Rocko

[85_Ranger4x4]

This will be the thread for my wife's '22 Bronco Black Diamond.

We got to see it for the first time today, we recieved our "baby picture" from Ford as it came off the assembly line.



Specs:
2.3 Ecoboost
10 speed automatic transmission (10R60)
Cactus Gray exterior color
MIC (Molded In Color) hardtop roof
MID accessory package
MGV (Marine Grade Vinyl) seats
Rubber floor with drains
Advanced 4wd
Rear locking differential
265/70-17 General Grabber ATX tires (a 32" when measured in freedom units)
Black painted alloy wheels
Capable front bumper
Trail Turn Assist
Upfitter switches

To do list so far (stuff we have accumulated)
Rear receiver hitch
Rock lights
Ditch lights
GMRS radio (thanks to Midland donating it to the TRS Roundup last year)

 

[Uncle Gump]

Well at least she didn't name it daisy or buttercup.

You're the first person I know that has one coming... totally happy for you.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Well at least she didn't name it daisy or buttercup.

You're the first person I know that has one coming... totally happy for you.

It actually got the name because that is what Oliver (our 2.5yo) calls Broncos.

 

[Uncle Gump]

That's pretty cute man.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Some of the to-do.

From Jim Oaks Enterprises:



From Santa/Me:



Thanks to Midland USA for donating this to the 2021 TRS Roundup.



Car is due in about two weeks... so hurry up and wait.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

It's here!

 

[Uncle Gump]

Happy for you man...

MODS begin this weekend.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

A brief recap:

11/18/20 Reserved
1/30/21 Ordered a 2021
10/23/21 Ordered a 2022
11/18/21 Scheduled for production (week of 1/17/22)
Bumped back a week to the week of 1/24/22 (projected blend date when the body gets put on the frame of 1/28/22)
Actually built 2/1/22

I drive past the local Ford dealer we ordered it from every day on my way to work so I watch for it. Per our dealer it was in St Louis so it was a huge surprise when I saw it out front as I went by at 730am. I slam on the brakes and whip it in to get a picture.



So they worked on the paperwork throughout the day and we picked up tonight. She is just a little bit stoked.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Receiver hitch is installed:



Car club cruise night tonight!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I bought a set of splash guards for the thing, had to modify the fronts to fit with the rock rails but I am pretty happy with how they came out.

Details Here:

Actually had to return the rear set, turns out Ford does not make them that fit the steel rear bumper, the profile is totally different vs the plastic bumper.

Ditch lights are sort of installed. Using the supplied bronco bolts the PS light hits the antenna before it can be aimed correctly so I am waiting on brackets to wrap that up which will move the lights more outboard.

Still can't figure out where in the heck to mount a radio inside this thing.

And more pictures with the Ranger last weekend:












And we actually got it muddy today:



Trail turn assist is still weird, I wonder if my field is too low traction with the bean stubble on top. When the one tire locks up the other three have a hard time making a go of it.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Rocko for real now.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Took the full top off for the first time, also added the Ford mesh Bimini top to give my little redheads some shade.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Popped the drivers side ditch light off and the cowl trim up.



And sprouted a second antenna.


I intended to get a different style cable... gonna see how this one works out.
[url=https://flic.kr/p/2nFcCPx]

After much soul searching I ended up just double side taping the radio she won thanks to @MidlandUSA at last years TRS Roundup on the bottom of the dash with command strips.



Stuck it on AUX3, was concerned about losing channel settings because for some unknown reason unlike the regular truck switches there is no way to make the Bronco switches hot all the time. Radio has enough memory to at least sit overnight without losing its setting. Really it hasn't lost its setting yet actually. AUX1 is rated 40A and has the ditch lights, AUX2 is rated 15A so I thought I would save it for something else. All the other ones are rated 10A which I thought would be fine for a radio that has a 2A fuse.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Now that the new car smell is gone... how do you like it?

Side note... ran into a fella at my doctor's appointment a couple days ago. He had a Bronco Sport... claimed he was getting 31 mpg in mixed driving.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Really it is a fun and unique vehicle.

As far as modding it, I feel like it is just out of step with me. I don't know, maybe I am too stuck on how my '85 is built but we just don't click. Nothing is really simple, easy or cheap.

Oh, getting ready for the car show last Friday night I dropped the middle roof panel and cracked it. $3800 for a new one, going to talk to insurance in the morning about it. God only knows how far out they are backordered...

It just kinda makes me want to think of it like as the wife's car like I did the Edge and just not screw with it. $4k would have put a nice dent in a crate motor for my '85...

Accidentally clicked in the rear shell when I looked up the middle part, that sucker is $10k.

 

[Uncle Gump]

You would think the prices for the hard top components will settle in considerably lower then that once they get caught up. At least I would hope so...

I've been eyeballing a couple Jeep XJ bumpers for the Bronco II. Having lots of support for those sure makes the prices lower. I would have to fab brackets to mount them but I could do front/rear with a tire carrier and lighting for less then half of what a new Bronco front bumper costs.

There is still something to be said for a new vehicle fir the family.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I intend to double check it in the morning but on 6g someone was saying an entire top for a Wrangler was $3300 while a complete top for a Bronco is currently $18,000...

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

2018-2024 Jeep Wrangler Hard Top 82215142AB | Mopar eStore

2018-2024 Jeep Wrangler Hard Top 82215142AB

store.mopar.com

List price is accurate mopar suggested list. ETA of 9/30 but it dropships from supplier so no way to really know how their supply chain is, No backorders in the system though.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Anyway it was a great day for a car show. That is my '85 and my father in-law's recd Ranger which is my wife's grandfather bought fairly new.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Going thru pictures for insurance I forgot I never posted we added the Bimini top.













Roof carnage...







As soon as I hear back from insurance I am going to epoxy it so it stays together to get by with. I got caught in a torrential downpour in the thing this morning and it majorly sucked. I was cussing the POS wipers until I realized it was actually rain on my glasses. I threw it in the warehouse at work until the storm passed, it dried out quick. Everybody at work got a good laugh out of it. I am worried about that corner breaking farther if not off completely with pressure from the seal right now.

I was really wishing my Ranger wasn't tore apart right now or I would have just left the Bronco in the barn today...