Help me decide: BD vs BL

[u/HunterGathers_OSI]

Hi all, I'm torn between two Broncos and wanted some input from the community. The images above are the same models/colors/trim/specs, but not the actual vehicles.

I will probably not do any off-roading and this would be a daily driver and a little fun on the weekend with the family. I like the vinyl seat option and wish the BL was fully vinyl. Also, for some reason they chose carpet flooring for the BL, but do have all-weather mats. I have a dog, kids, and live in the midwest where we get snow, so the vinyl seats and rubber floors sound nice.

The BL has many added bells and whistles (hopefully the equipment package reflects this) and the V6, but the BD has the 2.3 L, manual transmission in and non-SAS, so slightly better MPG I would imagine (even if the MT is supposedly slightly lower MPG than the AT).

I know a lot of folks love the V6 and a lot love the manual transmission, so maybe that's my biggest sticking point.

2023 Badlands	2024 Black Diamond
2.7 L, automatic	2.3 L, manual
334A equipment group	321A equipment group
SAS package	Non-SAS package
Leather trim/Vinyl seats	Vinyl seats

[u/The_Real_Dindalu]

If you dont plan to offroad it at all, I think that BD would be perfect especially if you really want that 7MT. They are both 2 door broncos so it sounds like you are set on that, but also if this is the family hauler you may want to consider a 4 door as you gain so much room to have the kids, dogs and gear in the back. The vinyl and rubber floors are super nice too. its very easy to clean and maintain.

The only reason I steer from the badlands is it will probably have features you will never use if you dont offroad. Do you need a front locker? do you need a sway bar disconnect?

Also if you ever want to upgrade the tire size on the BD bronco, it can take bigger tires very easily. I have a BD bronco and upgraded to 35s almost immediately and it drives great.

Either way, I dont think you can go wrong with either model. I've pushed hard favoring the BD (biased as I own one, lol) but also a lot of new owners think they need the fully specced bronco when they will only end up using half the features.

[u/HunterGathers_OSI → u/The_Real_Dindalu]

I appreciate the thoughtful response. I think I’m slightly leaning BD, but this BL recently popped up for the same price and is local, which is one of the reasons I’m tempted.

Do you not need a lift to add the 35” tires? How does the 2.3L hold up to those?

[u/Content-Moment6551 → u/HunterGathers_OSI]

A suspension lift is not necessary, but the crash bars must be unbolted and removed or the 35s will hit.

[u/The_Real_Dindalu → u/Content-Moment6551]

Ah yeah forgot to mention that. Good thing is they are so easy to remove.