The Boreal Badlands

[Boreal]

Awesome!

We hope you're loving our SS5 LED pods as ditch lights on your Bronco!

I’ll be giving them some use this weekend!

Meanwhile, to help with the fitment and keeping the lights symmetrical… A quick M6x1.25 with an O-ring under the head should work well enough for now as an Antenna Delete -98% of the time I am using the phone or an iPod for my music source

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[Boreal]

Installed the @Diode Dynamics SS3 Max Type A Fog Kit - Perfect! SS5 covers came in too, I’m happy to wear these Mon-Fri to avoid a needless ticket… they look good and kinda tie into the Aeroskin that I installed this past week too

Got naked for the first time - GCPA T Bolts were a treat to use, OEM doorbags are worth every penny. This is the first time ive been topless/doorless and its weird but I love it.. ill be making some foot rests over the winter for next summer!

In the mean time, I've been working on the tedious finishing bits of my selfbuilt camper - lots going on in prep for a mountainous adventure! Replaced the batteries, greased the hubs, installed some functional mods... On my previous drive, a Subaru FXT(SJ), I had a Wilco Hitchgate spare tire setup that required a longer hitch... instead of using off the shelf extensions we machined one up and it has been given a second life as the Bronco's; it clears the spare tire perfectly! Ill share some more pics in Trip Journal once that story gets underway.

 

[Boreal]

Got the RC Hidden winch in. I confirmed fitment pre-purchase, got the go ahead for the Capable Bumper. Turns out we needed two more bolts and washers - M10x1.5x30mm.

Also, this winch kit does not allow you to free spool without some serious mods to the handle. I ended up fabbing up a spool handle... machining an adapter and welding a bunch of ⅜ 304SS rod together while giving it a 2" offset by 3.5" tall notch to avoid the crossmember. After four or five weld-cut-test-repeat's later, I had the perfect setup to rotate 180º and allow freespool!

You do have to drop the bumper to get to those extra M10x1.5 welded thread bosses. Pop the Sensor/Shackle surrounds off with a trim tool, pop the wiring harness holding clips and drop the six 15mm bolts out.

I topped the winch setup off with a Black Factor 55 Flatlink and Rope Guard. UV protected and stealthy all throughout.

Everything bolted up as expected. I I thought the approach angle would be impeded more, but not really at all when you consider the general shape of the skid vs approach. I hope that I don't have to use this winch terribly much - as that means im stuck in a bunch of snow... but its a good recovery policy to have at any point in time.

 

[Kameronatm]

Got the RC Hidden winch in. I confirmed fitment pre-purchase, got the go ahead for the Capable Bumper. Turns out we needed two more bolts and washers - M10x1.5x30mm.

Also, this winch kit does not allow you to free spool without some serious mods to the handle. I ended up fabbing up a spool handle... machining an adapter and welding a bunch of ⅜ 304SS rod together while giving it a 2" offset by 3.5" tall notch to avoid the crossmember. After four or five weld-cut-test-repeat's later, I had the perfect setup to rotate 180º and allow freespool!

You do have to drop the bumper to get to those extra M10x1.5 welded thread bosses. Pop the Sensor/Shackle surrounds off with a trim tool, pop the wiring harness holding clips and drop the six 15mm bolts out.

I topped the winch setup off with a Black Factor 55 Flatlink and Rope Guard. UV protected and stealthy all throughout.

Everything bolted up as expected. I I thought the approach angle would be impeded more, but not really at all when you consider the general shape of the skid vs approach. I hope that I don't have to use this winch terribly much - as that means im stuck in a bunch of snow... but its a good recovery policy to have at any point in time.

Are you saying that you had to remove the bumper only because you were installing the custom fabricated clutch extension? Or did you have to remove it for the basic install?

 

[Boreal]

Are you saying that you had to remove the bumper only because you were installing the custom fabricated clutch extension? Or did you have to remove it for the basic install?

The RC kit requires the capable bumper to be dropped to get to the two most forward bolt locations… (doesn’t mention this in the instructions). And it requires the two extra bolts/washers for this mount point (also not included - but I did tell the webchat dude this)

 

[Zerawr]

Great build and thank you for the complete list.

Did you have to modify anything for the SS3 Yellow fog lights? or were they plug and play?

My OBX is due this week and it is top of my list.

PS - Your photos from your trip are amazing. You should ask Ford PR to buy some.

 

[Boreal]

Great build and thank you for the complete list.

Did you have to modify anything for the SS3 Yellow fog lights? or were they plug and play?

My OBX is due this week and it is top of my list.

PS - Your photos from your trip are amazing. You should ask Ford PR to buy some.

The Diode fogs just, and I meant just, fit up and aim where you need them to be. It’s a bit of a pain to drop in without removing the bumper… you can’t pull your crash bars off without removing the wings on the capable bumper, which you can’t remove with the crashbars in the way…

So, either drop the bumper or be prepared to fiddle with bolts. Otherwise the Lights are plug and play!

Your OBX might have a different bumper so, your results may vary

thank you, it was a blast of a trip. I’m just glad to share my time with like minded people

 

[Boreal]

Well, coming back off the road trip and into reality has left this build log a little barren.

Without too much nitty gritty details, let’s dive into the changes over the last 13,000kms… fuck these miles are adding up fast.


Some Notable threads - DD Hitch Pod. Bears or Bust

A Pennz Plat OCI the following day I returned home. A new windshield and I exchanged the Kicker 4” dash speakers for some warmer Hertz. Long story short, the VC ingested some dirt and it sounded blown… turns out it was fine all along, but I enjoy the hertz and the less metallic reproduction they offer. During this time I also moved/re-aimed the ss5 pods, they are now further out towards the mirrors - it helps with washer fluid aerodynamics, I get my antenna back and ditch lighting is improved in general.

Some friends managed a border run over Xmas, picking up some parcels from the US. I got the Suma mirrors and JCR Tire Rack swiftly installed. At some point DD shipped the delayed Hitchpod too..

Another OCI for the Green Gremlin, as January and February loomed I opted for Pennz Euro 0w-30. For the first two weeks we’ve been up around -5°c to -15°c, but finally the polar vortex is on her way with -35°c temps this weekend. The winter juice will help every little bit with the bitterness comin down the pipe.

Finally, the latest mod is a Princess Auto/Piston Ring parts collection to DIY a drain for the Catch can! Janky or genius? Cheaper than getting the Mishi drain kit shipped, so it’s a win in my books.

Oh! And Momma got herself a Bronco Sport Badlands in HPR. Nice and comfy little daily for her.

Images in no particular order

 

[Boreal]

The cold has set in, -35ºC these nights/mornings. I like to always carry a little extra fuel on the travels in case of a general emergency, getting stuck, etc. you know.

Im not a fan of any of the roof rack/storage solutions yet, so for the time being the @JcrOffroad Spare tire rack fits the bill for a decent price. It can always be sold in the future if a suitable roof setup comes along or even just used for extra storage on longer trips. The fact that a pair of the DV8 Traction boards fit perfectly in the basket is icing on the cake.

While hunting for this I came across some images and FAQ's that showed and stated that 1&2 Gallon Rotos were tested and proven to work. While yes, the bolt pattern is there for the rotopax DLX mount... It does not immediately fit a 33" tire while spacing the feet inward to clear the third brake light. The Mount fits just fine, but the 2 Gallon Pax is too large for the overhang of the tray, makes contact and just simply doesn't work.

Im not about to change up to a 37" tire and relocate the third brake light for this... the quickest and easiest solution to the solution is to make up a spacer. 4" Delrin. 1.25" Thick. I broke into some of the machines at work between jobs and while guys were on break to whip these up.

Fastenal (Bolt Supply) down the street had 2" long 1/4-20 SS Carriage bolts, and I was able to reuse the supplied washers and lockers. A bit of percussive assistance to seat the carriage heads into the Delrin and in no time the assembly was tight.

The spacer just clears for contact with the hardtop at full door open, and it clears the tray by the slimmest of margins. PERFECT. It all aligned up First Second kick at the can. Its only 15L/4G but its enough to have for a day drive almost to anywhere in Manitoba. For those extended journeys I can always throw a jerry in the cargo area like normal.

With it all going so right, there had to be something to pop up. Hello MIC Micro Fractures..... YAYYYYYYYYYY. Ill have to mention that next time it goes in... March for the Trans ⅚ Synchro TSB..

The latest cool thing the Bronco has lead me to was this Cool Cat! so, at least there is that

 

[Rick Astley]

Should work a treat!

You get colder temps than i'll ever get, but those thread tapes have a questionable lifespan in my experience. Once I started using the tried and true Indian Head Shellac on my modern cars the issues went away. This is OG stuff that was the best available in the 60's and an old hotrodder secret weapon to have in your trunk tool kit.

 

[NVCowboy]

Installed the @Diode Dynamics SS3 Max Type A Fog Kit - Perfect! SS5 covers came in too, I’m happy to wear these Mon-Fri to avoid a needless ticket… they look good and kinda tie into the Aeroskin that I installed this past week too

Got naked for the first time - GCPA T Bolts were a treat to use, OEM doorbags are worth every penny. This is the first time ive been topless/doorless and its weird but I love it.. ill be making some foot rests over the winter for next summer!

In the mean time, I've been working on the tedious finishing bits of my selfbuilt camper - lots going on in prep for a mountainous adventure! Replaced the batteries, greased the hubs, installed some functional mods... On my previous drive, a Subaru FXT(SJ), I had a Wilco Hitchgate spare tire setup that required a longer hitch... instead of using off the shelf extensions we machined one up and it has been given a second life as the Bronco's; it clears the spare tire perfectly! Ill share some more pics in Trip Journal once that story gets underway.

I love your trailer build. I’ve been building my own cargo conversion as a distraction during the wait for my Bronco. I had a standard tongue jack that rattled down on a washboard road (it was bad). I had my neighbor weld on a removable jack, so I never have to worry again.

 

[604Bronco]

Not sure it’s legal to drill holes into a hockey puck in Canada

Great setup though! Looks awesome and love your solution.

 

[dentonmd]

GCPA Bolts thrown in, and still haven't had a chance to take the roof of either rig so far. Between the bitterly cold winter, the torrential spring and continuing on as a wet summer, we have hardly had more than two days of good weather at a time

Brother, this build is absolutely epic. So many folks over index on vanity parts but everything you’ve posted is a utility MOD with exceptional thought. BRAVO!!!

Did I miss the link to these replacement bolts? As a Texan who is also trading a soft top base BigBend in next week for a hard top Badlands, I’m desperate to make the top removal as easy as possible. I’ve gotten addicted to quoting Thelma and Louise at every red light.

 

[Boreal]

I love your trailer build. I’ve been building my own cargo conversion as a distraction during the wait for my Bronco.

On my travels I met a couple with a Cargo conversion. This thing had a king(queen?) size bed, sitting room with a small table, a kitchenette with a Dometic fridge and a shitter. It was wild how setup this thing was, storage for about two weeks of supplies - about the same size as yours. Fortunately DIY’s are anything you need them to be to fit your intended use. Best of luck on the build and figuring it out along the way!!

Not sure it’s legal to drill holes into a hockey puck in Canada

Great setup though! Looks awesome and love your solution.

The RCMP are tagging this as a hate crime, I just know it. Good thing they don’t do anything with intelligence

Brother, this build is absolutely epic. So many folks over index on vanity parts but everything you’ve posted is a utility MOD with exceptional thought. BRAVO!!!

Did I miss the link to these replacement bolts? As a Texan who is also trading a soft top base BigBend in next week for a hard top Badlands, I’m desperate to make the top removal as easy as possible. I’ve gotten addicted to quoting Thelma and Louise at every red light.

Function > Form, almost every time! It’s you handy, you better be handsome. That goes for the parts list too!

You’ll enjoy the upgrades within the BB->BL transition. Suspension is a big one, and I find the AT tires like to sit around 34psi.

I don’t have any links posted but the T Bolts should be easily found on the google. Also check out Rockworx? As an alternative. I think that’s the name. They have aluminum knurled HT bolts along with the ones that bolt to the top of the roll cage

 

[Boreal]

Another tire rotation wrapped up @ 35,700kms. I think I’ll get about 60,000kms out of these tires or so… they may push to 70,000. Replacement could be next winter sometime.

The rig updated to 3.5.4. I’d like to mention that through these updates the “Bucking Bronco” Manual trans quirk has been eliminated. I haven’t had a bucking event in months. Curiously, the cold idle RPMs feel as if they run longer than before.. at stop lights in neutral it’ll be sitting at 900-1000rpm while at +30°c oil temp. Where I felt previously it dropped to the 700-800rpm “warm idle” mark as soon as you leapt off the line for the first time

And the finicky window roll up must have been adjusted too. Either a cold day with more resistance on the motor or driving over washboard. The window roll up would time out or assume that a kids head is in the way, that’s no longer the case, or atleast the parameters were tailored for a more expected and predictable experience.

Finally the headlights don’t turn on randomly while the vehicle is parked anymore, but they do sometimes stay on for a couple of minutes post drive

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