Here’s my setup for Wheeler Pass. Check out the image! Let me know what you think or if you’ve tried something similar.
Did you get those wheels from a junkyard Bad Lands? I was thinking about finding some steelies from a Maverick.
Niko said:
Did you get those wheels from a junkyard Bad Lands? I was thinking about finding some steelies from a Maverick.
Oh, and is that stock height? I’m considering tires like that for mine.
@Niko
Nope, my Big Bend came with the black diamond package, which included those heritage wheels. I added a 1.5-inch ReadyLift and went with 245/60r17s.
Vic said:
@Niko
Nope, my Big Bend came with the black diamond package, which included those heritage wheels. I added a 1.5-inch ReadyLift and went with 245/60r17s.
Nice. What year is it? I’ve been looking at a similar HRG 1.5 lift with those wheels.
@Niko
It’s a 2023. If I was doing the lift myself, I’d probably go with HRG—they’re great. I’ve got their front skid plate and pod light brackets. The only reason I went with ReadyLift is because the Bronco Barn handled it for me.
What setup did you use to mount the recovery boards on top? Mine just has simple brackets, but it doesn’t sit like yours does.
Leander said:
What setup did you use to mount the recovery boards on top? Mine just has simple brackets, but it doesn’t sit like yours does.
Thanks! I actually designed and 3D-printed them myself. Couldn’t find a design I liked, so I did some trial and error to get this right. This trip was the first real test.
@Vic
That’s awesome. So they held up well?
Leander said:
@Vic
That’s awesome. So they held up well?
Yeah, they did great! No rattling, stayed secure, and worked fine even at freeway speeds. I’m planning to start selling these by the end of the year if you’re interested.
This looks great. How does the 1.5L perform off-road? I’ve been unsure about getting the smaller engine instead of the 2.0L.
Paris said:
This looks great. How does the 1.5L perform off-road? I’ve been unsure about getting the smaller engine instead of the 2.0L.
I won’t lie, the extra power of the 2.0 would be nice, but I’ve never felt like the 1.5 is underpowered. Even with bigger tires, it feels good and torquey. The real advantage of the Badlands is the rear drive cooler. Without it, the AWD can overheat during long uphill climbs or rocky sections. On this trip, it disabled itself after about an hour of tough terrain. You can see what it was like from the second pic.
What mount are you using for the recovery boards?
Zyler said:
What mount are you using for the recovery boards?
I couldn’t find a design I liked, so I made my own using CAD and a 3D printer. This trip was my test run to make sure everything was solid and functional. I’m planning to start selling them soon if you’re interested.
Just a thought… mounting recovery boards on the roof looks cool, but keeping them inside might be more practical. Easier to grab from the driver’s side.
Briar said:
Just a thought… mounting recovery boards on the roof looks cool, but keeping them inside might be more practical. Easier to grab from the driver’s side.
I get that, but I think it’s better on the roof. When I’m off-roading, I usually have a cooler, chairs, a canopy, and sometimes a passenger in the back. With all that, getting to the boards inside would be a hassle. It’s quicker to unstrap them from the roof.