What did you do to your Bronco today?

raqball

And we debated if we even wanted to down that trail as it didn't look like much and / or if it even went anywhere interesting. Turned out to be the best views of the day! Not that the others were bad, but that view of all 3 peaks was amazing! 😍 💪 👍

just beautiful country. Jealous of your trip.

TK1215

So I was hoping to have a two part update today. So yesterday I ran over to Foutz Motor Sport and picked up a rear differential skid. Last night after dinner I went to install the skid and upon removing the lower six bolts I raised it up to start installing and I discovered that a tab in between two lower bolts hit against a rib in the cover. The instructions specifically stated that it would fit both the stock differential cover and the FP one. Even utilizing the spacers that are supplied, it still hits in that spot. My best guess is that they May have changed their original design and this is old stock. Oh well I will reach out on Monday and get this sorted out.

I have the same problem with the one from DV8. My installer just adjusted the holes bit and then everything was fine. I guess that's the upside to being old and having a bad back. I can't even do the simple installs much anymore, so I have to pay someone to do them. Mines a '22, so I wonder of Ford changed the location just a little in '23. I got the one that fits a '23+, and maybe you got the one that fits the older '21 and '22 Broncos or something like that.

Chief Ron

Time to break out the grinder on the skid plate tab and do a lil form fitting.

🐎

Yup, that's what my installer did with my DV8 skid. No biggie.

JoergH

Yup, that's what my installer did with my DV8 skid. No biggie.

I had to cut up my DV8 as well.... was not all that hard. Used a cardboard template to match the skid and then trimmed the cardboard until it matched and fit the cover.... Used the cardboard to mark and cut the skid... Turned out well.

Did the first oil change this morning. This is the first vehicle I have had in the last 40 years that I can slide right under to do the work without using ramps. The Bronco only has 1500 km on it, but I am obsessive about oil changes.

Turn Off road hard top.

Unicorn

I had to cut up my DV8 as well.... was not all that hard. Used a cardboard template to match the skid and then trimmed the cardboard until it matched and fit the cover.... Used the cardboard to mark and cut the skid... Turned out well.

I reached out and they have been responsive to my dilemma. I forwarded my photos and they are huddled with the designers/part engineer. My guess is that they had an older Ford Performance differential cover and that there was a change made to it. We will see what happens. I have no problem being their test Guinea Pig for a corrected mock up.

TK1215

I reached out and they have been responsive to my dilemma. I forwarded my photos and they are huddled with the designers/part engineer. My guess is that they had an older Ford Performance differential cover and that there was a change made to it. We will see what happens. I have no problem being their test Guinea Pig for a corrected mock up.

I meant to comment before with your picture, the new cover looks great. Glad you are getting this sorted!

Lots O Fords

Way back when I was a mechanic and saw damage caused by not servicing fluids, I was a fanatic about changing fluids frequently.

Fast forward 45 years.

Components have changed, fluids have changed and I changed.

Now I have fluids tested after each change, and create service intervals for my fleet. I was amazed how much further I could extend oil changes. And catch problems early.
My gas vehicles I go by the recommended service intervals. I have no problem going over 100k before service.

Before I started testing I aired to the side of caution and changed more frequently.

Any chance of water contamination it's change it now.

So as @Unicorn said, your opinion and I'll add, experience determines when. If unsure, change it.

The Royal Purple High Horsepower oil in my Shelby guarantees 12k miles between changes. I still do every 5k but it always looks practically new when I do. I like fresh fluids and filters since what comes out can say alot about what's going on inside. Technology and engineering combined with chemists in development have improved vehicle lifespans and intervals. That said it's even more crucial to have clean oil and air filters in forced induction applications.

Deano Bronc

Woah, some of those mileage numbers are insane. No way would I wait till 150,000 to change all of those fluids. I guess in a perfect world, those intervals would work. I changed all the diff fluids plus the transfer case fluid at 20k and probably won't do it again till 50k. I hadn't thought much about the transmission fluid until @TK1215 mentioned how much better his is shifting. Hmmm, I'll have to see how tough it is to change fluid and filter.

I just turned 25k yesterday. That last 5,000 miles went really quick due to the trip to Moab earlier this year. Next year I have 2 very large trips planned so the miles will start to rack up pretty quickly.

Good to know Ford expects our Broncos to last atleast 150k miles!

Got the Apex RCV rapid deflators installed. Took like 5 minutes total and that was with airing back up afterwards with my power tank.

Time will tell if they leak like my RPV's did but I don't think those were installed correctly. I'll see if these are leaking in the morning. So far, it does not look like they are.

The RCV's are a simple install. Remove valve core and replace with the RCV. I lost about 5 psi per tire when doing the swaparoo.

I need to spray the Bronco down and clean all the dust out of the interior from my weekend off-road trip before I head off to Overland Expo PNW on Thursday..

https://www.apexdesignsusa.com/products/rcv-rapid-connect-valve

Here is the issue to be aware of when deciding to go with a combination of the Ford Performance differential cover and either the Foutz or DV8 rear differential skid as they mount in a similar way. When they fabricated the skid plates they used the FP skid for the Ford Ranger, a shared platform with the Bronco. This was due to there being no FP cover for the Bronco. This was not an issue until sometime late in 2022 or early 2023 when FP came out with a Bronco differential cover. Both are interchangeable with each other until you want to put on one of these two skids. It looks like both of these skids are made to fit with only the stock cover or the Ranger cover. The FP Bronco cover is different and these skids will have to be modified to work with the Bronco cover. The Ranger cover is model #M 4033 R and the Bronco cover is model #M 4033 BR. So use care when ordering because I doubt the companies will modify their designs.

I saw the sticker I wanted. @Ditchrunner
was first to add it, or at least post it and I had to copy.
The town I live in has a lot of rodeo folks in it, so it really fits.

And I've got the buckle to go with it.

We'll be there in September!!

TK1215

Here is the issue to be aware of when deciding to go with a combination of the Ford Performance differential cover and either the Foutz or DV8 rear differential skid as they mount in a similar way. When they fabricated the skid plates they used the FP skid for the Ford Ranger, a shared platform with the Bronco. This was due to there being no FP cover for the Bronco. This was not an issue until sometime late in 2022 or early 2023 when FP came out with a Bronco differential cover. Both are interchangeable with each other until you want to put on one of these two skids. It looks like both of these skids are made to fit with only the stock cover or the Ranger cover. The FP Bronco cover is different and these skids will have to be modified to work with the Bronco cover. The Ranger cover is model #M 4033 R and the Bronco cover is model #M 4033 BR. So use care when ordering because I doubt the companies will modify their designs.

Looks like the 4033-R (Ranger version) does not have the drain plug which was a big reason for the upgrade for me.

Got the oil changed this morning by Ford Mobile Service. Was only $60, they came to me, so I figured why not. I had asked for full synthetic but they did the blend. Bummer but whatever.

Then I went and sprayed the exterior down at a self serve wash. Got back home and removed what must have been 2 tons of dust and dirt from the interior. The Bronco is not purrrrrdy, but it's presentable.

Hope there is not a best in show event at the Bronco Nation compound in Overland Expo PNW or I'll probably take last place cuz it's still kinda filthy! 😜

raqball

Got the oil changed this morning by Ford Mobile Service. Was only $60, they came to me, so I figured why not. I had asked for full synthetic but they did the blend. Bummer but whatever.

Then I went and sprayed the exterior down at a self serve wash. Got back home and removed what must have been 2 tons of dust and dirt from the interior. The Bronco is not purrrrrdy, but it's presentable.

Hope there is not a best in show event at the Bronco Nation compound in Overland Expo PNW or I'll probably take last place cuz it's still kinda filthy! 😜

Filthy is the new Purrrrrdy.........That is all I have to say about that!

I painted the faux wheel bead locks same color as Bronco, added a spate wheel cover and the faux hood scoop. I was born 1966 so the "est 1966" is cool. Also my Miami Dolphins started in the NFL in 1966.

TK1215

Here is the issue to be aware of when deciding to go with a combination of the Ford Performance differential cover and either the Foutz or DV8 rear differential skid as they mount in a similar way. When they fabricated the skid plates they used the FP skid for the Ford Ranger, a shared platform with the Bronco. This was due to there being no FP cover for the Bronco. This was not an issue until sometime late in 2022 or early 2023 when FP came out with a Bronco differential cover. Both are interchangeable with each other until you want to put on one of these two skids. It looks like both of these skids are made to fit with only the stock cover or the Ranger cover. The FP Bronco cover is different and these skids will have to be modified to work with the Bronco cover. The Ranger cover is model #M 4033 R and the Bronco cover is model #M 4033 BR. So use care when ordering because I doubt the companies will modify their designs.

IMO that Ranger one looks better. Though the branding does appear to be a riveted plate that offroading might tear off.

In preparation for my adventures last weekend I decided to finally set up my GMRS radio instead of using my handheld. Also got a sweet axe setup thanks to @raqball who also hooked me up with quite a deal on a great wolfbox duel zone fridge/freezer.

Unicorn

Looks like the 4033-R (Ranger version) does not have the drain plug which was a big reason for the upgrade for me.

Unicorn

Looks like the 4033-R (Ranger version) does not have the drain plug which was a big reason for the upgrade for me.

Same here.