Badlands vs. Heritage Limited for oversand (ground clearance? water fording?)

[RSH]

This is all terrible news for my bank account because it's becoming very clear that I need that HL in Yellowstone ;-)

If you are entertaining the thought of purchasing a Heritage Limited, I'd check the pricing of lower level full size Bronco models as well and see what the best fit would be. MSRP wise, they aren't that far apart.

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[Maxwellian]

I’ve driven a fair amount soft desert sand in mine (not Utah level soft and fine, but finer than most California beaches). Never had to air down lower than dirt road pressures. I haven’t climbed any large and steep dunes though. Have heard the pseudo-lockers on the differential or PTU will give you overheating warnings if you really blast around or do a lot of climbing in sand. Badlands has water cooling on the ptu, so it takes much more before complaining in low traction situations. I think the good AWD and relatively light weight for the tire size make it pretty capable in the sand.

 

[magicbus]

I drive deep soft sand all the time with no issues. You will lose a couple of inches when you air down but scraping some sand keeps your bash plate clean .

 

[69cuda340s]

This might not apply to you depending on the water situation you will drive through: As stated in an earlier post, the Water Fording spec is 23.6". But just a warning that has been noted in other postings - there is an engine control module that is going to be submerged. It’s a “sealed” module but others have found leaving submerged in water for “too long” can damage the module. I don’t know at what depth and I don’t know for how long. I believe the module is mounted on the front (to the engine side of the front drivers side tire).

At 17 inches of water the engine ECU mounted just forward of driver side front tire is 100 percent under water.

 

[Winds of Change]

Thank you, good advice, I'll watch for that. It's mostly fording big deep puddles on the road in the winter -- usually no more than a foot or so, but it can be hard to gauge how deep they are before you drive through one.

You are supposed to get out and walk it first to avoid deep surprises. I've seen only 1 youtuber actually do that. I've also seen the same drop into a hole that need his winch since he didn't take his own advice. I've been on sand twice now without airing down without issues. I have the Badlands with the Wildpeaks.

 

[Winds of Change]

If you are entertaining the thought of purchasing a Heritage Limited, I'd check the pricing of lower level full size Bronco models as well and see what the best fit would be. MSRP wise, they aren't that far apart.

I've build and eyeballed a 2 door Black Diamond. Without a SAS and automatic it prices about 45k if you order for msrp. The Black Diamond is a solid entry level off roader by spec.

 

[Tigger]

This is all terrible news for my bank account because it's becoming very clear that I need that HL in Yellowstone ;-)

It’s fun to get dirty and it cleans up nice!

And to add my agreement with RSH, there are some ‘22 Bronco Outer Banks still on the lots by us. You can get one with nice options for the price of an HLE Sport and one main benefit is ground clearance, which you stated you might need.

 

[Andi C]

If you are entertaining the thought of purchasing a Heritage Limited, I'd check the pricing of lower level full size Bronco models as well and see what the best fit would be. MSRP wise, they aren't that far apart.

Thanks -- I LOVE the big Bronco and it would be ideal on the dunes but it won't work for me in the city (where I live 8 months of the year) or on the 250-mile trip to and from the wilderness house. I need something with a good highway ride and not-terrible fuel economy that I can park on a city street.

 

[Andi C]

It’s fun to get dirty and it cleans up nice!

And to add my agreement with RSH, there are some ‘22 Bronco Outer Banks still on the lots by us. You can get one with nice options for the price of an HLE Sport and one main benefit is ground clearance, which you stated you might need.

GORGEOUS. Yeah, I think the HLE Sport is my car, worth the cost. Can't do the big Bronco, unfortunately.

Living in the city it just wouldn't work. I can only manage one car and it has to do everything -- road trips, fit into parking spaces, etc.

Plus this color hits a nostalgic chord for me (see yellow Willys pics I posted earlier). And in the hot sun the white roof will keep the car from turning into an oven.

 

[Andi C]

I've build and eyeballed a 2 door Black Diamond. Without a SAS and automatic it prices about 45k if you order for msrp. The Black Diamond is a solid entry level off roader by spec.

At 17 inches of water the engine ECU mounted just forward of driver side front tire is 100 percent under water.

Good to know -- mostly I"m fording deep puddles, I'll know stay to the left side so the driver side is in the shallows.

 

[Andi C]

I’ve driven a fair amount soft desert sand in mine (not Utah level soft and fine, but finer than most California beaches). Never had to air down lower than dirt road pressures. I haven’t climbed any large and steep dunes though. Have heard the pseudo-lockers on the differential or PTU will give you overheating warnings if you really blast around or do a lot of climbing in sand. Badlands has water cooling on the ptu, so it takes much more before complaining in low traction situations. I think the good AWD and relatively light weight for the tire size make it pretty capable in the sand.

Thanks, yes I always air down. I'm getting the sense I use the car in a different way than most in this forum. Daily use of a soft sand road over some steep dunes -- it gets chewed up with big bumps over time if we don't drive it properly. It's a bad feedback loop and you end up with a nasty ride up the steeps.

My mother uses the road too -- at 92 years old (she drives a 4-Runner) she doesn't like the bumps.

 

[magicbus]

Thanks, yes I always air down. I'm getting the sense I use the car in a different way than most in this forum. Daily use of a soft sand road over some steep dunes -- it gets chewed up with big bumps over time if we don't drive it properly. It's a bad feedback loop and you end up with a nasty ride up the steeps.

My mother uses the road too -- at 92 years old (she drives a 4-Runner) she doesn't like the bumps.

That’s why we make people air down at the refuge where I ranger. When those bumps get too bad we have a 4’ I-beam with chains on the ends we hook to the back of one of our F-250’s and drag around. A couple of passes and it cleans them right up.

 

[Maxwellian]

I just mentioned not airing down to proper sand pressures as it speaks to how well the awd works. I’m usually driving a combination of sandy washes and rocky dirt, and have been able to stay at 20-25psi without struggling at all. Would definitely go lower for pure sand.

And I should clarify when I say haven’t hit the big dunes, the tallest ones that are open to vehicles out this way are about 400 feet. I think it’s that kind of dune, or driving very aggressively for a solid 15-20min that gives the 1.5L models heat problems. Not sure how long the 2.0L will go hard in the sand, but it does it all day at a reasonable speed.

 

[Andi C]

That’s why we make people air down at the refuge where I ranger. When those bumps get too bad we have a 4’ I-beam with chains on the ends we hook to the back of one of our F-250’s and drag around. A couple of passes and it cleans them right up.

We do the same thing with a wood beam -- but we use a section of telephone pole. And we also have a friend who helps us out sometimes... ;-)

 

[Andi C]

I just mentioned not airing down to proper sand pressures as it speaks to how well the awd works. I’m usually driving a combination of sandy washes and rocky dirt, and have been able to stay at 20-25psi without struggling at all. Would definitely go lower for pure sand.

And I should clarify when I say haven’t hit the big dunes, the tallest ones that are open to vehicles out this way are about 400 feet. I think it’s that kind of dune, or driving very aggressively for a solid 15-20min that gives the 1.5L models heat problems. Not sure how long the 2.0L will go hard in the sand, but it does it all day at a reasonable speed.

Whoa -- 400 feet! I can see how you would need a more powerful engine to tackle one of those. Ours are maybe 40 ft, max. We're just driving them to get groceries in town kind of thing. A few miles at a time.

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