Bronco Nation

How to Prepare Your Bronco for Off-Road Travel

May 31, 2024
By EvMeister11
7

It’s Friday afternoon in late spring. You’re staring out the window of your office at the warm rays of sunshine illuminating a bluebird sky, daydreaming of your Bronco adventure this weekend. “Maybe I will even take the top off” you think to yourself. The birds chirp as if taunting you to cut out early and go straight to the trails from work. You consider, “If I leave now, I can get an extra half day of adventuring in!” But you realize your procrastination only left that evening to prep for the trip. Then you say those famous last words to yourself… “I’m sure I will be fine without it.” You grab your keys, clock out early, and leave your problems in the rearview mirror, or so you think…  

For many of us, venturing off-road and into the wilderness can be an incredibly freeing sensation, allowing us to check-out of our own heads, become more present, and truly experience our surroundings. However, the moment our tires touch dirt we exponentially increase the chances of problems catching up with us, usually at the most inopportune time and place. Fortunately, the secret to defending against those problems from manifesting can be summed up in one word, PREPARATION!  

gear in the truck of a ford bronco

What better way to prepare than with a list! Our Bronco Off-Roadeo Trail Guides have compiled some preparation items to make your Bronco ready for its next exploration into the great outdoors. This list will help provide the carefree peace of mind that off-roading inspires and ensure your next adventure is successful, not stressful.

  • Basics: 
    1. Wash your vehicle! Starting with a clean car makes everything that follows easier. 
    2. Regular Maintenance of your Bronco is the best way to mitigate any potential issues while out on trail. Recommended fluid/filter changes and tire rotations are essential to your Broncos performance and longevity. Use the FordPass app to track prior maintenance and be notified of upcoming service intervals.  
    3. Visual Inspection of the undercarriage, under hood, and tires for leaks, wear, or damage. Removing tires and jacking up the vehicle makes this process easier. 
    4. Physical Inspection of high wear components such as ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, shocks, and brakes. These can be simply checked in your garage or driveway by cycling the components range of motion to check for excess play. 
    5. Fluid Levels, check and top off as needed. (Washer fluid, Oil, Coolant, Brake fluid, Transmission fluid, etc.) 
    6. Repair any known vehicle issues before going off-road. The stress of off-roading will only exaggerate or worsen any existing issues. Better to fix it in a well-lit clean garage than on the side of a muddy trail, at night, during a lightning storm. (ask us how we know)  
  • Advanced: 
    1. Torque Suspension components to recommended specifications. Do it once and simply monitor with a permanent marker! After bolts are torqued draw a line connecting the edge of the bolt and the mounting surface. Upon visual inspection, you will be able to see if the bolt has shaken loose or not by the alignment or misalignment of the line. (For a more professional application checkout CrossCheck Torque Seal indicator paste)  
    2. Pack Tools for trailside repairs/fixes. You don’t need the whole toolbox, find common wrench/socket sizes for your Bronco and keep them in a tool roll in the trunk. 
ford bronco mounting surface bolt
  • En-Route: 
    1. Monitor Temperatures/Pressure on your way to the trail to ensure that the vehicle is operating in the normal ranges. 
    2. Fuel Up as close to the trail as possible. A full tank of gas ensures you won’t be stranded and provides peace of mind. 
man checking tire pressure
  • At the Trailhead 
    1. Air Down tires to improve off-road performance and passenger comfort. This will aid in traction, tire flexibility, vehicle flotation on soft surfaces, and reduce the chance of puncture. The amount of pressure is determined by the terrain and speed of travel.15-20psi is acceptable for most offroad situations. 
    2. Secure Cargo before the trail. Off-roading can tilt and lean a vehicle in extreme ways. Do not let cargo items become potential projectiles inside the vehicle. 
packed gear in the truck of a ford bronco
  • Post trail prep 
    1. The prep isn’t over when the adventure ends, completing a few tasks after you off-road will ensure the preparation for future trips is more efficient. 
      • Check the condition of the vehicle after you go off-roading. Inspect your vehicle for possible leaks and other damage that it may have incurred during an off-roading adventure.  
      • Re-Inflate Tires to safe recommended level before you return to the pavement. Recommended vehicle tire pressure can be found on a sticker inside the driver door.  
      • Clean Vehicle to keep corrosion and increased wear at bay. 
undercarriage of a ford bronco
  • Bonus Tips 
    1. Create a checklist to make your preparation more efficient.  
    2. Consider the environment you are taking your vehicle into. There may be additional items to prep or bring depending on the location. (dusty, snow, wet/rainy)
    3. Under the hood, Ford highlights common serviceable items with yellow, red, or blue accents. (Dipstick, Battery Cover, Fluid Reservoir Caps, etc.)   

Comments

You must log in or register to post here.