- First Name
- Max
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2020
- Threads
- 4
- Messages
- 133
- Reaction score
- 276
- Location
- Utah
- Website
- www.instagram.com
- Vehicle(s)
- 23 Bronco Badlands, 1968 bronco, 23 bronco badlands number 2
- Your Bronco Model
- Badlands
- Thread starter
- #1
I've been slowly building this Bronco over the past couple of years, changing and upgrading parts as I've learned what works best on the trail. It started as a stock 2023 Badlands Sasquatch and has evolved into a dedicated rock crawler that's still driven to and from the trails. It's seen everything from local Utah trails to completing the Rubicon, and every modification has been based on real-world experience rather than just adding parts for the sake of it.
I figured it was finally time to put together a build thread to document where it's at today and keep track of future upgrades. Hopefully it can help others planning similar builds, and I'm always open to suggestions or questions from the community.
Current build list below!
Vehicle (Updated 8/1/26)
Made it back from the Rubicon, and the Bronco definitely has a few new battle scars. (most my wheeling has been in Sand Hollow)
The biggest thing I learned is that the belly sits lower than I'd like. The factory skid plates actually held up really well and took a ton of abuse. The Ultimate Dana 60 shock skids also did their job and saw plenty of hard hits. I also managed to bend both rear trailing arms, so those have officially reached the end of their life. On the bright side, the Turn Offroad trailing arm skids did exactly what they were supposed to do, they took repeated hits and protected the mounts without any issues.
When I build the rear 4-link, I'll be cutting the lower shock mounts off and relocating them higher. The goal is to get as much hanging below the axle out of the way so the differential is really the only thing left to drag over obstacles.
Body damage was pretty minimal considering the trails. I dented the driver's side rear quarter panel and driver side rear door. I'm replacing the quarter panel anyway, which works out because I can use the damaged one to experiment with cutting the wheel opening when I move the rear axle back about 2 inches.
Mechanically, I couldn't be happier. The Bronco completed Fordyce, RTF, and the Rubicon without a single breakdown. The only issue was a front CV boot clamp that popped off on a dirt road to the main road after fordyce, which was an easy trail fix.
I also somehow managed to lose one of the body mount bolts... still not sure how that happened. Since replacement M13 hardware is hard to find, when the body comes off for the 4-link I'll probably drill the mounts and convert everything to a more common bolt and nut setup so replacement hardware is easy to source in the future.
The night before the trip I also modified the Turn Offroad spare tire delete to carry a RotopaX. It's functional, but definitely not pretty. I'm already designing a new version that will hold two RotopaX containers, the small Badlands jack, and include a quick-release license plate mount for easy access to the jack.
Next up is the rear 4-link. Between relocating the gas tank, rerouting brake lines, moving wiring, and packaging everything cleanly, it'll definitely be the biggest fabrication project on the Bronco so far. Once i address everything else lol
Overall, I'm really happy with how it performed. Three iconic trails down with no major mechanical failures is a pretty good test for the current setup.
I dont plan on ever running portals unless someone throws a set at me. Trying to get the most out of it without them.
If ya have any suggestions or feedback im open to hear itlet me know! - Ill try to remember to update this once i start the next projecty, Currently installing some car lifts to make the next few projects easier, Also working on another Badlands and doing the same build as this with it. So that may delay this one a bit while i get the 2nd one to the same stage.
Photos below
( videos on my instagram )
I figured it was finally time to put together a build thread to document where it's at today and keep track of future upgrades. Hopefully it can help others planning similar builds, and I'm always open to suggestions or questions from the community.
Current build list below!
Vehicle (Updated 8/1/26)
- 2023 Ford Bronco Badlands 4-Door
- Sasquatch Package ( Completely removed )
- Lux Package
- Factory Tow Package
- Race Red
- FOX 3.0 Factory Race Series DSC coilovers (Front & Rear)
- 1" Body Lift
- Foutz Motorsports Upper Control Arms
- Foutz Motorsports front hydraulic bump stops
- Front limit straps
- Custom rear sway bar
- Ford Performance / Bronco Raptor steering rack
- Spicer Ultimate Dana 44 front axle
- Spicer Ultimate Dana 60 rear axle
- 5.38 gears
- Spicer 32-spline chromoly front CV shafts
- Spicer 35-spline chromoly rear axle shafts
- 1350 rear driveshaft
- JCR max tire clearance kit
- Factory Sasquatch beadlock-capable wheels
- Nitto Trail Grappler M/T 37x12.50R17
- Turn Offroad front bumper
- Turn Offroad rear bumper
- Turn Offroad Spare tire delete
Turn Offroad trailing arm mount skids - Next Venture Motorsports rock sliders (Modified and frame mounted)
- JCR rear window MOLLE panels
- ARB Twin Air Compressor
- Spare Steering rack onbourd w/ 4 tie rods ( I dont run a tie rod brace )
- ICECO fridge
- Recovery gear
- Trail tools and spare parts
- Custom storage in the cargo are ( Version 1 )
- Custome Rear triangulated 4-link (working on the design hope to have done before UBB 27 ) - move rear axle 2 inches back
- Customer rear fuel cell to work with the 4 link ^
- Rear limit straps
- Rear hydraulic bump stops
- Custom Front long-travel suspension, something similare to the Marlin Crawler RCLT kit - move 1 inch foward for clearance Upper, Lower, Spindle
- Tube fenders ( working on a coencept hope to have this done before UBB 27 )
- 38" Nitto Trail Grapplers ( Ordered )
- Reroute all wireing hardness in the front wheel wells
- Reroute exhaust to exit before rear diff
- relolcate front intercooler to move winch into a lower location to improve approach angle
- Maybe next venture skids but man they expensive
- Figure out where to keep spare drive shafts and axles.... maybe where the stock tank is once i move it.
- Upgraded front hubs any one make some yet? Could possibly go camburg and match the bolt pattern when i do the new front spindle.
- Anyone want to send me some parts hahaha.
Made it back from the Rubicon, and the Bronco definitely has a few new battle scars. (most my wheeling has been in Sand Hollow)
The biggest thing I learned is that the belly sits lower than I'd like. The factory skid plates actually held up really well and took a ton of abuse. The Ultimate Dana 60 shock skids also did their job and saw plenty of hard hits. I also managed to bend both rear trailing arms, so those have officially reached the end of their life. On the bright side, the Turn Offroad trailing arm skids did exactly what they were supposed to do, they took repeated hits and protected the mounts without any issues.
When I build the rear 4-link, I'll be cutting the lower shock mounts off and relocating them higher. The goal is to get as much hanging below the axle out of the way so the differential is really the only thing left to drag over obstacles.
Body damage was pretty minimal considering the trails. I dented the driver's side rear quarter panel and driver side rear door. I'm replacing the quarter panel anyway, which works out because I can use the damaged one to experiment with cutting the wheel opening when I move the rear axle back about 2 inches.
Mechanically, I couldn't be happier. The Bronco completed Fordyce, RTF, and the Rubicon without a single breakdown. The only issue was a front CV boot clamp that popped off on a dirt road to the main road after fordyce, which was an easy trail fix.
I also somehow managed to lose one of the body mount bolts... still not sure how that happened. Since replacement M13 hardware is hard to find, when the body comes off for the 4-link I'll probably drill the mounts and convert everything to a more common bolt and nut setup so replacement hardware is easy to source in the future.
The night before the trip I also modified the Turn Offroad spare tire delete to carry a RotopaX. It's functional, but definitely not pretty. I'm already designing a new version that will hold two RotopaX containers, the small Badlands jack, and include a quick-release license plate mount for easy access to the jack.
Next up is the rear 4-link. Between relocating the gas tank, rerouting brake lines, moving wiring, and packaging everything cleanly, it'll definitely be the biggest fabrication project on the Bronco so far. Once i address everything else lol
Overall, I'm really happy with how it performed. Three iconic trails down with no major mechanical failures is a pretty good test for the current setup.
I dont plan on ever running portals unless someone throws a set at me. Trying to get the most out of it without them.
If ya have any suggestions or feedback im open to hear itlet me know! - Ill try to remember to update this once i start the next projecty, Currently installing some car lifts to make the next few projects easier, Also working on another Badlands and doing the same build as this with it. So that may delay this one a bit while i get the 2nd one to the same stage.
Photos below
( videos on my instagram )
Sponsored
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