The Bronco might not be Ford’s best-selling car, but that doesn’t mean it should be overlooked. This mid-size SUV and its smaller Sport sibling are direct competitors to the likes of the Jeep Wrangler and Toyota 4Runner in the highly-contested off-road vehicle sector. Seriously capable off-road and with matching on-road manners, the Bronco packs a willing turbocharged powerplant, supple yet sprung suspension, practical and well-appointed interiors and dozens of customization options with different trim levels.
The car is also covered with the huge selection of aftermarket Bronco parts that add another level of protection, further improving on the already class-leading agility on the trails, boosting practicality and comfort and offering the choice for eye-catching style upgrades to stand out form the crowd. With that said, let’s jump right into the best Bronco upgrades and accessories worth your cash.
Improved Off-road Capability
If you want a car that goes over any terrain, or a G.O.A.T, then this is it. The Bronco comes trail-ready, with a proven 4×4 drivetrain, selectable driving modes, huge ground clearance and torquey engines. Skip the factory off-road packages and shop for aftermarket suspension lift kits to further boost ground clearance and control over the biggest obstacles.
Packaged kits come with adjustable coil-over shocks on all four wheels, heavy-duty steel control arms, heavy-duty steering linkages for precise control and remote reservoirs to keep shocks cool on exceptionally tough terrain. And to keep the rear in line with the front, kits additionally include steel trail arms. All Bronco aftermarket parts are supplied with matching mounting hardware, brackets and bushings for easy installation.
Once on, the Bronco gets an additional 3.5″ of lift. This is the difference between clearing boulders or leaving the transmission and exhaust between the rocks. Pair lift kits with snorkels to filter out dust and water and push more air to the turbo, and look into recovery gear sets (with winches, snatch blocks and straps) in rated weight categories for your Bronco to get out of tight spots and keep on with your journey.
More Grip With Off-Roading Tires
To get ample grip on a variety of surfaces, consider fitting the Bronco with all-terrain tires. These have moderate tread patterns with multiple tread blocks with tighter spacing. The rubber is of a harder compound, ensuring low wear and puncture resistance off the asphalt. For tougher terrain, choose mud tires. These go with deeper tread patterns and wider spaced blocks to get rid of mud and rocks and offer more grip. They also have softer rubber and can get noisy on the pavement.
Protecting Your Bronco
While a good set of brakes works on all types of terrain, for serious outings off the pavement you’ll be looking at decent bodywork additions. Go with bumpers and bull bars that cover more of the front to protect your car in direct collisions with obstacles (tree stumps, boulders, ditches), other vehicles and animal strikes. Heavy-duty steel tubular or flat-plate parts do a great job at minimizing impact and potential damage to the engine, suspension, steering and other vital vehicle systems.
And choose thicker tubing to ensure durability. With subtle finishes like power-coated black matte or more eye-catching chrome, bumpers and bars also act as a styling element. They lift the trail-ready look to a higher level. And with other protective Bronco parts like skid plates and matching grilles, you’ll be ready for any type of terrain.
Boosting Practicality on a Budget
With a huge 35.6 cubic feet of trunk space in the 4-door version (with the seats up), 22.6 cubic feet in the shorter 2-door and a staggering 38.3 in the Soft Top, there’s ample space in the Bronco even for bigger items, and half a dozen large suitcases. With that said, various trunk accessories provide better organization of all your gear.
Choose durable yet lightweight storage boxes in varying capacities, metal cargo baskets for smaller but heavier items and bigger tool boxes to carry all your tools and equipment, including recovery gear. Plastic drawers and draw dividers also sort and store smaller items, while protecting the factory bed lining.
With that said, bed liners are another inexpensive addition, made from rubber or odourless and durable plastics. The materials are waterproof, prevent spills and stains, while also being lightweight and easy to remove for cleaning. And if you’re towing a trailer, caravan or camper, consider the safety, durability and off-road worthiness of hitch accessories, including rated ball mounts, receivers, coupler locks and adapters.
Cleaner Looks with Style Upgrades
The boxy and rugged look of the Bronco suits its intended off-road use. For a bit more flair, consider upgrading to bigger alloys in standard or beadlock designs to match thicker treads in all-terrain and mud tires. Besides a range of designs (spoked, solid disc, dial, etc.), finishes (matte, high-gloss, polished) and colours, wheels should be made of tough and lightweight materials (aluminum or magnesium) and advanced production processes (flow-forming and forging) to ensure they last.
Choose the correct sizes to match tires, and consider protective lug nuts to prevent tampering. Round out your Bronco’s look with single or double row LED light bars for improved visibility in all driving conditions. And spruce up the spartan interior with a nice set of seat covers to keep all surfaces clean.
