Custom Off-Road Excellence: The 2021 Ford Bronco First Edition

2021 Ford Bronco First Edition Off-Roader

The 2021 Ford Bronco First Edition is one of the most highly anticipated off-road vehicles coming from Ford in years. With its unique features and advanced engineering, it is built to withstand harsh conditions, while delivering a superior driving experience. We had the pleasure of talking to Jason Flowers, owner of Raging Bull Marketing, about the 2021 Ford Bronco First Edition build he completed before SEMA Show 2021. Not only does it look good, but it can hold its own on the trail, most recently seen at Bronco Safari 2023 in Moab.

“Our Bronco is built to just take out to enjoy whenever. If you want to overland, rock crawl, or take the kids to the barn we built it for outdoor enjoyment for all of us.”

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

Flowers explains how it all started: “We got into modifying vehicles in the early 2000s as the import tuner scene was taking off. We have built best-of-show-winning imports, which lead us to display our vehicles at SEMA Show, Essen Motor Show, Tokyo Auto Salon, and Dubai. We had branched out and created vehicles for specific companies and manufacturers.”

He and his team were looking to branch out from the import scene and decided off-road vehicles were a great market to get into. “Our first project into off-roading was a Ford Raptor that we put through its paces as a desert ranger-style in the dunes of Pismo. We put to use the finer details we learned with our previous vehicles into our Bronco.”

Speaking of the Bronco, once Jason’s team started working on it, they decided on a plan to make it one of the best builds they’ve ever done. “We built the Bronco to be a nimbler off-roader than the Raptor,” says Jason.  “Full-size trucks have their advantages, but the Bronco was the more precise option that we wanted to explore and build on.”

On the Outside

The Bronco boasts an intricate and unique wrap collaboration with SS Customs featuring a nature tattoo livery with secret riddles hidden in the design. The door jams have been covered for tube doors, while the upper cage is covered in textured black LineX material. For maximum clearance for off-roading obstacles, the fender deletes were installed. The Rockslide Engineering Power Rock Rockers with Rock Guard provide added protection, while the Bay Area Metal Fab rear tire delete/new third brake light/accessory mounts, Rotopax storage units, and DMOS shovel mount enhance the SUV’s functionality.

The Bay Area Metal Fab front bumper integrates four KC HiLites Flex Era 4s, two Flex Era 3s, and two Flex Era 1s. A Warn VR Evo 12-S winch with Factor 55 Fairlead and Shackle mount recovery gear is included for ultimate durability. The rig is equipped with Bay Area Metal Fab roof bar brackets with KC HiLites Gravity Pro6 Light Bar and Bad Ass Mounts swivel ditch light mounts with KC HiLites Flex Era 4s.

Suspension and Engine

The suspension of this vehicle is designed for optimal off-road performance. The custom King Shocks 2.5 Remote Reservoir suspension system is equipped with different spring rates and valving by King for added weight. This allows for a smoother ride over rough terrain and increased stability when carrying heavy loads. The Camburg Racing upper control arms and rear trailing arms also contribute to better handling and suspension flexibility.

The addition of the Broncobuster tie rod braces, steering bushings, and Stage 3 billet aluminum housing with a 3-inch body lift further enhances the vehicle’s off-road capabilities. The suspension system is designed to handle rough terrain and provide the driver with a smooth ride over bumps and obstacles.

The vehicle is also equipped with a Dana Spicer Floating Rear Axle with a 5.38 rear gear, and in front, a Dana Spicer F-front differential with a 5.38 gear and Spicer Extreme 32 Spline. These provide improved traction and control on challenging terrain, ensuring that the vehicle can handle even the toughest of off-road conditions.

“The suspension system is designed to handle rough terrain and provide the driver with a smooth ride over bumps and obstacles.”

Under the hood, the Bronco First Edition is equipped with a 2.7 L V6 engine with a Roush cold air intake, high flow intercooler, Optima battery, and a WARN Control Pack Relocation. The vehicle features a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Wheels and Tires

The wheels are equally impressive. The five KMC Forged Mesa 17×9 wheels (with zero offset) are intended to be beaten up on rocks, which is why they did not match the color of the beadlock rings. The ARP wheel studs, Gorilla Forged Closed End Zinc Lug Nuts, and Power Tank Monster Valves ensure that the wheels stay securely in place, even during extreme off-road use.

The Toyo Tires 40×13.5 Open Country MT Rs are used when the Bronco is towed for off-road use only and are swapped out for 37×13.5 Open Country MT for daily driving. The tires provide excellent traction in a variety of off-road conditions, making them ideal for this SUV to explore rough terrain. They are designed to provide optimal grip and control, whether driving over rocks, through mud, or across sand.

The Interior

The interior is not only stylish but also practical for off-road adventures. Katzkin provided a unique blue and black interior with an American flag pattern that adds a touch of patriotism to the cabin. The seats are comfortable and durable, making them perfect for extended journeys on rough terrain. The blue stitching on the leather seats complements the blue exterior accents, creating a cohesive look.

One of the standout features of the interior is the Acumen 4K split-screen rearview mirror cam/recorder. This advanced technology provides a 360-degree view of the surroundings and allows the driver to see obstacles from every angle. The recorder is especially useful for capturing those moments of off-road excitement and can be used as evidence in case of any incidents.

The Rugged Radios GMRS handheld sits in the quick-release mount on the dash rail ready for spotters and necessary off-road communication. Meanwhile, the Rugged Radio GMR45 is installed to the accessory mount on the center stack and ensures that communication stays open between the driver, spotters, and others in the group. The JBL 18-speaker sound system with six amplifiers and a digital processor is a welcome addition to the interior. The matching blue speaker lighting adds a touch of ambiance to the cabin.

The rear cargo area is versatile and functional, with a rear cage mount for a 10-lb. Power Tank and a Pro Eagle jack. The matching blue Alpine straps on the spare tire mount add an extra touch of flair. The Aiden James Customs rear interior cargo plate is perfect for mounting all accessories and keeping them secure. The Noco emergency power supply and Power Tank tire repair kit ensure that the driver is always prepared for any situation.

Conclusion

Flowers had a chance to give it a shakedown after his hard work was first shown off to others in the industry. “We were in such a rush to build the Bronco for SEMA Show 2021, we did not get a chance to test it out and enjoy it out on the trail prior to the show. After SEMA, we took it to King of the Hammers and put it through its paces with a celebrity ride-along. Everything we did to the Bronco was just right. Happy with the choices that we made and how it all came together.”

“The Bronco boasts an intricate and unique wrap collaboration with SS Customs featuring a nature tattoo livery with secret riddles hidden in the design.”

Overall, Jason and his team at Raging Bull Marketing are proud of one of their early forays into the off-road world: “Our Bronco is built to just take out to enjoy whenever. If you want to overland, rock crawl, or take the kids to the barn we built it for outdoor enjoyment for all of us. We have vast options in Northern California to be able to take the Bronco in the dunes, rocky desert, or forest which our Bronco can get to and catch your eye while making the journey.”

UPGRADES

2021 Ford Bronco First Edition

Engine: 2.7 L V6 w/Roush cold air intake, high flow intercooler

Wheels & Tires: KMC Forged Mess 17×9 zero offset; Toyo Tires 40×13.5 Open Country MT R (off-road only); Toyo Tires Open Country MT 37×13.5 (daily driving)

Suspension: Custom King Shocks 2.5 remote reservoir (front/rear); Camburg Racing Upper Control Arms (front), trailing arms (rear); Broncbuster tie rod BusterBrace, BroncBushing, Stage III Billet Aluminum Housing, 3” body lift

Armor: Bay Area Metal Fab front bumper; integrated 4 KC HiLites Flex Era 4s, 2 Flex Era 2s, 3 Flex Era 1s; Rockslide Engineering power rock rockers with rock guard;

Modifications: Magnaflow Overland High Clearance exhaust; Dana Spicer F-front differential with 5.38 gear, Spicer Extreme 32 Spline (front); Dana Spicer Floating Rear Axle 5.38 gear (rear)

Exterior Accessories: custom wrap collaboration with ss customs; door jams covered for tube doors; protective coating on Bronco upper cage; fender deletes; Bay Area Metal Fab rear tire delete, new 3rd brake light, accessory mounts; Rotopax; DMOS shovel and mount; WARN Evo VS 12-S winch; Factor 55 Fairlead and Shackle Mount; Bay Area Metal Fab roof bar brackets; KC HiLites Pro 6 light bar; Bad Ass Mounts swivel ditch light mount; 2 KC HiLites Flex Era 4s; Rugged Radio short antenna mount on trail sight; Go FSR Evolution 48” roof top tent; Roof rack mounted to frame by Bay Area Metal Fab; 12 KC HiLites V2  Cyclone rock lights; Bestop convertible top; ARP wheel studs; Gorilla forged closed end zinc lug nuts; Power Tank Monster Valves

Interior Accessories: Katzkin blue/black interior with American flag pattern; Garmin Tread Overland GPS; Acumen 4k split screen rear view mirror cam/recorder; Arcytype racing dash rail; Maglite flash lite quick release mount on dash rail; Rugged Radio GMRS handheld on quick release mount on dash rail, Rugged Radio GMR45 mounted on center stack; JBL18 speaker sound system w/6 amplifiers, digital processor, matching blue speaker lighting; rear cage mount for 10 lbs Power Tanks; Pro Eagle jack; spare tire mount matching w/blue Alpine straps; rear Maglite flashlite mount; Aiden James Customs rear cargo plate; Noco emergency power supply; Power Tank tire repair kit

Editor’s Note: A version of this article appeared in TREAD July/August 2023.