Making my wife's Bronco the ultimate mom car

[dags1207]

My wife always wanted a Bronco and we ended ordering one back in 2023. We love camping and our previous Santa Fe was OK off-road (better than I could've expected after we lifted it and put all terrain tires on it). We ordered the Bronco for it's capabilities, not for it family friendliness, so we knew what we were getting. However, we did want to make it as family friendly as possible, so here is what we did! (affiliate links below).

1. We ordered a 2.3L 4Dr Badlands + MIC + Lux + Tow. Having the MGV and rubberized flooring/washout interior makes cleaning messes a breeze.
   
   
2. Side steps: We are a bit vertically challenged, and the rock rail side step attachments were still a bit tall so we got these side steps. We still kept the rock rails for whenever we hit the trails. Nothing special here, but makes a big difference.
   Side steps: https://amzn.to/3Z8K6sl
   Pinch weld covers: https://amzn.to/4cL31wF
   
   
3. Interior Lighting: one of the biggest annoyingness for us. A complete night/day difference! Now we can actually find stuff at night without having to use our phone flashlights
   Interior lighting kit: https://amzn.to/3XtBawD
   Rear ceiling light: https://amzn.to/3T8a8rJ
   
   
4. Cup holders/storage: no rear cupholders (2023s with MGV did not have them) and the net storage is less useful than we thought.
   Low profile front door storage: https://amzn.to/3ZbqVhw
   Removable rear cupholders: https://amzn.to/3Z7DJ8y
   Center console organizer: https://amzn.to/3MPwcUR
   
   
5. Grab handles: a must have regardless
   Paracord grab handles: https://amzn.to/3X2A5tW
   
   
6. AC / Airflow: Under seat vent deflectors didn't do much, but we added additional fans that we are powering from the back 12V outlet. We used the center headrest to attach them.
   Under seat vent deflectors: https://amzn.to/3MBeROZ
   Dual USB adapter: https://amzn.to/4g1yeyi
   Fans: https://amzn.to/3Xr7QGT
   
   
7. Baby monitoring system: We currently have a 2 year old and another baby coming, so we wanted a way to see both in a clean way (we hate seeing wires all over the place). This kit can be used with 1 or 2 cameras (split view), the cables are long enough (I ran all cables down the A pillar and hid them under the trim panels) and it's USB powered, so we can use the dash USB outlet.
   Baby Monitor with 2 channels/cameras: https://amzn.to/3XqqYot
   1/4" Adapter: https://amzn.to/3MtCFo1
   Mount: https://amzn.to/3TbKfaJ
   
   
8. Cargo area: cargo liner and backseat covers are a must, keeps everything clean and make hiding cables easy
   Cargo liner and backseat covers: https://amzn.to/47iEjT5
   
   
9. Entertainment: Just a phone holder
   Headrest phone holder: https://amzn.to/3XbrNQF

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[WheresMyBronco]

Nice list, I'll have to copy some of those. Also, how did you route the cables for the baby monitors? Did you go through the roll cage trim?

 

[adam1991]

I'm still pondering the aluminum or similar grab handles with integrated lighting. Thoughts?

 

[dags1207]

I'm still pondering the aluminum or similar grab handles with integrated lighting. Thoughts?

I thought about them, but I was concerned about them getting hot in the Texas summer. I also feel the paracord ones adapt to the contour of your hand

 

[dags1207]

Nice list, I'll have to copy some of those. Also, how did you route the cables for the baby monitors? Did you go through the roll cage trim?

I ran them this way (anything red is underneath the plastic trim)

First I took it to the base of the windshield, planning to get some plastic cable holders to make it cleaner (can barely be seen anyways)

Then I stuffed it between the dash and A pillar, removing the handle makes it easier. This is where the 2 cables for the camera split meet the single one coming from the monitor.

Continues all the way down behind the trim, loops back behind the speaker, and all the way back to the firewall. Then goest between the foot rest and rubberized floor as shown. I could've removed the plastic trim but I couldn't figure out how to take that speaker piece out, I had plenty of slack so I didn't want to worry too much about it.

Then it joins all of the other wiring going down along the trim panels

Continues the same way all to the rear. It slips out of the trim transition and tucks behind the seat and inside the rear set protector (keeping the cables in place)

 

[Bugkillah]

Nice set up. My 4 door Basesquatch has become the wife’s daily driver, so I had to get a 2 door Badlands for off-roading. You’ve got a great setup for the Mrs.

 

[adam1991]

I thought about them, but I was concerned about them getting hot in the Texas summer. I also feel the paracord ones adapt to the contour of your hand

ANY summer, I would think. That's why I haven't yet pulled the trigger.

I thought I saw some with composite handles, but I can't find those anymore.

Lotsa paracord handles out there, no question.

 

[WheresMyBronco]

ANY summer, I would think. That's why I haven't yet pulled the trigger.

I thought I saw some with composite handles, but I can't find those anymore.

Lotsa paracord handles out there, no question.

I had those same handles but without the lights and they definitely got too hot to use during the summer. I replaced them with these Mabett ones that have a rubberized grip and it's the best of both worlds

Only downside is they don't have a light built into them since it sounds like that might be what you're looking for

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D173VMJF?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

 

[adam1991]

I had those same handles but without the lights and they definitely got too hot to use during the summer. I replaced them with these Mabett ones that have a rubberized grip and it's the best of both worlds

Only downside is they don't have a light built into them since it sounds like that might be what you're looking for

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D173VMJF?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

That's what I was thinking of! Thanks.

 

[Sitruc_btb]

My 4dr Badlands is a dad wagon. When my son was rear facing in his car seat, I used a noggle to keep him cool. Both kids forward facing now, so they get the center vents aimed at them.

 

[brkdncr]

This seems like the wrong vehicle if you have to make all these adjustments/purchases.

 

[dags1207]

My 4dr Badlands is a dad wagon. When my son was rear facing in his car seat, I used a noggle to keep him cool. Both kids forward facing now, so they get the center vents aimed at them.

We looked at the noggle but my wife thought it looks like our attic AC ducts lol. We still aim the center vents aimed at the back.

This seems like the wrong vehicle if you have to make all these adjustments/purchases.

This seems like the wrong thread to comment on then Most of these items are not even "children/family" related, but a Bronco design "feature" that Ford missed haha. Is your Bronco completely stock?

 

[adam1991]

Is your Bronco completely stock?

OK, I'm absolutely the LAST guy to be buying a Bronco. But it caught my eye--and I spent week and a half before I bought it finding all sorts of add-ons I wanted and collecting bookmarks.

 

[WheresMyBronco]

This seems like the wrong vehicle if you have to make all these adjustments/purchases.

Half of these are just fixing things that Ford should've done to begin with, like the lighting, cupholders, rear AC vents, etc

 

[dags1207]

OK, I'm absolutely the LAST guy to be buying a Bronco. But it caught my eye--and I spent week and a half before I bought it finding all sorts of add-ons I wanted and collecting bookmarks.

Same, we had a whole wish list of stuff before it even was scheduled. Same thing with my Maverick

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