 38 warm (I think, I haven't driven a ton yet; not even on the highway). Wondering if going down to like 34 or something would have a noticable affect on ride comfort (and fuel economy, but that's ok with me ... maybe :) ).

Thank you! Any comments would be appreciated! Cheers

Hi @magicrobots, congrats on the new Bronco. In my own personal experience with Sport mode (I enabled it via Forscan on my Badlands), it's got a good bit of punch, and the 4A allows the front-end to grab onto the road for a more stable launch. If you really step on it in 2H, it's too easy to spin the tires or even fishtail. Think muscle car. As far as Sasquatch comfort, there's not a whole lot you can do to calm down the ride other than put different tires on. I'm not a huge fan of the stock tires, but they do pretty good at on-road and off-road. If you're looking for a more on-road tire, you might change over to an all terrain. There are some AT's that are also pretty good off-road. The Territory MT's are "in between" an all terrain and a mud tire.

Thanks again y'all I appreciate all the thoughtful input.
@Sulley that's a good point; initially I didn't realize that 4A was basically AWD whereas the other settings are more of your typical 4WD mechanically. I was therefore tentative to be driving it on the street that way, but now that I know it's a smarter AWD style drive setting I think I'll totally stick with that!

I'll mess with Tire pressure for a bit, and honestly I don't mind the firm ride. But I will definitely do some research into ATs when my tax return comes in :)

A little bit of lore, I don't know if it's true- at an Off-Roadeo, the instructor told us there is lava in the Sport mode animation to get back at Ford lawyers, who made them change G.O.A.T. mode from "Goes Over All Terrain" because it technically couldn't drive over lava.

Sulley

A little bit of lore, I don't know if it's true- at an Off-Roadeo, the instructor told us there is lava in the Sport mode animation to get back at Ford lawyers, who made them change G.O.A.T. mode from "Goes Over All Terrain" because it technically couldn't drive over lava.

Coming from advertising, that is absolutely hilarious. Whether it's true or not, I will pretend it is in my household because it's just plain funny.
The phrasing of `Any type` always did seem arbitrarily wordy; but it's hard for me to see how legally it's any different from `All` -- especially considering how `All Terrain` tires are a thing. I wonder if it was more about the term `All Terrain` being trademarked somewhere.
That's an awesome anecdote though; cheers.

adcam

I believe it is Baja mode in the Badlands. The Ford pass app recommends 39 psi in cold weather. Since temperatures dropping to the 30s, I followed their recommendations.

It's really confusing to me. The side of the tire says 35 psi, and the doc manual as well as the sticker inside the door says 39 psi.

JoergH

It's really confusing to me. The side of the tire says 35 psi, and the doc manual as well as the sticker inside the door says 39 psi.

Sport mode and Baja mode are very different; Baja mode goes into 4H, not 4A, so it can't be used on the road. It's also much more aggressive than Sport mode. Great for driving on the beach. Will wreck your 4WD if you use it on the roads.

I had the same PSI question a while back, there is something embossed on the tire that rates it for 35 PSI, but says it can handle higher PSI as well (I think up to 55, but I don't recall exactly).