Wildtrak vs Badlands Sasquatch

At first, I was on to the Wildtrack but decided to order the Badlands because I wanted the all black leather seats of the Badlands vs. the two-tone interior found in the Wildtrack. I ordered without the Sasquatch because I heard that can delay the order and also read through forums here that I could customize to something better than the Sasquatch (i.e. wheels, tires, etc.) if so desired.

Never had a jeep, but my Badlands Sasquatch drives great on the highway at 70. Went with the Badlands to get the electronic stabilizer bar disconnect. That’s really the only difference when outfitted the same. Well, interior color too!

It’s easier to put a set of racing shocks on a Badlands than it is to put an electronic sway bar disconnect on a Wildtrak. Quite happy with my Wildlands conversion.

Just another bit of info. For whatever it's worth... the HOSS.3.0 Wildtrak comes standard with the Raptor "severe duty" Steering Rack, and "Heavier" Tire Rods...

Sulley

It’s easier to put a set of racing shocks on a Badlands than it is to put an electronic sway bar disconnect on a Wildtrak. Quite happy with my Wildlands conversion.

Can you help understand why the sway bar disconnect feature is important? Thx

Mikes2021Bronco

Just another bit of info. For whatever it's worth... the HOSS.3.0 Wildtrak comes standard with the Raptor "severe duty" Steering Rack, and "Heavier" Tire Rods...

Yeah but it’s also worth mentioning 99.9% of people will never push their Bronco hard enough to even break a tie rod. And out of that bunch, I haven’t seen a single case of anyone stripping their rack, having installed Bronc bushings and beefier ties. Maybe one is out there, who knows? But it’s not worth basic a vehicle trim decision on. Especially if you’re not planning on lifting it or running larger tires… If you’re going to push your Badlands, some tie rod sleeves and maybe Bronc bushings is fine. As we’ve seen, you’re more likely to break a CV axle or diff housing first.

Also, some people have gotten the beefier rack to program on Badlands by spoofing the vin during programming. It should eventually be getting released as a ford performance part.

PatrickE26

Can you help understand why the sway bar disconnect feature is important? Thx

If you’re on a lot of uneven terrain, you can add traction by disconnecting the sway bar, freeing up a lifted or light wheel. You’ll also be a heck of a lot more comfortable.

Mikes2021Bronco

Just another bit of info. For whatever it's worth... the HOSS.3.0 Wildtrak comes standard with the Raptor "severe duty" Steering Rack, and "Heavier" Tire Rods...

This was my final deciding factor. You can install quick disconnects for the sway bar for not much money.

So...

• Wildtrak
  • Intended for high-speed desert-running off-roading. Think Baja 1000 style off-roading.
  • Has HOSS 3.0, which is an upgraded suspension/steering package
• Badlands
  • Low-speed rock-crawling off-roading. Moab, Rubicon trail, etc.
  • Has sway-bar disconnect, which allows for more articulation while crawling over rocks.

The vast majority of people will probably never need the sway-bar disconnect... so I'm inclined to suggest the Wildtrak trim. But if the Wrangler you owned in the past was a Rubicon, @PatrickE26 , you probably already have a general idea for how often you actually utilized the sway-bar disconnect and if you feel it is necessary.

That said, @Sulley brings up a very good point—it's easier to add the Wildtrak components on a Badlands than it is to add the Badlands components on a Wildtrak. So if you are going for the "best of both worlds"... Badlands is the way to go. The only wildcard is the sway-bar disconnect system is relatively new, and we don't really know how well it'll age. It could turn into a mechanical/maintenance nightmare once the Bronco gets 5+ years old... or it could be fine... we just don't know.

I use my sway bar disco all the time… makes many of the trails around here a lot more comfortable.

jcampbelldds

Never had a jeep, but my Badlands Sasquatch drives great on the highway at 70. Went with the Badlands to get the electronic stabilizer bar disconnect. That’s really the only difference when outfitted the same. Well, interior color too!

Well I have to agree the 2.7 Sasquatch Badlands is the way to go. The cheap plastic rear bumper on the Wildtrak is hideous. Then how about the rubber washout flooring along with the MGV?
Priceless. The rock rails give a extra rugged look and cover the unsightly pinch welds.
Who ever thought cloth and carpet was good idea on a Bronco?

Personally I saved 3k from the Badlands and went with the Sasquatch Black Diamond as the sway bar disconnect was not necessary for me. Love the two tone interior with the blue stitching 🧵.

Really, just give me a Raptor but with the axles and track width of a Wildtrak. Is that too much to ask?

Sulley

I use my sway bar disco all the time… makes many of the trails around here a lot more comfortable.

I do to—although admittedly my decision to buy Badlands had to do with the manual transmission and not the sway-bar disconnect.

BUT, I know from talking to many Rubicon owners... it is one of those features that only gets used once when they first buy the vehicle to try it out and then never gets used again. I suspect it is just a bunch of people buying this super capable vehicle with grand aspirations of off-roading with it... but then they never actually off-road once they buy the vehicle. Essentially they bought too much vehicle for their lifestyle and a lower trim like the Willys—or Black Diamond—would have been more than adequate for what they actually needed (and would have saved them several thousand dollars in the process).

RagnarKon

I do to—although admittedly my decision to buy Badlands had to do with the manual transmission and not the sway-bar disconnect.

BUT, I know from talking to many Rubicon owners... it is one of those features that only gets used once when they first buy the vehicle to try it out and then never gets used again. I suspect it is just a bunch of people buying this super capable vehicle with grand aspirations of off-roading with it... but then they never actually off-road once they buy the vehicle. Essentially they bought too much vehicle for their lifestyle and a lower trim like the Willys—or Black Diamond—would have been more than adequate for what they actually needed (and would have saved them several thousand dollars in the process).

What I love more in the Bronco is the ability to engage the front locker without the rear. Rubicon doesn’t do that, but is a great solution for mudding uphill without fishtailing.

Great info so far… thanks to all for the replies.

Sulley

Yeah but it’s also worth mentioning 99.9% of people will never push their Bronco hard enough to even break a tie rod. And out of that bunch, I haven’t seen a single case of anyone stripping their rack, having installed Bronc bushings and beefier ties. Maybe one is out there, who knows? But it’s not worth basic a vehicle trim decision on. Especially if you’re not planning on lifting it or running larger tires… If you’re going to push your Badlands, some tie rod sleeves and maybe Bronc bushings is fine. As we’ve seen, you’re more likely to break a CV axle or diff housing first.

Also, some people have gotten the beefier rack to program on Badlands by spoofing the vin during programming. It should eventually be getting released as a ford performance part.

Oh I wasn't saying one over the other... I was just giving him more info about a few differences..

PatrickE26

I am beginning to do my research as to which model I really want. There’s some info online with some details, but I wanted to check with current owners and get your thoughts.

Why do you like your Wildtrak or Badlands?

I owned a Wrangler in the past, hated it over 65 mph. Does either the WT or BL ride better on the highway at 70?

I can only speak to my 22 Wildtrak, it is exceptional on the highway at speeds well above 70, extremely stable, cruises comfortably at 90, expect wind noise but it never seems excessive, handles really well in the twists and turns for a big vehicle (over 500 miles on the Blue Ridge Pkwy) I have the Lux package and the adaptable cruise is really nice. I use Bronco Buster struts since my production date was before HOSS 3.0 became available but I've no issues off road.

21 Badlands Sasquatch high package hard top with marine grade vinyl interior. I've had well over 85mph and it handles amazing. Had it since first week of January 2022. I love the hero switches, aux switches and Marine Grade Vinyl, 35" tires, modular bumper.

The real question is will you do any mods to it? Doing the mods yourself or paying to have it done for you? I advise you to research mods before you buy because BRONCO TAX is a real thing. You didn't ask but I am posting a photo of then and now.

Whatever model you buy, make it yours. Be 1 of 1.

PatrickE26

I am beginning to do my research as to which model I really want. There’s some info online with some details, but I wanted to check with current owners and get your thoughts.

Why do you like your Wildtrak or Badlands?

I owned a Wrangler in the past, hated it over 65 mph. Does either the WT or BL ride better on the highway at 70?

Wildtrak drives phenomenal at highway speeds and way pass highway speed, but wind noise are expected.