Medium Chance

[Smocaine]

This is a thread intended to document my ordering and (hopefully long-term) ownership experience with my new Bronco. This thread will primarily be for my own utility, but will be as detailed as possible for the utility of others. Questions and comments are welcome.

The Order:
2024 Bronco Badlands 2-Door, 2.3L I4, 7MT (E9A/99H/44Q)
Iconic Silver Metallic (JS)
Standard Equipment Group (331A)
Roof Rails with Crossbars (863)
Trailer Tow Package

Planned Modifications:
Ford Performance / Warn Winch Kit (installed)
RokBlokz Mudflaps (installed)
Everglades Snorkel
Diode Dynamics SS3s + SSC2s in the bumper (installed)
CB Radio
Unplanned Modifications:
Eibach Pro Truck 2.0 Coilovers (installed)
Maybe Modifications:
Block Heater
Rear Fog Lamp Bumper
Whipple Intercooler
aFe Power Diff Cover
2025+ Digital Gauge Cluster
Ford Performance Spare Tire Mount Reinforcement Kit

2024-07-20: Initial order configuration at Bob Tomes Ford of McKinney. I had already been playing with the configurator for a few weeks at this point, and I was quite certain of what I wanted. My salesman, Ameen, did not seem to be at all familiar with ordering a car from Ford. He was quite familiar with selling their "Value Adds" package, but maybe not so much on what value it actually added. I finally came away with an agreement for supplying my own plate mount, no value adds, no dealer badge, and no deposit.
2024-07-26: Ford sends my order confirmation email. The waiting game begins!
2024-08-29: My VIN is assigned, and my order is finally scheduled for the week of 2024-09-30 after a full month of reading reports each week. Thank you to Newface and FordVideoGuy for scheduling information.
2024-09-19: I ordered the Ford Performance x Warn winch kit for my as-of-yet unbuilt Bronco to Five Star Ford of Dallas. The price was too nice!
2024-09-24: Winch kit arrives at Five Star Ford.
2024-09-26: Order tracker status moves to In Production, and my window sticker populates late that night with a blend date of 2024-10-04.
2024-10-05: Module As-Built data becomes available. It's Built! Order status is still In Production, but the tracker shows an updated date tonight.
2024-10-06: Tracker status officially changes to Built!
2024-10-08: I get my "It's built!" email, and later that day, the tracker moves to Shipped with an estimated arrival of 2024-10-25 to 2024-10-31.
2024-10-29: My Bronco finally arrives at my dealer, but the tow package install isn't completed by the end of the day. I visit it in the shop and see it for the first time.
2024-10-30: I take delivery in the morning and get it dirty before lunch! I also get a callback for the winch install and schedule that for 2024-11-04.
2024-11-04: The Ford Performance / Warn winch kit is installed in about 3 hours. It didn't feel like all that long - Five Star Ford of Dallas is a pretty nice place to wait.

Sponsored

 

[adam1991]

He was quite familiar with selling their "Value Adds" package

Yeah, but I'm saying that TruCoat. You don't get it, you get oxidation problems. It'll cost you a heck of a lot more than $500.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

This is a thread intended to document my ordering and (hopefully long-term) ownership experience with my new Bronco. This thread will primarily be for my own utility, but will be as detailed as possible for the utility of others. Questions and comments are welcome.

The Order:
2024 Bronco Badlands 2-Door, 2.3L I4, 7MT (E9A/99H/44Q)
Iconic Silver Metallic (JS)
Standard Equipment Group (331A)
Roof Rails with Crossbars (863)
Trailer Tow Package

2024-07-20: Initial order configuration at Bob Tomes Ford of McKinney, Texas. I had already been playing with the configurator for a few weeks at this point, and I was quite certain of what I wanted. My salesman, Ameen, did not seem to be at all familiar with ordering a car from Ford. He was quite familiar with selling their "Value Adds" package, but maybe not so much on what value it actually added. I finally came away with an agreement for supplying my own plate mount, no value adds, no dealer badge, and no deposit.
2024-07-26: Ford sends my order confirmation email. The waiting game begins!
2024-08-29: My VIN is assigned, and my order is finally scheduled for the week of 2024-09-30 after a full month of reading reports each week. Thank you to Newface and Long McArthur Ford for scheduling information.

We can't wait to get you into your new ride!

 

[Smocaine]

I told myself I wouldn't pre-buy parts, that I needed to get the thing first to really get a feel for what I actually needed from the aftermarket...

...then Ford went and slashed the price of the winch kit. I was pretty sure I was going to buy it at $2k, so half that? SOLD!
I spoke with Preston down at Five Star Ford of Dallas to ensure they'd be alright with holding the parts for me while I wait for my Bronco to come in. I had some fear of missing out on this kit and I wanted to make certain I could have it.

 

[Smocaine]

My order moved to In Production yesterday and I got my window sticker that night. I was poking around on Build & Price and realized all the images line up, making it very easy to do Photoshop mockups of what I'd like to do.
Here's a quick hack of my Badlands with a Big Bend grille and the Everglades/Ford Performance Warn Winch! If you've got a Big Bend and want a Badlands grille, and you're in or around Dallas - maybe shoot me a message?

 

[Smocaine]

It's finally here! Unfortunately, it seems the techs cut out for the day before finishing the tow package install. I at least got to touch it, sit in it, and start it up. Paperwork's all done, so back tomorrow, I hope!

 

[Ford Motor Company]

It's finally here! Unfortunately, it seems the techs cut out for the day before finishing the tow package install. I at least got to touch it, sit in it, and start it up. Paperwork's all done, so back tomorrow, I hope!

Congrats on your Bronco! Here's to many adventures in your new ride.

 

[Smocaine]

Now it's actually mine! Played with it just about all day and got a little off the road. Scheduled an appointment to have the winch installed. Tonight I'm ordering mudflaps!

 

[Smocaine]

The winch is on! It's been waiting for me for a little while. My plates aren't in yet to fill the front mount, but the whole package looks gorgeous. I also picked up an ARB 20,000# snatch block for a screamin' deal to help jumpstart my recovery accessory hoard.

 

[Smocaine]

Got an isolator for my hook from Rough Country. I was halfway to buying an Ultrahook, but I ended up deciding this $10 puck would allow me to keep the current hook safely against the fairlead. It was a real fight to get it over the thimble, but it fits pretty well overall.

 

[Smocaine]

2024-11-09: RokBlokz mudflaps installed. Original size (non-XL) and black on black. They look great and work great, noticeably reducing spray on the doors and hopefully keeping me from throwing rocks backward.
The assembly process of the RokBlokz is simple but quite tedious. Each flap consists of a stack of a few layers of Kydex-like material that are screwed together. The rounded nut inserts had a lot of burrs on the flat side. I recommend gloves. Once the sandwiches are assembled, installation is very easy. Two screws hold the flaps to their mounts, and the mounts are bolted to the crash bar in the front and the body mount in the rear. The front is a tight fit against the fender liner, that will benefit from a 15mm flat wrench. You'll need a 15mm deep socket and probably an extension 6"+ for the rear.

2024-11-18: Did my first oil change and 5-tire rotation at 1500 miles. The paranoia schedule begins.

2024-12-01: Speaking of paranoia, I ordered some lighting for Black Friday! This beautiful kit from 4x4 Truck LEDs with 4 Diode Dynamics SSC2s - I selected white SAE driving and yellow SAE fog.
Unfortunately, 4x4 Truck LEDs does not want my business and I'm forced to try and put this kit together from other vendors. I do really like the look, so hopefully I can achieve something similar. I've now ordered the similar Panda Motorworks kit with white SAE driving and fog. Fingers crossed that they'll successfully sell me a product! If the same issue occurs, I'll just go there and sort it out in person.

2024-12-04: I ordered a matching set of stainless license plate hardware from McMaster-Carr for the front and rear. The front plate mount on the winch carrier uses a flat plate - I used 1/4-20 machine screws and cap nuts. The rear mounts with the standard Ford #14 x 3/4" sheet metal screws. All will now be matching Security Torx. It's mostly for looks - I don't expect to gain much security - but it should at least stop someone from taking my license plate with a quarter. I may be the only person on Earth to use all 4 boltholes on both plates. The Panda order is delayed.

2024-12-18: The Panda order is (hopefully) shipping this week.

 

[Smocaine]

2024-12-28: The Panda order did not ship that week. It's hard not to be a little frustrated at this point. It is the holiday season, and it does seem like Diode Dynamics is legitimately behind, but I feel like if 4x4TruckLEDs hadn't cancelled my order I'd have my lights set up by now. I likely would not have ordered from Panda if I knew they did not have the product in hand. I have no choice but to stick with the Panda order at this point due to their significant cancellation fee. As we approach the 30-day mark, I am still hopeful they will ship soon despite closing between Christmas and the new year.

During the wait, I've accumulated a lot of accessories. I burned up my Ford Points picking up the Ford/ARB inflator and deflator. I also got a NOCO GB-40 boost pack that came highly reviewed by both Project Farm and my significant other. I made three separate orders to boost my Rewards Tier to Blue, which seems to provide very nebulous benefits, if any. Maybe it's a card I can pull if I have to Karen a dealership.

Adding a compressor and a drawer toolbox to the rear levelled out some of the rake created by the winch on the front. I'm learning all kinds of places to stuff things in this truck - I chose the 2-door life, and I knew well the storage and cargo challenges that entails. The branded Bronco throw blanket (or Bronclet) makes a great cargo cover. I also got myself a small bag to carry my tool batteries and boost pack inside at night so that the cold doesn't zap the lithiums to death.

 

[Smocaine]

2025-01-15: Snow! North Texas got a decent snow-day last week that quickly turned into nasty slush and sleet. I had to go out for this Bronco's first time in the snow. It handled great in 4H. No complaints about the KO2s going, turning, or stopping in that messy stuff. The RokBlokz seemed to really help keep the buildup down, but I still had huge chunks in front of my rear fender - maybe get the Long version of the flaps (at least for the front) if this kind of weather is your home climate.

I heard from Panda Motorworks today for the first time since December 18th (when I was told my order was shipping that week) to learn that my order was still waiting on a set of lights. More and more I wish I had spoken to someone directly to confirm they had exactly what I needed in stock and ready to ship. I still don't have a new ETA, but Diode Dynamics lists a backorder lead time on the SSC2 sets within the kit at 8 weeks and we're at 6 so far, so I guess that's the only estimate I have. Soon. Hopefully.
This stuff is starting to really stress me out and there's some point (before the credit card 90 days) at which I have to pull the plug.

I can't help but wistfully recall that when cancelling my order, 4x4TruckLEDs emailed me back the same day - several times, on a Sunday, no less! I find myself wishing I would have tried harder to get a shipping/billing address combination they were willing to ship to. My place uses Fetch for scheduling and delivering packages, so for all but the US Mail my shipping address is different from my billing address. That was an absolute no-go for 4x4TruckLEDs. It's a complication I see as unnecessary but I've never had any actual issues with their delivery service, let alone having a vendor refuse to ship there.
I was put off by the whole situation, felt like I was being accused of something for buying a product. I figured one vendor was as good as another. I don't know for sure that 4x had the lights in stock either, but they were my first choice for many reasons, not least the expertise and assistance they offer on this forum, and not being able to do business with them kinda sent me rolling down this whole escapade.

I know both of y'all are on here to some degree or another, so if you do read this: No hard feelings, I just want some LIGHTS!

Oh, and now my 7MT sounds like a box of rocks when cold. Happy New Year!
Too bad the Ford-bot died before I ever got to send them my VIN.

2025-01-27: I heard from Panda Motorworks today. The bad: Still no ETA on the SSC2 Sport SAE Drive pods that were holding my order up. The good: They offered to swap them for SS3 Pros at no extra cost. They've told me my order will ship tomorrow. This is a direct upgrade by the numbers, so it's hard to complain about that.
However, complaining is my specialty. I did really want the dual-SSC2 pair kit, I ordered that because that's the look I liked the most. I am not thrilled the whole situation took so long to resolve It isn't quite resolved just yet, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. No pun intended.

To follow: Install, setup, and review of the SS3 Pro SAE Drive and SSC2 Sport SAE Fog, I guess?

 

[Smocaine]

2025-02-10: The lighting situation has finally been amicably resolved. I have more complete write-ups of both the ordering and install experience in other threads, so I'll be lazy and just copy the photos here. I decided to go ahead and put the SS3s on in the original brackets, which looks much better in person than I ever expected.
However, now I have a set of GG Lighting brackets for the top of the bumper that hold up to 4 lights, of up to 5" each, and no lights to put on them! Now that wiring and installation are not so daunting, I am severely tempted to slam 4 floodlights on top of the bumper.

 

[Smocaine]

2025-03-15: I went into 4 Wheel Parts for some free food and got suckered into buying a full Eibach Pro-Truck set. I had a bit of regret and anxiety leaving the store - I intended to stay stock height for a while, and I just laid out a fair bit of cash without really thinking!
All that melted away when I drove the truck afterwards. The ride is noticeably improved, and I certainly don't mind the extra hop-up into the thing. It's tough to describe how much nicer it feels. The extra height is definitely noticeable from the seat. The stance is quite aggressive, though I expect it to settle down a bit.
Enjoy this bad picture while it's still riding high - half of the filth is trail dirt, the other half blew in from the catastrophic dust storm out west.

Sponsored