Overland Expo West Highlights-Friday 5/19

[Poolmanz Sport Bronco]

What’s happening Bronco Sport fans?!
I was able to go to the Overland Expo West being held in Flagstaff Arizona. It is an amazing event hundreds of vendors all kinds of classes to take it got a bit rainy, lightning hail but hey that’s what Overlanding is all about isn’t it?

So I went to go see what might be out there for the Bronco Sport and any new developments. I was able to talk to a few manufacturers and I also got to look what kind of gear that we can use for Overlanding.

There is a tremendous amount of product out there so I wasn’t able to cover everything so if you guys get a chance to go to another Overland Expo either on the East Coast or the one in the Pacific Northwest up in Oregon. I recommend you guys go. I’m going to be reaching out to some manufactures as things are getting developed. We got some big things happening.

First off out of the gate I spoke with BILSTEIN they’re gonna be coming out with a full suspension lift 2 inch lift for the Bronco Sport next year. It just got submitted to engineering for development. They already have released last month the lift kit for the Subaru Outback, tested in Moab recently. It will be the B8 Terrasport line.

I also found Hiker cargo travel trailers that would be great for use with a Bronco Sport towing max of 2200 GVW with great options. One of those is a remote control E break allows you to plus or minus with an emergency brake control. This is a great option since we don’t have a built-in E brake controller. However, they do recommend that we install an aftermarket E brake controller inside the car with a true seven pin connector.

I can pair that with the portable modular outdoor kitchen Tailgate N Go since you can order the rack system on the side of the Hiker trailer . Or you can use it as a standalone system. These portable kitchen systems are completely customizable with your logos or any other logo like your favorite team or maybe even your favorite drink. White Claw?I’m actually going to get one custom-made with my company’s logo and have it as advertisement. They also have a trailer hitch swing out system if you wanted to carry it on the back of your BS

Found another awning option from TARICA -the Extreme 270. It’s important that you have a rack system that would support that weight do not use the stock rails or crossbars.

A representative from Ford corporate was there, and I was able to talk to her all things Bronco as well as future Ford accessories for the BS. They were there with Tread Lightly organization. When you guys go to these events and you’re able to talk to somebody from corporate face-to-face, you really do get to share some input and since I’ve had MY FE for two years she was very appreciative of what I had to say and hopefully she’ll come on and check out our posts here.

Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m always good for free tacos and craft beer so I’m gonna go talk with Toyota engineers as they’ll be having a fireside chat about the new Toyota Trail Hunter Overland model with a 2.4 L twin turbo hybrid engine crew cab with 6 foot bed.

 

[Dude]

Thanks for posting! Will check it out on Saturday if the weather is decent.

 

[Mark S.]

Nice. Do you know if the Bilstein kit will include bump and/or rebound stops? Shock tube diameter?

 

[Poolmanz Sport Bronco]

Nice. Do you know if the Bilstein kit will include bump and/or rebound stops? Shock tube diameter?

It’s very good Mark. He didn’t give me any details specs but if you want to check out what they have for the Subaru, that might give you some info. I know we talked about rebound I honestly don’t remember exactly what he said but we did talk about the swaybar linkage and they haven’t design yet exactly what they’re gonna do and I mentioned to him about be nice to have a disconnect from when we do go off road.
However, he’s telling me they wanna design it so we don’t have to disconnect our swaybar linkage and then it’s gonna be plug and play set up.

We also talked about running “Baja” mode and he said that he wouldn’t go more than 45 mph with their new set up

To keep the price point down they designing it for us to keep the stock springs. I did talk to him about overload springs for towing a trailer. He says he gets that question all the time about the Subaru, but he recommends that I wait and try out with the stock springs before I go and get all into overload springs and then I’ll have a harder ride when I’m not towing my trailer.

I believe the price points going to be between $600 - $800 but you know how that can change in a year with the goal is to have something that’s under 1000 bucks

I’m definitely going to try to keep in touch with him as things develop and hopefully he’ll jump on the form when he’s ready to go and answer all kinds of questions. He’s really cool kid …..which makes me feel really old.

 

[Mark S.]

To keep the price point down they designing it for us to keep the stock springs. I did talk to him about overload springs for towing a trailer. He says he gets that question all the time about the Subaru, but he recommends that I wait and try out with the stock springs before I go and get all into overload springs and then I’ll have a harder ride when I’m not towing my trailer.

Thanks for the info. I installed a set of air helper springs; they don't affect ride quality at all when not inflated. You can read about the installation here.

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