Ford Bronco Outclasses Jeep

[Fouledplugs]

The powers that be at Ford dropped a pretty impressive bomb in regards to their upcoming Bronco release.

During the lunch hour at KoH yesterday in front of the fans as well as virtually to all the live streamers, Ford officially announced they will be offering a Ford Bronco that is KoH ready.

In an attempt to get more folks involved in rock crawling and desert bashing they will be offering a stock class (Ultra4 4600 Class/Every Man Challenge) race ready Bronco straight from the showroom floor.

Hard to read in between the lines as Ford seems to be laser focused on their factory backed 4400 class rigs this week/weekend and not answering questions, but Ford will be offering the whole package as is or though their parts department as individual parts, nonetheless, I think it’s great for rock sports.

It uses the stock 2 door Bronco frame, the Sasquatch-package, stock turbo charged V-6 (310 hp/400 lb-ft) with their factory 10-speed automatic trans and but has the following modifications:

• Unique Paint
• 35x12.5/17 inch BFG M/T KM3’s (Load Range C’s)
• 17 inch Forged Aluminum Method 202 Race Bead Lock Wheels
• Howe Hydro Steering W/ Remote Cooler
• RCV Front Axles Shafts
• 74Weld Portal Axle Ends on the Front (Bronco uses 1.45 vs 1.63 most Ultra4 guys are running)
• Triton Engineering Front A-Arms (Popular in Ultra 4 and Rock Bouncing IFS Rigs)
• Geiser Brothers Roll Cage
• Recaro FIA Off-Road Approved Bucket Seats w/ Harnesses
• Front Dana IFS Diff( Uses E Locker and uses common Dana gear sets)
• E-Locker Front and ARB Rear Locker
• Triton Engineering Rear Adjustable Links
• Dynatrac High Pinion XD Dana 60 Rear Axle which utilizes a 10 inch ring gear (Dana Super 60) vs a factory 9.75 inch Dana 60
• Spidertrax free float Rear Bearing Ends
• Spidertax 6 lug Rear Unit Bearings
• Spidertrax 300M Free Float Rear Axle Shafts.
• Spidertrax Brake Hats
• 14 inch Spidertrax Rotors
• Wilwood Forged Aluminum Brake Calipers
• Fox Racing Coilovers W/ Remote Reservoirs
• Fox Racing Air Bumps
• Warn Zeon Winch

 

[Fouledplugs]

@mrblaine @Chris @toximus

Figured you guys would appreciate this announcement.

 

[Fouledplugs]

Some shots from KoH.

 

[Rick Flair]

Very cool!

 

[Rick Flair]

I think it’s damn cool that Ford is doing this and as a factory offering or at least access to the parts.

 

[Chris]

Glad to see them doing this. Competition is a good thing.

 

[AMS417]

Not gonna lie, its looks awesome, but certainly not an "off the showroom floor" situation I would bet. I can't see Ford building these in house considering the low number it would be and the amount of work, maybe I am wrong? Maybe they are sending them out to a builder? I would assume a 6 digit price tag based on the base vehicle, and optional pieces.

Still, bad ass looking. Looking forward to seeing one in action.

 

[Alex01]

While cool, I'm sure it will be near if not over 100k, not street legal (no airbags steel dash), and not sold in CA because.. CA.

Reminds me of the challenger's Drag Pak Mopar sells.

 

[Fouledplugs]

Not gonna lie, its looks awesome, but certainly not an "off the showroom floor" situation I would bet. I can't see Ford building these in house considering the low number it would be and the amount of work, maybe I am wrong?

Yes, Ultra4 rules require at least 1000 units built by the original manufacture to be eligible to compete legally in the stock 4600 Ultra4 class.

https://www.ultra4racing.com/sites/default/files/2021 Ultra4 Rulebook V5.1_0.pdf#page35

 

[Fouledplugs]

I'm sure it will be near if not over 100k

Possible, however could it be done cheaper by a builder/shop using any stock vehicle while also using the same or comparably the same parts? My estimated guess is no.

 

[toximus]

It'll be interesting to see how they do.

So far what they have shown isn't a production ready design.

 

[toximus]

Yes, Ultra4 rules require at least 1000 units built by the original manufacture to be eligible to compete legally in the stock 4600 Ultra4 class.

https://www.ultra4racing.com/sites/default/files/2021 Ultra4 Rulebook V5.1_0.pdf#page35View attachment 223569

I wonder if they're going to pull the same thing Jeep/Savvy pulled in 2019 when they put the Gladiator in the stock class. List of mods are roughly similar and Savvy didn't produce 1000 units.

 

[toximus]

If Ford pushes this hard, this will be good for everyone who trails "full size" rigs. Around here a lot is changing to UTVs but not Jeeps so this could change things.

And if a Bronco can keep up, I welcome them like I would any other Jeep or buggy.

 

[Fouledplugs]

Savvy didn't produce 1000 units.

Jeep produced the Gladiator, using the stock Gladiator, Savvy modified it IAW the Ultra4 rules and raced it, which was legal since Savvy used a factory Jeep that is offered to the public. Ford, I think, it just taking it up a notch and offering the whole package ready to go. (my unfounded theory)

Again, as mentioned in my first post, Ford is being a little vague if this will be offered as a package off the floor or if you would have to source the parts through their parts department.

 

[Alex01]

If Ford pushes this hard, this will be good for everyone who trails "full size" rigs. Around here a lot is changing to UTVs but not Jeeps so this could change things.

And if a Bronco can keep up, I welcome them like I would any other Jeep or buggy.

Keep up? That's a high bar for anyone wheeling with you.

 

[Fouledplugs]

so this could change things.

Agreed, but usually the price difference between the two is the killer.

 

[Alex01]

Jeep produced the Gladiator, using the stock Gladiator, Savvy modified it IAW the Ultra4 rules and raced it, which was legal since Savvy used a factory Jeep that is offered to the public. Ford, I think, it just taking it up a notch and offering the whole package ready to go.

Again, as mentioned in my first post, Ford is being a little vague if this will be offered as a package of the floor if it you would have to source the parts through their parts department.

I'd bet if they do end up selling it, complete, they'd outsource it like they do with the Shelby gt500.

 

[Apparition]

Looking forward to seeing it race Baja.

 

[Fouledplugs]

It's obvious to me who's behind this and why they are doing this build. Vaughn Gittin Jr, Loren Healy, Jason Scherer, Bailey Cole, Brad Lovell, and Roger Lovel are all partnered with Factory Ford. I believe Vaughn Gittin is the ring leader behind this annoucnment, he understands the importance and impact social media has. Ford understands these folks are all top 10 guys in rock sports.

If they all worked together with Ford and sold this to the leadership at Ford Corp, and knowing these guys experience/knowledge in rock crawling/rock racing, this thing out of the box would be worth it's price. My jaw was on the floor as I read through the parts list.

Ford knew they needed to some strength to compete with Jeep and partnering with these guys was a very smart move.

 

[Apparition]

It's obvious to me who's behind this and why they are doing this build. Vaughn Gittin Jr, Loren Healy, Jason Scherer, Bailey Cole, Brad Lovell, and Roger Lovel are all partnered with Factory Ford. I believe Vaughn Gittin is the ring leader behind this annoucnment, he understands the importance and impact social media has. He understands these folks are all top 10 guys in rock sports.

If they all worked together with Ford and sold this to the leadership at Ford Corp, and knowing these guys experience/knowledge in rock crawling/rock racing, this thing out of the box would be worth it's price.

Ford knew they needed to some strength to compete with Jeep and partnering with these guys was a very smart move.

View attachment 223573View attachment 223574View attachment 223572

Well Ford needs to get moving on getting Broncos (not sport) out the door.