Posted by Adrian Geske on 4/23/2022 to
Top Mods
The 2021-2022 Ford Bronco is the perfect vehicle to go all out creating an overland build with. There are tons of upgrades and accessories out there now, but it may be hard to choose where to focus your funds to start your transformation. At Stage 3 Motorsports, we have compiled a list of the Top 5 Overland Upgrades that you can make right now for a serious impact on your performance, utility, and appearance. We have highlighted the top products in the categories of Leveling Kits, Wheels & Tires, Roof Racks, and Off-Road Light Mounts for you to dip your toes into the overland upgrades you can make. Bronco overland upgrades are important for being prepared for anything off the beaten path. Taking on rough terrains and spending time out in remote locations is an activity you have to come prepared for. Proper storage from roof racks, visibility from off-road light mounts, and rock crawling capability from wheels, tires, and leveling kits are the only way to be ready for anything out in the wild. When overlanding, the journey is the destination, and that journey is not going to be a smooth one without the proper Bronco overland mods.
Our choice for a perfect suspesion starter kit is the ICON Stage 3 Suspension System Sasquatch or ICON Stage 3 Suspension System Non-Sasquatch. The ICON 2.5 coilovers included in these packages are specifically tuned to the 2021-2022 Ford Bronco with or without the Sasquatch Package. These 2.5 coilovers are adjustable from 2-3" of lift for Sasquatch equipped Broncos and 3-4" for Non-Sasquatch Broncos. This creates the most efficient configuration possible for whatever the situation calls for. This custom-engineering is what gives you complete control over your performance. Maximize your damping and wheel travel off-road for a ride so smooth you would think you were on a paved street. A result of incorporating this suspension package into your build is the 2-3" of increased lift for Sasquatch equipped Broncos and 3-4" of increased lift for Non-Sasquatch Broncos. What the UCAs provide is the necessary caster correction to compensate for this added lift. Not only do they fix this issue, but they allow for up to 90 degrees of free flowing movement in your front suspension with the proprietary Delta Joint Pro technology. These UCAs come in a tubular or billet version, but we recommend the billet version as they are stronger. To start off your ultimate overland build, you cannot go wrong with the ICON Stage 3 Suspension System.
Black Rhino is one of the most trusted and revered names in the manufacturing of 2021-2022 Ford Bronco aftermarket wheels. In our opinion, their Black Rhino 17x9" Shredder Matte Gunmetal w/ Black Lip Edge 0mm Offset Wheel has one of the toughest looks out there with its mesh and rotary forging. The high pressure forging on the rim is done as the wheels are spun quickly. An angular concave profile with twisted spokes are the crux of this star-studded design. As the wheel turns, there is a shredding effect created for a truly aggressive look. The matte gunmetal finish and black lip edge works perfectly with whatever you Bronco exterior finish currently is. When it comes to performance, this wheel has a load rating of 2,450lbs. Despite this heavy-duty strength, the Shredder wheel is surprisingly lightweight making for a seamless addition to your Bronco overland build.
For the best traction and control during your overland adventures, you absolutely have to go with a set of off-road tires from Nitto. They manufacture their tires with the perfect balance of performance and style. The 35X12.50R17LT 125R Nitto Recon Grappler Tire is the ticket to a comfortable ride. The aggressive tread design gives you a smooth feel over the harshest of terrain. This pattern features an arrangement of wide and narrow grooves with Nitto's own Zig-Zag concept. It reduces the road noise while also greatly improving traction. Combine this state-of-the-art pattern with the prominent sidewheel and staggered shoulder lugs and you have an oversized off-road tire ready for absolutely anything. From the most wet to the most dry environments, the reinforced tread black, larger tread, and larger shoulder blocks will allow these tires to perform the same. For the best stability and handling, your Bronco overland build needs the Recon Grappler A/T Off-Road Tire from Nitto.
A roof top tent is the perfect lodging for a cross country trip. We believe that the ZROADZ Roof Rack is the best way to give you the opportunity to create this stealthy overland setup. If you do not choose to go with the roof top tent, this is still an essential Bronco accessory for the campers and outdoor enthusiasts. You can utilize the space on your roof to store equipment and supplies like storage boxes, bicycles, kayaks, camping gear, and more. At Stage 3, we understand the importance of a quality investment. The ZROADZ roof racks are meant for the long-term with their strong 1.5" steel construction with a light textured, semi-black 3-stage epoxy powder coat. The ZROADZ roof rack is likely to be the last roof rack you ever buy.
The combination of Baja Designs' XL Sport Spot LEDs, XL Sport Driving/Combo LEDs, and XL Sport Wide Cornering LEDs in the Baja Designs XL Linkable Kit is only for the most serious of overland adventurers. We believe it gives the best light output for your new Bronco overland build. All these different LEDs put together creates an aggressive and bold lighting upgrade capable of illuminating whatever is in your way. You can adjust you lighting coverage based on your needs. Get maximized trail coverage, cornering and low visibility, and high-speed lighting all in one. For convenient integration into your Bronco build, this Baja Designs off-road light mount uses an upfitter style wiring harness that ties directly into the OEM switch panel. You get all of this premium lighting capability housed in a durable powder-coated aluminum. This high-quality construction means the most longevity possible. The Baja Designs XL Linkable Kit is even guaranteed to provide you premium light output for 50,000 hours.
Bronco Suspension Packages
The first step in creating an overland build for your 2021-2022 Ford Bronco is taking care of your suspension with aftermarket Leveling Kits. A solid pair of control arms and coilovers is absolutely necessary for even being able to take your Bronco off-road. Your stock components will not be able to handle the rigors of off-road driving. There is tons of room for suspension improvement when it comes to overland capability, but a simple leveling kit with a set of UCAs and 2.5 performance coilovers is all you need to get you started.ICON Stage 3 Suspension Package Features:
- 14" Rear Travel; 11.5" Front Travel with 35" tires
- Adjustable coilovers from 2-3" of lift height for Sasquatch and 3-4" of lift height for Non-Sasquatch
- Corrosion resistant CAD plated coilover shock body with 7/8" shaft
- Featuring a rear triple rate coil design
- UCAs feature the Delta Joint Pro with 90 degrees of total articulation
Black Rhino 17x9" Shredder Matte Gunmetal w/ Black Lip Edge 0mm Offset Wheel for Bronco
Aftermarket Off-Road Wheels are the logical next step now that you have the room cleared up in your suspension. A larger set of off-road capable wheels are essential to bearing the intense forces of uneven terrains and allowing the tires to shine. Beyond the pure performance benefit, aftermarket wheels can add an aggressive look to a bland Bronco build. There are tons of different colors and designs out there, but finding a unique and rugged styling is the most important feature to look for in our opinion.Black Rhino 17x9" Shredder Matte Gunmetal w/ Black Lip Edge 0mm Offset Wheel Features:
- Wheel Size: 17x9"
- Finish: Matte Gunmetal
- Offset: 0mm
- Backspacing: 5"
- Load Rating: 2450lb
35X12.50R17LT 125R Nitto Recon Grappler Tires for Bronco
New aftermarket wheels are a waste without a quality set of oversized Off-Road Tires. There are a tons of different tread patterns out there, but for the best performance possible in all situations, you need a pattern engineered with an All-Terrain design. This type of pattern will offer optimal traction no matter what mother nature throws at you. With your new lift and larger wheels, you are going to want to take advantage of that with a massive pair of tires. 35" is the perfect size to get the oversized look and feel without getting obnoxious.35X12.50R17LT 125R Nitto Recon Grappler Tires Features:
- Tire Size: 35x12R17
- Tire Diameter: 34.53"
- Tire Depth: 16.9"
- Max Load (Single): 3640lbs
- Warranty: 55,000 mile limited treadwear warranty
ZROADZ Roof Rack for Bronco
You have the control over performance and handling to take on the toughest of trails. Now what? Time to add a little more storage and functionality to a well equipped 2021-2022 Ford Bronco. Aftermarket Roof Racks are one of the most versatile accessories you can add to your Bronco overland build. Strap down various storage boxes and equipment or even incorporate a roof-top tent for the ultimate adventure setup. There are plenty of different styles of roof racks out there, but the best and most efficient for your Bronco is a modular design with some sort of crossbars included. This will allow you to use the space in whatever way you see fit. A roof rack can be one of the most important parts of your overland Bronco build when it is all said and done.ZROADZ Roof Rack Features:
- Heavy Gauge Mild Steel Construction , 1.5 inch Round Tubing and Mild Step Crossbars
- Light texture, Semi-black, durable 3 Stage Epoxy based Powder coat finish
- Easy, bolt-on installation, no drilling required. Installs in lass than 60 minutes with basic hand tools
- Covered with 3-year warranty against material and workmanship, 1-year warranty on the finish
Baja Designs XL Linkable Kit with Upfitter Harness for Bronco
Last, but definitely not least, are the Off-Road Light Mounts. Adventuring out into the wild means dealing with the darkness of unincorporated areas. Your stock lighting will not cut it when you are out in the boondocks. Give yourself proper visibility in these low-visibility situations with an aftermarket off-road light mount. Being aware of your surroundings behind the wheel of your Bronco is arguably the most important thing for keeping you and your passengers safe. Take away any possibility of an accident to keep your adventures running smoothly. One incident and you will likely be turned off to overland adventuring altogether.Baja Designs XL Linkable Kit with Upfitter Harness Features:
- Includes a pre-load support bracket to maintain stiffness on rough terrain
- Built-in overvoltage protection
- Replaceable lenses and optics
- Limited Lifetime Manufacturer Warranty
Last Thoughts
The Matte Gunmetal color of the Black Rhino Shredder Wheels are guaranteed to flow right into whatever your current Bronco build looks like, while adding a seriously awesome shredding effect from the twisted spoke design. This part of our Top 5 Overland Upgrades is the hallmark of what is going to give your Bronco the aggressive looking build. Without the suspension systems and tires however, your Bronco is not going to have the performance to back up the new bold look. You really have to at least consider the Top 3 Overland Upgrades if you want a solid base for your overland build. The Baja Designs LEDs and ZROADZ Roof Rack are really what complete an overland build. Without them, you are not truly ready to adventure. If you have already made any of these Bronco overland upgrades to your vehicle, comment below on your experience with them and recommend other overland Bronco mods to grab from Stage 3.