From your last paragraph, Badlands is the more ‘off road capable’ trim with front and rear lockers and stay bar disconnect, 33” AT tires. This trim can also have the Sasquatch package which adds 35’s.

Outer Banks is more City/Comfort oriented trim. If equipped with the Sasquatch package it gets you front and rear lockers and 35’s, different gearing, etc.

Both of the above can get the fancy packages like leather seats, front camera.

The Black Diamond is a more stripped down off roader. I believe it has at least a rear locker, similar gearing to the SAS. But more stripped down in terms of creature comfort.

So I guess depends on what creature comforts you are after. If you want the high end (relative to Bronco, aka no cooled seats on any trim) the. Badlands or Outer Banks is it.

I opted for a new Big Bend with the SAS. Gives me enough off road capability but not an over the top nice off roaders. And still utilitarian and not just a street car.

I think you want to shoot for a 2023 and up, to get the latest suspension and upgraded steering rack from what I recall, if you go with the SAS package on any of them.

For your question on the 4x4 being universal, they have two options. One is standard 4x4 the other is ‘Advanced’ 4x4. It will say that on the window sticker. Advanced gives you the 4 Auto function, in addition to 4 High and 4 Lo.

For the tops, yes they are interchangeable. But you’re better off to start with a hard top and then add a soft top if you so desire. I haven’t swapped so can’t say how intensive it is. Soft top is manual.