Sirocco - 2021 Badlands - Area 51 Blue - Build Journal

[VeryConfusedAmerican]

Meant to do this as I went along but here we are. Wanted to compile and begin tracking the progress of my 2021 Badlands build.

Originally picked up in May 2024 as the second owner with just over 40,000 miles and some hail damage on it. My intention when purchasing this car was to upgrade from my 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe, and build something off-road /overland capable for the few times a year I go camping/hiking across the country. In addition to this I also bought it firmly as long term car for the next 10 years (Fingers Crossed), aiming for 250K+ miles.

A small sidenote, I spent ~6months researching, test driving and reading many of your posts on here before deciding to buy, which was a large reason I went for the Badlands trim, specifically because of the reports here about issues with 1.5L in the first model year. I felt so confident in my decision that when my mom was looking to replace her 2015 RAV4 8 months later, I pushed her to buy a Bronco Sport in the same trim level. She ended up with a 2024 Carbon Gray Badlands that she loves to death and we have done many of the upgrades listed here in tandem.

Coming from the Santa Fe, it has been an upgrade in every single way except for overall storage space, although cargo basket and Cargo Management system have done a lot to mitigate that tradeoff for me and I find the Bronco Sport to be more 'liveable' from a cargo perspective than my Santa Fe was.

This was my first car I was ever able to purchase that was exactly what I wanted, has every feature (and even some I didn't know I loved) and option possible for the model year. After nearly 2 years with the car (truck? are we allowed to say truck?) I love it just as much as the day I bought it, possibly even more now that it is lifted.

Current Upgrades:

1. HRG 2.5 inch Lift (installed @62000 miles)
2. Color Matched Tow Hooks
3. Stubby Antena
4. LED Side Marker Swap
5. Crossbars+Cargo Basket (only on for trips)
6. Tectico Fender Flare LED
7. Piano Black Mirror Swap from Maverick
8. TufSkinz Glove Box Lettering
9. Tackform dash mount install

Pending Upgrades: (Parts on hand but haven't done yet)

1. Ford Emblem Cover

Planned/Future Upgrades:

1. 245/65/17 BFG K02/3 or Falken Wildpeak AT3/4 (Haven't made up mind on this one yet, likely depend on price ,Input welcome)
2. LED Taillight Conversion
3. Amber Grille Lights
4. Ditch Lights
5. Visor with Universal Remote Retrofit
6. Rally Innovations Front Skid Plate
7. Underground Graphics Hood Accents
8. Garmin PowerSwitch or similar setup for Accessory lighting (Recommendations/input Welcome)

A collection of some of the progress to date, will try to detail more organized going forward

 

[RSH]

I Just came back from walking the dogs, someone in the hood has a new Honda Passport Trail Sport, it has bright orange look at me front tow hooks and I thought to myself that's just trying too hard.
I was happy when I got home to my Area 51 Badlands with its stock black color tow hooks and smiled.

That's what's nice about individuality, if you are happy that's all that matters.

 

[VeryConfusedAmerican]

I Just came back from walking the dogs, someone in the hood has a new Honda Passport Trail Sport, it has bright orange look at me front tow hooks and I thought to myself that's just trying too hard.
I was happy when I got home to my Area 51 Badlands with its stock black color tow hooks and smiled.

That's what's nice about individuality, if you are happy that's all that matters.

One of my favorite things about this forum is all the different directions people go. Main thing I don’t like about the Hondas tow hooks are the thin rounded shape, I think our squared off design on the Bronco sport is better/more rugged looking. Color is definitely a preference thing.

 

[jofer]

Mine is a 21 badlands in area 51 as well. When had it for almost 5 years now.

For what it's worth, the '21 badlands, especially the earlier builds, but kind of a sweet spot in my opinion. A lot of little things (e.g. folding rear headrests, green led in the start button, engine cover) went away a little later. I do think all of those are nice.

The new sasquatch suspension on newer models is cool, but I'm due to replace struts anyway, so I'm planning on doing the Bilstein terrasports, which are close to the same as the new sasquatch suspension.

Either way, cool build! Enjoy it!

 

[VeryConfusedAmerican]

Mine is a 21 badlands in area 51 as well. When had it for almost 5 years now.

For what it's worth, the '21 badlands, especially the earlier builds, but kind of a sweet spot in my opinion. A lot of little things (e.g. folding rear headrests, green led in the start button, engine cover) went away a little later. I do think all of those are nice.

The new sasquatch suspension on newer models is cool, but I'm due to replace struts anyway, so I'm planning on doing the Bilstein terrasports, which are close to the same as the new sasquatch suspension.

Either way, cool build! Enjoy it!

couldn’t agree more, half the things we’ve done to my moms bronco sport are things that were removed from my year to hers. Junkyards have been a big help in finding parts for cheap.

I think it’s a perfect car for a very specific set of needs. I’m sure it’s tougher with kids and gear but so far my wife and our two dogs have made it work and we love it.

 

[BLUEOVALRACER]

Nice Area 51 Badlands !!When I was looking at used Mavericks before I bought the Desert Sand 2025 XLT AWD Maverick with the 2.0 EB I found a sharp used Area 51[love that color] Maverick! IIRC it was sold before I bought the 2025 Maverick I have now.

 

[Quashish]

welcome

 

[VeryConfusedAmerican]

Piano Black Mirror Cover Retrofit from Maverick

1. remove mirror from bracket by turning all the way in towards car, then gently prying mirror away from bracket from exposed edge

2. Remove 4 Phillips Screws

3. Remove 5 retaining pins by pushing them up past the retaining clip, they are bendy and stay in the position you bend them to

4. pull face molding away from rest of mirror housing (front lip in above pictures)

5. Use flathead to pop retaining clips at 4 points around housing to remove mirror cover (the top one on each side is tucked away behind some housing and hard to get to, flashlight will help see where the pin is) Also including picture of housing cover so you can get an idea of where tabs are

6. Replace with Piano Black cover and reassemble (only note with this, I have done this on two different broncos and the same issue has happened to both passenger side replacement covers; for some reason the bottom retaining clip is about a Millimeter too far back and this creates a bit of a tight fit for that clip that may need some forcing to get it to seat properly)

 

[Quashish]

Nice added detail. Good to see someone else doing something different here

 

[VeryConfusedAmerican]

Added TufSkinz Glove Box Lettering

Saw this in the newer broncos above the glove box and wanted it for myself. Not quite as subtle as the new versions imprinted dashboard but I like it all the same.

Install wasn't difficult, I used a piece of painters tape to mark the bottom line as close to level with the slope of the dash as I could manage, it cants slightly to the left so the right side will end up higher than the left. Used an allen wrench as a guide for the spacing to keep it consistent.

TufSkinz has several color options, I chose the 'Liquid Chrome' option as I felt it best matched the brushed aluminum accents already present in the car.