Pics: Bronco Frame, Chassis and Suspension

[Tonka Bronka]

It’s what I do not see that really upsets me. Big tough Bronco, no grease fittings on the ball joints or steering linkage. Why is this!? Can Ford not afford to do this? Or do they want their trucks to wear out before their time. I know what the front end of a “Super Duty” looks like at 150,000 miles and it is not pretty or inexpensive to repair. Thanks Ford for keeping up the great work by giving us less than the best available once again.

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[XirallicBolts]

I know Ford has engineers who think of these things, but the chances of a clean oil change don’t look good. Just eyeballing with the placement of the motor mounts I would put the drain plug just above the SBD. Maybe the deep part of the oil pan is in the front and the plug would be just behind the axle??

Might have to invest in one of the Fumoto oil change valves and leave a length of hose permanently attached to it for more convenient oil changes.

 

[Lab00Rat]

As an engineer, these pics are AWESOME!

for everyone else, chill TFO.

you guys need to chill out on the tow points. You really think those wouldn’t be strong enough? ?

and the frame “hoop”. Seriously NBD. There is likely virtually very little driveshaft displacement at that point. Not worried about lifting.

and CV angles? Said already but cmon use your noggin. The thing has no body or powertrain in it!

Yeah, I'm not wrong...

The Ranger has this as the tow connect and it does not use this plate for flat towing.
This is the same plate-to-frame as on the Bronco.

 

[Dads_bronze_bronco]

Sorry I panicked...like a dog that's been beaten!

I’d a been real pissed if the Bronco arrived with limitations to lift. Good catch to point out for investigation though.

 

[dnvrBronco]

Might have to invest in one of the Fumoto oil change valves and leave a length of hose permanently attached to it for more convenient oil changes.

That’s one way to fix it, though you may still have to remove the armor to open the valve. We could start a new thread about the pros and cons of using a Fumoto in off-road applications. Subaru folks started using them to avoid stripped threads in the pan.

 

[ekim]

Yeah, I'm not wrong...

The Ranger has this as the tow connect and it does not use this plate for flat towing.
This is the same plate-to-frame as on the Bronco.

I concur. From the instructions on that kit they use the tow loop bolts on the bottom of the frame and a through bolt through the frame with a beefy spacer to eliminate crushing the frame. So three bolts directly attached to the frame.

 

[SupremoSombrero]

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See Also EARLIER PRESS PHOTOS (Below) of the Bronco's Chassis, Undercarriage, Suspension, Transmission, Driveshaft, Differential and More:

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I know it's trivial; but I'm still so surprised that of all the numerous Mud Tires available - they chose 'Wrangler' tires. Maybe it's a show of confidence....??? Who knows.

 

[Bmadda]

It’s what I do not see that really upsets me. Big tough Bronco, no grease fittings on the ball joints or steering linkage. Why is this!? Can Ford not afford to do this? Or do they want their trucks to wear out before their time. I know what the front end of a “Super Duty” looks like at 150,000 miles and it is not pretty or inexpensive to repair. Thanks Ford for keeping up the great work by giving us less than the best available once again.

Not just ford...the whole industry has gone that way for many years now. I'm not sure why, but I suspect politics are involved. Good news is aftermarket parts are unaffected!

 

[Altitude]

What in the shit is up with the CV angle? That can't be production angles. Even the outer tie rod is angry.
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Coming from a lifted IFS Jeep Grand Cherokee thats the first thing I noticed as well. I understand that the vehicle is unweighted at this point, but I wonder how much lift is possible before those angles get too much. Im sure that RCV will have something coming out though for these though.

 

[Tonka Bronka]

Not just ford...the whole industry has gone that way for many years now. I'm not sure why, but I suspect politics are involved. Good news is aftermarket parts are unaffected!

I understand that, doesn’t make it right and shouldn’t have to put aftermarket parts on just to be able to maintain chassi.

 

[Badplaid72]

Sorry I panicked...like a dog that's been beaten!

We’ve all been there at one time or another with these freaking Bronco’s! There like kids, you love the shit out of them, but sometimes things seem sideways and make ya crazy! I cannot wait for my Bronco Baby! ?

 

[gothavit]

You think they'd spring for better shocks.

i thought bilstein shocks were the top of the line

 

[Bmadda]

I understand that, doesn’t make it right and shouldn’t have to put aftermarket parts on just to be able to maintain chassi.

It's just the way the industry is now...better question are ball joints replaceable? or do you gotta buy the A arm? that's becoming commonplace now as well...and sucks!

EDIT: upper appears replaceable...lower does not. AAAARGH! On the plus side I do not see an IWE in this pic!

 

[LandCruiser]

i thought bilstein shocks were the top of the line

If they were, the "military grade" Raptor would have them instead of Fox.

 

[CanadianHorseMan]

Will the orange tow hooks be painted in the color of the body -- perhaps an option to have body-painted hooks -- or perhaps trim dependent accent color? So far all the assembly line photos have black hooks.

R

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