Ford’s Sleeper Builds: My Time in a Coastal Package Bronco

"Hold on, guys!"

In a blink, the Johnson Valley dust had cleared, and I saw that all our spines were about to be forcefully introduced to an abrupt upward ledge carved in the packed earth in front of us.

My words entered the Bronco as a quick apology and a plea, hoping the warning gave my friends enough time to prepare for what looked like an uncomfortable suspension compression at the speed we were going.

I saw my passengers reaching for the grab handles in my peripheral, bracing themselves against the incoming slam as I adjusted my hands on the wheel.

Thankfully, the slam never came, partly because we were in Ford's Coastal Package on a Big Bend Bronco.

Ford's Sleeper Builds

The background: Earlier this month, I was out in California for RTR's Bronco Golf 2. I had driven my 2021 2-door Badlands from Michigan, and it was the first time I had gotten to experience the shorter wheelbase in JV. Every other time I've off-roaded the whoops and washboards of the desert, I've been planted behind the wheel of one of Bronco Nation's or Bronco Off-Roadeo's 4-doors.

While my stock Bronco is incredibly capable and the nimble size is great for my home terrain of wooded trails, the factory Bilstein shocks plus the compact length had us feeling like we were trying to break in a wild horse as we worked to keep up with the Bronco Raptors, other 4-doors, and even the Stroppe 2-doors with HOSS 3.0. The sound of golf clubs rattling around in the back didn’t help the feeling of violence.

So, on the second day, when it came time for our group of Broncos to chase Ford Racing drivers Vaughn Gittin Jr., Loren Healy, and Bailey Campbell across the desert in their Raptors, we thought it would be more enjoyable to hop in with 4-door friends for a smoother ride.

Our stallion of choice? The aforementioned Big Bend, upfitted with a Ford Custom Garage package.

Despite writing a few articles about these packages, I had forgotten details about them, and as we scrambled in a few minutes before the drive left, my mind was thankful for the longer wheelbase, knowing that alone would do wonders for the ride, but skeptical overall for what I was mistaking as a mostly appearance package. Our group chatted about the features, talking out loud about the suspension, and a glance underneath didn’t reveal yellow shocks.

As we hit the ledge and the suspension settled, I was surprised that the impact was more of a kiss than the full body takedown I anticipated, falsely thinking the Bronco had HOSS 1.0’s Hitachi shocks. The engine ripped as we skipped across the desert, and that’s when I remembered –– this Bronco had the Ford Performance shocks on it, my first experience off-roading with them, though I have friends who have spoken highly of the upgrade on their own Broncos.

We were switching drivers between holes on the golf course, and while Bronco Off-Roadeo New Hampshire’s lead trail guide, Evan Liotta, drove –– he also surprised by this unassuming build –– I pulled up the facts to read to the cabin.  

While each Ford Custom Garage Bronco package is slightly different, all include the Ford Performance Parts Off-Road 2” suspension kit and ProCal tool for speedometer recalibration.

• Performance Upgrades: Equipped with a Ford Performance Parts off-road 2” suspension kit and uniquely tuned Bilstein shocks, the Coastal Package enhances ground clearance and improves both approach and departure angles, ensuring a smoother ride on varied terrains. Read more on what makes these shocks special below.

• Distinctive Aesthetics: The Coastal Package boasts Iconic Silver 17” x 8” wheels, a unique stripe graphic, Iconic Silver fender flares, a Bimini top featuring a silver horse graphic to block the sun while your roof is off, and an Iconic Silver grille. Additional packages –– Sinister Bronze, Matte Black, and the Dark Trail Series: Titanium Package and Black Package –– feature their own highlights, from wheels to bodyside graphics.

• Compatibility: Available for the 2025 Bronco Base, Big Bend, Big Bend with Black Diamond Package, Outer Banks, and Badlands trims. The packages are not compatible with the Sasquatch Package, making them a perfect upgrade if you missed out from factory.
• Warranty Assurance: All Ford Custom Garage packages are backed with a 3 year / 36,000 mile warranty from new vehicle in-service date. For accessories purchased after the new vehicle purchase, the coverage is 24 months, regardless of mileage, from the date the accessory was received and installed on the vehicle, or the remainder of any applicable new vehicle warranty (whichever provides greater coverage). Package installation by a Ford Dealer or an ASE-certified mechanic does not void the standard new vehicle warranty.
• Pricing: The Coastal Package is priced at $5,400 (parts MSRP with discount). Tires are required but not included; recommended options include BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A K02 285/70/17 and Goodyear Territory MT 285/70/17.

Driving and riding in the Coastal Package Bronco reminded me of two things:

1. Don’t judge a Bronco by its graphics package. What looks like a chill beach ride meant for cruising the coastline was right at home with the flat-billed hat, Monster Energy-racing vibes of Johnson Valley.
2. Any Bronco is capable of a great time, from the most basic Bronco suspension to HOSS 4.0, but small improvements make them that much more fun. I’ve been happy with my HOSS 2.0 in my hometown, but I’ve been talking over upgrades with other 2-door owners who run similar terrain often.

And while the Ford Custom Garage ProCal tool included in the package doesn’t provide performance calibrations, you can grab one that does to get that much more from your Bronco.

Read up the benefits with Melissa Clark’s article, “Tune Your Bronco: Installing the Ford Performance Calibration.”

Get Stealthily Ripped

The Ford Custom Garage packages can be added to your Bronco at the time of ordering, or you can find a dealer to upfit your Bronco with one after taking delivery.

If you would like to build your own version of a package, consider first upgrading your non-Sasquatch, non-Badlands suspension, either with the Ford Performance 2” kit for 2 doors / 4 doors or a different brand of choice. 

The 2.65" mono-tube Ford Performance shocks with 60mm front and rear digressive piston are bolt-in replacement for the HOSS 1.0 Hitachi shocks, and give buyers better ride quality and a 2" lift. The shocks were tuned for ruthless terrain by the Ford Performance Parts engineering team and feature the largest shock diameter of any production Bronco outside of Raptor. The larger diameter helps with heat dissipation and damping force, providing you with increased longevity of the part plus control and stability off-road, especially on bumps and at higher speeds. You get stiff damping on slower movements like cornering and braking and softer damping on quick movements from rough terrain. It's a good ride!

Add larger tires, then calibrate the speedometer with either the ProCal tool or the performance calibration for the 2.3L or 2.7L engine to boost your horsepower and torque while you’re at it.

Parting Words: Don’t Wait to Have Fun

Whether you have a Bronco Raptor or a non-Sasquatch Base, the best Bronco is a Bronco put into action. 

If you’ve been waiting to off-road your purchase because it doesn’t have as many bells and whistles as another trim, don’t. You may not be set up perfectly for the terrain, but you'll still have a blast putting it to work and hanging with the community while your wheels start turning on how to improve it for your different uses.

And if you’re ready to test out your current setup in Johnson Valley, we have the best opportunity for you to do so in just over a month: Bronco Basecamp at King of the Hammers. There, you can camp with the community in our VIP location, get fed two catered meals a day, cheer on the Ford Racing teams, and go on trail drives with Bronco Off-Roadeo guides who will make sure you’re prepared and comfortable to tackle the terrain; no body-slamming approaches necessary!

Tell Us Below

What trail or outing made you want to upgrade something on your Bronco, and what did you go with to improve it?