The 2023 Shadow Black Base Experience

[GPPBronco]

Fun morning at Holly Oaks ORV with @Mattwings and the Michigan Bronco Club. Highlights:

• Stopping to pull out an ATV stuck up to its fenders in mud
• Climbing the “slick rock” of Potato Salad @ Magna Peak
• Two loops around Endurance Trail to use Crawl Control (first time) on the steeper declines
• Finally got the hang of airing down with my ARB deflator
• Using the skids on a couple gnarly break over tests
• Climbing/descending the staircases
• Experimenting with Sand Mode and 4L to maximize traction on dusty and slick packed dirt.

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[Mattwings]

Fun morning at Holly Oaks ORV with @Mattwings and the Michigan Bronco Club. Highlights:

• Stopping to pull out an ATV stuck up to its fenders in mud
• Climbing the “slick rock” of Potato Salad @ Magna Peak
• Two loops around Endurance Trail to use Crawl Control (first time) on the steeper declines
• Finally got the hang of airing down with my ARB deflator
• Using the skids on a couple gnarly break over tests
• Climbing/descending the staircases
• Experimenting with Sand Mode and 4L to maximize traction on dusty and slick packed dirt.

Fun morning at Holly Oaks ORV with @Mattwings and the Michigan Bronco Club. Highlights:

• Stopping to pull out an ATV stuck up to its fenders in mud
• Climbing the “slick rock” of Potato Salad @ Magna Peak
• Two loops around Endurance Trail to use Crawl Control (first time) on the steeper declines
• Finally got the hang of airing down with my ARB deflator
• Using the skids on a couple gnarly break over tests
• Climbing/descending the staircases
• Experimenting with Sand Mode and 4L to maximize traction on dusty and slick packed dirt.
  [ here are a couple of shorts from today. Mt Magna interior and exterior.
  
  
  
  

 

[GPPBronco]

Went back to Holly Oaks for the second weekend in a row. Pushed the Bronco a little harder today.

Ended up on some rocky climbs that I didn’t think I’d be able to ascend. In the Badger Head/Rumbles area of the park for those who might be familiar.

Climbed Mt. Magna again, this time without a spotter.

Can’t say enough how capable I’ve found the Base non-sas on 33s, aired down, and a light touch on the skinny pedal.

Here’s a pic just before a vacuum/wash on the way home.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Went back to Holly Oaks for the second weekend in a row. Pushed the Bronco a little harder today.

Ended up on some rocky climbs that I didn’t think I’d be able to ascend. In the Badger Head/Rumbles area of the park for those who might be familiar.

Climbed Mt. Magna again, this time without a spotter.

Can’t say enough how capable I’ve found the Base non-sas on 33s, aired down, and a light touch on the skinny pedal.

Here’s a pic just before a vacuum/wash on the way home.

Looks like you had a great time! We hope you enjoyed your adventure!

 

[GPPBronco]

Detroit to Marquette for the weekend. Nine hours through overlapping winter weather advisories. 4Hi and cruising at 60mph all the way up. Was concerned about the Falken Wildpeak MT on the packed snow and ice but they eat it up!

Headed out for more driving/sightseeing tomorrow. More pics coming.

 

[GPPBronco]

After the morning’s coffee and toast in Marquette, my wife opted to stay warm, order another cup and read, while I ventured out for a couple hours.

On the west side of Marquette, I headed up CR 510. A road we’ve driven before - always in summer. Road was empty, but very hard packed ice and snow. Those of you in the snow belt know what I’m talking about - roads that look like white glass.

The bronco was excellent in 4hi cruising through the winding roads. Big hills with a mix of hairpins and sweeping curves. Found and followed a few of the “truck trails” being semi-maintained in the winter.

Drove north to AAA Road and west for a few miles. I heard it’s an excellent summer route to L’Anse. Will be back for that mudventure in the spring/summer.

Considering today’s drive and Friday’s journey from Detroit in heavy snowfall - I’m going to wholly endorse the Falken Wildpeak’s as a winter-friendly M/T. It honestly doesn’t feel like a trade off, and these things aren’t new anymore (25k miles).

 

[GPPBronco]

Well, after 30k miles on the OEM steelies and Falken M/T, I’ve decided to change it up. The steelies are all rusting in the seams, and the M/T are still performing great but the road noise is well above subtle.

I’ve always liked the Black Diamond optional alloy wheels and I gotta say, they look really nice with the shadow black. This set of takeoffs have 2k miles.

The General Grabbers will get swapped over to the wife’s 4Runner. At that time I’ll add a set of 285/70r17 to the alloys.

Open to recommendations for A/T tires (prefer SL or C load) in a 285/70 size! Leaning toward a set of BFG KO3.

 

[BeerForMyHorses]

Checking back in again. It's been almost a couple years since I last commented on your thread. Your post inspired me to stick with the base steelies and grab the skinny 33" Falkens. I've been running it for a couple years and I still love the utilitarian look of it. I see what you mean about the steelies rusting at the seams though. Mine aren't noticeable yet but it's got me thinking of what I'll upgrade to eventually. Have you upgraded any suspension components yet? I know you mentioned you were aware of the unsprung weight being increased.

 

[Blackcat]

Checking back in again. It's been almost a couple years since I last commented on your thread. Your post inspired me to stick with the base steelies and grab the skinny 33" Falkens. I've been running it for a couple years and I still love the utilitarian look of it. I see what you mean about the steelies rusting at the seams though. Mine aren't noticeable yet but it's got me thinking of what I'll upgrade to eventually. Have you upgraded any suspension components yet? I know you mentioned you were aware of the unsprung weight being increased.

Can you post pics of that set up? I'm thinking about doing the same to my 22 with Base Steelies.

 

[BeerForMyHorses]

Can you post pics of that set up? I'm thinking about doing the same to my 22 with Base Steelies.

Yeah I'll dig some up. You can look at OPs in this thread in the meantime, that's where I got the inspiration. Mine look just as good (a little better if I'm being honest because I have the square KBD fender flares and hot pepper red > shadow black ). I don't have the artistic eye that OP does when it comes to taking pics of my bronco so here's some of OPs pics that I think capture the "look" best:

Original post: https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/the-2023-shadow-black-base-experience.63687/

Close ups: https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/the-2023-shadow-black-base-experience.63687/post-1799000

Other helpful angles: https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/the-2023-shadow-black-base-experience.63687/post-1938771

Topless: https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/the-2023-shadow-black-base-experience.63687/post-2003109

Edit: the picture in my thumbnail is not my bronco. That's an image I found on the internet in like 2021 when I was waiting for my bronco to be made.

2nd edit: here's the KBD fender flares I bought. I love the look of them. I haven't paint matched mine but will someday to give it that retro early bronco look: https://www.kbdbodykits.com/ford-br...MI5MmqtNmLkgMV81F_AB1CIS_EEAQYASABEgKmyPD_BwE

 

[Blackcat]

Yeah I'll dig some up. You can look at OPs in this thread in the meantime, that's where I got the inspiration. Mine look just as good (a little better if I'm being honest because I have the square KBD fender flares and hot pepper red > shadow black ). I don't have the artistic eye that OP does when it comes to taking pics of my bronco so here's some of OPs pics that I think capture the "look" best:

Original post: https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/the-2023-shadow-black-base-experience.63687/

Close ups: https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/the-2023-shadow-black-base-experience.63687/post-1799000

Other helpful angles: https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/the-2023-shadow-black-base-experience.63687/post-1938771

Topless: https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/the-2023-shadow-black-base-experience.63687/post-2003109

Edit: the picture in my thumbnail is not my bronco. That's an image I found on the internet in like 2021 when I was waiting for my bronco to be made.

2nd edit: here's the KBD fender flares I bought. I love the look of them. I haven't paint matched mine but will someday to give it that retro early bronco look: https://www.kbdbodykits.com/ford-br...MI5MmqtNmLkgMV81F_AB1CIS_EEAQYASABEgKmyPD_BwE

Thanks! I'm a little biased as well since I have Hot Pepper on my Base!

 

[BeerForMyHorses]

Thanks! I'm a little biased as well since I have Hot Pepper on my Base!

He's a couple pictures of mine. One is from the day I had the tires installed and still had the stock fender flares, and the other picture is with the KBD fender flares

 

[GPPBronco]

Checking back in again. It's been almost a couple years since I last commented on your thread. Your post inspired me to stick with the base steelies and grab the skinny 33" Falkens. I've been running it for a couple years and I still love the utilitarian look of it. I see what you mean about the steelies rusting at the seams though. Mine aren't noticeable yet but it's got me thinking of what I'll upgrade to eventually. Have you upgraded any suspension components yet? I know you mentioned you were aware of the unsprung weight being increased.

I’ve been on a set of black diamond takeoff alloys since spring. My base steelies had been powder coated by a Ford service dept. that marred them up and agreed to make it right. But that finish made it harder to match touch up paint. So they were rusting pretty badly in the seams.

I put 285/70r17 on the black diamond takeoffs, to see if I liked the look of that size any better. And to reduce some weight at the corners (AT tread patterns and lighter load ratings in this size). Personally, don’t think the gain in width is worth it for the somewhat shorter tire. But that’s nitpicking. It looks cool! And the KO3 are better behaved than the Falken MT, which got pretty loud at about 35k.

In 20k-30k More miles it will be time for some new shocks. So I may look into an upgrade that can provide some lift and accommodate a heavier tall/skinny option (35x10.5r17?) on these rims, or maybe on a set of black diamond steelies rattle canned silver, so I can just touch up endlessly. My bet would be on the steelies.

Tell me about the KBD flares! Any negatives? They look great. Do the 33” Falkens still tuck under them?

 

[BeerForMyHorses]

I’ve been on a set of black diamond takeoff alloys since spring. My base steelies had been powder coated by a Ford service dept. that marred them up and agreed to make it right. But that finish made it harder to match touch up paint. So they were rusting pretty badly in the seams.

I put 285/70r17 on the black diamond takeoffs, to see if I liked the look of that size any better. And to reduce some weight at the corners (AT tread patterns and lighter load ratings in this size). Personally, don’t think the gain in width is worth it for the somewhat shorter tire. But that’s nitpicking. It looks cool! And the KO3 are better behaved than the Falken MT, which got pretty loud at about 35k.

In 20k-30k More miles it will be time for some new shocks. So I may look into an upgrade that can provide some lift and accommodate a heavier tall/skinny option (35x10.5r17?) on these rims, or maybe on a set of black diamond steelies rattle canned silver, so I can just touch up endlessly. My bet would be on the steelies.
View attachment 777273
Tell me about the KBD flares! Any negatives? They look great. Do the 33” Falkens still tuck under them?

Bronco looks great. I haven't checked local ads for take-off parts in awhile. Might need to now.

It's been on my mind that these 33" falkens are testing the base broncos stock suspension max capabilities and I'm not interested in finding out what it's breaking point is. I'm considering these rough country struts.
https://www.roughcountry.com/product/configurable/ford-bronco-lift-kit-591141

So far no negatives other than when I installed the flares. It was colder outside, probably about 45 degrees, so the plastic was not pliable and the adhesive wasn't sticking great. I think the instructions recommended warmer temps but oh well. I had to reach out to KBD to get new adhesive which they sent free of charge. The adhesive isn't technically necessary because the flares are bolted on, but it gives a seamless look with it. If you go that route, wait for a warm sunny day to save a headache. Here's the b6g post that inspired me to grab the KBD flares. The falkens tuck under very similarly to the pictures in this post. I'll snap a pic later to show you
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/the-new-50th-anniversary-bronco-ranger-edition.83737/

 

[Blackcat]

He's a couple pictures of mine. One is from the day I had the tires installed and still had the stock fender flares, and the other picture is with the KBD fender flares

Awesome, thank you so much!

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