2 1/4 inch lift installed.

[NMhunter]

I have a roof box and a trailer. Both reduce gas mileage dramatically. I bought an ATV cargo rack from Harbor Freight, because it sits about 6" higher than a standard rack. It is only rated for 300 lbs., which translates to 150 off road, but that is plenty. It doesn't hurt my gas mileage, and may actually improve it.

If I'm hunting, I carry gas cans. My Badlands is vert capable, but only gets about 10 mpg in 4WD. That empties the tiny gas tank pretty quickly.

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[Mark S.]

I was getting 28+ MPG before, and now I’m at 23, so the lift alone clearly isn’t responsible for the full drop.

I don't believe I said the lift was entirely responsible. I said I believe the lift was the biggest factor for highway fuel economy. Larger tires and more weight are the primary factors for driving around town. It requires a given amount of power to accelerate a given amount of weight, so If you increase the weight you increase the power (fuel) required. Once on the highway, however, acceleration is no longer a factor. To maintain highway speed you must produce enough power to overcome drag. Anything you do to increase your frontal area, such as increasing vehicle height, will require more power (fuel) to maintain a given speed. Your roof rack adds to the drag in the same way that a lift does, by making the vehicle taller. Here's more data:

https://www.arcindy.com/effect-of-aerodynamic-drag-on-fuel-economy.html

https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/driving-more-efficiently

Actually less resistance and letting air flow under the chassis.

If this is true then why aren't cars driving around on tall, skinny tires and suspensions? Why do carmakers install air dams on the front of their cars?

Also, would either of you care to provide details on how the brush/bull bar, and shackles attach? I've asked @FordBroncoLifts this question before, but I've never gotten an answer. I'm primarily concerned that the shackles are as suitable for recovery operations as the OE recovery hooks.

 

[Mark S.]

What is the main purpose of a brush bar? Is it as literal as the name?

I think many install them for looks, but they also provide a place to mount lights, winches, etc., as well as protect the front of the vehicle from damage when driving over shrubbery.

 

[B-Dog15]

Also, would either of you care to provide details on how the brush/bull bar, and shackles attach? I've asked @FordBroncoLifts this question before, but I've never gotten an answer. I'm primarily concerned that the shackles are as suitable for recovery operations as the OE recovery hooks.

Ford Ranger Lifts says they are suitable to be used for recovery hooks but they only attach to where the front of the tow hooks mount and not to the frame... On the description part of their product they say there is additional brackets available to reinforce the bar but they do not offer those anymore claiming that the new design allows this bar to be used for recovery but I just don't see how.

 

[Trist0n]

Looks nice! Seems like you lost a lot of breakover clearance with those sliders, is it possible to find a more integrated option?

EDIT jk I have the JCR sliders, which are different than OP’s. Those look like the dominator sliders maybe? Probably doesn’t hang much lower than the JCR sliders, same deal where it looks lower than it is. Contrary to those, the JCR ones DO let you slide without blowing apart

 

[Jewce]

EDIT jk I have the JCR sliders, which are different than OP’s. Those look like the dominator sliders maybe? Probably doesn’t hang much lower than the JCR sliders, same deal where it looks lower than it is. Contrary to those, the JCR ones DO let you slide without blowing apart

EDIT jk I have the JCR sliders, which are different than OP’s. Those look like the dominator sliders maybe? Probably doesn’t hang much lower than the JCR sliders, same deal where it looks lower than it is. Contrary to those, the JCR ones DO let you slide without blowing apart

They’re the Dominator sliders, and according to their website, they do function as true sliders. They’re made of steel, just like the JCR ones. The only difference I can see is in the way they mount. The JCRs might be a bit more stable since they attach along the pinch weld, providing more mounting points. The Dominators, on the other hand, only use two bolts on each side, mounted to the underbelly of the vehicle — which, in my opinion, doesn’t seem very sturdy. They might be, but I haven’t tested them yet.

nothing is going to blow apart tho lol ?

 

[Mark S.]

claiming that the new design allows this bar to be used for recovery but I just don't see how.

Me neither, which is why I've asked numerous times for details. All of my requests to date have been ignored despite the fact it's clear the vendor is reading my posts. The silence does not inspire confidence, in either the vendor or its products.

 

[B-Dog15]

Me neither, which is why I've asked numerous times for details. All of my requests to date have been ignored despite the fact it's clear the vendor is reading my posts. The silence does not inspire confidence, in either the vendor or its products.

Which is frustrating because IMO it's one of the better looking brush bars offered for the Bronco Sport...

 

[cprcubed]

Me neither, which is why I've asked numerous times for details. All of my requests to date have been ignored despite the fact it's clear the vendor is reading my posts. The silence does not inspire confidence, in either the vendor or its products.

Most likely a no-response is a CYA/Liability thing so if someone uses the hooks for a recovery and tweaks the body/frame structure, he won't be on record saying that it could be used for that. Just my thoughts. Cheers!

 

[B-Dog15]

Most likely a no-response is a CYA/Liability thing so if someone uses the hooks for a recovery and tweaks the body/frame structure, he won't be on record saying that it could be used for that. Just my thoughts. Cheers!

I would typically agree with this but I have spoke with them through email and they have told me that it 100% can be used for recovery. The issue is that I know that the bar does not attach to the frame and they could not explain to me how it it strong enough to be used as a recovery point…

 

[cprcubed]

I would typically agree with this but I have spoke with them through email and they have told me that it 100% can be used for recovery. The issue is that I know that the bar does not attach to the frame and they could not explain to me how it it strong enough to be used as a recovery point…

Good to know, but if it was my vehicle, no way would I risk using them for a recovery. Cheers!

 

[B-Dog15]

Good to know, but if it was my vehicle, no way would I risk using them for a recovery. Cheers!

Agreed!

 

[Mark S.]

Most likely a no-response is a CYA/Liability thing so if someone uses the hooks for a recovery and tweaks the body/frame structure, he won't be on record saying that it could be used for that. Just my thoughts. Cheers!

That's as may be, but I've never directly asked if their product is suitable for recovery operations, I've just asked for installation details. I've posted my reasoning for requesting details--my concern whether the product is adequate for recovery ops--but I've never I expressly asked if FRL warrants the product as such. What I have asked for directly, on several occasions, is installation instructions. With that I can make my own determination regarding suitability to task. I can also make a determination if this is a job I want to tackle myself, or if I should count installation costs in addition to the cost of the product.

Unfortunately, I've gotten no response to any queries on this.

 

[Dude]

If it sounds too good to be true …

 

[Jewce]

I would typically agree with this but I have spoke with them through email and they have told me that it 100% can be used for recovery. The issue is that I know that the bar does not attach to the frame and they could not explain to me how it it strong enough to be used as a recovery point…

If this guy can be towed out using the Rough Country light bar… anything is possible lol ?

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