New here from Joshua Tree - 2022 Badlands/Sasquatch - 3x Rebelle Rally driver

[Desert Belle]

Hi there, Im a SoCal-based Bronco owner who spends a lot of time out in the desert around Joshua Tree trail running, exploring, and prepping for the Rebelle Rally with my team. I’ve been in the off-road world for 10+ years and really enjoy learning from others and sharing experiences along the way. I’ve had my Bronco (Betty) for about four years now and have had a blast building her into a well-rounded rig. She can travel comfortably at speed in the desert but still stay stable and flexible over bigger obstacles.

I’m always tweaking the build as I go and love hearing what’s working (and not working) for other people out on the trail. I tend to appreciate setups that focus on capability and reliability, but I enjoy seeing all the different directions people take their Broncos.

Curious what upgrades you all felt made the biggest difference once you started wheeling your Bronco more seriously?

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[Jakob1972]

Welcome!
Rebelle driver Enough Said. Your a Badass in my book. And Nice rig.

 

[j_marinelli]

Definitely diggin' your Bronco livery!

 

[ptgptg]

I have nothing to offer in terms of off roading additions. I just wanted to say that is a cool truck. I drove through Joshua Tree a few years ago in a rental mustang convertible and it was breathtaking.

 

[timhood]

I see you have a '24 F250 Tremor. I'm curious how you use that differently than the Bronco. Is it just a toy hauler? I would assume your Bronco can do more than the F250 other than towing and hauling.

 

[Desert Belle]

Welcome!
Rebelle driver Enough Said. Your a Badass in my book. And Nice rig.

Thank you so much! The Rebelle is such a special event and every year I get to participate in it is a blast! Definitely type 2 fun haha

 

[Desert Belle]

Definitely diggin' your Bronco livery!

Thank you! The design was inspired by where we live, our competitive spirit, and a nod to our roots driving Toyotas.

 

[Desert Belle]

I have nothing to offer in terms of off roading additions. I just wanted to say that is a cool truck. I drove through Joshua Tree a few years ago in a rental mustang convertible and it was breathtaking.

Thank you! Joshua tree always takes my breath away, its definitely a special place to live.

 

[Desert Belle]

I see you have a '24 F250 Tremor. I'm curious how you use that differently than the Bronco. Is it just a toy hauler? I would assume your Bronco can do more than the F250 other than towing and hauling.

I love this question! We use our Tremor to haul the Bronco or our Rock buggy (based off an FJ40) and carry our Scout camper. Occasionally we will take just the camper and we can get to some pretty incredible remote spots and have the comfort of our camper

 

[5GENIDN]

Sweet ride you have there.

"Curious what upgrades you all felt made the biggest difference once you started wheeling your Bronco more seriously?"

If I ran the dessert like you do I would have gone as much articulation as possible so long arm suspension.... But I mostly run trails in the Rockies and I see quite a few rock gardens... So... Clearance over articulation... Portals.

 

[Desert Belle]

Sweet ride you have there.

"Curious what upgrades you all felt made the biggest difference once you started wheeling your Bronco more seriously?"

If I ran the dessert like you do I would have gone as much articulation as possible so long arm suspension.... But I mostly run trails in the Rockies and I see quite a few rock gardens... So... Clearance over articulation... Portals.

Thank you! Yes, definitely agree about the articulation. We decided on a mid-travel aftermarket setup as there are width restrictions for long travel in the Rebelle Rally. I'd love me a set of portals for sure too though! Running trails in the Rockies sounds like fun too, that's what I love about the Bronco, so many different ways to use it.

 

[Valhalla]

I have a badlands but right away I added K member skids and later shock and lower control arm skids. Stock tires are anemic, so I have upgraded tires.

 

[Desert Belle]

I have a badlands but right away I added K member skids and later shock and lower control arm skids. Stock tires are anemic, so I have upgraded tires.

Right on! Armor and tires were definitely first up on our upgrade list! Changes the whole look of the car so quickly.

 

[crenca]

We decided on a mid-travel aftermarket setup as there are width restrictions for long travel in the Rebelle Rally.

Say more! What are at least the high-points of your suspension?

While I'm in the desert here in Southern New Mexico, most of the trails I do lean towards the need for clearance and slow speed articulation rather then high speed control. I am currently just running stock hoss 2.0 Sasquatch, but planning suspension/tires upgrade(s) to better tackle level 5 & 6 trails (spending too much time on skids with stock setup). I do very occasionally bomb down a few whoops however - if this was more regular I would probably go with 8112's and stick with 35's.

 

[5GENIDN]

Thank you! Yes, definitely agree about the articulation. We decided on a mid-travel aftermarket setup as there are width restrictions for long travel in the Rebelle Rally. I'd love me a set of portals for sure too though! Running trails in the Rockies sounds like fun too, that's what I love about the Bronco, so many different ways to use it.

Well if a long Arm would put you over on width you are not fitting portals.... I am at 87 inches outside of tread to outside of tread on T-rex arms...LOL... They guys running the Hammers are running portals on the Front only... then dragging a D60 or equivalent over the rocks... I fully understand why though, because the articulation they can gain with that solid axle and the portal actually puts quite a lever arm on the axle... Pros and cons to everything.

That Rebelle Rally is quite the race! I absolutely love orienteering and that is an essential part of the rally the way I understand it. That is a life skill! Then you have the driving! pretty awesome!

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