Which Off-Road-Ready Ford Matches Your Adventure?

As residents of Alamosa, the hustle and bustle of everyday living can be distracting. We go to work and school, do regular errands, and make sure we get all of our chores done before we go to bed. But every once in a while, we catch a glimpse of one of our dramatic sunsets, and it occurs to us that this is real.

We’re really lucky enough to be surrounded by such an amazing collection of natural wonders. The San Luis Valley is the largest alpine valley in the world, and those who aren’t blessed with 100-mile views spend thousands of dollars to visit Alamosa County just to catch a quick peek at the beauty this planet has to offer. Best of all, we know that the best way to enjoy these natural wonders, whether through hiking, biking, or heading to The Faricy Boys Automotive, your local Alamosa Ford dealership, to discover the full range of off-road-ready Fords that are perfect for adventurous Alamosa residents like you.

If you’re planning on hitting Medano Pass Primitive Road or any of the other internationally-acclaimed off-roading sites in Alamosa, you need to be ready for a large variety of potential conditions. Rocky terrain, sand, water, and snow are all common themes when driving in the mountains and valleys of Colorado. And, if we’re obeying the golden rule of off-roading, “don’t get stuck,” that means selecting a vehicle that is as prepared for adventure as you are. Thankfully, Ford has engineered a range of vehicles that are pretty ideal for life out here, both on the road well-traveled and as far as that 100-mile view can take you. Check out some of the most-coveted off-road-ready Fords to determine which one meets your definition of fun!

The 2022 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands: The Legendary SUV

Many decades ago, the Ford Bronco was the penultimate vehicle for any adventure that left the pavement in the distance. After an absence that was felt by the entire off-roading community, the Bronco is back, and in a big way. The latest iteration of the Bronco includes two body types: the Bronco and the Bronco Sport.

While there are plenty of differences between the two, the main consideration is that the Bronco is designed with body-on-frame construction, while the Sport is a unibody format, borrowing the Escape crossover’s base. But this isn’t a debate about which option is better – we’re looking at why the Bronco Sport Badlands trim is an ideal off-road vehicle.

The Bronco Sport was born to be bad, pun somewhat intended. Equipped with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine that provides 250 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, the Sport also includes an exclusive Terrain Management System with 7 G.O.A.T. (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) Modes. In tandem with the available twin-clutch rear-drive unity, the G.O.A.T. Modes help create stability where there is none, such as in mud or gravel, by controlling the torque dispersal to each wheel. Also on board are all of the things you might wish you had on previous adventures: a carabiner hook-and-loop style cargo system, rubberized seat backs in the second row for easy wipe down when in cargo mode, zipper storage pockets, two flood lights, and a bottle opener in the rear hatch. You could say it’s almost its own tool kit.

The 2022 Ford Expedition Timberline: Anywhere Is a Party

The main difference between the Ford Expedition and any other off-road-ready model is the number of people you can take with you. Offering seating for up to 8 passengers, you don’t have to be too picky about the crew you take with you on your adventures. Of course, you may not need seat space so much as you need room for all of your gear. In this case, the Expedition Timberline has you covered with up to 104.6 cubic feet of cargo space. Plus, if that’s still not enough for all of your backcountry equipment, the Expedition 4×4 offers a towing max of up to 9,200 pounds.

But space and power are things you can find on any Expedition. What makes the Timberline trim more off-road-ready? As a Ford vehicle, meticulous care has been spent on every aspect of the vehicle to make it ready for the elements, including electronic limited-slip rear differential, underbody protection, Terrain Management System, and front tow hooks.

Additionally, drivers can take their Timberline experience up a few notches with available Rough Road Suspension, which improves tuning, shock performance, and ground clearance. An available antilock braking system with Ford Trail Control provides sensors that gauge wheel speed and braking effort to avoid lockup and sliding. It sounds pretty extreme for any vehicle, much less an 8-passenger SUV, and that’s what makes the Expedition Timberline a worthy addition to the list of off-road-ready Fords.

The 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor: Specifically Designed for the Hard Stuff

The Ford F-150 is an American icon and one of the most customizable trucks on the road today. Therefore, there are actually levels of off-roading potential for those who want the payload and towing capacity of an F-150 and still want to head off-road to see what’s out there.

The FX4 off-roading package can be added to many of the F-150’s trims, as long as the 4×4 drivetrain is selected. This adds a few cool things, like off-road shocks, skid plates, and Rock Crawl mode, and can be a great add-on to a daily driver that craves extra mud. The Tremor trim is also well-equipped for backcountry, with its own custom off-road shocks, tow hooks, and drive modes engineered for the tough stuff. Drivers can even add Ford’s optional Trail Control With Trail 1-Pedal Drive and Trail Turn Assist technology to help with low crawls and tight turns.

But Then There’s the Raptor.

The Ford F-150 Raptor is quite literally engineered to take on the muddiest of the muddy, the grittiest of climbs, and the most Baja of, well, it can hold its own at the Baja 1000, direct off the line. There are numerous iterations of the F-150 Raptor, including annual special editions, but the main components essential to an off-roader’s run, including heavy-duty skid plates, mirror-mounted spotlights, tow hooks, and BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 Tires, are always there.

That’s a good start, but what about the important stuff? No worries, the Raptor is equipped with a full lineup of goods to help it power through all the rugged terrain, such as its 3.5L V6 engine that provides 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. And then there are the front and rear FOX Racing Shox with Live Valve technology. Specifically created to keep the Raptor on track no matter where it roams, these larger aluminum shock bodies are resistant to heat and frictional loss, offering over 1,000 pounds of damping per corner when traveling at desert speeds. Pair those with the 5-link specialty rear suspension, panhard rod, and 24-inch coil springs, and it’s easy to see why the Raptor has attracted so much attention from the off-road community.

Choosing Your Off-Road Ford Chariot

Drivers have a lot of things to think about when picking out their next vehicle. Your daily driving needs, budget, and lifestyle have a lot to do with the type and size of truck or SUV you buy. Additionally, off-roaders have an entirely separate checklist of things to consider, such as approach angles, ground clearance, fording capability, low and high gear ratios, and more.

Thankfully, Ford provides drivers with an exceptional range of vehicles that can meet their driving needs. From the Bronco Sport, which can do double-duty as a campsite and your transportation, to the Expedition, which is equally happy pulling carpool duty, Ford’s vehicles are designed to live a life just as exciting as yours. And, with the many off-road offerings for the F-150, even your work truck can maintain a healthy work/life balance. Once you’ve decided which off-road ready Ford best suits your needs, you’ve got another hard question to answer: which of Alamosa’s magnificent trails are you going to hit first?