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I’ve built Jeeps, taco, etc. So am used to body on frame setups and wheeling/Dailying those type of rides. My Taco got totaled last year so was looking at something in between SUV and a truck that was still capable. I never even looked at the baby broncos until I bought one. Was looking at Cherokees, Outback wilderness. Couldn’t find a Cherokee, and the Outback when trying to go up an incline felt like it was going to explode with their rubber band trans. Screamed with minimal movement. Poor decision for something to go off-road. So that was out. Then caught a video on the BS BL. And looked like it would fit the bill. Storage, actual trans, good for the dogs, can wheel it and would be comfy to daily in between. Also looks good.
Pros-the ride is really nice, is smooth even with larger more aggressive tires. Handles bumps well and tracks like it should when going down the road. The oem shocks are quite good and matched well with the springs.
The interior ergonomics, button placement for dash, wheel and having actual physical buttons for things is huge. Has nice cockpit setup that’s usable. Doesn’t leave you guessing what’s what and there’s no giant plastic wall that other manufacturers are putting in.
The trans and motor in 2.0 is smooth and responds well, even in normal mode. Doesn’t have the tip in delay most tbw vehicles do these days. Hit gas and go, I’m a fan. Also doesn’t have the off throttle, on throttle(slowing and then accelerating) clunk or gear change lag. Seems to be in appropriate gear most times. I’m not in 6th gear at 20mph and then has to go to 3rd to move. My RDX was bad for that.
The awd system is phenomenal. Probably its strongest pro. Which is ok with me. On road and off-road just running it in normal mode it just goes and goes well. The other modes are nice if you need to switch for a lil more aggressive settings depending on terrain. And it shifts into and out of “lock” instantly. Center and rear. And can use them in normal mode also. I’ve done terrain where most would give a hard nope and have had no real issues. As long as there’s a tire touching I’m moving. Toyota has a really nice system for off-road and this performs better. Keeps power going without throttling the shit out the brakes. Keeps a positive forward momentum even at slower speeds.
The front skid on the BL is actually a good piece of kit. It’s not the thickest but the way it’s formed, it is sturdy af. I’ve hit it and just some minor scratches and no flexing in the plate from laying vehicle on it. Wish Ford would make more kit for this thing, since no one else really does.
The hvac system kicks and works well. Same with the heated seats and wheel. They throw out some damage.
The rubber floors are choice.
It looks good. I’ve built a mini defender.
The switchable front cam. Helps to see even when parking. Good way to gauge how close mid front bumper is. Nice to have off-road since I’ve always installed them myself.
CONS-the rattles, headliner in front and roof. A pillars. Constant noise. Dealer blamed unbuckled passenger belt. That isn’t it.
The B&O sound system has poor sound and buzzes with any bass, especially at volumes lower than 10. But distort above 18. So min/max is like 12-18 so it doesn’t sound as bad. But still is piss poor. But to be expected since Ford is using the same parts for audio for the last 10 years and multiple vehicles/name plates. There’s no actual sub, is a 6x9 in the rear.
The driver seat bottom is too short and puts pressure on thighs. There isn’t enough adjustability with seat bottom or the lumbar support which only goes in and out maybe a 1/2” with no up and down adjustability. The bolsters are too soft and puts you into center console or door when turning.
The steering is vague af. Way too light. Numb. Like you never know what your front end is doing. You get no feedback through the wheel. Even with beefier tires. You can’t feel where it’s tracking, have to go on sight. Creates a disconnected feeling. Even off-road. Find it easier to parallel park my truck than this thing. And truck is four feet longer.
Front cam-glad there is one, but why no grid lines for tire placement. Also seems to run at like 20fps. Rear cam is much better.
The mode selector-why do I have to turn it once to activate the screen and then again to switch modes. Also wish eco was far left instead of between regular and sport, kinda dumb. Want to be able to press the mode button to bring up the goat off-road modes instead of having to cycle through a ton. Seems redundant.
Torque steer- if you’re going straight and accelerate it is fine. But if you need to pass someone and accelerate with the wheel turned some while switching lane it wants to pull you into the vehicle you’re passing initially. Is sketchy. Alignment is spot on. Has done since purchase. Factory and aftermarket tires, both do it.
Ford techs are suspect.
The front bumper- is too low that it affects approach with obstacles. There’s too much bumper in front of the front wheels which hinders getting the tire up on things. Can’t viper cut since the electronics and things are in the bumper.
The carpeted wheel well liners.
Some of the cons are subjective. The rattle and the B&O are my biggest gripes. Followed by the numb steering and the torque steer feeling.
These are my observations all together as a package. Is def off-road capable lil thing. No flex, so get used to dog legging it. But still goes with no issue on 2/3 or 4 tires touching. Switching modes on the fly without waiting for lockup or things to engage is choice. I’m really liking it, is def unassuming and then just rolls up terrain like how tf. And wants more. And then can smooth ride it home on the roads. Is nice piece of kit.
Pros-the ride is really nice, is smooth even with larger more aggressive tires. Handles bumps well and tracks like it should when going down the road. The oem shocks are quite good and matched well with the springs.
The interior ergonomics, button placement for dash, wheel and having actual physical buttons for things is huge. Has nice cockpit setup that’s usable. Doesn’t leave you guessing what’s what and there’s no giant plastic wall that other manufacturers are putting in.
The trans and motor in 2.0 is smooth and responds well, even in normal mode. Doesn’t have the tip in delay most tbw vehicles do these days. Hit gas and go, I’m a fan. Also doesn’t have the off throttle, on throttle(slowing and then accelerating) clunk or gear change lag. Seems to be in appropriate gear most times. I’m not in 6th gear at 20mph and then has to go to 3rd to move. My RDX was bad for that.
The awd system is phenomenal. Probably its strongest pro. Which is ok with me. On road and off-road just running it in normal mode it just goes and goes well. The other modes are nice if you need to switch for a lil more aggressive settings depending on terrain. And it shifts into and out of “lock” instantly. Center and rear. And can use them in normal mode also. I’ve done terrain where most would give a hard nope and have had no real issues. As long as there’s a tire touching I’m moving. Toyota has a really nice system for off-road and this performs better. Keeps power going without throttling the shit out the brakes. Keeps a positive forward momentum even at slower speeds.
The front skid on the BL is actually a good piece of kit. It’s not the thickest but the way it’s formed, it is sturdy af. I’ve hit it and just some minor scratches and no flexing in the plate from laying vehicle on it. Wish Ford would make more kit for this thing, since no one else really does.
The hvac system kicks and works well. Same with the heated seats and wheel. They throw out some damage.
The rubber floors are choice.
It looks good. I’ve built a mini defender.
The switchable front cam. Helps to see even when parking. Good way to gauge how close mid front bumper is. Nice to have off-road since I’ve always installed them myself.
CONS-the rattles, headliner in front and roof. A pillars. Constant noise. Dealer blamed unbuckled passenger belt. That isn’t it.
The B&O sound system has poor sound and buzzes with any bass, especially at volumes lower than 10. But distort above 18. So min/max is like 12-18 so it doesn’t sound as bad. But still is piss poor. But to be expected since Ford is using the same parts for audio for the last 10 years and multiple vehicles/name plates. There’s no actual sub, is a 6x9 in the rear.
The driver seat bottom is too short and puts pressure on thighs. There isn’t enough adjustability with seat bottom or the lumbar support which only goes in and out maybe a 1/2” with no up and down adjustability. The bolsters are too soft and puts you into center console or door when turning.
The steering is vague af. Way too light. Numb. Like you never know what your front end is doing. You get no feedback through the wheel. Even with beefier tires. You can’t feel where it’s tracking, have to go on sight. Creates a disconnected feeling. Even off-road. Find it easier to parallel park my truck than this thing. And truck is four feet longer.
Front cam-glad there is one, but why no grid lines for tire placement. Also seems to run at like 20fps. Rear cam is much better.
The mode selector-why do I have to turn it once to activate the screen and then again to switch modes. Also wish eco was far left instead of between regular and sport, kinda dumb. Want to be able to press the mode button to bring up the goat off-road modes instead of having to cycle through a ton. Seems redundant.
Torque steer- if you’re going straight and accelerate it is fine. But if you need to pass someone and accelerate with the wheel turned some while switching lane it wants to pull you into the vehicle you’re passing initially. Is sketchy. Alignment is spot on. Has done since purchase. Factory and aftermarket tires, both do it.
Ford techs are suspect.
The front bumper- is too low that it affects approach with obstacles. There’s too much bumper in front of the front wheels which hinders getting the tire up on things. Can’t viper cut since the electronics and things are in the bumper.
The carpeted wheel well liners.
Some of the cons are subjective. The rattle and the B&O are my biggest gripes. Followed by the numb steering and the torque steer feeling.
These are my observations all together as a package. Is def off-road capable lil thing. No flex, so get used to dog legging it. But still goes with no issue on 2/3 or 4 tires touching. Switching modes on the fly without waiting for lockup or things to engage is choice. I’m really liking it, is def unassuming and then just rolls up terrain like how tf. And wants more. And then can smooth ride it home on the roads. Is nice piece of kit.
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