ARIZONA Bronco Club

Sharing some pictures from last week, NORRA 500 safari rapido in baja mx. Stock BL SAS did just fine, bigger tires and better suspension would have been nice. Baja mode is pretty awesome. Hope to see alls-ya'alls on the trails back home in AZ.

Very cool man! Lookin at your lights setup... been wondering where to put lights (more so amber vs white and how high up ambers should go or not)... looks like you may have been through that research and used it out in the field... I'm not running Baja stuff but gets dark in the mountain valleys earlier than sundown and want some lighting if I'm delayed or on a long run. Any quick thoughts / insights / links to resources you used / know of to help?
No worries if you don't. Cool pics and looks like fun out there!

I did my own research built my own wiring harnesses etc and tried to do stuff on a budget. Important stuff to me is correct wire thickness, solder the connections, heat shrink connections and wrap with tape (scotch 33/88 and/or tessa tape). In my experiece and preference, amber lower to the ground helps cut the dust/brown color out here in the desert. White is okay but when lower to the goround, white can get bright in spots and annoying. Amber lower and white higher up near eye level is what I prefer, if I had the $ I would have put KCs or something above windshield. The picture here is next to the ocean early in the morning - foggy so it looks like I had the ambers on which makes sense.

Here is my current breakdown: Aux 6 amber baja designs chase light rear facing 2 pods very bright, Aux 5 is the amber A pillar light (something cheap off Amazon), Aux 4 are the in bumper mounted amber lights, Aux 3 is the white light in bumper, Aux 2 is the light bar from Heratic up in Utah, and Aux 1 I currently have as a relay to the ARB twin compressor and if I find the $ laying around will use it for a light bar above windshield. The 3 little led lights in the grill (my wife likes) above the BRONCO were self made too, I tapped into the fuse box so they turn on when the key is on. All in, the lighting probably is about $1500 and that is just the parts. If all name brand, maybe would have been 2x or 3x. I would rather do the work myself so I can put $ in the tank and use for experiences.

I would be happy to help you get started, this is just a high level overview...I could ramble on for hours. Getting out into the garage and the trail is where it is at! My rig is not a garage queen I use it. Lights should be about the simplest modification, does take time and thought for sure, if it is overwhelming, everything can be done at a shop. Doestsch Off Road in Chandler is where I would go. Before racing in baja I talked to Todd about all kinds of setup questions and options like suspension. After doing the race, his advice was spot on. I personally know folks that have shipped him their Broncos from out of state. I have no affiliation but he took the time to talk to me and everyting he said makes sense.

I am happy to help you out (advice is free send a pm) or if you want it done by a shop that is a great option as well. Just needs to make sense to you for whatever you want.

@az_dirt

@az_dirt right on - that's good info thx. I can do all the wiring myself... starting to finally cool off here in phoenix so I can actually work in the garage. I have a few projects lined up for when I won't melt in there.

RE: bumper side holes... I think I'm avoiding putting lights in those as I've considered removing that lower outside part; also approach angle on some trails that gets hit a bit (or can/will).
RE: that amber long bar on the bumper - I actually really like that area for a light. Ambers seem to make sense that low as long as they're bright.
RE: roof light bar... If I did that I'd want it removable... air resistance and noise from those have to be a little out of control on road trips and daily driving. at least IMO.

I think my mix is a couple of ditch lights (idk color, maybe ambers? then beam type is a discussion) and bumper light(s). At least for now. That'll cover me on trail stuff and when I head up north (Flagstaff areas) for any winter driving (backroads etc).

As for shops... I'm aware of Doetsch and SDHQ (they're like right next to each other aren't they?) and when I get into lifting stuff... yeah they'll be my call. I need to get over there just to talk shop... I'm more functional > looks when talking lifts and I know everybody just lifts and doesn't really off road... I just want/need some more clearance. Running into the... is it a crawler / rocky trail truck... or is it a 'baja' fast speed with rocks type of truck. i'm a little from column A and B.

Hope to see you on the trail sometime!

This looks fantastic ! Are you going again in April ? What would you change about your setup ?

Doubts about April 2023 MX 1000 - would love to do the 1000 but its about time and money. If I could change anything with the setup it would be (1) suspension and that would probably move the bottleneck to the rear gate stress with that heavy tire so then (2) moving the rear tire inside somehow and this mean faster/bouncier leaving to (3) a rack upgrade. 35s are probably fine. I would also move the iPad (navigation) to a more stable location - can't really put in front of passanger dash due to airbag. If I was going solo it would go there. Spitballing here, upgrades would need ~$10,000 and that does not cover the race fee + hotels. I need to keep playing the powerball or hit up sponsors but not sure where to go for that. Alternatively is to forgo those upgrades and take it easy which may be the direction. We shall see. Thanks for the question.

ARIZONA Bronco Club

az_dirt

ARIZONA Bronco Club

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