'26 Badlands - Raptor-style side steps/Modular bumper incompatibility

[rubber_ducky]

Hi all. I recently placed an order for a ‘26 4 door, non-sas badlands where I initially spec’d the modular bumper without any sidesteps.

Later, I decided to add raptor style side steps to make it easier for my wife and kids to get in the vehicle.

Before contacting my dealer to change the order, I went to the bronco Build&Price page on ford.com. In attempting to add the side steps, I’m was prevented from adding them unless I removed the modular front bumper like so...

I checked the description of the raptor-style side steps and it does state that the side steps are incompatible when both the sasquatch package and modular front bumper are selected...

...but as mentioned above, I didn't select the sasquatch package.

I reached out to my salesman and asked if he could try to add the bumper thinking that perhaps this is just a ford.com B&P page glitch and he came back saying that I would have to remove the modular bumper in order to add the steps. Not sure if he was on the B&P page or if he actually spoke to the ordering manager about this.

Then yesterday, I saw an ad for a '25 big bend bronco that had both the modular front bumper and the raptor-style side steps. This prompted me to go to the website and try to build a '26 BB with both options and I was able to.

Frankly it makes no sense that you can't spec both together, never mind that the constraint only applies to the BL trim and not the BB trim. This has to be an error on Ford's part.

Anybody have suggestions as to how to report an error such as this to Ford? I'll reach out to my dealer again today with the insight that the BB trim doesn't prevent you from adding both, but if there's a non-dealer route that I can take, I'm willing to try that as well.

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[EvilJim1971]

Could be a weight issue?
I would just add steps after it arrived.

 

[rubber_ducky]

Could be a weight issue?
I would just add steps after it arrived.

I hadn't thought of that but I'm doubtful that that's the case. Only because you'd expect the engine size to have some influence there. Also, given the BL comes with the capable bumper as standard, and the BB comes with the plastic bumper as standard, the added weight of the modular bumper is smaller on the BL than it is the BB.

Re: your suggestion to add the bumper after arrival... that's the current state of my order. Only I kept the side step and plan to add the modular bumper afterward. This because I think it'll be easier to source the bumper than the side-steps.

 

[michelle227]

Not the first time B&P and ordering constraints were at odds with each other...there are many things, not just with Ford, that make no sense...

 

[Deadpool392]

It’s Ford’s way of telling you that you need to order a Raptor! Then you can have both the side steps/rock rails AND modular bumper.

 

[PayHeedKU]

It was this way for 2025 as well - and ever since they were added as an option on the regular Bronco I believe. I wish Ford would sell them through the part department.

 

[rubber_ducky]

It’s Ford’s way of telling you that you need to order a Raptor! Then you can have both the side steps/rock rails AND modular bumper.

lol. If I’m being honest, it is my style to go for the biggest/baddest that any manufacturer has to offer. But in this case, I’m going in the opposite direction. Mainly because I want a manual transmission.
I previously owned a badlands with the Sasquatch pack. I’ve had to back out of more than one Boston parking garage because of its [stock] height. Hence why I went non-sas this time around.
all of that said, I absolutely adore the Raptor for what it is. Sadly however, it isn’t the right vehicle for me at this time.

 

[rubber_ducky]

It was this way for 2025 as well - and ever since they were added as an option on the regular Bronco I believe. I wish Ford would sell them through the part department.

What I find most odd about the situation is that you can option both on the big bend.
If Ford doesn’t want buyers to pair the two for whatever reason, fine. But why only on certain trim levels?

 

[retiredarmymp]

Just buy the set of Raptor style rock sliders and sidesteps on marketplace. I got mine for $400.

 

[Cux211]

Just buy the set of Raptor style rock sliders and sidesteps on marketplace. I got mine for $400.

You got lucky, I looked for 2 years for a set for my 24 badlands only ones I found would’ve have cost a fortune to ship across the country I gave up at this point not worth it anymore this will be getting traded for a 2027 of something not sure what yet

 

[Beach_Bum]

What I find most odd about the situation is that you can option both on the big bend.
If Ford doesn’t want buyers to pair the two for whatever reason, fine. But why only on certain trim levels?

Gross Vehicle Weight. It isn't just the difference in the weight of a bumper. But the total weight of the vehicle. Since launch, the Badlands has been restricted with certain options. At launch, a puzzling issue was not being able to add the roof rack. When optioning the Badlands, you have to account for the steel bash plates, steel rear bumper, SBD (used to be standard, now is optional), etc.

 

[HalfmuleFarmer]

Gross Vehicle Weight. It isn't just the difference in the weight of a bumper. But the total weight of the vehicle. Since launch, the Badlands has been restricted with certain options. At launch, a puzzling issue was not being able to add the roof rack. When optioning the Badlands, you have to account for the steel bash plates, steel rear bumper, SBD (used to be standard, now is optional), etc.

^^^ This. It’s not a glitch.

 

[Q1svt]

I hadn't thought of that but I'm doubtful that that's the case. Only because you'd expect the engine size to have some influence there. Also, given the BL comes with the capable bumper as standard, and the BB comes with the plastic bumper as standard, the added weight of the modular bumper is smaller on the BL than it is the BB.

Re: your suggestion to add the bumper after arrival... that's the current state of my order. Only I kept the side step and plan to add the modular bumper afterward. This because I think it'll be easier to source the bumper than the side-steps.

… from my experience on my 25 Badlands your order is what you want. Order the steps and add the bumper …

I questioned Ford and dealer why… no reason provided. For 25 the Stroppe 2.7l came with both… so no weight issue. I believe the 26 Stroppe comes with both.

 

[HalfmuleFarmer]

… I questioned Ford and dealer why… no reason provided. For 25 the Stroppe 2.7l came with both… so no weight issue.

I could be wrong, but have heard it here or on the other forum, that the “weight issue” is tied to the stickered MPG. So in order to meet that, there is a GVW limit. With Stroppe, maybe the MPG rating isn’t so important?

 

[Q1svt]

I could be wrong, but have heard it here or on the other forum, that the “weight issue” is tied to the stickered MPG. So in order to meet that, there is a GVW limit. With Stroppe, maybe the MPG rating isn’t so important?

There are always CAFE rules.
I read my 25 BL 2dr is limited to about iirc 1100-1200 load weight

25 2dr was limited to less then 3% of total production, Braptors were 4%, so 2drs wouldn’t really effect CAFE.

Mine is a manual so a 2.3l both should weigh less than the 2.7l / 10 speed automatic .

The 25 Stoppe is/built on a Badlands frame and bodywork. Came with Hoss 3.0, but you could have order them on the Badlands.

Ford just chose for the most capable rock crawler to limit options like removable steps/bumper combo …. Dumb

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