Base / Big Bend Suspension - first upgrade for mild offroad? Address the weakest item(s)?

[Jack667]

Hi - I have a 2025 Big Bend with base suspension. Sasquatch takeoff wheels/tires and crash bars removed - no lift. Had planned to stick to my 2-wheel offroad hobby on dual sports.
I bought the Bronco to drive around town but now considering some mild offroading.

I've done some searching but can't find any similar Q as this - most are about lifting or shocks, or how to get to Sas suspension, 2.0 /3.0, etc.

I don't think (?) I need or want a lift for the type of mild trails I'm considering. What about UCAs or tie rods as weak points? If I was to do 1, 2, or 3 upgrades, what should I consider, in what priority?
Thx!

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[userdude]

Stock non-Sas right? I would suggest the Bilstein 5112's or 6112's (or the Pro Comps). That gives you a little lift with a much better shock than the stock Hitachis but keeps you stock everywhere else. You don't need new UCAs or tie rods for most off roading. If you're concerned get the inners and a toolkit to replace IF you ever have to.

If it's really mild, you're probably fine anyhow and I'd just go out and see what you can do. Most off roading is really about picking lines over rocky terrain and getting through things like mud or water hazards. More and better lift (you have more clearance with the tires) is really about more technical stuff like higher speeds or controlling rebound/bouncing.

Probably focus more on protection like plates, I'd recommend Ford's skid plates, especially if you don't have the gas tank skid.

 

[Brian_B]

Stock non-Sas right? I would suggest the Bilstein 5112's or 6112's (or the Pro Comps). That gives you a little lift with a much better shock than the stock Hitachis but keeps you stock everywhere else. You don't need new UCAs or tie rods for most off roading. If you're concerned get the inners and a toolkit to replace IF you ever have to.

If it's really mild, you're probably fine anyhow and I'd just go out and see what you can do. Most off roading is really about picking lines over rocky terrain and getting through things like mud or water hazards. More and better lift (you have more clearance with the tires) is really about more technical stuff like higher speeds or controlling rebound/bouncing.

Probably focus more on protection like plates, I'd recommend Ford's skid plates, especially if you don't have the gas tank skid.

Having started with pretty much the exact same setup - @userdude is entirely correct here.

Bronco is super capable, but (in my opinion) it's weak link is that it has a (relatively) low belly. For what Jeeps can clear on 33's, Broncos seem to need 35's - the fuel tank in particular.

You can get off road with the stock Hitachis, but you are going to want some lift eventually, and my opinion the best way to get that is via a suspension upgrade. 35s on Hitachis will rub if you stuff them without any lift at all. You can do a tophat lift for cheap, but that is at the expense of your front axle angle and risk the CVs.

If you do suspension - you should consider the UCAs. You can sometimes get away without them on 35s, but not always. UCA isn't so much about off roading - it's about correcting the geometry so you can get your tire alignment correctly. You may find you run out of room to correct the camber otherwise. If your alignment is still fine, then you don't really need UCAs

Skids are good investments. I started out without them - bashed my intercooler up pretty good. You don't need 100% coverage to start with, but at least get steel on the front and engine plates - replace the plastic skids that come on the stock lower trims.

Beyond userdude's good advice here - I'd say start thinking about comfort and recovery gear -- very basic stuff, like a shovel, flashlite, basic hand tools, toilet paper, big bottle of water, etc. You don't need to go overboard with recovery boards and rotopaxs and a winch... at least until you figure out what you are doing and what will actually be useful out there. But the basic stuff will fit in the back easily, and figuring out a storage or packout solution for it is part of that.

And don't overlook the fact that if you are adding lift that the stock jack may not be enough to get a spare tire changed anymore.

 

[userdude]

Having started with pretty much the exact same setup - @userdude is entirely correct here.

Bronco is super capable, but (in my opinion) it's weak link is that it has a (relatively) low belly. For what Jeeps can clear on 33's, Broncos seem to need 35's - the fuel tank in particular.

You can get off road with the stock Hitachis, but you are going to want some lift eventually, and my opinion the best way to get that is via a suspension upgrade. 35s on Hitachis will rub if you stuff them without any lift at all. You can do a tophat lift for cheap, but that is at the expense of your front axle angle and risk the CVs.

If you do suspension - you should consider the UCAs. You can sometimes get away without them on 35s, but not always. UCA isn't so much about off roading - it's about correcting the geometry so you can get your tire alignment correctly. You may find you run out of room to correct the camber otherwise. If your alignment is still fine, then you don't really need UCAs

Skids are good investments. I started out without them - bashed my intercooler up pretty good. You don't need 100% coverage to start with, but at least get steel on the front and engine plates - replace the plastic skids that come on the stock lower trims.

Beyond userdude's good advice here - I'd say start thinking about comfort and recovery gear -- very basic stuff, like a shovel, flashlite, basic hand tools, toilet paper, big bottle of water, etc. You don't need to go overboard with recovery boards and rotopaxs and a winch... at least until you figure out what you are doing and what will actually be useful out there. But the basic stuff will fit in the back easily, and figuring out a storage or packout solution for it is part of that.

And don't overlook the fact that if you are adding lift that the stock jack may not be enough to get a spare tire changed anymore.

Everyone knows you need the traction boards and a farm jack to awe your friends and woo them out for some of that "off roading excitement", therein they may assist by jumping on the fender to help you get unstuck from that "oh it's not that deep" mud bog you thought would be cool to get stuck in. Jerky sticks and Funyuns optional.

 

[EruptionBronco]

Since you have the modular front bumper, you have a front skid plate, but as others stated, more skid plates would be good. The Bilstein 5100s, Bilstein 6112s, Eibach Pro Truck 2.0s (possibly with HD spring if you plan to add weight to the Bronco), and Pro Comp (formerly 4WP) suspension are all well liked on here for being more budget friendly options. There are also Hoss 2.0 Sasquatch take offs that can be found on this forum and elsewhere for cheap, although you do have to watch out for the reservoir recall. Also, used Fox Hoss 3.0 takeoffs can be found for sale, but typically carry a much higher price than Hoss 2.0 setups.

 

[userdude]

There are also Hoss 2.0 Sasquatch take offs that can be found on this forum and elsewhere for cheap, although you do have to watch out for the reservoir recall. Also, used Fox Hoss 3.0 takeoffs can be found for sale, but typically carry a much higher price than Hoss 2.0 setups.

Apparently getting the right 2.0's for the weight and whatever can be problematic and the 5112's are a better shock anyhow. That's at least what I've been told making the same suggestion.

 

[Jack667]

Great info!! Great reminder on packing the right recovery gear. My wife and I did the Bronco Offrodeo in TN and they gave a good talk about all that.

I'm mostly concerned with things breaking if I get onto a trail that's a bit tougher than expected / planned, and where my setup would find its limit. I thought there would be a concern with components breaking. ?

Good point about skid plates - I should check what I have - whatever came with that bumper. My window sticker lists: "FULL VEHCLE STEEL BASH PLATES"

If I left the suspension as-is and just added more bash protection, what would that entail? Any links? I should do a search... I wonder if I should just have that protection and proper recovery gear and start slow and easy and see how it goes.

 

[userdude]

Great info!! Great reminder on packing the right recovery gear. My wife and I did the Bronco Offrodeo in TN and they gave a good talk about all that.

I'm mostly concerned with things breaking if I get onto a trail that's a bit tougher than expected / planned, and where my setup would find its limit. I thought there would be a concern with components breaking. ?

Good point about skid plates - I should check what I have - whatever came with that bumper. My window sticker lists: "FULL VEHCLE STEEL BASH PLATES"

If I left the suspension as-is and just added more bash protection, what would that entail? Any links? I should do a search... I wonder if I should just have that protection and proper recovery gear and start slow and easy and see how it goes.

It looks like you have the Ford skid plates (you can confirm by looking underneath, note that the trans pan is not included and you probably won't need one, just try not to run over big sticks that might flip up and hit it).

At a minimum you want the front and gas tank skids, but I'd say the full set is best. I personally added rear LCA skids, since they hang low, and went with a stronger rear diff cover, but at least the latter is overkill for easy stuff.

Also, you want some kind of rock rail or slider to protect the part between the wheels closest to the ground. You might have the stock Trail Armor rock rails, which are perfectly fine for your purposes (they're pretty stout). If you don't, you might look for some take offs or check out one of the many vendors that stock sliders. Not required but they help if you do come down on something with all the Bronco's weight.

Edit: Just realized you had a photo of the rig. Unless those are flat step sliders, those don't count for protection except for maybe throwing rocks on the rocker panel. FYI. I can also definitely see the stock Ford front plate under the bumper. You also have the steel mod bumper, this is pretty nice bumper and you don't need to replace it.

 

[Cameront9]

Depends how mild. Definitely basic recovery gear, maybe an air compressor, definitely a flashlight. I would recommend at least upgrading to a suspension like the Bilstein 5100s, give you a 2" lift with better shocks for around $500 plus install. Having the 35's with the softer stock suspension (especially if you're going to be adding weight) you'll likely top out and get tire rub at some points. If the alignment is fine i think the UCAs are fine. I don't think the tie rods will be an issue with mild off roading, could always buy a spare set or tie rod sleeves. I would also look at covers/skid plates for the suspension and differential, not sure if the full underbody plates cover those or not.

 

[userdude]

Depends how mild. Definitely basic recovery gear, maybe an air compressor, definitely a flashlight. I would recommend at least upgrading to a suspension like the Bilstein 5100s, give you a 2" lift with better shocks for around $500 plus install. Having the 35's with the softer stock suspension (especially if you're going to be adding weight) you'll likely top out and get tire rub at some points. If the alignment is fine i think the UCAs are fine. I don't think the tie rods will be an issue with mild off roading, could always buy a spare set or tie rod sleeves. I would also look at covers/skid plates for the suspension and differential, not sure if the full underbody plates cover those or not.

I think Non-Sas would want the 5112's that have the spring? I always get confused which is the 5100 or 5112.

 

[Zero Options]

I mild offroad my 2 door base manual on 33 Ko2s with an engine skidplate and the OEM rock rails from Ford. The 2 door comes with a gas tank skid. Honestly, the other investment that probably paid off the most was taking an off road class that emphasized preventing vehicle damage. I 100% recommend.

 

[HPNQ420]

<SNIP>

Beyond userdude's good advice here - I'd say start thinking about comfort and recovery gear -- very basic stuff, like a shovel, flashlite, basic hand tools, toilet paper, big bottle of water, etc. You don't need to go overboard with recovery boards and rotopaxs and a winch... at least until you figure out what you are doing and what will actually be useful out there. But the basic stuff will fit in the back easily, and figuring out a storage or packout solution for it is part of that.

<SNIP>

Those of us who have had to live without a shower for several weeks know baby wipes >> toilet paper. Treading lightly means #noskidmarks.

 

[userdude]

Those of us who have had to live without a shower for several weeks know baby wipes >> toilet paper. Treading lightly means #noskidmarks.

 

[Jack667]

@userdude - thx for more great info. I have some really nice Zroadz siders - super tough looking and should do the job.
Bronco is in the shop / dealer for a shifter issue that I had since new - finally took it in and seems like they're doing some sort of tranny rebuild (?). Anyway - might be gone for another week or so and won't be able to check under until then.
Just from a search on that item on my window sticker, seems like it's these: 4-door kit covers the the front, engine, transfer case and fuel tank
Seems like rear LCA and maybe rear diff protection could help. I would't mind making those investments.
And maybe I should look at 5112s or 6112s down the road. Main thing for me would be to try and minimize the tradeoff for better offroad and worse on-road / Hwy comfort and performance, given that it might be seldom offroad and not any crazy stuff.

 

[userdude]

@userdude - thx for more great info. I have some really nice Zroadz siders - super tough looking and should do the job.
Bronco is in the shop / dealer for a shifter issue that I had since new - finally took it in and seems like they're doing some sort of tranny rebuild (?). Anyway - might be gone for another week or so and won't be able to check under until then.
Just from a search on that item on my window sticker, seems like it's these: 4-door kit covers the the front, engine, transfer case and fuel tank
Seems like rear LCA and maybe rear diff protection could help. I would't mind making those investments.
And maybe I should look at 5112s or 6112s down the road. Main thing for me would be to try and minimize the tradeoff for better offroad and worse on-road / Hwy comfort and performance, given that it might be seldom offroad and not any crazy stuff.

Nice! You've probably got a decent setup already. Maybe, if you want a nice highway ride but better off road, consider the WildTrak Fox 2.5 HOSS 3.0 upgrade. It's a little expensive, but it's OEM and those are nice, rebuildable shocks. I would expect they ride a lot nicer than your Hitachis.

Honestly, I'd wait on rear lca skids and rear diff protection. If you're not doing anything too crazy, you don't need the weight.

If you find you're hitting the lca mounts in the rear and want to protect them, then get something. Barnes Offroad sells some decent ones for a good price.

Rear diff skids mean you lose clearance, which if you're already low, you don't want to do if you don't have to. Unless you're doing do a lot of rock-knocking crawling, it's probably unnecessary. The stronger diff cover helps with shearing off the cover, usually coming down on a rock or ledge. I have a nice diff skid I've never added because it's HEAVY. YMMV.

I would just get out there, be careful, walk obstacles and use what they taught you at the Off Roadeo. The best thing to do is go slow and have/be a spotter. You can do more than you think with what you have, where maybe one day you'll start to push those limits and then you can spend money on what you know is necessary.

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