Ode to 3 years and counting

I got my Bronco on Feb 6, 2023. It'll be three years on Feb 6, 2026, in about four weeks. This is an ode to that time.

I originally ordered a WT. But then I downgraded to a BL w/Sas on the actual order, since I'm not a speed guy. The 2.3l was good enough for me.

My original order was a Cyber Orange 2dr. 18months later, it was a Carbonized Gray Metallic because of course, Ford stopped making the tri color Cyber Orange after two model years. I actually appreciate this a lot, I don't want a tri color painted vehicle. If I knew what I was doing, I'd have gotten Iconic Silver, but I didn't.

My dealer "accidentally" ordered a 4dr Cyber Orange Bronco, which came in the last week of 2021. I passed, I wanted a 2dr and only a 2dr. I saw it several times at the local Buc-ees, always like "that was it" and never "I should've..."

It came in of course when I was sick with Covid, almost exactly 18 months later and the fourth order?? But that next weekend it went off road. That first year I went off road 47 times. People thought I was crazy taking a $50k new truck off road, but that's what I got it for. Went on several trips to Hidden Falls (Austin), Merus (Amarillo, TX), Bridgeport (DFW) and Barnwell (East Texas).

Special shout out to @EddieN, we had several good times on the trails, both learning.

I customized my Bronco some, mostly for wear: @StinkBug high clearance bumpers, rock rails and skid plates, 74Weld Stage 3 steering rack that @mpeugeot helped me install. That's actually almost it, except the FP 2.3L tune w/ASS memory. I put Maxxis Razr Mud Terrains on, and yeah, they do make a difference off road. I also put a woven cover on the console, woo hoo!

So anyhow, I love driving my Bronco. After that first year, my activity dropped off a lot, but not because of the Bronco. It is way more capable than I am. My Bronco is a reflection of what I care about, and I love it.

I hope you love yours too. It is a lifestyle. I've spent more than I should have, but don't have any regrets. Live the life you love, and this is the life I love.

Oh yeah, forgot I had the dealer install the FP rear diff cover about eight months ago. I also have the Next Venture rear diff plate still in the box. Yeah, it took me a while to figure out how to spend money. (I mean geez, I have the 74Weld Stage 3 steering rack @SierraBronco.) Let's not add up all the stuff that's still sitting in boxes in my garage...

But I still have the HOSS 2.0 steering rack. I tried to give it away and then sell it, but thankfully I still have it, in case the top of the line steering rack I have shits the bed. Hey, buy the inner tie rods, oh yeah, I did that wrong too... lol

Just think of the headwinds early 6g Bronco owners faced. We are the miracle. It's been such a trip.

Oh yeah, another thing I forgot: I've got the @Suma Performance mirrors. Those fuckers, man, I hated them until they just disappeared. I have vertigo, so the two weeks it took to get use to them was pretty awful. I almost took them off. But now, they work and for what I paid, totally worth it. I have no association with them, just the stock mirrors are so limiting. The Suma mirrors really make a difference for me.

It doesn't look like much, but look at the rear tire doing the wave.



That DV8 front license plate holder didn't last long, either.

And one of the dumber things I've done in my Bronco, "hay y'all, let's do a buggy stunt but in my Bronco!!" When the people on the buggy's are coming back down the hill to watch that crazy Bronco, maybe I should've thought a little bit more about it. But, I survived. Somehow.



I was infamous at Bridgeport for turning that triangular rock. The correct approach was a steady low-speed drive through the obstacle, which I very much violated and y'know, poured pepper and spice on. Inside the cab I thought I was cooked, but I only broke a single mount for the engine plate.

What you don't see behind Eddie is the 8-10 folks who walked down the hill to see the Bronco do the buggy stunt. I was glad to be done with it when I got through, but that group was like, I can't believe a Bronco even tried.

It's not shown in the video, but I did get through it right after the video stopped. I can't remember his name, but thank you for recording that and sharing it afterwards.

And just because I like this video, Wolf Caves in Mason, TX. Central TX has it's own little super grippy Moab-like area, only it's deconstructed marble and giant boulders instead of slabs (mostly). Ketemcy 2/3 and Wolf Caves, this is why I got the steering rack and the heavy duty armor. But of course I'm too chicken to go. Kurt said he wanted me to have 13" clearance! I only have 11". I dunno. It's a tough place all around.

I've already included and thanked several people, but WTH. This forum has made a difference for me when it comes to all things off road and 4x4 and really quite beyond.

@EddieN and @KingCakeKid for going off roading with me.

@flip and @Ducati1098, y'all make 6g matter in a lot of ways. All the love for y'all, even though I've been a PITA for y'all at times. 6g would not be the same without you. IYKYK.

@mpeugeot, dude thanks man. Literally could not have installed that overpriced steering rack without you. Also, as a bonus, it was super interesting to see you work the waitress at that diner we ate at, you are da man!

@Brian_B, @PWillette, @SierraBronco and @87-Z28, learned so much just reading what y'all have to say. I can only make jokes most of the times to cover up for my lack of focus, but man, really dig y'alls dive into all things complicated and twisted.

@BigMeatsBronco is da man, Christ hip hip hooray for that guy!!

It’s great to see folks out trail riding in their Broncos! I am with you, 800 miles on the odometer when I hit the trails. I bought it at the end of August and am about to roll 12K miles already. Uwharrie a couple of times, Brown Mountain, SCAR, and I’ve got plans to run the Georgia Traverse and SCAR again in a few weeks.

userdude said:

I've already included and thanked several people, but WTH. This forum has made a difference for me when it comes to all things off road and 4x4 and really quite beyond.

@EddieN and @KingCakeKid for going off roading with me.

@flip and @Ducati1098, y'all make 6g matter in a lot of ways. All the love for y'all, even though I've been a PITA for y'all at times. 6g would not be the same without you. IYKYK.

@mpeugeot, dude thanks man. Literally could not have installed that overpriced steering rack without you. Also, as a bonus, it was super interesting to see you work the waitress at that diner we ate at, you are da man!

@Brian_B, @PWillette, @SierraBronco and @87-Z28, learned so much just reading what y'all have to say. I can only make jokes most of the times to cover up for my lack of focus, but man, really dig y'alls dive into all things complicated and twisted.

@BigMeatsBronco is da man, Christ hip hip hooray for that guy!!

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Thanks for the kind words dude! So much real world knowledge here ^^^^ and a couple mad scientist to keep things interesting. And, of course, the entertainment value is priceless!

userdude said:

I've already included and thanked several people, but WTH. This forum has made a difference for me when it comes to all things off road and 4x4 and really quite beyond.

@EddieN and @KingCakeKid for going off roading with me.

@flip and @Ducati1098, y'all make 6g matter in a lot of ways. All the love for y'all, even though I've been a PITA for y'all at times. 6g would not be the same without you. IYKYK.

@mpeugeot, dude thanks man. Literally could not have installed that overpriced steering rack without you. Also, as a bonus, it was super interesting to see you work the waitress at that diner we ate at, you are da man!

@Brian_B, @PWillette, @SierraBronco and @87-Z28, learned so much just reading what y'all have to say. I can only make jokes most of the times to cover up for my lack of focus, but man, really dig y'alls dive into all things complicated and twisted.

@BigMeatsBronco is da man, Christ hip hip hooray for that guy!!

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I have imposter syndrome being mentioned with those guys, but it was still a fun read!

Now I’m just waiting for when I get to watch the videos again with sound.

We should link up at Bridgeport sometime. I always end up going solo and just finding a similarly-capable-looking rig to follow.
I might not be as crazy as you, though...

We all have imposter syndrome, many of us just don’t want to admit it.

Bridgeport is fun for sure! Just out of curiosity, why did you say you would have went iconic silver for the paint. Anything special about it??

Just wanna say when u said you downgraded to a BL, I disagree. The BL is better all around compared to WT

BroncocnorB said:

Just wanna say when u said you downgraded to a BL, I disagree. The BL is better all around compared to WT

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