Aug 11, 2023
I obtained a 2023 Big Bend 4 Door build in a two-way car purchase deal. It was a win/win selling a 2014 Laguna Blue C7 Corvette convertible back to its original owner and taking ownership of the build they placed with Ford.
A four-wheel vehicle is what we needed to explore the Blue Ridge mountains of Highlands, NC. And a little over a year ago we purchased a vacation rental home perched on a mountain ridge (High Ridge Haven) where negotiating the gravel drive to our home was initially sketchy with only a front-wheel drive vehicle. Now with a Bronco, and a newly paved drive, we are able to explore the trails and surroundings with enthusiasm and style.
Not being the one to create the original build there were changes I wanted to make. If there is a theme for these updates it is to protect the vehicle in a protective way while adding a few details to suit its purpose in the mountains:
A-Pillar Lights:
In the mountains you can find yourself off road or in the clouds. Either way, you want to improve road visibility. Having a pair of these lights not only dresses up the Bronco with a cool accessory, but it is both affordable and practical. I purchased the Auxbeam 6 modes Amber / White LED Lights 4 inch. I could have gone small and square but the slight roundness of these is complimentary to the round headlights. It took less than 30 minutes to install them at just about $100.
Mountain Graphics:
There are so many Cactus Grey Broncos out there. I really felt a desire to be different. After spending a few weeks looking at various graphic decals, I found one that resonated with a mountain style. Bonus points for graphic that is black, grey and silver matching the Big Bend badge. The hood vinyl graphic with mountain and trees I found on Etsy for $54.00. The side vinyl graphic I purchased from RoughGrounds.com for $175.00. While the original idea was to install these myself, I quickly realized this three-piece graphic was going to require someone with prior experience. I had them professionally installed.
Console Cover: Adding an armrest console cover makes so much sense. You want to protect the original car finishes, but also have something comfortable to rest your arm. This center console from BEEGROW purchased on Amazon for under $25 was a nice find. See the diamond stitching in the photo below.
Leather Seat Covers: The Bronco was ordered with two-tone cloth seats. The appearance is quite striking against the accents of the car dashboard. Adding car seat covers is really my way of protecting the original seats while adding a bit of lux to the interior. They are Pu leather car seat protectors but I was so impressed with the fit of them. These were from Xipoo Fit purchased on Amazon for around $180. Perhaps, one of the least expensive upgrades with the biggest bang for the buck!
Before:
After:
Plastic Floor Mats: This Bronco is going to be bucking up some sloppy roads and after a day of hiking trails, the sand, grit and dirt is going to make a mess of the carpeted flooring. The back had no carpet mats. The purchase of the Bronco awarded me with enough FordPass reward points to purchase floor liners for carpet floors. And there really is nothing better than purchasing products engineered for the fit and finish precisely for your vehicle. Ford did not disappoint on the cost or the quality. It's always nice to see the Bronco name and badging carried throughout in an authentic way.
Mud Flaps: Traveling over gravel roads I've noticed a lot of stones being kicked up underneath the Bronco hitting the running boards. The sound is unnerving. I don't want to be chipping the paint given the investment in the vehicle and vinyl graphics. Again, given the inexpensive cost of the mud flaps ($55 per front or rear set), I was able to order them directly from Ford. I don't have a photo since I haven't installed them yet.
The photo below shows how mud gets kicked up on the side of the vehicle without mud flaps. I've seen video showing just how much this is reduced with mud flaps installed.
Dash Cam: The last of my modifications, also part of the theme of protecting the vehicle, was purchasing the Garmin Mini 2 dash cam and Dongar dash cam power adapter. It is just a matter of time before someone swinging out over the double lines on a mountain curve road tags my front end. I can only hug the right side of the road so far. When that day comes, I will have a video showing who was at fault. This dash cam is so small with such a neat installation. It is tucked up behind the mirror on the windshield and it derives its power from the mirror using the power adapter leaving no wires to have to tuck out of sight. Both items were purchased off Amazon.
Wheel Nut Locks: If you have the Sasquatch package you may want to protect the investment in the wheels. There's not a whole lot out there that experienced thieves can't break through, but there is one ingenious family-run American-based company with a solution that is a very clever solution that might just have thieves moving along to an easier find. I purchased wheel locks from Advanced Wheel Locks. They are highly reviewed.
We have used the Ford Bronco to seek hidden waterfalls over dirt and gravel roads, found our way up mountain roads that most cars will never pass to look out at valleys from new heights. As a sort of accidental Bronco owner, I've sure been sucked in to Bronco Nation!
A four-wheel vehicle is what we needed to explore the Blue Ridge mountains of Highlands, NC. And a little over a year ago we purchased a vacation rental home perched on a mountain ridge (High Ridge Haven) where negotiating the gravel drive to our home was initially sketchy with only a front-wheel drive vehicle. Now with a Bronco, and a newly paved drive, we are able to explore the trails and surroundings with enthusiasm and style.
Not being the one to create the original build there were changes I wanted to make. If there is a theme for these updates it is to protect the vehicle in a protective way while adding a few details to suit its purpose in the mountains:
A-Pillar Lights:
In the mountains you can find yourself off road or in the clouds. Either way, you want to improve road visibility. Having a pair of these lights not only dresses up the Bronco with a cool accessory, but it is both affordable and practical. I purchased the Auxbeam 6 modes Amber / White LED Lights 4 inch. I could have gone small and square but the slight roundness of these is complimentary to the round headlights. It took less than 30 minutes to install them at just about $100.Mountain Graphics:
There are so many Cactus Grey Broncos out there. I really felt a desire to be different. After spending a few weeks looking at various graphic decals, I found one that resonated with a mountain style. Bonus points for graphic that is black, grey and silver matching the Big Bend badge. The hood vinyl graphic with mountain and trees I found on Etsy for $54.00. The side vinyl graphic I purchased from RoughGrounds.com for $175.00. While the original idea was to install these myself, I quickly realized this three-piece graphic was going to require someone with prior experience. I had them professionally installed.
Console Cover: Adding an armrest console cover makes so much sense. You want to protect the original car finishes, but also have something comfortable to rest your arm. This center console from BEEGROW purchased on Amazon for under $25 was a nice find. See the diamond stitching in the photo below.
Leather Seat Covers: The Bronco was ordered with two-tone cloth seats. The appearance is quite striking against the accents of the car dashboard. Adding car seat covers is really my way of protecting the original seats while adding a bit of lux to the interior. They are Pu leather car seat protectors but I was so impressed with the fit of them. These were from Xipoo Fit purchased on Amazon for around $180. Perhaps, one of the least expensive upgrades with the biggest bang for the buck!
Before:
After:
Plastic Floor Mats: This Bronco is going to be bucking up some sloppy roads and after a day of hiking trails, the sand, grit and dirt is going to make a mess of the carpeted flooring. The back had no carpet mats. The purchase of the Bronco awarded me with enough FordPass reward points to purchase floor liners for carpet floors. And there really is nothing better than purchasing products engineered for the fit and finish precisely for your vehicle. Ford did not disappoint on the cost or the quality. It's always nice to see the Bronco name and badging carried throughout in an authentic way.
Mud Flaps: Traveling over gravel roads I've noticed a lot of stones being kicked up underneath the Bronco hitting the running boards. The sound is unnerving. I don't want to be chipping the paint given the investment in the vehicle and vinyl graphics. Again, given the inexpensive cost of the mud flaps ($55 per front or rear set), I was able to order them directly from Ford. I don't have a photo since I haven't installed them yet.
The photo below shows how mud gets kicked up on the side of the vehicle without mud flaps. I've seen video showing just how much this is reduced with mud flaps installed.
Dash Cam: The last of my modifications, also part of the theme of protecting the vehicle, was purchasing the Garmin Mini 2 dash cam and Dongar dash cam power adapter. It is just a matter of time before someone swinging out over the double lines on a mountain curve road tags my front end. I can only hug the right side of the road so far. When that day comes, I will have a video showing who was at fault. This dash cam is so small with such a neat installation. It is tucked up behind the mirror on the windshield and it derives its power from the mirror using the power adapter leaving no wires to have to tuck out of sight. Both items were purchased off Amazon.
Wheel Nut Locks: If you have the Sasquatch package you may want to protect the investment in the wheels. There's not a whole lot out there that experienced thieves can't break through, but there is one ingenious family-run American-based company with a solution that is a very clever solution that might just have thieves moving along to an easier find. I purchased wheel locks from Advanced Wheel Locks. They are highly reviewed.
We have used the Ford Bronco to seek hidden waterfalls over dirt and gravel roads, found our way up mountain roads that most cars will never pass to look out at valleys from new heights. As a sort of accidental Bronco owner, I've sure been sucked in to Bronco Nation!
MarkB, Chief Ron
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Aug 11, 2023