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 15, 2024

#20

raqball
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?

ZRoadz Rock Steps. Love the function and look. Cust service is awesome too. Dont know Bronco Buster spacers. My spacers are Borne Off Road. Not cheap but worth it.

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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

MTLANE, raqball

Mar 18, 2024

#21

Rough Country Rock Rails installed today. I am happy with them and think they look great and much better looks wise than the stock rock rails.

My photos skillz are terrible but here are a few images.

Also, I had high hopes of getting the RC 12K winch and high winch mount installed today but hit a snafu... When the winch mount arrived I never checked the box. Well today when I pop it open, this is what was in the box. The box is in fact labeled as a High Winch mount. The instructions say it's a lift kit for a 2007-2017 Toyota Tundra...

Amazon is sending one that hopefully will be here tomorrow..

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

Mar 18, 2024

#22

Ya gotta luv it...
Good progress

raqball

Mar 19, 2024

#23

Good news: The dealership called and the Performance Wheels I ordered are in... My plan is to pick up the wheels tomorrow then either mount the winch or have a tire shop do the wheel swap. If my replacement winch mount comes tomorrow, and it's here early enough, then I'll get the winch and mount slapped on. If not, then I'll have a tire shop do the wheels...

I also ordered 4 Bora 1.75" wheel spacers today. When they come in I'll swap out the KSP 1.5" spacers I have on now for the Bora 1.75"...

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

Deano Bronc, TK1215

Mar 19, 2024

#24

73chesney
ZRoadz Rock Steps. Love the function and look. Cust service is awesome too. Dont know Bronco Buster spacers. My spacers are Borne Off Road. Not cheap but worth it.

I have the ZroadZ as well, love them.

OnX Trail Guide
4 Door BadSquatch | Soft-top | Velocity Blue | 2.7 Auto

Mar 19, 2024

#25

Actually love the color... take a look at this build. It's aactually The wife's daily driver

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Deano Bronc, Adrenalin

Mar 19, 2024

#26

MTLANE
Actually love the color... take a look at this build. It's aactually The wife's daily driver

Nice build!

I've been getting a lot, and I mean a lot, of comments and compliments on the color.. I also absolutely dig it!

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

Deano Bronc

Mar 19, 2024

#27

raqball
Good news: The dealership called and the Performance Wheels I ordered are in... My plan is to pick up the wheels tomorrow then either mount the winch or have a tire shop do the wheel swap. If my replacement winch mount comes tomorrow, and it's here early enough, then I'll get the winch and mount slapped on. If not, then I'll have a tire shop do the wheels...

I also ordered 4 Bora 1.75" wheel spacers today. When they come in I'll swap out the KSP 1.5" spacers I have on now for the Bora 1.75"...

Which wheels did you order?

raqball

Mar 19, 2024

#28

TK1215
Which wheels did you order?

These

https://accessories.ford.com/2021-bronco-17x8-bead-lock-capable-wheel-kit-badlands

The wheels are in but the bead lock rings are not. I'll just run them with the included carbonized gray beauty rings until the bead locks come. The dealer said they have no idea when the bead lock rings will be in..

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

Deano Bronc, extra toasty

Mar 19, 2024

#29

raqball
Nice build!

I've been getting a lot, and I mean a lot, of comments and compliments on the color.. I also absolutely dig it!

Yes us also..actually going to enter a local car show in April. See how we do

Adrenalin, raqball

Mar 19, 2024

#30

The shop I had an appointment for the 1" leveling kit install called me this morning @ 8am and said he had a cancellation so I went in and dropped it off. They are only about a mile from me so I was these pretty fast.

I just picked it back up, kit installed and alignment done. The alignment was only off by a little but it def needed one. I am now going to start on the winch and mount (the correct one arrived - yay) as soon as my son gets here to help.

After that, I'll hit the dealer (if I get done with winch and mount fast enough) to snag the wheels and maybe get them slapped on as well.. If not then I will grab the wheels tomorrow morning and get them put on then..

Massive progress in just a day!

Alignment sheet:

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

Deano Bronc, Unicorn

Mar 20, 2024

#31

Got the winch and mount installed. I just need to finish it up with the wiring tomorrow..
Wheels collected and installed by the dealer. They look awesome!

I'll get the winch all wired up tomorrow then post some photos of it and the wheels.. I did not take before and after measurements of the front but after adding the winch, the mount and the 1" leveling kit, it looks to be pretty level to my eye.

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

Mar 20, 2024

#32

Photos of the RC 12K synthetic winch, RC high winch mount and new performance wheels installed.

Photos:

Mods completed to date:

Ford Performance Badlands Bead Lock Capable 17x8 Wheels 5ea
Ford Safari Bar
Rough Country 12,000 LB synthetic winch
Rough Country High Winch Mount
1.5" KSP Wheel spacers. 1.75" Bora spacers are on the way and will replace these
Zone Off-Road 1" front leveling kit
Rough Country Rock Sliders
Bikini Top (wont be on until the rain settles down a bit - prob a month or so)
Auto Stop Eliminator

I am currently waiting on the Ford Performance Bead Lock rings for the wheels. The dealer had no ETA for them.

Future plans: (the 1st two are mandatory and will be done quickly as I won't go offroad w/o them)

Tie Rod Upgrade (sleeves or entire replacements)
ARB Air Compressor or a MoorFlate system. I am leaning towards the Moorflate
Tailgate Fold Down Table
285/75R17 Tires to bump me up to 34's
12" Screen upgrade kit from infotainment
Midland MTX275 GMRS system with ghost antenna

Other items and gear I have. Most are transfers from my old Jeep:

Camping gear. Tent, sleeping bag, cot, stove, cooking gear etc.
Recovery gear. Tree saver, snatch block, soft shackles etc.
Garmin InReach Mini 2
Midland GMRS handheld radio
Yeti Cooler
Tire Deflators

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

Unicorn, Deano Bronc

Mar 22, 2024

#33

I went ahead and ordered new 285/75R17 tires... I went with Toyo Open Country A/T III - C rated. I am able to order through shopmyexchange and got them for a good price, no shipping cost and no sales tax..

Having said that, I was going to order some Goodyear Duratrac Wranglers but decided on the Toyo's instead. I have a 15% off discount code for Goodyear tires if anyone wants it. I believe it only works online at Goodyear official website and it's not something you can bring into a Goodyear store and use but I could be wrong.

Not sure when, or even if, it expires. Please only ask for it if you are going to use it..

Mods if this is not allowed then please delete this portion of the post.

I only have the one code so I will strike through this when/if the code is claimed. PM me if you'd like the code.

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

Mar 22, 2024

#34

This build is coming along nicely. I know for some winches they make a relocation kit for the box that sits on top of your winch if you want to slim that down a bit. That was the route I was going to take before I switched to the Glades. If you are Looking at the Morrflate set up you might be interested in the https://td-distributing.myshopify.com/products/trickflate-dual-cylinder-12v-300-l-min-air-compressor
or the https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/BK_...8itGSsaAlB9EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1
or
https://thorslightningairsystems.co...vr9XwaMs--JlW90xq2ck2AkBcu34T8OUaAgG7EALw_wcB

They all share the same design just the Morrflate adds some extras.

I run the trickflate 300 myself and have had good luck with it. I store it in a H.F. apache 3800 hard case. I usually air up, then air up a fellow off roader while we are waiting for the rest of the group. I did add the pressure switch shutoff and I am running a Morrflate 4-way hose without the gauge. I added an Anderson plug and 150A breaker to run the compressor so I would not have to open the hood and mess with the alligator clips each time. I do like the portable set up as I can and have used it on everything, trailers, tractors, ranch truck the kids vehicles, it is really handy.

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 22, 2024

#35

Jakob1972
This build is coming along nicely. I know for some winches they make a relocation kit for the box that sits on top of your winch if you want to slim that down a bit. That was the route I was going to take before I switched to the Glades. If you are Looking at the Morrflate set up you might be interested in the https://td-distributing.myshopify.com/products/trickflate-dual-cylinder-12v-300-l-min-air-compressor
or the https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/BK_...8itGSsaAlB9EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1
or
https://thorslightningairsystems.co...vr9XwaMs--JlW90xq2ck2AkBcu34T8OUaAgG7EALw_wcB

They all share the same design just the Morrflate adds some extras.

I run the trickflate 300 myself and have had good luck with it. I store it in a H.F. apache 3800 hard case. I usually air up, then air up a fellow off roader while we are waiting for the rest of the group. I did add the pressure switch shutoff and I am running a Morrflate 4-way hose without the gauge. I added an Anderson plug and 150A breaker to run the compressor so I would not have to open the hood and mess with the alligator clips each time. I do like the portable set up as I can and have used it on everything, trailers, tractors, ranch truck the kids vehicles, it is really handy.

Thanks for the links and the info.. 👍

Yeah the control box is an eye sore and I would prefer it moved.. I though about slapping a sticker on it as well. LOL

I am back to thinking I'll go with the ARB dual under the hood. I'd prefer the Moorflate, or one of the ones you listed, but the 2dr has such limited cargo space that I'd rather free up as much space back there as I can for gear..

At some point, and it's not really in the plans at the moment, I might do rear seat deletes but I see the conversion kit is crazy expensive for what you get.

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

Jakob1972

Mar 22, 2024

#36

raqball
Thanks for the links and the info.. 👍

Yeah the control box is an eye sore and I would prefer it moved.. I though about slapping a sticker on it as well. LOL

I am back to thinking I'll go with the ARB dual under the hood. I'd prefer the Moorflate, or one of the ones you listed, but the 2dr has such limited cargo space that I'd rather free up as much space back there as I can for gear..

At some point, and it's not really in the plans at the moment, I might do rear seat deletes but I see the conversion kit is crazy expensive for what you get.

No worries. I get the 2-door space issue. I think the Thors lightning has a mounting bracket but it sits in the rear cargo area by the window.
I believe there have been a few folks here that have done DIY rear seat deletes.
I had to go more doors with two150lbs Great Danes even with the rear seats down it is tight.

raqball

Mar 26, 2024

#37

Strike 2 for companies properly fulfilling orders....

Rough Country sent me a front end lift for a Toyota instead of a winch mount. Was quickly corrected and I got correct part next day.
Tires arrived today. I ordered 285/75R17 C rated and got these delivered this morning: Wrong size (16 instead of 17) and they are E rated not C........ YAWN...

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

Jakob1972, Deano Bronc

Mar 26, 2024

#38

Dang those RTT are not cheap. If you really want to save $ you could do something like this.

I'm in the process of building his 270 batwing awning.

djp, Deano Bronc

Mar 26, 2024

#39

Jakob1972
Dang those RTT are not cheap. If you really want to save $ you could do something like this.
I'm in the process of building his 270 batwing awning.

They are expensive and that one I listed is on the more affordable end of the ones I've seen.... I really only get out offroad once or maybe twice a month and it's just for short one night stays. I wheel to an area, stay the night, then wheel back out. And even then I do not get out in winter because I am a wimp and don't like the cold..

I have a very nice tent and probably should just stick with it as it works fine...

Do you have a thread on your tent / awning build? If not, you should start one as it could be helpful to plenty of others..

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

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