I remember the first time I ventured off the pavement in my Jeep Wrangler and the sense of adventure that overwhelmed me as I followed a caravan of Tacomas and 4Runners blazing the trail ahead. I thought I was hooked then, but that feeling intensified when Ford announced the Bronco’s return. As an adventurer and a long-time Ford fan, shopping for a used Ford Bronco for sale has become one of my favorite pastimes. I’m always on the hunt for a Bronco that’s priced fair and well-equipped with the necessities to safely and confidently explore life beyond the pavement. So, what does this version of the perfect off-roading Bronco look like on the used lot?
Two-Door vs Four-Door
One of the first considerations when shopping for a used Bronco for off-roading is choosing between a two-door or four-door. There are advantages to each, with the two-door offering a smaller footprint that makes it easier to maneuver in tighter areas. Alternatively, the four-door Bronco isn’t overwhelmingly large and, if you have a young kid like me, is more practical when you rely on the SUV as your daily driver and weekend adventurer.
Fortunately, the four-door Bronco’s added practicality doesn’t compromise its readiness to tackle harsh terrain. Its ground clearance and approach, departure, and breakover angles are comparable to its two-door sibling, with modest changes when you opt for 35-inch tires, a trim like the Everglades, or the Sasquatch Package. For example, a Bronco with two doors and 35-inch tires has a ground clearance of 11.6 inches, with the four-door offering 11.5 inches. Likewise, both versions of the SUV have a 43.2-degree angle as long as you opt for 35-inch tires.
Engine and Transmission: An EcoBoost With a Manual or Automatic Transmission
The Bronco’s base powerplant is a 2.3L EcoBoost that sets an impressive baseline by producing 300 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. The real kicker is that Ford offers the 2.3L with a 10-speed automatic transmission or a segment-exclusive seven-speed manual transmission. While the automatic transmission is more popular, the seven-speed manual is appealing to those with experience shifting gears because it enhances the Bronco’s off-road capability by improving the crawl ratio on the two-door model to 94.75:1.
Realistically, most drivers are drawn to the ten-speed automatic transmission because it’s seamless and offers a choice of a beefier powertrain. The 2.7L EcoBoost pushes the Bronco’s output to 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. As far as crawl ratio, the ten-speed’s best ratio is 67.8:1 with the optional advanced four-wheel drive system, which leads me to the next component: four-wheel drive.
Four-Wheel Drive: Part-Time or Advanced
Ford offers drivers a choice between a part-time four-wheel drive system and an advanced system that automatically engages when needed. Used Broncos with the two-speed electronic shift-on-the-fly transfer case are capable off the pavement, but that capability skyrockets with Ford’s advanced four-wheel drive system, which features a two-speed electromechanical transfer case with an automatic mode. The advanced system offers on-demand engagement, seamlessly shifting between 2H and 4H as the situation demands.
Trim and Package Combos: Badlands Sasquatch
Considering these options and looking at various used Bronco models makes one thing clear—Ford does a lot of the hard work for us with trims like the Badlands. The Bronco Badlands is undeniably one of the most rugged and adventurous options in the family, sharing the spotlight with the water-fording Everglades. A used Bronco Badlands offers an excellent combination of value with off-road components that guarantee the SUV’s competency when going over any type of terrain.
First and foremost, you can find a used Badlands as either a two-door or four-door model with a 2.3L EcoBoost inline-four and a seven-speed manual or ten-speed automatic transmission under the hood. The trim features an upgraded High-Performance Off-Road Suspension (HOSS) 2.0, which heightens the Bronco’s stability and your control on more challenging terrain. Yet, Ford doesn’t stop there.
The Badlands with the Sasquatch Package upgrades the HOSS 2.0 suspension with Bilstein shock absorbers for exceptional capability. The independent front suspension has twin-forged alloy A-arms with long-travel coil-over springs and HOSS-tuned heavy-duty dampers. The solid 220mm rear axle has long-travel, variable-rate coil-over springs and heavy-duty HOSS-tuned dampers that heighten comfort, control, and confidence in the driver’s seat.
The HOSS 2.0 suspension on the Badlands Sasquatch also features Bilstein Position-Sensitive Dampers, which have end-stop control valves. The design mitigates harshness and improves durability when pushing the Bronco to its limits on the trail. Likewise, the front stabilizer bar disconnect enhances the SUV’s articulation when maneuvering around and over obstacles. These components give the Badlands Sasquatch its prowess off the pavement.
Drive Modes: Terrain Management System
Another advantage of shopping for a used Bronco like the Badlands is reaping the rewards of Ford’s Terrain Management System. The Bronco’s legacy of going over any type of terrain continues with its GOAT modes that let you finetune its performance to the situation. Some trims have more modes than others, with the Badlands offering a seven-mode configuration that answers every need. You can switch between Normal, Eco, Slippery, Mud/Ruts, Baja, Sand, and Rock Crawl, each finetuning the shift points, throttle response, steering input, and traction control. Modes like Baja and Rock Crawl are not found on lower-tier trims.
Technologies: The Trail Toolbox
The Bronco is destined for adventures beyond the pavement with high-clearance suspension, underbody skid plates, knobby off-road tires, and GOAT modes. Because of this, shopping for a used Bronco with the Trail Toolbox is a must if you want to see how modern technologies can positively impact your experience on the trail. The Bronco’s Trail Toolbox offers advanced technologies like Trail Control, Trail One-Pedal Drive, and class-exclusive Trail Turn Assist to improve and transform your experience behind the wheel.
Before I dive into these features, there is an obvious caveat: Trail Control, Trail One-Pedal Drive, and Trail Turn Assist only work with the ten-speed automatic transmission. Fortunately, that’s not a bad compromise, considering how the technologies work. Trail Control operates like low-speed cruise control: You set the cruising speed, and the system handles the throttle and braking to maintain that speed while you focus on steering. Once you exceed 20 mph, the technology automatically turns off.
The idea of low-speed cruise control seems like a novelty, but it’s much more. The demands of navigating technical or challenging terrain are constant, increasing driver fatigue as you’re continuously on high alert. With Trail Control, you’re still on high alert, but you’re not tasked with the demands of accelerating and braking to maintain a safe speed.
Technologies like Trail Turn Assist and Trail One-Pedal Drive offer similarly unique benefits. Trail One-Pedal Drive combines the function of the accelerator and brake pedal, with the system applying the brakes as you lift your foot off the accelerator for more precise control in extreme conditions, like rock crawling. Trail Turn Assist tightens the Bronco’s turning radius by braking the inside rear wheel, improving the SUV’s maneuverability without mitigating your control.
The Big Picture
Shopping for a used Bronco is exciting for someone (me, and hopefully you) who enjoys off-roading and loves the looks of the Bronco. The Bronco’s diverse options make it appealing to off-roaders of all types, from beginners to experienced veterans. In my opinion, finding a used Bronco Badlands with the Sasquatch Package offers everything you need to confidently venture off the pavement and explore new terrain without compromising your budget. It’s a well-rounded SUV that demands plenty of attention throughout the week before making itself at home in the woods during your weekend adventures.
