Anyone else missing the panel under the dash above the passenger side fuse box where the floor air ducts are.

[Cactusjk]

Can someone confirm that it is hard to open the fuse panel with this cover installed?

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[DaveInSA]

Can someone confirm that it is hard to open the fuse panel with this cover installed?

I believe it's impossible to remove the fuse panel before the top panel? Looking at the way it's made, the top panel plugs in to the fuse cover, so the top would need to be removed first.. I think..

 

[ck122]

For some one who is not so great on car knowledge. Hope I don’t get grief about that can someone take a photo of where this dash panel should be at

look at firt post

 

[Escape2Bronco]

I believe it's impossible to remove the fuse panel before the top panel? Looking at the way it's made, the top panel plugs in to the fuse cover, so the top would need to be removed first.. I think..

I still believe this is why it’s no longer there. The general trend in manufacturing is to minimize how many parts need to be removed to get to the one you need to get at. Perhaps the story with the engine cover as well.

 

[DaveInSA]

So, I stopped and test drove the 2 door cyber orange bronco badlands that was taunting me on my way home every day.
After the test drive, I asked the sales guy (that I've known for 20+ years) when would it be available for sale since it's a mannequin. He went and checked... came back and said 'tomorrow' but I can sell it to you today.

......... 2021 2 door MT Badlands, 980 miles (not many people want to test drive a manual). Bunch of accessories. Just a little over msrp plus the accessories.

He gave me *nearly* what I paid for the BS (Since I bought it used and over msrp). So I came home with the 'full size' bronco.

Anyways why this is relevant, as I was waiting for them to detail the new one, he says 'Guess we can cancel the order for that panel now!' ...... Wonder if the next people to buy it will notice.

 

[M3H7363]

Anyways why this is relevant, as I was waiting for them to detail the new one, he says 'Guess we can cancel the order for that panel now!' ...... Wonder if the next people to buy it will notice.

Only if they're on the forum.

 

[DaveInSA]

Only if they're on the forum.

Oh, and the "big" bronco doesn't have a panel there either, but it wasn't supposed to from what I can tell

 

[SenzeiReese]

I placed an order for this panel today after seeing this thread. There were some other BS on the lot to check for the panel and none of them had them, and the advisement was it wasn't covered under the warranty either. I work for the group, so I took advantage of the employee pricing, and figured if passengers can kick the exposed underside and it could cause problems, that was enough for me to buy the panel.

 

[sajohnson]

I placed an order for this panel today after seeing this thread. There were some other BS on the lot to check for the panel and none of them had them, and the advisement was it wasn't covered under the warranty either. I work for the group, so I took advantage of the employee pricing, and figured if passengers can kick the exposed underside and it could cause problems, that was enough for me to buy the panel.

You're smart to get it, for the reason you said -- there is exposed wiring and connectors there.

It's a shame they would not order it for you. Many BS Forum members report that their dealer ordered the panel under warranty.

The fact that other Bronco Sports also do not have the panel only indicates that Ford ran out of them (NOT that it should not be there).

My dealer jerked me around a bit, but the sales manager says he has it ordered (no idea when it might be delivered). He did tell me that he (the dealership) had to pay for it. I suppose that's *possible* but it seems to me that in this case (as opposed to the discontinued engine cover for example) Ford should supply that panel. It is part of the vehicle. It is not merely cosmetic -- it protects the blower and the surrounding wiring as well as having acoustic material on the backside to dampen noise.

As a member here put it, it's as if an interior door panel was missing. Is it hyper-critical? No, you can still drive down the road, but the car is incomplete.

With COVID and the supply chain issues, it's completely understandable that some parts may not be available when vehicles are built. That's OK -- just notify the owners and keep them informed. Most people understand the situation is beyond the mfr's control.

But to claim a part like that dash panel was never supposed to be installed -- yet it does exist and is available (for a steep price) -- is insulting.

I understand trying to save a buck, but most of us spent at least MSRP (plus a several hundred dollar "doc prep fee") for our BS. The mfrs and dealers are drowning in money. It is unethical -- not to mention poor business -- to try to get owners to pay for parts that are clearly part of the car.

One pathetic excuse that has been used by dealers is that the dash panel is not "listed on the window sticker"(!). A BS has thousands of parts -- most of which are not on the sticker.

What if the seat belts were missing? Back seat? Roof rails? Camera(s)? The information display?

 

[dannyc928]

Here's a picture with the panel installed. I worry about the wiring to the right that is not covered. I had to zip tie those wires higher and out of the way.

 

[ZQ8]

My dealer ordered mine for free. Put it on myself.

 

[sajohnson]

My dealer ordered mine for free. Put it on myself.

Good to hear.

Just curious -- did you (or anyone else) have wires and a multi-pin connector hanging down below the panel like Danny?

 

[ZQ8]

Good to hear.

Just curious -- did you (or anyone else) have wires and a multi-pin connector hanging down below the panel like Danny?

Yes they all do but mine are not below the panel. That stuff is even with or above the new panel on mine. No danger there.

 

[RiotfunK]

The panel also provides some noise insulation for the blower. My dealer ordered mine after I told them about it, but not before they checked the others they had on the lot. Mine didn’t have recovery hook either. Took 2 days to get parts from Ford. Don’t really think these parts are in short supply, just Ford penny pinching at every corner they can and hoping people don’t notice.
Ford corporate said sorry about your luck with the missing components, you have to pay out of pocket if you want them. Even the tow hoop for the rear, which I think has to be included if there is a dedicated recovery mounting point on the vehicle. There are probably other unseen pieces not included that will pop up over time.

 

[Escape2Bronco]

The panel also provides some noise insulation for the blower. My dealer ordered mine after I told them about it, but not before they checked the others they had on the lot. Mine didn’t have recovery hook either. Took 2 days to get parts from Ford. Don’t really think these parts are in short supply, just Ford penny pinching at every corner they can and hoping people don’t notice.
Ford corporate said sorry about your luck with the missing components, you have to pay out of pocket if you want them. Even the tow hoop for the rear, which I think has to be included if there is a dedicated recovery mounting point on the vehicle. There are probably other unseen pieces not included that will pop up over time.

Well, the parts are on back order so I do think they are constrained even without chips! People think it’s only electronics effected, but it’s almost anything. Think baby formula, no chips there but….and speaking butts, think toilet paper!

it’s like $40 on some sites so not a really deal breaker either way. I ordered one but only because of the sound insulation, not the safety factor. My kids are all grown up so there shouldn’t be any midnight monkey business going on the the front seat that could cause any damage.

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