AKturbo's "Dirty Betty" Build - DONE!!

[akturbo]

Update 7/19/22 - I'm done!! At least for now. She's now Dirty Betty. My wife was calling her Betty after spending so much time with her (Betty) in the garage, after a few weeks of caller her Betty and getting her REAL dirty, so dirty she'll never be the same, seems fitting. Added some pics at the top here.

April OG post: Okay, the name is still TBD since rocket and Bronco don't go in the same sentence, plus that's what we already called our red Class-B Winnebago, not to mention South Park for those in the know.

Thought I'd start a build and trip thread since I'm about to get to some of the more interesting projects planned for my Bronco. My full mod days are over, now I like bolt-ons and gas n' go for what ever I own, no plans to void too much of my lifetime bumper to bumper warranty. Most of my knowledge about the 6G is from this forum (THANK YOU!!), so maybe I can share my good/bad/ugly experiences to help others with their Broncos.

The next steps require stripping down a lot of the interior, I have to finish a desk I'm building before I'll be able to tear into the Bronco.


Done as of 11/15/22:

• Mickey Thompson Baja Boss ATs 35x12.5x17LTs
• Baja Designs Squadron Pro Rs.
• Kuat Pivot 2 Hitch rack
• Yakima OnRamp bike rack
• Heritage Bronco badge
• Deviant Art Ford oval
• Matte black rear Bronco - PlastiDip
• Stubby antenna
• Bartact grab handles
• Still Protectors
• Maxi Trac air compressor
• Hromee Tire Deflators
• New Kinetic strap, soft Shackles, pully
• Forescan
• Graphene paint coating
• 303 Soft top clean & Protectant
• Ford Tow controller
• KR Offroad Front plate bracket
• Ford Cargo net
• IAG Soft Top struts
• Kicker Sub in stock B&O enclosure
• All new speakers - Focal ACXs
• Spare inner tie rods - Moog
• Rockslide Engineering steps w/door del kit + LED Kit
• Bronco Buster BusterBrace
• Dash Cam 3-Channel
• Kicker and JBL amps
• NAV-TV DSP12A-A2B Audio Interface (replaces factory amp)
• Bass knob - Kicker Amp
• USB Port to Amp
• Dash picatinny rail - Stickerfab
• Picatinny mounts - Phone, GoPro, Radio Mic
• Midland 275 radio with Ghost antenna
• Extra power to rear
• Rear power switches and USB power
• Bimini Top
• IAG replacement brackets
• LED Lighting - 2 zones (Seating and cargo)
• Tailgate table w/lighting
• Shackles
• Foutz shock skids
• Fabtech level kit 1.5" front/ 7/8" rear
• RC Winch plate, JCR Camera, BAMF Relo, Warn Evo 12
• BougeRV Fridge
• Plano Sportsman storage totes
• ARB tire plug kit
• Hammerbuilt spare tire carrier brace, PAX bracket and antenna mount
• LOD Offroad transmission skid
• Trailsight flag mount
• Recovery boards
• Mabett Gutters

Before level kits:

Active project:

• Wheeling

Future:

• DYI soft top sound (wind) deadening
• Different Bimini top
• Camping gear refresh for next summer
• 2.5" or higher lift kit
• Spare front axles
• Storage/Overlanding kitchen

Issues:

• Soft top flapping on hwy - fix planned
• Hood flapping on hwy - fixed
• Soft top drip, tired of getting soaked - fixed
• Red paint on tailgate seals and hood seals - fixed
• Door hitting on body - fixed under warranty

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[akturbo]

Reserved for build logs

My original reservation was a 2-door with every add-on possible, switched to 4-door for the larger gas tank, storage and seats. I got super lucky, I switched from MIC to soft top and got a build date in Oct '21, delivered Nov 19th 2021.

I asked my dealer not to wash the Bronco, got it home, washed, paint prep, Graphene coating. I also used the 303 soft top for the top and NOVUS 7100 Plastic Kit for the soft windows. Squadron R Pros and Bronco script as well. All within 24 hours of getting it home.

Tip, the circle lights needed a spacer to clear, just used a extra nut between the light and bronco so the lights could freely move.

Plasti dip is still good on the Bronco logo.

The Oval kicked my butt. Failed Plasti dip and ruined my first sticker. I still haven't gotten rid of the chrome ring, gave up for now. I'll have to take a better pic.

First 5 days with the stock SAS tires were brutal, my gravel driveway would load a full handful of rocks in one round trip. First step was cheap mud flaps, then ordered new tires during Black Friday.

Custom!

SAS and rock rail compatible, $20! Easy to remove as well.

Kuat Pivot and Yakima On-Ramp. The On-ramp allows us to carry bikes with fenders (cruisers) or full suspension bikes. Most carriers clamp onto the wheel, can't do that with cruisers.

Pivot barely clears, I don't think other swing would work.

New Mickeys!! Awesome tires. I only shop Discount Tire since they match my Bronco.

Sold my take off for $900!

Christmas presents!

Not sure where my wife got this for xmas.

Sill protectors and grab handles

Air compressor arrived damaged, by the time I called to get a replacement they were sold out everywhere. I'll find a dowel and tape it up.

Tow controller, first time opening up the panels.

Hopefully there isn't a right side up.

Speaker swap! After the fact, I was told I could have removed the plastic ring and the sub would have fit. If that's true, that sucks for me.

Order the wiring adapters from Amazon!! Now that I'm going back in to wire amps, kits wouldn't work. I'll remove the bass blockers since the amp has cross over settings.

Don't waste your time swapping the 6.5" kick speakers unless your adding an amp. Only mid-bass is sent to those speakers and not enough power.

Tip: To remove the driver kick panel you have to remove the plastic plate on the dead pedal, there are two bolts you must remove.

New amps arrived! Lot's o wires to run.

Upcoming RSEs

Upcoming dashcam project

Upcoming LED Project

 

[akturbo]

Reserved for trip logs

 

[Tricky Dick]

#teammickey

I want to get over to NW WA sometime later this year for some wheeling. Looks like you know some spots.

And yeah you need a better name than red rocket, it only brings one thing to mind...

 

[akturbo]

#teammickey

I want to get over to NW WA sometime later this year for some wheeling. Looks like you know some spots.

And yeah you need a better name than red rocket, it only brings one thing to mind...

Likewise! I was in Spokane the last two weekends, didn't have any time to play. I'm sure a full crew would head out if you come over here.

It's still sledding season for me, winter gave us another blast this weekend...I was stuck on the eastside Saturday in the Bronco, that was the wrong ride to take.

 

[VIRUS]

Reserved for build logs

My original reservation was a 2-door with every add-on possible, switched to 4-door for the larger gas tank, storage and seats. I got super lucky, I switched from MIC to soft top and got a build date in Oct '21, delivered Nov 19th 2021.

I asked my dealer not to wash the Bronco, got it home, washed, paint prep, Graphene coating. I also used the 303 soft top for the top and NOVUS 7100 Plastic Kit for the soft windows. Squadron R Pros and Bronco script as well. All within 24 hours of getting it home.

Tip, the circle lights needed a spacer to clear, just used a extra nut between the light and bronco so the lights could freely move.

Plasti dip is still good on the Bronco logo.

The Oval kicked my butt. Failed Plasti dip and ruined my first sticker. I still haven't gotten rid of the chrome ring, gave up for now. I'll have to take a better pic.

First 5 days with the stock SAS tires were brutal, my gravel driveway would load a full handful of rocks in one round trip. First step was cheap mud flaps, then ordered new tires during Black Friday.

Custom!

SAS and rock rail compatible, $20! Easy to remove as well.

Kuat Pivot and Yakima On-Ramp. The On-ramp allows us to carry bikes with fenders (cruisers) or full suspension bikes. Most carriers clamp onto the wheel, can't do that with cruisers.

Pivot barely clears, I don't think other swing would work.

New Mickeys!! Awesome tires. I only shop Discount Tire since they match my Bronco.

Sold my take off for $900!

Christmas presents!

Not sure where my wife got this for xmas.

Sill protectors and grab handles

Air compressor arrived damaged, by the time I called to get a replacement they were sold out everywhere. I'll find a dowel and tape it up.

Tow controller, first time opening up the panels.

Hopefully there isn't a right side up.

Speaker swap! After the fact, I was told I could have removed the plastic ring and the sub would have fit. If that's true, that sucks for me.

Order the wiring adapters from Amazon!! Now that I'm going back in to wire amps, kits wouldn't work. I'll remove the bass blockers since the amp has cross over settings.

Don't waste your time swapping the 6.5" kick speakers unless your adding an amp. Only mid-bass is sent to those speakers and not enough power.

Tip: To remove the driver kick panel you have to remove the plastic plate on the dead pedal, there are two bolts you must remove.

New amps arrived! Lot's o wires to run.

Upcoming RSEs

Upcoming dashcam project

Upcoming LED Project

Have you been down any gravel with the new AT's?
I just ordered the same tire. Hope it's not a rock magnet.
Nice ride

 

[akturbo]

Thanks! My gravel driveway and some roads, rocks are down about 90% from the stock tires. I just topped most of the driveway with 24 yards of 5/8 minus today...I'll know real soon how that goes.

 

[akturbo]

@VIRUS , the new gravel did send a couple zingers, but it would have rained gravel with the stock tires.

Finally getting ready to work on the Bronco, going to start the Rock Slide Engineering steps, mud flaps and the Bruster Bracers this weekend. Just ordered some shock skids, chose Foutz, I didn't like how other brands got so close to the front of the shocks.

 

[VIRUS]

@VIRUS , the new gravel did send a couple zingers, but it would have rained gravel with the stock tires.

Finally getting ready to work on the Bronco, going to start the Rock Slide Engineering steps, mud flaps and the Bruster Bracers this weekend. Just ordered some shock skids, chose Foutz, I didn't like how other brands got so close to the front of the shocks.

Thanks for the update
I'm just buying stuff for a vehicle I don't have yet. Was in 5/16 build week but moved to 5/30. Waiting on the same RS steps. Wheels and tires got delayed today. Went with 37x12.5 17. My wheels came in but apparently they sold my tires to another customer. Going to do perch collars until I can decide on a new setup. It's awesome having so many choices but makes it tough to choose.

 

[akturbo]

Thanks for the update
I'm just buying stuff for a vehicle I don't have yet. Was in 5/16 build week but moved to 5/30. Waiting on the same RS steps. Wheels and tires got delayed today. Went with 37x12.5 17. My wheels came in but apparently they sold my tires to another customer. Going to do perch collars until I can decide on a new setup. It's awesome having so many choices but makes it tough to choose.

The 37's and the perch collars are exactly what I wanted, but I didn't want to risk my warranty. That should be a great setup.

Ran across this and ordered, $30 and I don't need a ton of gadgets blocking my view.

 

[VIRUS]

The 37's and the perch collars are exactly what I wanted, but I didn't want to risk my warranty. That should be a great setup.

Ran across this and ordered, $30 and I don't need a ton of gadgets blocking my view.

I wasn't planning on putting anything on the dash but that one looks nice. Will probably order one. Any pics of it installed?

 

[akturbo]

I wasn't planning on putting anything on the dash but that one looks nice. Will probably order one. Any pics of it installed?

Just ordered, I'll post pics. Still have to find the mounts.

 

[akturbo]

This project is having a domino effect thinking ahead to actually hitting the trails and camping regularly, decided I better add the radio now, better switches for the rear lighting project and a usb port to program the 8 channel amp that I hope to bury somewhere. These parts are based on ideas from @Bo-Ronco and @Ksjrb03's threads, thanks!

 

[Bo-Ronco]

Okay, the name is still TBD since rocket and Bronco don't go in the same sentence,

You sound like Sturgill Simpson:
"I'll still be trying to figure out what the hell rhymes with Bronco!"

 

[Bo-Ronco]

These parts are based on ideas from @Bo-Ronco and @Ksjrb03's threads, thanks!

Happy to have helped! I'll be doing an install walk through video this weekend.

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