Badlands - Wanna be heritage and dog hauler build

Lots O Fords

Jan 03, 2024

I have put bits and pieces in deferent threads and I thought I would put the journey here like so many have.
I had two employees that really want a bronco and have never 4 wheeled, so we took them to off-rodeo in Nevada on the 4 hour off road x-perience open to non-bronco owners. My wife and I had a bronco to ourselves. While our off road livery includes a 1947 Willy's (modified), 93 Bronco XLT, 2012 Polaris RZR and a F-350 Super Duty we were impressed with the new Bronco.
I researched the different trims and knew the 2 door, lockers, sway bar disconnect, V6 and lux were desirable for how we would use it. This brought me to a Badlands/Sasquatch or Heritage Limited. Within a couple days, I had put a down payment on a 23 Heritage Limited 2 door.
Then the strike and my HL was canceled (still have my name on it). So I shopped for a green Badlands with my options. Found it a couple states away with no markup.
I had the dealer paint the top and grille oxford white. Powder coat the wheel rings white, add rock lights and ditch lights by the mirrors and ship it.

Here it is when I did the deal and when it arrived at the house. Note that our Off-Rodeo trip to Moab and joining the Bronco Nation was done between buying and receiving it.

OrangecrushBronco, UserError

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May 09, 2024

#40

TK1215
Sore subject. I ended up having them install them. They may or may not have had to pound them back into shape to install. And the passenger side is impossible to do without gas tank skid removal, and welding up a special tool to remove two screws on a cover plate. Having a lift will change everything. It is, how do you say, labor intensive

I wish it wasn't such a pain because I really like their design with the plastic skids. No way I'm going to order them since you had all those issues.

2022 Bronco Badlands, 4D, Hot Pepper Red, 2.7, Squatch, Lux, and MIC.
7/13/2020 10:04pm reservation. Blend 6/16/2022 Delivered 6/26/2022.
Dealership - Stephen's Auto Center.

May 09, 2024

#41

Were those issues due to prior trail damage? I do not think they were pounding on brand new skids. and having to weld tools to remove the gas tank skid sounds of prior trail damage before installing the skids.

May 09, 2024

#42

Hmmm, these might be the ticket. Good price and very easy to install. They do not have the Poly skid covering but not a deal breaker.
https://iagoffroad.com/iag-rock-armor-front-lower-trailing-arm-skid-plate-for-2021-ford-bronco/

Not sure why I couldn't put my own poly skid material on it.

2022 Bronco Badlands, 4D, Hot Pepper Red, 2.7, Squatch, Lux, and MIC.
7/13/2020 10:04pm reservation. Blend 6/16/2022 Delivered 6/26/2022.
Dealership - Stephen's Auto Center.

UserError, TK1215

May 09, 2024

#43

Deano Bronc
Hmmm, these might be the ticket. Good price and very easy to install. They do not have the Poly skid covering but not a deal breaker.
https://iagoffroad.com/iag-rock-armor-front-lower-trailing-arm-skid-plate-for-2021-ford-bronco/

Not sure why I couldn't put my own poly skid material on it.

I never notice those ones on their site. Look good!

Deano Bronc

May 09, 2024

#44

TK1215
I never notice those ones on their site. Look good!

From what I have found, they just started offering them in the last 6 months. I watched the install video and they are very easy to install.

Edit: Ordered skids and HDPE material.

BTW - sorry for the thread highjack Scott.

2022 Bronco Badlands, 4D, Hot Pepper Red, 2.7, Squatch, Lux, and MIC.
7/13/2020 10:04pm reservation. Blend 6/16/2022 Delivered 6/26/2022.
Dealership - Stephen's Auto Center.

UserError

May 09, 2024

#45

Unicorn
Were those issues due to prior trail damage? I do not think they were pounding on brand new skids. and having to weld tools to remove the gas tank skid sounds of prior trail damage before installing the skids.

So the Badlands has factory welded protection on the front part of the trailing arms. This makes the tolerances of the new skids even tighter. I did have some hits on this area from previous trail runs that got them out of square. On the passenger side up high and next to the gas tank there is a cover plate between the side of the gas tank and the factory bracket. The plate is secured by two Torx head screws and even with using the smallest and flattest wrench there was no clearance to work, without skid removal and dropping the gas tank. This cover plate is removed to make a modification to the bolt with the built in tab/bracket. One thing I especially like about the Foutz is that the angle of the skid is flatter and more prolonged, making them more likely to actually slide on the obstacles and not just hit or catch on them.

Deano Bronc

May 09, 2024

#46

The first photo is looking up between the gas tank and front bracket. With the cover plate on there just isn’t very much room to work. The second photo is the cover plate that was removed.

UserError, Deano Bronc

May 09, 2024

#47

Unicorn
Were those issues due to prior trail damage? I do not think they were pounding on brand new skids. and having to weld tools to remove the gas tank skid sounds of prior trail damage before installing the skids.

One last thing to clarify. the Welded up, shop made tool was to work in between the frame rail and gas tank. Just for the cover plate removal.

UserError, Deano Bronc

May 09, 2024

#48

TK1215
So the Badlands has factory welded protection on the front part of the trailing arms. This makes the tolerances of the new skids even tighter. I did have some hits on this area from previous trail runs that got them out of square. On the passenger side up high and next to the gas tank there is a cover plate between the side of the gas tank and the factory bracket. The plate is secured by two Torx head screws and even with using the smallest and flattest wrench there was no clearance to work, without skid removal and dropping the gas tank. This cover plate is removed to make a modification to the bolt with the built in tab/bracket. One thing I especially like about the Foutz is that the angle of the skid is flatter and more prolonged, making them more likely to actually slide on the obstacles and not just hit or catch on them.

Thank you for explaining that... I am familiar with the factory skids on the lower control arms. That makes sense. I am going to have to drop my Tank to change out my control arms I believe (changing both upper and lower). I think I read where some one was cutting the bolt and then flipping to put it back in.... I hope I misunderstood that because that seams like creating a "pinto" situation.... That was a bolt on the back side of the differential that was puncturing the fuel tank when struck from behind. Got to admit the Foutz does look more like a "skid" than most.

TK1215, Deano Bronc

May 09, 2024

#49

TK1215
One last thing to clarify. the Welded up, shop made tool was to work in between the frame rail and gas tank. Just for the cover plate removal.

Damn! and you have to remove that cover plate to mount these? ..... Wow!

May 09, 2024

#50

The cover gets in the way of the new skids vertical brackets and the bolt with the tab is adjusted. The bracket/tab is trimmed and spun out of the way of the new skids vertical bracket also. The “tab” only functions to prevent the bolt from spinning when tightening the nut.

May 09, 2024

#51

TK1215
The cover gets in the way of the new skids vertical brackets and the bolt with the tab is adjusted. The bracket/tab is trimmed and spun out of the way of the new skids vertical bracket also. The “tab” only functions to prevent the bolt from spinning when tightening the nut.

Again, I appreciate the info... Thank you for explaining all of that.

TK1215

May 09, 2024

#52

Deano Bronc
From what I have found, they just started offering them in the last 6 months. I watched the install video and they are very easy to install.

Edit: Ordered skids and HDPE material.

BTW - sorry for the thread highjack Scott.

Hey don't worry about highjacking it. If I find another choice.
Keep me posted on how they go on.

Deano Bronc, UserError

May 09, 2024

#53

Lots O Fords
Hey don't worry about highjacking it. If I find another choice.
Keep me posted on how they go on.

Watching this thread, too. Thanks, @Lots O Fords

Deano Bronc
From what I have found, they just started offering them in the last 6 months. I watched the install video and they are very easy to install.

Edit: Ordered skids and HDPE material.

BTW - sorry for the thread highjack Scott.

@Deano Bronc May I know how are you mounting the HDPE?

2023 Wildtrak 4D Lux MIC Tow Oxford White

Lots O Fords

May 10, 2024

#54

UserError
Watching this thread, too. Thanks, @Lots O Fords

@Deano Bronc May I know how are you mounting the HDPE?

Probably the same as Foutz. I'll drill and tap the skid.

2022 Bronco Badlands, 4D, Hot Pepper Red, 2.7, Squatch, Lux, and MIC.
7/13/2020 10:04pm reservation. Blend 6/16/2022 Delivered 6/26/2022.
Dealership - Stephen's Auto Center.

Unicorn, UserError

May 27, 2024

#55

Deano Bronc
Hmmm, these might be the ticket. Good price and very easy to install. They do not have the Poly skid covering but not a deal breaker.
https://iagoffroad.com/iag-rock-armor-front-lower-trailing-arm-skid-plate-for-2021-ford-bronco/

Not sure why I couldn't put my own poly skid material on it.

Well, they are not as professional looking as the Foutz skids but they should do the trick. I am hoping to have them mounted up this week.

2022 Bronco Badlands, 4D, Hot Pepper Red, 2.7, Squatch, Lux, and MIC.
7/13/2020 10:04pm reservation. Blend 6/16/2022 Delivered 6/26/2022.
Dealership - Stephen's Auto Center.

Unicorn, UserError

May 27, 2024

#56

Deano Bronc
Well, they are not as professional looking as the Foutz skids but they should do the trick. I am hoping to have them mounted up this week.

Looking good, @Deano Bronc.

2023 Wildtrak 4D Lux MIC Tow Oxford White

Unicorn, Lots O Fords

May 28, 2024

#57

I keep looking at what you all use.
I own several street sweepers and the drag shoes are in constant contact with the asphalt.
I'm wondering if I can use that technology for a skid. Seems like it would hold up pretty good.

Deano Bronc, UserError

May 28, 2024

#58

Lots O Fords
I keep looking at what you all use.
I own several street sweepers and the drag shoes are in constant contact with the asphalt.
I'm wondering if I can use that technology for a skid. Seems like it would hold up pretty good.

Would be interested to know what material those drag shoes are manufactured out of.

UserError

May 28, 2024

#59

Unicorn
Would be interested to know what material those drag shoes are manufactured out of.

Carbide Is the material that lasts the longest.

These machines do battle with surfaces every day.

I was looking at one the other day and thinking.. hmmm

Deano Bronc

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