Your first trail run in a Ford Bronco is one of those experiences that makes the price tag make sense. Most new owners also show up underprepared. Here are four things worth sorting out before you go.
1. Know your truck's limits before the trail does
The 6th-gen Bronco is genuinely capable from the factory. It also has limits that vary significantly depending on your trim and package. A stock Base with the 2.3L and no Sasquatch Package on all-season tires is a different truck than a Badlands Sasquatch on 35s. Both can trail, but not the same trails.
Before you go, know your ground clearance, your approach and departure angles, and whether your Bronco has a front locker. The Sasquatch Package gives you a front locker on most trims. Non-Sasquatch models do not. That matters when you are picking lines. Going in knowing your truck is how you avoid committing to an obstacle your setup cannot clear.
If you are still figuring out what your Bronco is built for, start with our guide on what to consider before modding your Ford Bronco.
2. Get the right protection on the truck first
The factory plastic rocker trim is not trail protection. One rock at the wrong angle and you are looking at a gouge or a dent that costs real money to fix. Rock sliders are the single most important protection mod for a Bronco that is going off road. They mount to the frame and take the hit so the body does not.
Underneath the truck, the factory skid plates cover the basics but leave gaps depending on your trim. Aftermarket skid plates fill those gaps and give you coverage on rock strikes that the factory setup would transfer straight to the transfer case or oil pan.
If you plan to run anything technical, a steel front bumper improves your approach angle and gives you a proper winch mount. Speaking of which, a winch is not optional on serious terrain. Getting yourself unstuck without one depends entirely on someone else being there and in a position to help.
3. Have a recovery plan before you need one
Every trail run should start with two things: someone who knows where you are going, and a basic recovery kit in the truck. A tree strap, a shackle, and a hi-lift jack take up almost no space and can get you out of most situations without waiting for another vehicle.
Tell someone your trailhead, your planned route, and when you expect to be back. If you are in a group, make sure at least one truck has trail lighting if there is any chance you run past sundown. Getting caught on a trail in the dark without lights is a fast way to turn a good day into a bad one.
Cell service is unreliable off road. Download the trail maps before you leave. A handheld GPS or a satellite communicator is worth having if you are heading anywhere remote.
4. Check your open recalls before you wheel
This one gets skipped constantly. The 2021-2026 Ford Bronco has accumulated a significant number of NHTSA recalls, and several of them involve the drivetrain, brakes, and transfer case. Wheeling a truck with an open recall on the transmission or transfer case puts stress on a system that Ford has already flagged as a problem.
Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov before your first trail run. It takes two minutes. If you have open recalls, get them completed at the dealer first. All recall repairs are free regardless of warranty status. There is no reason to go out on the trail carrying a known risk that Ford will fix for nothing.
Prep the truck, know the terrain, and have a way out if things go sideways. That is the whole checklist.
- Shop Rock Sliders for Ford Bronco
- Shop Skid Plates for Ford Bronco
- Shop Front Bumpers for Ford Bronco
- Shop Winches and Recovery Gear for Ford Bronco
About This Guide
This was put together by the team at Bronco Forge. We sell aftermarket parts exclusively for the Ford Bronco and spend time in Bronco owner communities tracking what new owners run into on their first trail runs. Questions about fitment or which parts make sense for your build? Reach out at contact@broncoforge.com or (909) 772-8050.
