The Ford Bronco launched in 2021 as one of the most genuinely capable off-road vehicles on the market - not a capable-for-a-crossover vehicle, but a purpose-built trail machine with hardware that earns its trail reputation. For Long Island off-road enthusiasts in Levittown, East Meadow, and Wantagh who are evaluating the Bronco against the Jeep Wrangler and every other capable SUV, the GOAT mode system, locking differentials, and independent suspension architecture all need explaining in plain terms.
Bottom Line: The Ford Bronco’s GOAT modes, optional electronic front and rear lockers, and Sasquatch suspension package deliver genuine off-road capability in a vehicle you can drive daily - with more suspension sophistication than the Wrangler’s solid front axle design.
- GOAT Modes: Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, Sand, Baja, Rock Crawl, and Mud/Ruts - each changes throttle mapping, transmission behavior, and stability control
- Electronic lockers: available on Badlands and Wildtrak trims with Advanced 4x4 - front and rear can lock independently
- Sasquatch Package: 35-inch tires, wider track, 10.1-inch ground clearance, and the high-clearance suspension fender package
- Ground clearance (Sasquatch): 11.6 inches with base suspension vs. 8.4 inches standard
GOAT Modes Explained: Goes Over Any Type of Terrain
GOAT stands for Goes Over Any Type of Terrain - Ford’s marketing name for the Bronco’s drive mode selector. The eight available modes are not marketing fluff - each genuinely changes how the Bronco manages throttle response, transmission shift points, stability control intervention, and traction control behavior.
The modes most relevant to Long Island off-road use: Sand mode opens throttle response and allows more wheel slip for beach and sandy terrain; Rock Crawl engages maximum crawl ratio, locks traction control to the maximum, and smooths throttle for precise wheel placement; Mud/Ruts allows more wheelspin to clear mud from tires while maintaining directional control; Baja mode is designed for high-speed desert running with expanded stability control thresholds.
Normal and Sport modes are what most Nassau County daily drivers actually use - responsive throttle, comfortable transmission programming, and standard stability control behavior that makes the Bronco feel like a conventional SUV on the highway to Levittown or the LIE. The mode selector makes it easy to switch between trail-appropriate and street-appropriate behavior.
Electronic Lockers: What They Do and When You Need Them
Electronic locking differentials are the single biggest capability upgrade available on the Bronco. When engaged, they mechanically lock the differential so both wheels on an axle receive equal torque - even if one wheel is in the air or on ice. For trail driving in upstate New York or on rough terrain, the difference between a locked and unlocked differential is often the difference between getting through and getting stuck.
The Bronco offers front and rear electronic lockers on Badlands trim and as part of the Advanced 4x4 system on Wildtrak and Raptor. Standard Bronco trims use a mechanical limited-slip rear differential that works in most conditions but isn’t the same as a true locker on extreme terrain.
For Long Island buyers who plan primarily beach driving, gravel road exploration, and occasional upstate trail trips, the rear locker alone is sufficient for most situations. Front and rear lockers together are worth the premium for buyers who pursue technical rock-crawling on rated trails.
Sasquatch Package: The Right Upgrade for Serious Capability
The Sasquatch Package is the most significant option on any Bronco not named Raptor. It adds 35-inch Goodyear MT tires, Bilstein monotube dampers, a wider track with new half-shafts and wheel hubs, and high-clearance fender flares that clear the wider tire package. Ground clearance increases to 11.6 inches - meaningfully more than most off-road vehicles, including the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon’s 10.8 inches.
The Sasquatch Package requires the Advanced 4x4 high-low transfer case with the electronic front locker, making it a complete off-road hardware upgrade rather than just a tire and wheel change. On Long Island beach access roads and the gravel service roads through the Pine Barrens and Bethpage State Park, Sasquatch-equipped Broncos handle terrain that stock Broncos manage but less confidently.
The trade-off: Sasquatch adds top-dollar cost and reduces highway fuel economy by 1-2 mpg compared to the standard tire package. For buyers who primarily drive on pavement and use the Bronco for occasional adventures, the standard Bronco with the Outer Banks or Badlands package may represent better value.
For how the Bronco compares directly to the Jeep Wrangler in off-road capability, see our Jeep Wrangler vs. Ford Bronco comparison.
Independent Front Suspension vs. Solid Front Axle
The Bronco uses independent front suspension (IFS) rather than the solid front axle that has defined Jeep Wrangler capability for decades. This is a genuine philosophical difference with real-world trade-offs that matter for informed buyers.
IFS advantages: better ride quality on pavement, more predictable handling, less intrusion into the cabin from differential housings, and in most moderate off-road conditions, equivalent or better capability than a solid axle. IFS disadvantages: less articulation on extreme rock terrain, more complex suspension geometry that’s harder to repair in the field, and the perception (sometimes accurate) that the geometry limits how far aftermarket lift kits can extend before reliability degrades.
For Nassau County buyers who use the Bronco for beach access, gravel roads, Pine Barrens exploration, and the occasional trail ride in upstate New York, independent front suspension is the right choice. Technical rock crawlers pursuing rated trails regularly may still prefer a solid axle Wrangler Rubicon.
The NHTSA vehicle safety database provides current safety ratings and recall information for Bronco model years if you’re evaluating used units.
"The buyers who get the most from their Bronco in the Levittown and East Meadow area are the ones who add Sasquatch early - the tire and suspension upgrade changes how the truck handles beach access and trail conditions dramatically. The GOAT modes genuinely work; I've seen Badlands Broncos go places that surprised everyone watching."
Christopher Bahamonde - General Manager, Levittown Ford
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest GOAT mode for everyday Long Island driving? Normal mode is ideal for daily Nassau County commuting - it delivers balanced throttle response, comfortable transmission shifts, and standard stability control that makes the Bronco feel like any modern SUV. Switch to Sport for a more responsive feel on highway on-ramps and expressways.
Do you need Sasquatch for beach driving on Long Island? Not necessarily - standard Bronco trims with all-terrain tires handle most hard-packed beach access in Nassau and Suffolk County. Sasquatch adds meaningful confidence on loose sand and helps in soft conditions. Airing down tires to 15-18 PSI matters more than Sasquatch for soft sand.
Is the Ford Bronco a reliable daily driver? Yes - the current Bronco generation has worked through its early soft-top and hardtop quality issues, and 2022-plus model years are substantially more reliable as daily drivers. The 2.7L EcoBoost V6 is the preferred engine for daily driving, with more power and better fuel economy than the 2.3L.
How does Bronco’s GOAT system compare to Jeep’s Selec-Terrain? Both systems change throttle mapping, transmission behavior, and traction control intervention. GOAT offers more mode options (8 vs. 5 on most Wranglers), and Rock Crawl mode on the Bronco is more refined for technical terrain than Jeep’s equivalent.
Can the Bronco tow a trailer? Yes - the Ford Bronco is rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds when properly equipped. This handles small trailers, ATVs, and personal watercraft - not heavy equipment. Browse current Bronco inventory at Levittown Ford to see what’s available in Nassau County.
Check Levittown Ford new specials for current Bronco offers in Levittown, and schedule a test drive to experience the GOAT system firsthand.