How Do You Prep Your Bronco for Winter Weather?

[ColeTrain84]

I had mine undercoated by a local shop when i bought it in June. In winter i just run it through the car wash once a week. We don't have wash passes here so we have to buy individual washes. one gas station has deals twice a year that gets you the full wash for 50% off and the other one has $5 washes on Wednesday's. Any tier level wash for $5.

Sponsored

 

[[DELETED MEMBER 27901]]

Yet my 2011 Ranger w/ 120k has a rusted out bumper and a hole that rusted out under the bed in the same winters.

I've been looking to do the same with Woolwax or Surface shield but might just do it next year and keep it clean on a weekly basis for now.

Ah shit that’s unfortunate. This is a 10 year ride for me with anything extra being house money. I ditched the crappy commute so I’m optimistic for this go. I believe the Bronco body panels are aluminum and the oil pan is plastic for the 2.7 which should help.

I loved that old Ranger and am hoping for a similar story for my Bronco.

 

[F OR D]

wash it a few times in the winter. maybe.

 

[nwGTS]

If anyone knows a reputable company/individual who is still doing this in the city of Chicago (not burbs), please ping me. My guy closed up for the season and the only rec I've had are in the burbs. I'd LOVE to get this done.

 

[gryphon1231]

My Bronco got a WoolWax undercoating treatment to protect against those nasty road chemicals that rot our vehicles here in CT. WoolWax is made by the same company that makes FluidFilm. However, it is thicker and has no odor. I was surprised to hear that Dodge will void your warranty if you apply any undercoating. To those of you living in northern climates: How do you prep your Bronco for winter weather?

Nope! Lived in the Mid Atlantic area for 30 years and never had any issues.

 

[Boreal]

Does giving it a wash once it hits -15°C count as winter prep?

 

[Ocnorb]

and the oil pan is plastic for the 2.7 which should help.

Nah, oil pans are not something that commonly rusts.

 

[CT203]

Don’t try to understand it, I put this in the same boat as the guys who swear by fuel additives. If rust protection floats your boat then great, but I wouldn’t feel pressure to get a professional treatment.

I took a bone stock 98 Ranger to 250k miles in the same mid-Atlantic winters as OP. You will be fine with an occasional wash.

My first thought was that - Mid Atlantic is very different from CT. When was the last time it snowed in Philadelphia for instance? Then I did a quick Goog and learned that Connecticut is second only to New Jersey for the amount of liquid de-icer per lane mile used by northeastern states. Municipalities use a lot more that the state DOT. It’s been talked about (but difficult to prove) that all the different chlorides states and municipalities switched to about 10 years ago causes faster rusting of brake lines, some electrical components and other parts as well as messing with bridges and having an environmental impact. Also interesting, during that same period, auto manufacturers have phased out the use of hexavalent chromium, a toxic metal that had been effectively used to coat brake lines and electrical systems. So your ‘98 may have had more resistance. Either way, like you, frequent undercarriage washing is what I’m planning on. From what I’ve read though, you want to avoid recycled water because
it may have increased salt. You don’t want to wash with salty water.
A link to a CT study: https://www.cga.ct.gov/2015/rpt/2015-R-0252.htm

 

[CT203]

Does giving it a wash once it hits -15°C count as winter prep?

What’s a C?

 

[Ground_zero298]

Don’t do much for initial. Make sure wiper blades are good and has a spare in the truck and make sure wiper fluid is freeze proof. All pop cans and water bottles out of the truck.

Besides that, road salt neutralizer, pump sprayer, and some water 3-4 times over the winter.

 

[BroncocnorB]

I would say just extra food, a flashlight, blankets and full tank of gas? Oh, and extra washer fluid. That’s all I can remember from the northeast? Now I just bring extra sunscreen and a hoodie in case it gets below 60 degrees.

 

[TangoHunter]

I went with Midwest customs of lake Villa, Illinois. Fluid film applied under the body, in the rockers, in the frame, inside all 5 doors, inside the hood, inside the front fenders, wheel wells, etc. very thorough for $280. I can come back annually for 80 something dollars for reapplications. Here’s a link to their Facebook page and you can see my ride on their December 3 post.

https://m.facebook.com/786745888388862/

 

[cashe3]

I live in Georgia, so someone needs to explain this winter concept a little better.

 

[F150rubyred]

Upon the first salt or brine application, I plan to close the garage door on the Bronco and start daily driving the ‘09 Silverado that has fluid film. I elected soft top knowing this was my plan all along. I’m gonna miss the heated seats and steering wheel. I personally work underneath my cars and anyone who thinks this whole salt/brine thing is a joke, you’ve never been under a 4 year old salt belt car. Take a stink over to the South Main Auto Channel on YouTube, if you’re a car nut, it will hurt your soul to see what the road acid does to the underside of a vehicle.

I am same as you Bronco sits in garage and I drive a 9 year old Lexus GX460. I like to save the Bronco miles for off roading and vacation and also for nice weather months. The GX is great in snow and ice so it works out good.

I went with soft top also because I did not plan to drive Bronco in the winter.

Sponsored