Swiss Alps Badlands: A Bronco across the ocean

[CalvinT]

where Eva zu Beck (Polish) took her 4x4 to Morocco and Western Sahara on an overnight ferry.

She was in the Balkans soon after Covid. Lots of unpaved roads but no off-roading as we know it.

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[Scoop]

We just got back from a week long Rhine River cruise From Amsterdam to Basel Switzerland. Didn't see one Bronco! I kept looking on every shore excursion. I did see a couple Ranger pick ups and, surprisingly, a Ram TRX truck! Anyway, it's awesome a Bronco is at home in the Alps!

 

[Desmolicious]

Hi everyone,
It's finally time to start a build journal for my Bronco here in Switzerland.

I was able to place an order in September 2025 (5 year wait!) for a Ford Bronco Badlands 2.7 4dr lux, non-Sasquatch, in black. The Sasquatch package wasn't offered as an option here, so the choice was made for me. At the current exchange rate it was 79'600 USD. The Swiss price goes along well with the 9.30 USD/gallon gas we have here.

Fast forward to June 2026: after nine months — basically a pregnancy — my Bronco finally arrived.
it turned out to be a 2023, built in October 2023 in Michigan. I was hoping at least for a 2024.

I was disappointed at first, especially because of the missing stitched dashboard and some of the later model-year updates (rear vents, digital cluster, steering rack). But I still love it!

The goal of this thread is to document the changes and upgrades I make to the Bronco over time, but also to hopefully create a useful resource for other Swiss and European Bronco owners. Since we are on the other side of the Atlantic, finding parts, accessories, shops, and sellers willing to ship to Europe can be a challenge. I will also try to keep track of what I order, where I order it from, how shipping/import works, and whether I would recommend the seller.


Model: Ford Bronco Badlands 4dr 2.7 lux
Color: Shadow Black
Model Year: 2023

Modifications installed so far

• 315/70R17 ("35") BF Goodrich KO2 Load C
  Bought locally
• 17x8.5 ET35 Method 703 by Ford Performance - Matte BLack
  Bought from Lethal Performance
• Sasquatch Fender Flares (chinese copy, could not find the original)
  Bought from eBay, Lithuania based seller
• IAG Off-Road Third Brake Light Extension
  Bought from IAG
• DV8 Dual A-Pillar / Ditch Pod Lights Drop Mounts
  Bought from Stickerfab
• Baja Designs Squadron Sport Ditch Light Kits - 2021+ Bronco
  Bought from Stickerfab
• Ford Performance Hood Lift Kit
  Bought from Tuningsupply (based in Netherlands)

I bought a bunch of other things (DV8 license plate relocatotion, IAG I-Line pocket organizer, Zone 1" leveling kit, Black Bucking Bronco, Smoked Ford Oval, Ford Performance B&C Bow Brace Kit) but they are not installed yet.

Parts / shops that ship to Europe

• Lethal Perfomance:
  You have to request a shipping quote for Europe, but they give fast answers and great support. Shipping is a bit on the high.
• IAG
  Shipping automatically calculated. High shipping prices.
• Stickerfab
  Great store with good shipping prices. They don't ship everything to Europe, if I remember correctly.
• Jegs High Performance
  I was a bit worried by the online reviews but shipping was instant and very cheap.
• Tuningsupply
  Based in Europe (Netherlands). Fast and convenient shipping, but prices are high compared to US stores. They say "VAT and duties included" but it's not true for Switzerland, maybe for the UE...

Problems

• TPMS Sensors
  I can't get the Ford TPMS sensors included with the wheels to work. They should be correct since they are for 2021-2024 Bronco, but they don't activate in any way.
• Sasquatch fender flares (chinese)
  I had to ditch the "pin type retainers", they wouldn't work.The fender flares are secure enough with the latches.

More updates coming soon.

Greetings from Switzerland.

Very cool! Did you buy it through a Ford dealership or some specialized import company?

I’ve always thought it would be nice to import my Bronco HE to France if I ever moved, and it ’seems’ that there would be little to change - already left hand drive, can push the button and change the readings to metric, already has side marker lights.
But no rear fog light…

So how are Broncos different in Europe to make them legal? And can regular Ford dealers service them?

 

[RR25HB]

Very cool! Did you buy it through a Ford dealership or some specialized import company?

I’ve always thought it would be nice to import my Bronco HE to France if I ever moved, and it ’seems’ that there would be little to change - already left hand drive, can push the button and change the readings to metric, already has side marker lights.
But no rear fog light…

So how are Broncos different in Europe to make them legal? And can regular Ford dealers service them?

Yeah, I'm dreaming of taking my '25 HE to Poland, as I have relatives there .... and my truck already looks like the Polish flag!

 

[Sojourner]

Since you said they are Ford TPMS sensors, IIRC Ford started the switchover from 315MHz to 433MHz in mid-2023. Perhaps a TPMS mismatch with the wheels at one frequency and the Bronco expecting the other?

I say this b/c my VIN tells me I should have 433MHz on my 2024 yet my 5 wheels are 315MHz and that's what the Bronco expected.

Just a thought. Good luck. Very nice Bronco.

 

[ARC77]

Welcome and have lots of fun.

 

[CalvinT]

Today I learned that TPMS Sensors have to be activated when they're installed. Normally the factory does that. The OP has Method wheels. Factory TPMS sensors will work with them, so normally a shop will move the sensors over from the factory wheels to the new wheels. Did that happen? Or did the shop just install new sensors on the Method wheels to keep the factory sensors with the factory wheels then forget to turn them on?

It could also be that he has standared valve stems and not TPMS sensors. I also discovered that they're not required in Mexico and Canada and probably other countries. My local Costco doesn't always TPMS sensors on cars that registered in Mexico or Canada. It depends on the owner.

Dismounting the tire on the spare wheel and checking may be worthwhile.

 

[Red2000]

Very cool and congrats on your new ride! It must be especially cool having a bronco in Europe because of the contrast to the average car in the area.

Do keep us posted if you adventure out to the deserts or mountains! You have many memories ahead.

 

[BroncoTI]

We just got back from a week long Rhine River cruise From Amsterdam to Basel Switzerland. Didn't see one Bronco! I kept looking on every shore excursion. I did see a couple Ranger pick ups and, surprisingly, a Ram TRX truck! Anyway, it's awesome a Bronco is at home in the Alps!

Ford Rangers are fairly common here; it’s the only pickup sold by Ford Switzerland.

Very cool! Did you buy it through a Ford dealership or some specialized import company?

I’ve always thought it would be nice to import my Bronco HE to France if I ever moved, and it ’seems’ that there would be little to change - already left hand drive, can push the button and change the readings to metric, already has side marker lights.
But no rear fog light…

So how are Broncos different in Europe to make them legal? And can regular Ford dealers service them?

Regular Ford dealer can now service them, but I'm sure they won't have any spare part ready.

I bought it through Ford Switzerland. Parallel importing was already possible, but I preferred to wait for the official channels. Even though I bought it from the authorized dealer, it still followed a parallel import route through the European Union.

As far as I know, they didn’t make any substantial modifications to the vehicle. They just added three (ugly) red reflectors on the back and inside the tailgate, but other than that, nothing.

 

[CalvinT]

I think it's interesting that you ordered in 2025 yet recieved a Bronco made in October 2023. Makes me wonder where it was all that time.

 

[Easy-v]

Ford Rangers are fairly common here; it’s the only pickup sold by Ford Switzerland.



Regular Ford dealer can now service them, but I'm sure they won't have any spare part ready.

I bought it through Ford Switzerland. Parallel importing was already possible, but I preferred to wait for the official channels. Even though I bought it from the authorized dealer, it still followed a parallel import route through the European Union.

As far as I know, they didn’t make any substantial modifications to the vehicle. They just added three (ugly) red reflectors on the back and inside the tailgate, but other than that, nothing.

Does it have the European rear bumper? With the rear red fog light?

 

[dangerfoot]

Very nice. In Oberland and will keep my eye out for the time I'm here.

 

[BroncoTI]

Does it have the European rear bumper? With the rear red fog light?

I just checked and Yes, I have the rear bumper with rear fog light.

It seems made of (very thin) steel.

 

[oli222]

Hej
I'm already a while in this forum - great to see another Bronco in Switzerland.
I actually see some more Broncos around - at least another black one with "SZ" plate - means Kanton Schwyz - nearby lake of Zurich.
Recently I was in France - Steinbourg nearby Strasburg where they have a great 4x4 training park.
We've been there with some friends.

This week I'm about to drive to Bardonecchia - Italy where they have some great legal Off-Roads to drive on. Including the highest legally accessible roads in the alps. Col de Sommeiller up to 3050 meters.

@BroncoTI - I'll send you a PN regarding your modifications and how to get them legally on the road in Switzerland.

 

[Jason519]

Awesome wish I could bring mine over 6 month trip!! Lol

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