Why NOT to go from Plastic to Modular

[Earthdog]

So Ford finally has the Modular with 360 Camera, ACC and Sensors instock. I just got my 2026 OBX to discover Ford face me a POS Plastic Bumper. At the end of the day I want a winch installed (not under mount don't want to loos GC).

Why "DONT" I want to buy the Ford? I really just want something for a winch and don't know what I don't know. Budget is an issue. But it seems the Ford Modular is the simplest most cost effective plug and play.

I need advice. Thoughts? TY Jeff

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[logan112]

So Ford finally has the Modular with 360 Camera, ACC and Sensors instock. I just got my 2026 OBX to discover Ford face me a POS Plastic Bumper. At the end of the day I want a winch installed (not under mount don't want to loos GC).

Why "DONT" I want to buy the Ford? I really just want something for a winch and don't know what I don't know. Budget is an issue. But it seems the Ford Modular is the simplest most cost effective plug and play.

I need advice. Thoughts? TY Jeff

It also looks the cleanest and connects with all the electronics (sensors and cameras) without gaps.

 

[agentdarnell]

I like my modular bumper and winch mount.

 

[Tbbucs55]

If you pull the trigger today, Ford is doing 25% off STAR 2026. It ends today tho.

 

[Denis85]

I guess the downside is losing your OEM fogs. But that's probably the only downside. I personally am searching for a capable bumper locally to replace the standard plastic for my OBX because I want to retain the OE fogs.

but if you don't care about that, there really isn't a downside to the swap.

 

[BroncoChallenger]

I guess the downside is losing your OEM fogs. But that's probably the only downside. I personally am searching for a capable bumper locally to replace the standard plastic for my OBX because I want to retain the OE fogs.

but if you don't care about that, there really isn't a downside to the swap.

Even at that, you would just be able to wire in a new set of fogs that utilize the factory switch/harness. Several companies are offering adapter harnesses to go from aftermarket fogs to the factory wiring, because even guys with the Capable and factory fogs are upgrading to the Modular and using the factory harness for at least one set of fog lights, then upfitters for the rest.

 

[Smocaine]

I have the Modular with some lights in the pockets and the Everglades winch mount - it's an attractive way to go, but the OEM winch kit is sold out and becoming hard to find.
Aftermarket winch mounts are available for both Capable and Modular and may be functionally better (or worse) than OEM.

 

[NC_Oak]

i guess the obvious "dont" would be you have to buy the mod bumper AND a winch mount. with aftermarket bumpers, you would buy a bumper WITH winch mount plate.

Your conundrum is all the other crap you need to mount.

 

[Brian_B]

There are a lot of aftermarket options, some just with compatibility with additional hardware, some with built-in winch mounts.

Take some time and look around a bit.

The mod bumper isn't a bad option, but it's far from the only option. The biggest downside to the mod bumper I can think of is that it's made up of a lot of little pieces; it's not one big monolithic hunk of steel like many aftermarkets are. While that may make the bumper a bit less strong if you tap something, that's also a plus -- if you do bend it up, you can just replace a few components and get it back to new. Plus most of the aftermarket items for bumper mounting assume the mod bumper. With an aftermarket bumper your choices get a lot more limited.

 

[Jdc]

Probably an unpopular opinion but I think most of the aftermarket bumper options don't look as good the modular bumper. I'd say if you like it then pull the trigger

 

[Denis85]

Even at that, you would just be able to wire in a new set of fogs that utilize the factory switch/harness. Several companies are offering adapter harnesses to go from aftermarket fogs to the factory wiring, because even guys with the Capable and factory fogs are upgrading to the Modular and using the factory harness for at least one set of fog lights, then upfitters for the rest.

100%. But I'm saying that's probably the only downside. If keeping the OE fogs are important to you. Otherwise it seems like there's really no downside to the swap.

 

[MNBigfoot]

Keep in mind the High-speed/light weight bumper was the critical component in making the Wildtrak the Desert Runner, to begin with.

 

[nolanrob123]

So Ford finally has the Modular with 360 Camera, ACC and Sensors instock. I just got my 2026 OBX to discover Ford face me a POS Plastic Bumper. At the end of the day I want a winch installed (not under mount don't want to loos GC).

Why "DONT" I want to buy the Ford? I really just want something for a winch and don't know what I don't know. Budget is an issue. But it seems the Ford Modular is the simplest most cost effective plug and play.

I need advice. Thoughts? TY Jeff

Do you have the part number for this kit?

 

[userdude]

Having removed the mod bumper for a high clearance aftermarket bumper (SFR), I can tell you it's a b*tch to get off. lol However, I gained a new respect for it. It's a well made bumper. Especially if you get it on sale, I'd say it's the best, since it works with your crash and crumple zones as Ford intended and isn't lightweight at all. Literally no aftermarket except some Australian brands (because they have to test) will have been tested like that, it's too expensive.

 

[Gage]

So Ford finally has the Modular with 360 Camera, ACC and Sensors instock. I just got my 2026 OBX to discover Ford face me a POS Plastic Bumper. At the end of the day I want a winch installed (not under mount don't want to loos GC).

Why "DONT" I want to buy the Ford? I really just want something for a winch and don't know what I don't know. Budget is an issue. But it seems the Ford Modular is the simplest most cost effective plug and play.

I need advice. Thoughts? TY Jeff

Hopefully you'll get the correct parts.
I ordered my through Steeda and they took a month to arrive. I drove 2 hours to pick it up to save the shipping cost.
The boxes were too large to fit in my 4 door Bronco so they helped me unbox them and everything fit in just fine.
Before I left the lot I got out and checked the main body of the modular bumper for the parking sensor holes and they weren't there.
The warehouse guys were great. They verified that the main box had the correct part number for a bumper with parking sensors and it did. They checked two other kits, one for parking sensors and one without and all of them were non-parking sensor bumpers. I'm glad I checked prior to leaving and/or removing my stock bumper.

Now I'm waiting to have Ford send me the correct part.

So if any of you order one, double check yours as soon as you can because your may have been incorrectly marked when packed in the shipping box.

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