My Badlands capable daily driver (Heretic) build

[Sitruc_btb]

Very tasteful build. Well done sir!

Thank you!

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[Hossfire]

My bone stock Badlands 7MT(with modular bumper and brush guard) landed here in AZ in October. Delivered 10.12.22. I wanted a simple, yet functional daily driver, ready for anything! Without going crazy. I started with some convenience features; Bartact Grab handles and the IAG soft top assist struts.

EDIT: I dubbed my rig the "Heretic" since I'm running 35's on stockers, and a spacer lift. Heresy!

Since the Badlands has all the skid plates, why not add more. Installed the Next Venture diff skid and Broncbuster Shock skids.

Couldn't find any solid answers regarding fitment issues with stock Badlands and 35's, so I tried myself. 315.70.r17 Firestone Destination MT2's, or, tractor tires.

Getting pretty close to the control arm and knuckle. No rubs at full lock. Airing down might yield different results.

How she sits with 315's.

Added the BAMF tailgate reinforcement.
Had to space out my spare about 3-4mm to clear the flanges.

Next up! Fabtech trailing arms. Hoping to help with some articulation. Can't hurt!

Installed a tailgate table from Amazon. No drill install.

It wasnt on my list, but a buddy of mine is a bad influence, plus it was on sale. Winch time! Smittybilt x20 Gen3 10k with synthetic rope, and the Rough Country high winch mount. Pretty easy install. Ford made it stupid easy to wire up the winch.

I hesitated, but I finally gave in. Added the d rings in front, because, why not.

And that's it for now. I have the Broncbushing steering bushing, for cheap insurance, and the Broncbuster 1.5" suspension lift. Got a tad bit of sag in front from the winch install.

Oh, the Ford 32" spare tire cover does fit a 35. Mostly.

Heretic > Heritage in my book

 

[Steve62]

Bored at work this Xmas eve. Few of us "posted" up. Ha!

Looks like some contact between the knuckle and coil. This is after spacer lift install.

The posting up by four of you is hilarious. There must have been a lot of people in the lot scratching their heads looking at that!

 

[Sitruc_btb]

The posting up by four of you is hilarious. There must have been a lot of people in the lot scratching their heads looking at that!

Fortunately it was dead at work, so the guy with the ZR2 went for it, and the rest of us followed suit. Haha.

 

[Sitruc_btb]

More fun. Picked up some used BDS upper control arms. Some minor dings and flaked powdercoat, so I scuffed them up and rattle canned them flat black. Drying at work. Pic is before paint.

 

[Sitruc_btb]

Freshened up.

 

[Sitruc_btb]

Installed some, wait for it! Harbor Freight flood lights. I used the JCR ditch light mounts, found some extra wire at work, butt connected the harnesses, heat shrink around connectors, electrical tape elsewhere, and walaah. I used the Aux 3 switch for power.

 

[Sitruc_btb]

That's it folks. The Heretic build is complete. Installed the control arms today, and set alignment. Added some more caster this time. Tires are still pretty darn close to the control arms, and the control arms still contact the coils at full droop. Added alignment sheet for reference.
@Grumpy to conclude our discussion from a while back. Aftermarket control arms.

 

[Mudlight]

Must have 1" wheel spacers for running Badlands wheels due to the offset. I am running 1" Bora's, Badlands wheels, & 35/12.50 Nitto's. No issues.

 

[Sitruc_btb]

Must have 1" wheel spacers for running Badlands wheels due to the offset. I am running 1" Bora's, Badlands wheels, & 35/12.50 Nitto's. No issues.

I wouldnt say must, but it's probably a good idea. There's still clearance. A little bit.

 

[WheresMyBronco]

Installed some, wait for it! Harbor Freight flood lights. I used the JCR ditch light mounts, found some extra wire at work, butt connected the harnesses, heat shrink around connectors, electrical tape elsewhere, and walaah. I used the Aux 3 switch for power.

Do you have any whistling coming from the ditch lights with this setup? I just installed the same HF lights and get whistling above 54 mph. I just purchased a set of covers to see if they'll help, but I'd prefer not to cover them if possible.

Here are the covers I purchased. Apparently the Quadratec Radius lights use the same external casting so they'll fit on the HF ones as well. https://www.quadratec.com/p/quadratec/light-cover-pair-radius-led-lights

 

[Sitruc_btb]

Do you have any whistling coming from the ditch lights with this setup? I just installed the same HF lights and get whistling above 54 mph. I just purchased a set of covers to see if they'll help, but I'd prefer not to cover them if possible.

Here are the covers I purchased. Apparently the Quadratec Radius lights use the same external casting so they'll fit on the HF ones as well. https://www.quadratec.com/p/quadratec/light-cover-pair-radius-led-lights

they sure do. I notice it around 51mph+. I figured it's the heat sinks on the casting, or maybe it's just because it's a block in the wind, creating turbulence.

 

[WheresMyBronco]

they sure do. I notice it around 51mph+. I figured it's the heat sinks on the casting, or maybe it's just because it's a block in the wind, creating turbulence.

Dang, wasn't the response I was looking for .Guess I'll play around with them a bit to see if I can get it to stop, it's kind of driving me insane.

 

[Sitruc_btb]

Dang, wasn't the response I was looking for .Guess I'll play around with them a bit to see if I can get it to stop, it's kind of driving me insane.

Sorry! If you figure out a fix, shoot me a message or reply! I'm letting it roll for now, turn up the tunes, ha.

 

[WheresMyBronco]

Sorry! If you figure out a fix, shoot me a message or reply! I'm letting it roll for now, turn up the tunes, ha.

The Quadratec lens covers I linked above came in yesterday and they're a perfect fit on the HF lights, but more importantly they eliminated the whistling entirely! (I only tested it up to 60mph so far though)

I'm going to see how they are at up to 80mph on a freeway but I'm glad I got them. My only regret is that I ordered black (which I guess is the legal requirement when driving on-road) but I might buy them in clear instead so that I can use the lights without having to remove the covers entirely.

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