Not long ago, we covered the exciting project undertaken by Kyle Delfel, a Ford enthusiast located in the Pacific Northwest who runs the Instagram account delfab__. He swapped in a solid front axle on his 2021 Ford Bronco, and eventually brought it to the 2021 SEMA show, where it was recognized by Ford Performance with a design award.
And recognized it should be, as the undertaking appears quite elaborate, as the stock Ford Bronco comes with an independent front suspension, which has superior handling abilities both on the highway and during high-speed off roading events, relative to a solid front axle design found on the Jeep Wrangler. Conversely, a solid front axle design enables more articulation for low-speed off-road events, such as rock crawling, and also makes it easier to lift and add bigger tires.
A Walkaround Of The Solid Front Axle Ford Bronco
The one-off solid front axle Ford Bronco has received many decals that pay homage to the previous generations, including a 3D printed grille that resembles the first-generation Bronco with the Ford name on the front fascia instead of Bronco as we’ll also see on the Bronco Raptor. In addition, an amber overlay has been placed onto the parking lights while sunset decals from the freewheeling package of the second generation Bronco make up the exterior design. Meanwhile, classic badging on the side is reminiscent of the previous members of the Bronco family.
If anyone is interested in purchasing the decals, they can contact Kyle on his Instagram.
The build incorporates several 4 Wheel Parts that have been modified around the 40″ Mickey Thompson Baja Pro XS tires. The front bumper with Rigid integrated lights, side steps, fender deletes, and rear bumper with Rigid lights have been mounted onto the Ford Bronco. In addition, a Smitty Built winch sits on the top of the front bumper and can pull 9,500 pounds, while a custom-built RackTech roof rack with Rigid lighting has been mounted directly into the factory mounting points on the roof.
The Modifications Underneath
A few additions have been made underneath the vehicle, including a custom skid plate, Curry Rock Jock sway bar, Yukon front Chromoly 1550 axle shafts, and PSC full hydro steering. SSBC big brakes have also been installed to ensure the Bronco has reliable stopping power with all the added weight. In addition, the frame under the vehicle has been powder coated, and the fuel tank was relocated to accommodate the driveline. And just as a live front axle has been added to the front of the Bronco, the rear axle has been swapped out in favor of one from a late model F-250 Super Duty.
The spare tire has been relocated to the trunk of the Ford Bronco with custom mounts that utilize the existing mounting points on the floor. In addition, the compartment in the floorboard allows access to the built-in air compressor for easy airing up after a day on the trail. The vehicle’s interior includes a custom race-style steering wheel from ShadowCraft and luxurious custom seats for comfortable riding.
