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HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO INSTALL A LIFT KIT IN A FORD BRONCO? Why is it when you look online for Ford Bronco Lift Kits and installation in Michigan you will find 1’, 2” and 3” lift kits from as low as $50 to as much as $10,000? Which is “best”? That can be a difficult question and a loaded question.. Expedition Vehicle Outfitters in Michigan is here to help you make the decision of which modification for your Ford Bronco is best for your use and needs. Expedition Vehicle Outfitter’s goal with any client is always to help educate first before your upgrade purchase to help you make a confident and well thought out decision. This blog will help lay out some options and general ideas of suspension modification. So let’s dive into some options! REQUEST A QUOTE NOW! FORD BRONCO SPACER LIFT KIT A spacer Ford Bronco lift kit is a suspension modification in which a spacer made of plastic, aluminum or steel is installed above the coilover shock to raise the Ford Broncos ride height. This is a great option to add 1”, 2” or 2.5” of additional suspension lift. This height adjustment is based on your Ford Bronco’s trim package and thickness of spacer installed. This will result in near factory ride quality, increased ground clearance, and increased tire size fitment. This is one of the most low cost lift options but can have limited off road performance upgrades. This style lift will keep factory suspension travel, no added suspension travel. Upgraded front upper control arms may be necessary depending on added lift height added to correct alignment issues and proper ball joint angles. One major thing to remember is that Sasquatch Package equipped Ford Broncos are critically effected by adding a spacer lift kit in most cases causing improper ball joint, CV axle shaft and tie rod end angles causing premature failures. Consult Expedition Vehicle Outfitters in Michigan for safe options to lift your Ford Bronco Sasquatch Package. Lift Kit Price $50-100. PRO- Increased Size Tire Fitment, Increased Ground Clearance CON- Not available for Sasquatch Package in most cases, No increased Suspension Travel, Factory Ride quality, Factory Shock Performance A great example of a high quality Ford Bronco Spacer Lift Kit is the MetalCloak Kit shown below. These are available for installation at Expedition Vehicle Outfitters in Michigan. LINK TO METALCLOAK LIFT KIT SPACERS FORD BRONCO SPRING LIFT KIT A spring Ford Bronco lift kit is a suspension modification in which the factory coil springs are removed and replaced with a stronger spring rate or longer coil spring. Either of these options, stronger spring to carry more weight or longer coil spring will result in a higher ride height. This will result in factory suspension travel, this will lift kit will not increase suspension travel. This suspension modifications requires the disassembly and reassembly of the factory coilover shocks. This modification requires special tools and experience that is available at Expedition Vehicle Outfitters in Michigan. Suspension travel is limited by the factory shock absorber. This is a great option if you have added extra weight to your Ford Bronco ie: bumper, winch etc. and want to add a little raise to your Ford Bronco. Lift Kit Price $250-600 PRO- Increased Size Tire Fitment, Increased Ground Clearance, Increased Weight Capacity, Increased Ride Quality CON- No Increased Suspension Travel, Factory Shock Performance Pictured Below are Bronco lift springs available for installation at Expedition Vehicle Outfitters. FORD BRONCO PRELOAD COLLAR LIFT KIT A Preload Collar Ford Bronco lift kit is a suspension modification in which a preload collar is added underneath the spring of a coilover shock to raise the ride height of the Ford Bronco. This suspension modification requires the disassembly and reassembly of the factory coilover shocks. This modification requires special tools and experience that is available at Expedition Vehicle Outfitters in Michigan. This modification will not increase suspension travel of a Ford Bronco, suspension travel will remain same as factory. Lift Kit Price $100-200 PRO- Increased Size Tire Fitment, Increased Ground Clearance Con- No Increased Suspension Travel, Factory Shock Performance Pictured Below is the Bronc Buster Preload Collars available for installation at Expedition Vehicle Outfitters. BRONC BUSTER LIFT PERCH COLLARS REQUEST A QUOTE TODAY FORD BRONCO UPGRADE COILOVER LIFT KIT An Upgraded Coilover Lift Kit is a suspension modification in which the factory coilover shock is removed and replaced with an aftermarket performance coilover shock. This performance shock can increase suspension travel, ride height and ride quality depending on brand and configuration. These upgraded coilover shocks will be adjustable in ride height from 0” of added lift to 3.5” of added lift in most cases. In most cases the coilover coil springs are serviceable to add extra weight carrying capacity if needed. These upgraded coilovers will have increased oil capacity and adjustable shock valving for control over compression and rebound. Depending on brand and configuration a bypass shock can be added piggy backed to help control damping for high speed use. Expedition Vehicle Outfitters in Michigan has experience and tooling to properly install, adjust and service these upgraded coilover Ford Bronco lift kit options. Lift Kit Price $2,000-8,000 PRO- Increased Size Tire Fitment, Increased Ground Clearance, Increased Suspension Travel, Ride Height Adjustability, High Speed Adjustability, Tuneable and Adjustable CON- Requires Specialized Service and Adjustment when installed (available at Expedition Vehicle Outfitters), In some cases there is a wait time associated with order. Pictured Below are a set of fully adjustable Ford Bronco coilover shocks being installed and adjusted at Expedition Vehicle Outfitters. FORD BRONCO LIFT KIT INSTALLATION As you have probably determined there are many options for Ford Bronco Lift Kits and no one lift kit is perfect for everyone. Because of that Expedition Vehicle Outfitters offers a free consultation before any Bronco Lift Kit Installation to discuss options and budgets. We would rather answer 100 questions to make positive you are happy and confident with your modifications than make a modification you will regret. Expedition Vehicle Outfitters performs off road wheel alignment services on every vehicle lifted. Our alignment techs are experienced in servicing modified, lifted and oversized vehicles. As a general rule of thumb entry level lift kits can be installed in the few hundred dollar ranges and more complex systems with critical adjustments and setting coming in at a much higher range depending on services associated. To receive a free consultation and specialized quote contact Expedition Vehicle Outfitters in Michigan TODAY! Call 989-593-2533 REQUEST A QUOTE

SHOULD YOU HAVE THE DEALER MOD YOUR FORD BRONCO? Let’s get ready to ruffle some feathers.. We receive this question daily. “Why make the trip to Expedition Vehicle Outfitters over having the Dealership do my mods?” This is one that we can dissect in order for you to see what makes the most sense for your needs. Our first response to that important question is always going to be, we feel it is best to choose our services because of our experience. Whenever our clients are considering Ford Bronco upgrades, what to modify first, what routes to choose etc. We always stress asking questions and LOTS of them. Knowledge is power and the fastest way to gather knowledge from people with experience. Our entire Team, office staff who greets you to the technicians in the back of the shop creating incredible off road vehicles has experience off roading Broncos and all kinds of other vehicle platforms throughout the US. From crawling the red rocks of Utah, climbing the mountains of Colorado, exploring the coasts of Drummond Island to mobbing through the sand dunes and everywhere in between. For over 27 years our passion has been adventure. We are not sharing this information to boast, this information is for you to leverage. Rely on our off road and overland experience to create a much better experience for you and your Bronco. Can the dealership say that or do they just want to sell you something out of their narrow parts catalog?  BEHIND THE SCENES EXPERIENCE The Team at Expedition Vehicle Outfitters has been relied on heavily by leaders in the aftermarket and off road industry to consult and test new Bronco upgrades. From building up Ford donated Broncos for heavy off road use to conquering trails nationwide to validate Bronco upgrades, our Team does the leg work so you don’t have to. We all find it incredibly fun and exciting by bringing all of our past experiences from many other off road platforms to the Ford Bronco. We can agree that it isn’t perfect, but with the right upgrades that we have tested and proven the Ford Bronco can become a real trail contender and much more reliable off road. Can your dealership say that? KNOWLEDGE OF UPGRADES AND AVAILABILITY We’ll share a couple quick stories. After working behind the scenes on Bronco upgrades for client vehicles our production Bronco was finally ready. We went down to the dealer to pick up our shops Brand New Bronco, the salesman who seemed like a genuinely good guy tried upselling us some mods a lift kit etc. Now I’m not trying to belittle anyone like mentioned the guy was genuinely nice. Jokingly I said, “yeah lets toss a set of adjustable coilovers on and a Dana 60 in the back.” Knowing that those upgrades would be performed once we got back to the shop that week. The salesman looked at me with a blank stare, “what does that mean?” Now even a very novice in off road space should know what an adjustable coilover shock is.. even if they don’t that isn’t a huge deal. But for a dealer trying to sell a client “upgrades and modifications” for their Bronco that is very disheartening. That results in unmet vehicle goals and our shop redoing modifications, which is fine but not always in the clients best interest. If you search social media and forums you will find it littered with comments the same as above, from not knowing how to install the Ford Factory Beadlocks to the dealer not knowing how to perform a Bronco ring and pinion upgrade. Dealers are great at some services but many specialty modifications and off road buildups they will fall short due to lack of experience. NO LIMITATIONS There are some great and innovaFord Bronco Upgrades, Modifications, Lift Kits, Armor, Bumpers etc. Many not made or sold by Ford. Expedition Vehicle Outfitters works with many leading aftermarket manufacturers while most dealerships only offer Ford parts. Our array is very large allowing us to curate the exact upgrades that will meet your needs best, not just what the Ford parts department can get. FINAL THOUGHTS Expedition Vehicle Outfitters is a family owned and operated off road and overland specialty shop in Michigan. Our passion is helping our clients create incredible memories and awesome experience both on and off road. We assist clients from all over the United States to meet their goals off road. If you are not 100% confident in the proposed modifications your dealer is offering or feel that you are being talked down to give our Team a shot.

Planning Your Ford Bronco Upgrades 101 A New Ford Bronco is a big investment and modifications shouldn’t be taken lightly. This is why Expedition Vehicle Outfitters in Michigan prides ourself in pushing our shop Bronco to the limits and working with industry leading manufacturers to test and help develop Bronco upgrades for enthusiasts. So you received your new Ford Bronco, it might have been after months of waiting but you finally have that key…fob in your hand. You hit the start button and see that stallion run across the screen and can’t wait to get out and explore. We get it, the Team at Expedition Vehicle Outfitters an off road and specialty shop in Michigan has been in this exact spot hundreds times over the years building up all kinds of off road vehicles. We were fortunate to work side by side with many of the OE suppliers and designers of components for the 6gen Ford Bronco. This has given us a leg up on expected potential failures and pre-released upgrades for the Ford Bronco platform. That inside knowledge definitely helps when planning a Bronco Build. SCHEDULE YOUR FORD BRONCO UPGRADES NOW! Call us nerds…. But nothing is more fun and exciting than planning our a full build up. From deciding on which upgrades are the most critical to planning the logistics of upgrade services, parts availability and critical adjustments. No portion should be overlooked and all should be carefully considered. Now lets dive into some options to consider. Expedition Vehicle Outfitters in Michigan likes to take a holistic approach to building off road vehicles especially Ford Broncos. What does that mean? Our focus is making certain that each modification service that we perform will coincide with future upgrades and scale throughout the vehicle. A great example is electrical upgrades, we make certain that the Bronco switch options will carry the loads needed and neatly route all wiring to avoid future problems. Nothing is worse than paying to do something twice. One of the easiest ways to avoid a bad experience is planning with an experienced professional, this isn’t time for rookie stuff. SUSPENSION MODIFICATION SERVICE Ford Bronco Suspension Lift Kits, Bronco Leveling Kits and full coilover suspension kits. Which is right for you? Why is one “lift kit” $50 on amazon and another is $5,000? What’s the difference… Well that is a large one to digest but lets take a quick look at it. Off Road Industry standard is considered that a leveling kit will lift the front of the Bronco to level with the rear height, a spacer lift kit will raise the vehicle by adding a steel or plastic spacer above the coilover shock and a upgraded coilover shock will raise the Bronco and provide added suspension travel. Why do I need more suspension travel? Off roading is all based on traction, an easy way to add more traction on the trail is always staying in contact with the trail. How do we stay in contact with rough and rutted trails? More suspension travel. Now during a build consultation each and every one of these sectors can be critically dissected further to ensure proper suspension geometry and which modification will fit your individual needs best. Reach out to Expedition Vehicle Outfitters for a free phone consultation today. SCHEDULE YOUR FORD BRONCO UPGRADES NOW! UNDERBODY ARMOR AND BUMPERS The Team at Expedition Vehicle Outfitters has off roaded Ford Broncos across the country and we can attest to one thing, the Ford Bronco needs protection. If you plan on pushing your Bronco off road you need critical underbody protection to keep the engine, transmission, transfer case and fuel tank safe. These are critical components to the Bronco, trail damage may render you stranded. It is important that we upgrade factory protection options. Upgraded Bumpers will protect the front and rear of the body adding for great recovery points. The factory bumper options will handle one or two strikes but we have seen failures over time. We recommend USA made bumpers for strength and reliability. WHEELS AND TIRES All Terrains, Mud Terrains, Beadlock, Non-Beadlock, 35” tall, 37” tall, what is best for your build? That can be a loaded question, but we are happy to help answer it. These will be broad answers that should be further directed in each case.. When thinking about tires in Michigan we really need to consider winter use. Tires with extra siping (the little lines and Zs cut into the tread) will grip ice and snow better than large flat lugs. In many cases all terrain tires may perform better in ice and snow than a mud terrain. BUT… each tire needs to be looked at case by case. Mud terrains will work better in mud and very low traction conditions. Both all terrain tire and mud terrain tire technology has made huge leaps in the last 10 years creating all kinds of great hybrid tires that truly work well in all conditions. The Team at Expedition Vehicle Outfitters would love to discuss what new tire option may help increase your Bronco’s capability. Beadlock verse non-beadlock wheel. A beadlock wheel will clamp one side of the tires bead onto the wheel allowing you to confidently run your tires air pressure very low off road. Lower tire pressure off road equals greater tire footprint which equates to much more traction off road. How often are you off roading, how aggressive are you using your Bronco? These all become great questions during a build consultation. STEERING SYSTEM UPGRADES It won’t take much research to find that the Bronco’s steering system becomes a weak point when adding oversized tires and off roading. Expedition Vehicle Outfitters works with industry leading brands like Bronc Buster Off Road to provide both Bronco Tie Rod End Upgrades and steering rack upgrades. Don’t get stranded on the trail with a broken steering system. TIRE CARRIER UPGRADES When adding a larger tire to the Ford Bronco tire carrier we have seen tail gate failures, from bends to weld breaks and hinge issues. This usually comes from high speed bumps and jolts. From fast trail riding to driving through Michigan pot holes can cause large amounts of vibration and force into the Broncos stamped tail gate causing the gate to bend. Expedition Vehicle Outfitters has multiple options for high quality tire carrier reinforcements. SCHEDULE YOUR FORD BRONCO UPGRADES NOW! AXLE UPGRADES When upgrading to oversized tires or off roading your Bronco it is always necessary to upgrade your axle components in order to keep up with the high demands. Expedition Vehicle Outfittters has worked closely with DANA/Spicer Parts installing and testing their upgraded Bronco axle components. This strong relationship has provided us in-depth expert knowledge and experience of the Bronco drivetrain that is very hard to find in the Bronco industry. From adding selectable lockers and lower gear ratio axle ring and pinion setup to chromoly high strength front axle shafts, Expedition Vehicle Outfitters has you covered. From mobbing down the trail to driving on the highway you will feel a huge difference in your Bronco after an Expedition Vehicle Outfitters upgrade service. ELECTRICAL UPGRADES Most Broncos come with factory auxiliary switches which is a very nice feature, they do require special know how to determine which switches should run which components. Electrical draws matched to corresponding fused circuits is 100% necessary when creating a safe and reliable electrical upgrade. Always be sure to test added components like lights and air compressors in order to make positive your electrical upgrades air properly routed. In some cases when an excess of electrical demands are added to the Bronco it is necessary to add a secondary switch system and relay bank stacked along with the factory system. These can be complex but the Team at Expedition Vehicle Outfitters is very experienced in these upgrades and can always help. FENDER AND HOOD UPGRADES The factory Bronco looks great but maybe you want a more aggressive look, something that will really stand out from the herd. Expedition Vehicle Outfitters offers upgraded ram air hoods and fiberglass bulge fenders for the Ford Bronco. Ram air hood upgrades create more air flow and aid in engine cooling. Fiberglass fenders create an aggressive look with increased tire fitment. If you want to build a really unique and custom Ford Bronco these upgrades are a must. LIGHTING UPGRADES When traveling off road upgraded lighting becomes critical. Upgraded LED off road lights allow the driver to travel faster speeds in dark and dusty conditions while allowing others on the trail to easily see your Bronco increasing safety. From upgraded fog lights and light bars to reverse lights and flashing chase lights for dust, Expedition Vehicle Outfitters has you covered. Expedition Vehicle Outfitters works closely with industry leading light manufacturers like KC Hilites. These long term relationships and testing have given us a leg up on future technology that will be coming to market and understanding current offerings from manufacturers. LED Light technology can be overwhelming, we are happy to help you choose a quality light upgrade for your Bronco. CONTACT EXPEDITION VEHICLE OUTFITTERS TODAY!

Regular road trips can be lots of fun, but driving on flat stretches of highway for hours on end can get redundant after a while. Off-road trips literally and figuratively take you off the beaten path, creating a deeper bond between yourself and your vehicle. Here are seven tips for planning an adventurous and memorable off-road road trip. 1. Choose a Manageable Terrain Start by researching off-roading destinations and finding places with manageable terrains. These are the different types of off-roading, in order from the least to most challenging environments: Green laning: also known as “two-tracking,” this simple form of off-roading includes driving on unpaved roads and pathways designed for off-road vehicles. Dune bashing: the goal of this off-roading sub-genre is to climb up and down sand dunes without losing control of the vehicle. Rock crawling: rock crawling is the stereotypical type of off-roading that involves navigating rough roads with large immovable obstacles, namely rocks and boulders. Mudding: this type off-roading takes you through wet environments with lots of mud and clay. It’s arguably the most challenging type because vehicles can get stuck easily. Choose destinations that you know you can handle. Off-roading is already dangerous enough, so you should stay within your experience level until you gain more confidence. You should also pick destinations with scenic views and other tourist attractions nearby. 2. Map and Memorize the Route Once you find the perfect destination, map out and memorize the route. Look up videos, images and reviews from other off-roaders and try to visualize yourself on the trail. Gaining intimate knowledge of the terrain’s various obstacles will boost your confidence and navigation skills. The same logic applies to hiking trips and other outdoor adventures. 3. Protect Your Vehicle Now that you’re familiar with your destination’s layout, you can take the appropriate steps to protect your vehicle. Adding new off-road tires and wheels will provide more traction and raise the undercarriage to a safer height. You might also consider adding fender flares, brush bars and other safety features if the route has many small obstructions, such as tree branches. When it comes to off-road wheels, GRID Off-Road has a vast selection of off-road wheel options. We offer both forged and cast off-road rims in a variety of styles to choose from. Whether you’re looking for truck wheels or Jeep wheels, we have a set that will definitely catch your eye! 4. Be a Fuel-Efficient Driver You need to be a fuel-efficient driver at all times during your road trip. Drive at 60 miles per hour on highways to maximize your gas mileage. Try not to idle and constantly change speeds. Identify the most optimal gas stops before the trip to avoid wasting more time and fuel later. Most importantly, you should bring an extra can of gas on the trail if you run out. Your vehicle’s gas mileage takes a hit from the additional off-road modifications, so a full tank won’t last as long as you expect. 5. Check the Weather Forecast Keep a close watch on the weather forecast in the days preceding your trip. Off-roading in inclement weather presents many new challenges, including poor traction, low visibility and unpredictable trail conditions. The type of weather you encounter will largely determine what clothes and off-road accessories you’ll need to bring. 6. Pack for the Worst When planning an outdoor adventure, it’s always a good idea to prepare for the worst. Bring any clothes you might need – hat, gloves, rain jacket, extra layers, etc. – even if the forecast calls for sunny skies and mild temperatures. You should also bring these off-road items to get yourself out of tricky situations: Recovery boards Electric winch Tire repair kit Air compressor Mechanic toolkit Solving every mishap will allow you to drive with greater peace of mind. Instead of spending the whole trip worrying about a flat tire or bad weather, you can go with a clear head, knowing that you have the tools to address the problem. 7. Bring a Friend The buddy system is the most important rule for any dangerous activity. It would be best if you had a companion in case you get injured, stranded or lost. Plus, driving with a friend is always more fun. You get to experience the trials and tribulations together and share those memories for the rest of your lives. Enjoy Every Minute Road trips seem like long and arduous journeys before we begin, but they always flash by in the blink of an eye. Make sure to live in the moment and enjoy every minute of your off-road road trip. Every roadblock is a learning opportunity. Embrace the highs and lows, and you will be a much better off-road driver at your journey’s end. Author Bio: Oscar Collins is the founder and editor-in-chief at Modded, where he writes about cars, luxury topics and more. Follow him on Twitter @TModded for frequent updates! View the full article