My 2023 Bronco Badlands 2DR Build

[Mirage]

My reasoning for upgrading to the 74Weld Stage 1 kit was that the stock tie rods are weak for a reason IMO. They are designed to break before you break the rack. Upgrading the tie rods to heavy duty ones, like the Icons I have installed, will then move the failure / pressure point to the rack. I'd much rather have a broken tie rod than a steering rack on the trail.

Look at the photos I uploaded in post #32. The stock steering rack end cap is so thin it's laughable. When you tap on it with something metal it sounds like tin. Photos don't really do the difference justice. Seeing them in person is like a WOW experience.. It's almost like Ford made the rack end cap as thin as they possibly could.

I wheel solo a lot and try to eliminate as many potential failure points as I can. Upgrading the Tie Rods was a must. After seeing how absurdly thin the stock steering rack end caps is, I am happy I replaced it with the 74Weld.

Would I have ever broken the rack? I'll never know and that was my point / reason for the upgrade..

Here is a good article on the issue. The rack end cap is covered in section 3

https://trailbronco.com/6th-gen-mods/6th-gen-bronco-tie-rods-problems-solutions/

OK, I wasn't sure if you had already broken it or something, but looks like you didn't. I've seen pics like these before and one of the companies that makes solid Billet replacement racks said that all of those pics are either hardcore racers or if your front tire got wedged into a rock and you tried to turn it, so that's why I didn't upgrade mine yet. I may in the future.

I do agree with you on the tie rods though, that's why I upgraded mine as well. From our ride yesterday, I will say that these, at least the Badlands, (since we have 2), are little beasts offroad. My wife has the HOSS 3.0 rack on hers or is supposed to, considering it's a 2024?

So, since I'm behind on your build, you didn't actually replace the rack itself, just the aluminum end pieces and the tie rods, correct? I'll look into it though

Thanks

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[raqball]

So, since I'm behind on your build, you didn't actually replace the rack itself, just the aluminum end pieces and the tie rods, correct? I'll look into it though

Thanks

I did the 74Weld Stage 1 kit which included the beefy end cap and bushings. I also added the Icon HD Tie Rods.

https://motorsports.74weld.com/product/stage-1-bronco-steering-cap-and-bushing-kit/

My purpose was not for high speed racing, I think those people are replacing the entire rack.

My reason for the upgrade was because when you upgrade the tie rods (or even worse add a brace to the stock tie rods) all you are doing is moving the failure point to the steering rack. The stock end cap, being so thin, will be the next in line failure point.

 

[Mirage]

I did the 74Weld Stage 1 kit which included the beefy end cap and bushings. I also added the Icon HD Tie Rods.

https://motorsports.74weld.com/product/stage-1-bronco-steering-cap-and-bushing-kit/

My purpose was not for high speed racing, I think those people are replacing the entire rack.

My reason for the upgrade was because when you upgrade the tie rods (or even worse add a brace to the stock tie rods) all you are doing is moving the failure point to the steering rack. The stock end cap, being so thin, will be the next in line failure point.

That's the company that I was talking about making the solid Billet racks for something like $4k... As long as I don't have to take the steering shaft loose or remove the rack, I might look into this on mine next year?

 

[raqball]

That's the company that I was talking about making the solid Billet racks for something like $4k... As long as I don't have to take the steering shaft loose or remove the rack, I might look into this on mine next year?

You do not need to remove the rack nor take the shaft loose. It's a fairly straight forward install. I suggest it if you are running 37's, HD tie rods and off-roading.

 

[raqball]

Installed DV8 Fender Flares.

The instructions say easy and 2 hours to install. Ppfftt! 4 hours later, they are done..

I measured before and after from the top of the tire to the center of the bottom lip of the flare.

Before with stock flares:

Front: 5 3/4"

Rear: 6 1/4"

After with the DV8

Front: 7 1/8"

Rear 7 1/8"

These are a little wider than the stock Badlands flares and a little narrower than the Sas flares. I'd guess they are about in the middle, width wise, between the 2. I did gain quite a bit of fender clearance..

Cruddy photos for now, I'll get better ones this weekend while 4 wheelin'. They also look a little goofy right now as the Bronco is filthy and the flares are spiffy clean..

Updated list of my mods to date:

• Rough Country Rock Rails
• Rough Country High Winch Mount
• Rough Country 12,000 Synthetic Winch
• Ford Performance 17x8 Wheels
• 35x11.5R17 Falken Wildpeak AT4W
• Bilstein 6100 (2 1/2” lift front and 1” lift rear)
• Ford Safari Bar
• Infotainment 12” Screen Upgrade Kit with dash
• Bikini Top
• Bora 1.75” Wheel Spacers
• 74Weld Stage 1 Bronco Steering Upgrade
• Icon HD Tie Rods
• ARB Dual Compressor
• Outback Adventures Trailgater
• Baja Designs Ditch Lights
• DV8 Fender Flares
• Ford Rollup Tool Kit 84pc
• Motley Grab Handles
• Rough Country 3rd Brake Light Extension Bracket

Other Items and gear:

• Winch recovery gear (snatch block, tree protector, soft shackles etc)
• ARB Digital Air Gauge and air hose
• Staun Tire Deflators
• Dewalt 20V Battery Chainsaw
• MaxTrax Mini Traction Boards
• RainGear Trail Cover
• IceCo APL20 Car Fridge
• Dometic PB40 Power Station

 

[RoseLane4]

I ran homemade 1/4” square tubbing sliders for my ‘94 LR D90 and purposely had them 2”’s away from the body.
Here I am with a ‘24 BL’s (2dr) and while the stock sliders are ok, I’m nervous to actually impact them?!?
Anyone experience flexing in the stock units? The length of the 4dr units even more so..

 

[raqball]

Here is my updated list of upgrades and modifications for the Bronco and the TigerMoth:

Bronco:

• Rough Country High Winch Mount
• Rough Country 12,000 Synthetic Winch
• Ford Performance 17x8 Wheels
• 35x11.5R17 Falken Wildpeak AT4W
• Bilstein 6100 (2 1/2” lift front and 1” lift rear)
• Infotainment 12” Screen Upgrade Kit with Dash
• Bora 1.75” Wheel Spacers
• 74Weld Stage 1 Bronco Steering Upgrade
• Icon HD Tie Rods
• 4WP Upper Control Arms
• Baja Designs Ditch Lights
• ARB Dual Compressor
• Outback Adventures Trailgater
• Bronco Safari Bar
• DV8 FS-15 Rock Sliders
• DV8 Fender Flares
• DV8 A-Arm Skid Plates
• DV8 Differential Skid Plate
• DV8 Rear Shock Skid Plates
• Ford Rollup Tool Kit 84pc
• Midland MTX 275 GMRS Radio with Ghost Antenna
• Rocky Talkie Handheld GMRS Radio
• Motley Grab Handles
• Rough Country 3rd Brake Light Extension Bracket
• Molle Door Pocket Panels and Pass Side Molle Console Bracket
• Wolfbox G900 Pro Dashcam Mirror. Rear Camera set as a Front Trail Camera
• Garmin inReach Mini
• Safe Jack 8 ton with extensions (can also use it on the Moth)

Taxa TigerMoth:

• RV Bunk Style Mattress
• 1000 Watt Inverter
• 2 LifePo4 Batteries (total battery power 200 Ah)
• Honda EU1000i Generator
• Zamp 100 Watt Solar Panel
• 2ea 3 Gallon RotoPax Fuel Cans (for Bronco, stored on the Moth)
• Ai13 metal fuel nozzle / spout for fuel cans
• RotoPax Camp Water Jug (5 Gallons)
• iKamper Disco (skottle)
• Devos LightRanger 2000 (camp light)
• Pots, pans, cooking items
• Camping Chair and 2 Small Tables
• Collapsable Camping Toilet
• Howl R1 Campfire

Other Items and Gear:

• Winch recovery gear
  • snatch block
  • recovery ring
  • tree protector
  • soft shackles
  • 30 foot kinetic recovery rope
  • 20 foot tow strap
  • gloves
  • hard shackles
• MaxTrax Mini Traction Boards
• ARB Digital Air Gauge and Air Hose
• ARB Digital Tire Deflator
• Dewalt 20V Battery Chainsaw
• Wolfbox Car Fridge
• Dometic PB40 Power Station
• Starlink Mini
• Gerber eTool Shovel
• Agency 6 Long Shovel (stored in Bronco when off-roading)

On the to-do List:

• Frame Horns
• Earth / Ground Recovery Anchor (for when out solo which is 90% of the time)
• Rubber floor mats for the vinyl floors in the Badlands (maybe?)
• New Bikini Top (mine was lost or stolen during move)
• New Rain Cover (mine was lost or stolen during move)
• Awning for rear of TigerMoth. Not sure, debating it’s usefulness

Photo taken before adding the DV8 frame mounted Rock Sliders and before adding the a-arm skids. I'll add more photos next time I am out on the trails.

 

[raqball]

It's been a while since I've updated my build list. Here is my most recent list of upgrades and modifications for the Bronco.

Bronco:

• Rough Country High Winch Mount
• Warn Zeon 10S Synthetic Winch
• Ford Performance 17x8 Beadlock Wheels
• 35x11.5R17 Falken Wildpeak A/T4W
• Eibach Coilover. 2.0
• Icon Rear Adjustable Track Bar
• Turbosmart BOV
• Ford Performance Tune (with ProCal 4)
• Roush Cold Air Intake
• PPE Hot and Cold Charge Pipes
• PPE Intercooler
• MRT Elite Series Axel Back
• Infotainment 12” Screen Upgrade Kit with Dash
• Bora 1.75” Wheel Spacers
• 74Weld Stage 1 Bronco Steering Upgrade
• Icon HD Tie Rods
• 4WP Upper Control Arms
• Baja Designs Ditch Lights
• ARB Dual Compressor
• Outback Adventures Trailgater
• Bronco Safari Bar
• DV8 FS-15 Rock Sliders
• DV8 Fender Flares
• DV8 A-Arm Skid Plates
• DV8 Differential Skid Plate
• DV8 Rear Shock Skid Plates
• DV8 Frame Horns
• Ford Rollup Tool Kit 84pc
• Midland MTX 275 GMRS Radio with Ghost Antenna
• Rocky Talkie Handheld GMRS Radio
• Motley Grab Handles
• Rough Country 3rd Brake Light Extension Bracket
• Molle Door Pocket Panels and Pass Side Molle Console Bracket
• Wolfbox G900 Pro Dashcam Mirror. Rear Camera set as a Front Trail Camera
• Safe Jack 8 ton with extensions

Recovery Gear:

• Snatch block
• Recovery ring
• Tree protector
• Soft shackles (4ea)
• 30 foot kinetic recovery rope
• 20 foot tow strap
• Gloves
• Hard shackles (2ea)
• MaxTrax Mini Traction Boards
• Deadman V2 Earth Recovery Kit
• Stihl Chainsaw
• DMOS Compact Delta Shovel
• Warn Wireless Remote Controller
• Pelican V700 Storage Case to hold all the recovery gear

Other Gear and Items:

• Iceco APL 35 Car Fridge
• Dabbsson 600L - 768 Wh Battery Power Bank
• Dabbsson Alternator Charger
• Starlink Mini
• DJI Mini 5 Pro Drone

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