My Nothing Fancy 2023 Badlands 2dr Build

raqball

Mar 13, 2024

This will be my nothing fancy 2023 Badlands 2dr build where I can keep track of all the modifications and adjustments I make to the vehicle. If you are looking for a lifted monster with 37's or above then this build will not be for you. At some point I might swap the 33" (285/70r17) for 34"'s (285/75r17) or 35"s (35x12.5R17).

A little back story. I am a long time Jeep owner going all the way back to the early 80's with the CJ 5 and 7 series, then I had a YJ, TJ and a few JK's along the way. This is my daily driver and my off-roading is mainly limited to easy and moderate trails. Nothing crazy and no extreme rock crawling.

I've always been a fan of the older Broncos but never owned one. When I was in the market for a new vehicle this time, I did briefly consider a 2dr Jeep JL but really wanted the Bronco!

Purchased on 3/8/2024. It's a stock'ish Badlands 2dr model with the only factory adds being:

10-speed Automatic Transmission
Modular Front Bumper
Hot Pepper Red Paint
Keyless Entry
Towing Package

Here are my immediate plans for the Bronco:

Wheel spacers (hub-centric) @ 1.75"
Ford Performance 17x8 Beed-Lock capable Wheels 5ea Kit (at dealer - waiting for me to pick them up)
- https://accessories.ford.com/2021-bronco-17x8-bead-lock-capable-wheel-kit-badlands
Ford Safari Bar (installed on 3-14-2024)
- https://accessories.ford.com/bronco-2021-safari-bar-kit
Rough Country Rock Sliders. (installed on 3-18-2024)
- https://www.roughcountry.com/product/ford-bronco-rock-sliders-90804
Rough Country High Winch Mount (wrong part sent, waiting on replacement)
- https://www.roughcountry.com/product/configurable/high-winch-mount-51066c
Rough Country 12,000 Pro Winch (in hand waiting on mount)
- https://www.roughcountry.com/product/pro-series-electric-winch-pro12000s
Auto Stop Eliminator (ordered 3-18-2024)
- https://www.autostopeliminator.com/products/2021-ford-bronco-autostop-eliminator

Future plans:

285/75r17 or 35x12.5R17 tires which would bump me up to about a 34" or 35" from the stock 33" and still fit the stock sized wheels I ordered w/o any other modifications
ARB on-board Air Compressor or Power Tank
12" Infotainment upgrade package. I wanted the 12" screen from the start

https://infotainment.com/shop/inter...ttribute_pick-your-bezel-color=Sinister+Black

I am sure there are other things I am missing and forgetting but I'll add them as I go. I'll post up photos of the mods and adds once they are completed.

For now, a photo of the day it was purchased.

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

Speed Devil, Link2mike

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Mar 13, 2024

Congratulations and welcome to the BN family! Can’t wait to see the progress on your rig!

PSUTE, Jakob1972

Mar 13, 2024

Congratulations! and Welcome to the Nation.
hard to beat a Nosquatch 2-door badlands as a starting point. Good looking rig.
I suggest BORA for the wheel spacers, I tried another brand of Hubcentic spacers on my F250 and that did not end well, but you may not need the spacers with the new wheels those have a deeper offset IIRC.

Bronco Nation 1100. Everglades, Desert Sand
Res: 7/30/20 ordered 1/22/21 reorder 10/15/21 changed to Everglades 3/9/22 schedule 8/29/22 bumped to 9/5; 9/7/22 blend, 9/9 Mods, 9/26/22 completed, 10/7 shipped, 11/3/22 delivery

raqball

Mar 13, 2024

Jakob1972
Congratulations! and Welcome to the Nation.
hard to beat a Nosquatch 2-door badlands as a starting point. Good looking rig.
I suggest BORA for the wheel spacers, I tried another brand of Hubcentic spacers on my F250 and that did not end well, but you may not need the spacers with the new wheels those have a deeper offset IIRC.

Offset on the Ford Performance Wheels I ordered are the same +55 as stock.

I had KSP Performance spacers on my last Jeep and were happy with them, no issues. For the Bronco, I was going to order the Bora's, but they are nowhere to be found in-stock so I went with the KSP's again..

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

Jakob1972

Mar 13, 2024

A 2 door badlands as a starting point is awesome. Like you I started with a Jeep, in 75. It's a Willys Cj2A and I still have it. it has had a few resurrections over the years. So I have been on a trail or two and the new Bronco is so nice off road (also a 2 door badlands). My 93, not so much.
The candy store of things to add is extensive so your going to have fun for sure.

I too use the build thread of my vehicle to help me remember and log my progress, so have fun and welcome

Adrenalin, raqball

Mar 14, 2024

Lots O Fords
A 2 door badlands as a starting point is awesome. Like you I started with a Jeep, in 75. It's a Willys Cj2A and I still have it. it has had a few resurrections over the years. So I have been on a trail or two and the new Bronco is so nice off road (also a 2 door badlands). My 93, not so much.
The candy store of things to add is extensive so your going to have fun for sure.

I too use the build thread of my vehicle to help me remember and log my progress, so have fun and welcome

I am extremely jealous of the Willys CJ2A..

Do you happen to have a thread on it or some photos you'd like to share?

I usually try to get my vehicles the way I want them fairly quick and then it's just maintenance mode or adding small things here or there..

I went ahead and just ordered the Infotainment 12" screen upgrade package. Got 10% off which helped but still --> Ouch! Will be nice having the 12" screen as I don't think I would have been happy with the 8".. Updated 1st post to state such.

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

Deano Bronc, TK1215

Mar 14, 2024

Congrats and welcome to team 2 door.Be sure to check out the parts section on BN. I loaded up with the 10% discount. I have an even more base Badlands Race Red, non SAS, standard package, capable bumper. Now the fun really begins. Don’t be afraid to get out and have some fun

Deano Bronc, raqball

Mar 14, 2024

raqball
I am extremely jealous of the Willys CJ2A..

Do you happen to have a thread on it or some photos you'd like to share?

I usually try to get my vehicles the way I want them fairly quick and then it's just maintenance mode or adding small things here or there..

I went ahead and just ordered the Infotainment 12" screen upgrade package. Got 10% off which helped but still --> Ouch! Will be nice having the 12" screen as I don't think I would have been happy with the 8".. Updated 1st post to state such.

The larger screen is worth it

Deano Bronc, raqball

Mar 14, 2024

Yikes, I had no idea JTops bumped their mesh top prices to $429! Let me know if you ever become interested in a full canvas waterproof bimini to keep the sun and elements off of you and it rated to 100-MPH and way way less expensive.
I'll have more available this week. So far 181 happy customers with absolutely zero issues or complaints.

Dan @ BroncoBikini.com
100-MPH Waterproof Bimini's

Also check out my blog, here on tBN, DIY - Ceiling Hoist on 10-foot sliding Track for $150

Congrats!

Deano Bronc, Chief Ron

Mar 14, 2024

djp
Yikes, I had no idea JTops bumped their mesh top prices to $429! Let me know if you ever become interested in a full canvas waterproof bimini to keep the sun and elements off of you and it rated to 100-MPH and way way less expensive.
I'll have more available this week. So far 181 happy customers with absolutely zero issues or complaints.

Dan @ BroncoBikini.com
100-MPH Waterproof Bimini's

Also check out my blog, here on tBN, DIY - Ceiling Hoist on 10-foot sliding Track for $150

Congrats!

I'll take a look at your Bikini... I'd actually prefer a non mesh as I live in the PNW where it rains almost everyday... Rain for 30 minutes then clear but it's a daily thing..

I think most of the JTops are in the $350 range. Mine was more pricey because it has the Bronco logo..

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

Deano Bronc

Mar 14, 2024

#10

raqball
I'll take a look at your Bikini... I'd actually prefer a non mesh as I live in the PNW where it rains almost everyday... Rain for 30 minutes then clear but it's a daily thing..

I think most of the JTops are in the $350 range. Mine was more pricey because it has the Bronco logo..

PNW...my ol' stomping grounds. Graduated from Lake Washington High School.

Currently in Boise, ID. I make the bimini's from the same material that are on the river jetboats that pound up the Snake river, bullet proof TopGun Marine Canvas and will save your ride, especially in the PNW.

Had a customer with an older version 3.0 (we are at v4.2 now) park his rig downtown for dinner and when he came out a rain-storm rolled through... well the bimini saved his car!

NOTE: i'm not trying to push these bimini's on anyone. I made one for myself as I did not like the mesh and the market for full canvas did not exist, other than the Ford/BestTop version which flaps at 55-MPH and has a metal bar through it. I wanted better, so designed and made one.... and here we are 181 produced/shipped later :) And in the 2 years we've been selling zero issues with bungee's.

Also here is a rain-test video with older version 3

Note: Video of older version, we not longer have a front gap. Version 4.x closed the front gap !!

Deano Bronc

Mar 14, 2024

#11

djp
PNW...my ol' stomping grounds. Graduated from Lake Washington High School.

Currently in Boise, ID. I make the bimini's from the same material that are on the river jetboats that pound up the Snake river, bullet proof TopGun Marine Canvas and will save your ride, especially in the PNW.

Had a customer with an older version 3.0 (we are at v4.2 now) park his rig downtown for dinner and when he came out a rain-storm rolled through... well the bimini saved his car

Sent you a PM..

When researching, I was actually kind of surprised there were so few canvas type bikini tops available for the Bronco. On my Jeep (lots of canvas options) I'd slap on a bikini after winter and leave it on until mid fall. Sure the interior would get a little wet but as long as the electronic up front are protected, I am good and don't care if water gets in..

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

Jakob1972

Mar 14, 2024

#12

Always like to see another 2 Door BL non-SAS. Wow the pricing to bump to the 12" screen, didn't realize it was that much but makes sense, so many parts to replace - hope the swap is straight forward and goes smoothly for you.

Attachments

BroncoSandstoneCanyon.jpg 4032 x 3024 · 2.41 MB

~~2023 2 Door Badlands, 7MT, Eruption Green, High, Tow~~

6G2door, Deano Bronc

Mar 14, 2024

#13

RoboticsRob
Always like to see another 2 Door BL non-SAS. Wow the pricing to bump to the 12" screen, didn't realize it was that much but makes sense, so many parts to replace - hope the swap is straight forward and goes smoothly for you.

Sweet photo! Love the Green, looks great!!!!!

Yeah, the 12" screen upgrade package is kinda expensive.. I got 10% off which dropped it down to $2200 but still. I am sure I'll be much happier with it though.

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

6G2door, JoergH

Mar 14, 2024

#14

Slapped the Safari Bar on and snapped a few photos showing the poke from the 1.5" wheel spacers. I think they may have sent me the older Safari Bar(??) as it looks taller than in the stock photo images. I know the older one was taller so maybe? I am not all that worried about as I think it looks good.

Note: I have zero photos taking skills so don't expect stellar images..

Safari Bar:

Front Poke:

Rear Poke:

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

Deano Bronc

Mar 14, 2024

#15

raqball
I am extremely jealous of the Willys CJ2A..
Do you happen to have a thread on it or some photos you'd like to share?

I usually try to get my vehicles the way I want them fairly quick and then it's just maintenance mode or adding small things here or there..

I went ahead and just ordered the Infotainment 12" screen upgrade package. Got 10% off which helped but still --> Ouch! Will be nice having the 12" screen as I don't think I would have been happy with the 8".. Updated 1st post to state such.

Except for my Jeep, I too do all my mods quickly and then just enjoy it. Seems the stuff I say I will add later I just never do.
Anyway, here are a couple photos of the jeep.
1975 all stock. Oh what a sound the ol 4 banger made.

Dark brown are from 78 to 2005. 283 chevy V8 went in in 76. Then came blown axles, transmissions and on and on.
on the balance beam at a 4x4 event. Fastest time to balance wins and I have the trophy. and on the trail that always got my exhaust.

After a frame up (2006-2008) I did in my garage. Not a single bolt was left untouched. I finally got to fix and do everything I always wanted to do to it.

Attachments

KIMG0350.JPG 5664 x 4248 · 2.28 MB

Deano Bronc, Adrenalin

Mar 14, 2024

#16

raqball
Slapped the Safari Bar on and snapped a few photos showing the poke from the 1.5" wheel spacers. I think they may have sent me the older Safari Bar(??) as it looks taller than in the stock photo images. I know the older one was taller so maybe? I am not all that worried about as I think it looks good.

Note: I have zero photos taking skills so don't expect stellar images..

Safari Bar:

Front Poke:

Rear Poke:

Sweet add ons! I added 2" spacers and love the poke. Yeah it's a little dirtier in rail and off road but the stance!!! Oh yeah!

7/14/20 Res - 2/1/22 VIN - 3/1 In Prod - 3/9 Built - 3/15 at dealer - 3/17 Deliverd
WT, 4DR, MIC, CO, Lux, Leather, Tow

Chief Ron, Adrenalin

Mar 14, 2024

#17

73chesney
Sweet add ons! I added 2" spacers and love the poke. Yeah it's a little dirtier in rail and off road but the stance!!! Oh yeah!

I really like your fender badge.

Adrenalin, 73chesney

Mar 14, 2024

#18

73chesney
Sweet add ons! I added 2" spacers and love the poke. Yeah it's a little dirtier in rail and off road but the stance!!! Oh yeah!

That 2" poke looks good! Might need to scrap my 1.5" and do the 2"..

On the topic of spacers, anyone ever hear of Bronco Buster Spacers? They have spacers that are kind of pricey and I don't see them recommended like Boor's are. As a matter of fact, I don't think I've seen anyone recommend them or have them installed. I'm Just curious is all...

Edit: I see the Bronco Buster Spacers are in the Bronco Nation store but only in 1.5"..

What siderails/rock guards are those?

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

Mar 14, 2024

#19

Lots O Fords
Except for my Jeep, I too do all my mods quickly and then just enjoy it. Seems the stuff I say I will add later I just never do.
Anyway, here are a couple photos of the jeep.
1975 all stock. Oh what a sound the ol 4 banger made.

Dark brown are from 78 to 2005. 283 chevy V8 went in in 76. Then came blown axles, transmissions and on and on.
on the balance beam at a 4x4 event. Fastest time to balance wins and I have the trophy. and on the trail that always got my exhaust.

After a frame up (2006-2008) I did in my garage. Not a single bolt was left untouched. I finally got to fix and do everything I always wanted to do to it.

Thank you for posting the photos.. My god that is one beautiful Cj2A..

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

Lots O Fords

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