Quick Facts:
- Bronco Filson sway bar disconnect: No. Not offered as standard or optional.
- Source: Justin Carroll, chief engineer for the Bronco Filson.
- Order banks: Open Oct 13, 2026.
- Deposit: Ford does not require one, and dealers set their own policy.
- Deliveries: Early 2027.
- Price: Targeted starting MSRP in the mid $70,000s.
- Standard hardware: Sasquatch package, Fox shocks, 35-inch tires, and front and rear electronic lockers.
6 min read
In This Article
What Ford Said About the Bronco Filson Sway Bar
Ford will not offer the Bronco Filson with a front stabilizer bar disconnect, either as standard equipment or as an option. Justin Carroll, chief engineer for the Bronco Filson, said so during a webinar, and Bronco Nation published the recap on Oct 1. The Bronco Filson sway bar question has a clear answer before orders begin.
Carroll put it directly: “The Filson will not be offered with the front stabilizer bar disconnect.” Ford chose a balance of weight and other features over chasing the ultimate Badlands and the Raptor. The missing disconnect shows it.
In Carroll’s view, the HOSS 3.0 system “is going to get you through 99% of the situations you want to get through.” This figure is an engineer’s judgment, not a test result, so read it with care. Our earlier Bronco Filson coverage details the first announcement.
Because the Filson ships on standard 35-inch tires, tire pressure is the adjustment you control on the trail. Specifically, the VIAIR 450P-RV compressor handles refills. The ARB ARB505 E-Z Deflator Kit lowers pressure, while the JACO ElitePro digital gauge checks it.
Air-down gear for 35-inch tires
Key Facts at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Sway bar disconnect | Not included and not optional, per Ford’s chief engineer |
| Order banks open | Oct 13, 2026 |
| Deposit rule | Not required by Ford; dealers decide |
| First Edition | Limited quantities, 2027 model year only |
| Dealer arrival | Early 2027 |
| Targeted starting price | Mid $70,000s MSRP |
| Engine | 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 |
What the Filson Gets Instead
Every Bronco Filson comes with the Sasquatch package. According to Ford’s Filson specs page, it includes front and rear electronic locking differentials, Fox shocks with internal bypass technology, and 35-inch rugged-terrain tires. Ford also lists standard Trail Turn Assist and describes Trail 1-Pedal Drive and seven G.O.A.T. Modes.
Carroll confirmed the HOSS 3.0 system is the same one Bronco buyers have driven for the past couple of years, with the same shocks. He added it rides comfortably on the road and still turns into off-road capability quickly.
Underbody armor is optional on every Filson. Carroll noted some buyers do not want the added weight, so Ford leaves the choice to you. The Raptor keeps its paddle shifters. Standard 35s also change gearing and crawl ratio, and our guide on what 35-inch tires change covers the trade-offs.
Bronco Filson Sway Bar: What a Disconnect Does
The part the Filson skips, a front stabilizer bar disconnect, frees the front axle to move more independently. As a result, the front wheels follow uneven ground with less resistance, and a tire stays planted when the truck sits crossed up on rocks. Owners also report a smoother low-speed ride.
Badlands owners describe the benefit in those terms, although they disagree on its size. Some disconnect at every trailhead. Others say most drivers rarely need it, and skeptics put the gain at an inch or two of extra articulation.
Owners of Sasquatch Broncos without the factory unit mostly say they do fine. Those who want one describe three routes: disconnecting the bar by hand at the trailhead, fitting quick-release end links, or retrofitting the electronic unit. Whether any of those routes fits the Filson is not yet known.
I have rented Badlands Broncos for several Big Bear camping trips, so I know the rig the Filson gets measured against. Owners of Sasquatch Broncos say lockers and tires cover most trails. Rock crawling is where you would miss the disconnect most, because the front axle gains articulation there.
How Order Banks Work on Oct 13
If the trade-off suits your trips, timing comes next. Bronco Filson order banks open Oct 13, and vehicles start reaching dealer lots in early 2027. Haley Skiko, Bronco marketing and brand manager, said orders work the same way they do for a Badlands or an Outer Banks. Pricing stays a target for now.
Ford does not require a deposit, although policies vary by dealer. Some dealers keep wait lists, while others take deposits, so call yours before Oct 13. The First Edition is limited and comes only in the 2027 model year. Skiko expects it to sell quickly and urged buyers to act the minute order banks open.
Ford lists exclusive Iron Sands Copper Metallic paint, a unique fender badge, a serialized console badge, and standard cargo storage bags for the First Edition.
The Bronco Filson Tour still stops in Atlanta on Oct 7 and Charlotte on Oct 10. Because both stops come before order banks open, you have time to see one in person. For lineup context, read our report on more new Bronco models coming and the Bronco Desert Rising order details.
What This Means for You
If You Want the Filson for Trips and Forest Roads
The missing disconnect costs you little on forest roads, gravel, and camp trips. Ford’s engineer says the setup handles nearly every situation, and owners of Sasquatch Broncos without the factory unit mostly report no complaints. Choose the underbody armor if you drive rocky trails, though it adds weight.
If You Plan Technical Rock Crawling
Look at the Badlands, which offers the disconnect. Compare it with the Raptor, the other model Ford’s engineer named. Ford chose a balance of weight and features for the Filson, so the Badlands suits harder trail use. Either way, airing down helps any Bronco on rough ground, and our guide to airing down tires off-road covers the pressures.
What to Do Before Oct 13
First, call your dealer about wait lists and deposits. Then decide on underbody armor and tell your dealer your build ahead of time. If you want proof first, see one on the tour or wait for off-road tests. Waiting risks missing the limited First Edition. Finally, plan your recovery and tire gear now, before the truck arrives.
Since the Filson is a premium SUV on 35-inch tires, plan recovery gear with real margin. Specifically, the MAXTRAX MKII traction boards, ARB ARB710LB snatch strap, and Rhino USA soft shackles fit this plan.
Recovery gear for a premium SUV
ARB ARB710LB 3-1/4" x 30' Recovery Snatch Strap Minimum Breaking St…
Final Thoughts
If your Bronco weekends mean forest roads and camp trips, the Filson makes sense. Ford favored a balance of weight and other features over the disconnect. It relied on the HOSS 3.0 system instead. The trade-off is real, because rock crawlers lose a tool the Badlands offers.
For me, the Filson reads as a premium trail truck for forest roads and camp trips, not a rock crawler. I think Ford was right to be plain about the missing disconnect. Since the Filson has not reached dealers yet, treat the 99% figure as a claim to verify.
Pick the Bronco for the trips you take most. Whatever you decide, get your name on a dealer list now, because the First Edition is limited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Bronco Filson have a sway bar disconnect?
No. Ford’s chief engineer said the Filson will not get the front stabilizer bar disconnect. In other words, it is not offered as standard equipment or as an option.
Why does the Bronco Filson lack the Badlands sway bar disconnect?
Ford weighed a balance of weight and features against going after the ultimate Badlands and the Raptor. Carroll said the HOSS 3.0 system handles 99% of the situations you want to get through.
Does the First Edition include the sway bar disconnect?
No. Carroll’s answer carried no First Edition exception, and Ford lists the First Edition extras as paint, badges, and cargo bags. Some forum posts guessed otherwise in June, but Ford’s engineer said no.
When do Bronco Filson order banks open?
Order banks open Oct 13, 2026. Vehicles should reach dealers in early 2027, according to Ford.
Is a deposit required to order the Bronco Filson?
Ford does not require one. Dealers decide, so some run wait lists and others take deposits.
How much will the Bronco Filson cost?
Ford targets a starting MSRP in the mid $70,000s. The final price is not set yet.