To Sas or not to Sas

On a badlands with the Manual you really don’t gain much with Sasquatch. Now that they offer a Mansquatch you pay the same as automatic. Since I am not a fan of the Squatch wheels or even the optional bead locks for the badlands I would not get those either I would rather spend the money and get an aftermarket wheel or just use the standard badlands wheel I like them better. My favorite wheel is the Everglades and that is what I switched to from a No squatch badlands manual transmission high package, because snorkel, winch, wheels, fenders and Desert Sand. But if I could get the Tan on a Badlands I would have kept my original order.
Now for leather you get power seat but you do not get memory so it is useless for me. And I think it is just the slide that is power but not sure. you also loose the washout floor and get carpet. The real important thing you get is a rear armrest with cup holders(assuming you are going 4-door) but if you want better leather and can live without the arm rest in back I would go Katzkins they are about the same price as the factory leather. Just my 2 pennies.

Ooooo… I am passionate about this particular subject. Short version… drop Sasquatch package, not worth the cost. Several reasons:

• Getting the Sasquatch package forces you to pay for an automatic transmission without getting one.
• The Goodyear Territory tires are not great. They are marketed as a mud-terrain tire, but they are more similar to all-terrains than mud-terrains (and not a very good all-terrain at that). And they are not 3PMSF rated, which is not great for those of us who live up north and/or those of us who intend to be driving in snow.
• The tires that come with Badlands standard are BFGoodrich KO2s, which most people would consider to be the benchmark all-terrain tire for awhile now. While the KO2 is an older tire and there are better tires out there these days, the KO2s are still extremely good.
• A complete set of wheels/tires costs on average around ~$3000 - $3750 (depends largely on your wheel selection). Which means you can get literally whatever wheel and tire combo you want for less than the Sasquatch package.

But to answer your question, both the standard and optional Badlands wheels have a +55 offset and are 8" wide (the Sasquatch wheels are +30 offset and 8.5" wide). The wheel offset can be solved easily with a spacer, but obviously no way to increase the width of the wheel. That said, most 33 - 35" wheels will mount on on an 8" wide tire—even with the +55 offset. You don't need an 8.5" wheel until you get up to the 37"+ sizes.

So yeah, I personally would drop the Sasquatch package. If you want the optional wheels, that's fine—up to you. If you rather pick your own wheels, that will still be cheaper than the Sasquatch package is overall. I would stick with the stock 33" KO2s until they wear out, just because the tires are that good. (And if we're being honest with ourselves, the vast majority of us don't need 35" tires and just like the look). But obviously if you don't like the 33" tires you can swap in larger tires, possibly even larger KO2s ;) .

Sasquatch is a bargain on the Base, Big Bend, black Diamond and OB. The higher trim levels, not so much, and if you're going manual, pretty costly for what you get...

I'm one of the suckers that changed his orders to MT Badlands with Sasquatch when the model year flipped to '22. For the reasons that @Jakob1972, @RagnarKon , and @PSUTE, it was a pretty irrational decision for the price and what you got (especially that you pay for an Automatic Transmission but don't get the A/T), but I wanted it anyway. I wish I could tell you I had a really good, solid rational reason for why, but I don't. I recognize that and own it.

Also I believe the "leather" seats upgrade is just leather lined. The headrest and bolsters are leather but the bulk of the seats are still vinyl.

I'm a '21 MT BL and I LOVE the setup. glad I didn't have the option to move up to SAS. like the others the value is great. Going to wear the tires down then go up to 35 Toyo's most likely. Also the crawler gear is amazing!

Nice build but drop the SAS. Lots of SAS takeoffs out there and you can lift it for a lot less if you really want too. Personally, not a fan of the Goodyears or the beadlocks anyway.

Thanks for all the replies! Looks like I’ll be calling my dealer tomorrow.

I’ve been having the same debate in reverse lol. Ordered a 2dr black diamond with manual non sas, but every time I see a 2dr with sas I think about adding it to mine. In reality the smaller tires and non sas gearing will provide slightly better fuel economy, and the tires will be cheaper to replace. Having the front locker would be nice but I doubt it I will ever actually “need” it since I don’t have any plans to do serious rock crawling. But at the same time 2dr broncos just looks so damn awesome with the lift and larger tires….. and I actually like look of the black steelies. If I could get factory 35’s on those wheels I’d really be struggling with the decision.

dover157

I’ve been having the same debate in reverse lol. Ordered a 2dr black diamond with manual non sas, but every time I see a 2dr with sas I think about adding it to mine. In reality the smaller tires and non sas gearing will provide slightly better fuel economy, and the tires will be cheaper to replace. Having the front locker would be nice but I doubt it I will ever actually “need” it since I don’t have any plans to do serious rock crawling. But at the same time 2dr broncos just looks so damn awesome with the lift and larger tires….. and I actually like look of the black steelies. If I could get factory 35’s on those wheels I’d really be struggling with the decision.

If you do decide to go Sasquatch, it makes WAY more sense to just switch to a Badlands 2-door and add on 35" tires after delivery. Adding the Sasquatch package on to the Black Diamond makes it more expensive than the base Badlands, and you don't get the sway-bar disconnect.

I have a (admittedly somewhat salty) post on it from October this past year. The pricing has change a little bit, but the overall theme is the same. Just doesn't make sense.

https://thebronconation.com/forums/threads/sas-pkg-with-manual-bakes-in-auto-cost.6884/post-97701
The only reason why I personally ordered a Badlands is because the pricing is so screwed up. I don't really want or need the sway-bar disconnect—I just wanted the front locker and I originally intended to order Black Diamond Sasquatch. But if it is going to be cheaper (or within $1000) to get the sway-bar disconnect, then it feels stupid not to go that route.

I'm hoping the pricing changes to make more sense for 2023, but I doubt it.

dover157

I’ve been having the same debate in reverse lol. Ordered a 2dr black diamond with manual non sas, but every time I see a 2dr with sas I think about adding it to mine. In reality the smaller tires and non sas gearing will provide slightly better fuel economy, and the tires will be cheaper to replace. Having the front locker would be nice but I doubt it I will ever actually “need” it since I don’t have any plans to do serious rock crawling. But at the same time 2dr broncos just looks so damn awesome with the lift and larger tires….. and I actually like look of the black steelies. If I could get factory 35’s on those wheels I’d really be struggling with the decision.

With just a level you should be able to fit 35” on your black Diamond. I drove a base big bend with level and 35 and it felt like it was adequately powered so the gearing is not too far off. I moved way better than that Gladiator on 40” we were passing.

Went basesquatch, 2.7, mod bump, aux switch and adding my own personal comfort mods and cannot complain. (Bang 4 d Buck)

ride high

Went basesquatch, 2.7, mod bump, aux switch and adding my own personal comfort mods and cannot complain. (Bang 4 d Buck)View attachment 40686

Agreed. My brother is going Basesquatch and adding every option he could to it and it is still in the $40s and hopefully being build today.

Always sas.

So, I went Badlands SAS. Why? Well, because I wanted all the capability of the SAS without having to do do any aftermarket mods and I was willing to pay the price. I got the gearing I wanted (I have the auto trans), sway bar disconnect, and 35" tires. I think the with a manual, it makes a lot of sense to drop the SAS, since the gearing is great. But I would keep the Badlands in order to get that sway bar disconnect. I've been running trails since Jan. and I can definitely tell the difference wit the sway bar disconnected vs connected.

PSUTE

Sasquatch is a bargain on the Base, Big Bend, black Diamond and OB. The higher trim levels, not so much, and if you're going manual, pretty costly for what you get...

$7385 is hardly a bargain.

JoergH

So, I went Badlands SAS. Why? Well, because I wanted all the capability of the SAS without having to do do any aftermarket mods and I was willing to pay the price. I got the gearing I wanted (I have the auto trans), sway bar disconnect, and 35" tires. I think the with a manual, it makes a lot of sense to drop the SAS, since the gearing is great. But I would keep the Badlands in order to get that sway bar disconnect. I've been running trails since Jan. and I can definitely tell the difference wit the sway bar disconnected vs connected.

the sway bar is clutch for sure, that and the crawler are my favorite parts of my Bronco

Reading this thread makes me feel pretty good about my order (2 door BL, MT, non-sas High pkg). If I decide to go with larger rims or tires, will do it when the OEM tires need to be replaced, something to look forward to after the new excitement wears off….
Only thing still on my mind is High vs. Luxe? Only reason I’d go Luxe is to avoid stereo upgrades that I know I’ll want right away. But that’s another thread I guess. I’m hoping my order gets picked up soon and then I won’t have to think about it any changes after that!

Fillups

Reading this thread makes me feel pretty good about my order (2 door BL, MT, non-sas High pkg). If I decide to go with larger rims or tires, will do it when the OEM tires need to be replaced, something to look forward to after the new excitement wears off….
Only thing still on my mind is High vs. Luxe? Only reason I’d go Luxe is to avoid stereo upgrades that I know I’ll want right away. But that’s another thread I guess. I’m hoping my order gets picked up soon and then I won’t have to think about it any changes after that!

Eh... I'll offer up my highly opinionated answer anyway. I'll preface this by saying I am not really a vehicle technology person. I'm an electrical engineer by trade, but I not real crazy about turning my vehicle into an iPad with wheels like many of the modern vehicles (particularly EVs). The only reason why I got the Mid package was for the heated seats for my wife, otherwise I would have gotten the Standard package. So keep that in mind.

With that out the way.... High package is a decent value for what you get. I personally don't think the cameras are all that valuable, just one of those features that is 90% "party trick," and only really helpful in a handful of situations while out on the trail. But a lot of people like the 12" screen, both for its size and the "split screen" function. And the LED lights can also be helpful if you live in a rural location, or camp a lot and find yourself showing up to your camp site in the dark, otherwise... not really a noteworthy feature.

Lux package is absolutely not worth it for the price. It is almost double the price of the High package and it just doesn't make sense for one you get. This is especially true if you are looking to modify your Bronco in any way (such as adding a winch), as you will find yourself having to relocate the adaptive cruise control sensor. Once you relocate that sensor it rarely works correctly due to materials/calibration/etc. The audio system is a lot better than the stock system, but it isn't a $2300 system, and you can do better aftermarket.

RagnarKon

Eh... I'll offer up my highly opinionated answer anyway. I'll preface this by saying I am not really a vehicle technology person. I'm an electrical engineer by trade, but I not real crazy about turning my vehicle into an iPad with wheels like many of the modern vehicles (particularly EVs). The only reason why I got the Mid package was for the heated seats for my wife, otherwise I would have gotten the Standard package. So keep that in mind.

With that out the way.... High package is a decent value for what you get. I personally don't think the cameras are all that valuable, just one of those features that is 90% "party trick," and only really helpful in a handful of situations while out on the trail. But a lot of people like the 12" screen, both for its size and the "split screen" function. And the LED lights can also be helpful if you live in a rural location, or camp a lot and find yourself showing up to your camp site in the dark, otherwise... not really a noteworthy feature.

Lux package is absolutely not worth it for the price. It is almost double the price of the High package and it just doesn't make sense for one you get. This is especially true if you are looking to modify your Bronco in any way (such as adding a winch), as you will find yourself having to relocate the adaptive cruise control sensor. Once you relocate that sensor it rarely works correctly due to materials/calibration/etc. The audio system is a lot better than the stock system, but it isn't a $2300 system, and you can do better aftermarket.

Good points… the high package is plenty of tech for a Bronco. I was after the big screen, proximity door locks and LED lights. Just wish there was a reasonable stereo upgrade as standalone option.

Side note, had a rental Suburban Z71 on vacation this summer and the side cameras and big screen with split view seemed pretty handy.