You bought a Bronco.
Good call.
The new Bronco is one of the most capable off-road platforms Ford has ever produced. But the moment you start thinking about upgrades, the choices get overwhelming. Bumpers. Armor. Suspension. Control arms. Steering. Tires.
The forums argue about everything. Instagram shows highlight reels. Every manufacturer claims their part is the one you need first.
So here’s a better approach.
Watch these 17 videos first.
Together they walk through a complete Ford Bronco 6G build — in the order upgrades actually make sense. Protection first… then practical upgrades… then suspension and steering. Every video includes a full word-for-word transcript with timestamps. Watch it, read it, reference it later, or send it to your installer.
Whether you ultimately choose MetalCloak or another brand, you’ll walk away understanding what each component does, why the order matters, and what questions to ask before you start modifying your Bronco.
Every video below links to a full transcript page. Visit the full Video Vault for 81 curated videos with transcripts, or explore the entire library of 800+ videos on YouTube.com/MetalCloak.
Quick Answer: What upgrades should I do first on a Bronco 6G?
Do it in this order: protection (bumpers/rockers/skids) … then practical upgrades (tire carrier) … then suspension (lift + control arms) … then axle control (track bar) … then steering reinforcement.
- Front bumper (winch mount + approach angle + front-end protection)
- Rear bumper (departure angle + recovery strength)
- Rocker rails / rock sliders (protect body sides where damage gets expensive)
- Skid plates (rear shock skids + front lower control arm skids for IFS vulnerability)
- Tire carrier (before 35s+ turn into hinge stress and rattles)
- Suspension system (springs/shocks designed to work together)
- Rear control arms (geometry + ride quality + articulation under load)
- Rear track bar (prevents post-lift axle wander)
- Tie rod brace (protect steering once tire size goes up)
Why this order works: it prevents trail damage early, keeps you from installing parts twice, and makes sure the suspension upgrade has the supporting components it needs to drive straight and flex correctly.
Phase 1: Armor & Protection
Before you lift it… protect it.
The Bronco’s independent front suspension and aluminum body panels give it excellent performance out of the box, but they also expose important components to trail damage. These upgrades protect the parts that hit the rocks first.
1. Bronco 6G Front Bumper
The factory Bronco bumper is designed for parking lots and crash ratings… not repeated rock contact.
This video walks through MetalCloak’s frame-built front bumper for the Bronco 6G — how it mounts directly to the frame rails, where the winch sits, and why approach angle becomes critical once you start adding bigger tires and suspension travel.
When you approach a ledge or obstacle on the trail, the front bumper is the first component that meets it. That’s why experienced builders start here.
Product: MetalCloak Bronco 6G Frame-Built Front Bumper
Vehicle: Ford Bronco 6G (2021+)
Why It Matters: Approach angle, winch mounting, front-end protection
Watch the Video & Read Full Transcript →
2. Rear Bumper System – Ford Bronco 6G
Your departure angle matters just as much as your approach angle — and that’s where the stock rear bumper starts to show its limits.
This video explains MetalCloak’s rear bumper system for the Bronco 6G, including integrated recovery points and compatibility with oversized spare tire solutions.
Front and rear bumpers together redefine the Bronco’s trail geometry before suspension changes even enter the conversation.
Product: MetalCloak Bronco 6G Rear Bumper System
Vehicle: Ford Bronco 6G (2021+)
Key Benefits: Departure angle improvement, recovery strength, tire carrier compatibility
Watch the Video & Read Full Transcript →
3. Overline Rocker Rails – Bronco 6G
If you wheel long enough, your rockers will eventually meet a rock.
Every ledge, every tight trail, every off-camber line eventually puts pressure on the lower body panels. This video explains MetalCloak’s Overline rocker rails — how they mount to the frame, how they distribute load, and why true rock sliders are different from simple cosmetic rocker protection.
Install these once… and they’ll quietly save your body panels for years.
Product: MetalCloak Overline Rocker Rails
Vehicle: Ford Bronco 6G (2021+)
Protection Zone: Rocker panels and lower body
Watch the Video & Read Full Transcript →
4–5. Skid Plates: Rear Shock Skids & Front Lower Control Arm Skids
Independent front suspension changes where vulnerable components sit.
Unlike solid axle vehicles, several critical Bronco components sit directly in harm’s way on rocky terrain. These two videos cover MetalCloak’s bolt-on skid plate solutions: rear shock skid plates and front lower control arm skid plates.
The rear skids shield your shocks from rock strikes. The front LCA skids protect one of the most exposed mounting points on any IFS platform.
Vehicle: Ford Bronco 6G (2021+)
Purpose: Protect suspension components exposed by IFS geometry
Watch: Rear Shock Skid Plates Install →
Watch: Front Lower Control Arm Skid Plates Install →
Phase 2: Practical Upgrades
Now that the Bronco is protected, it’s time to solve the next common problem: oversized spare tires.
6. Bronco SportGate Tire Carrier
The moment you go to 35s or bigger, the stock spare tire solution starts to struggle with weight and hinge stress.
This video covers MetalCloak’s SportGate tire carrier — designed to support oversized spares without the swing-out gate weight, hinge stress, and rattles that plague most aftermarket carriers.
Handle the spare tire early and you’ll avoid the “why is my tailgate unhappy?” problem later.
Product: MetalCloak SportGate Tire Carrier
Vehicle: Ford Bronco 6G (2021+)
Purpose: Support oversized spare tires safely
Watch the Video & Read Full Transcript →
Phase 3: Suspension — The Main Event
Protection is handled. Spare tire is handled. Now comes the upgrade that changes how the Bronco drives, climbs, and articulates.
This section walks through the complete Game Changer suspension system and the components that make it work.
7. Bronco 6G Game Changer Suspension Lift Install
This is the big one.
The Game Changer system is a complete suspension design — springs, shocks, control arms, track bar, and steering components engineered to work together. It’s not a spacer lift. It’s not a leveling kit. It’s a designed-together system built to perform.
This video walks through the entire installation process from start to finish. Even if you’re not doing the install yourself, watching the process gives you a clear understanding of what “done right” looks like.
Badlands owners: MetalCloak also offers a Bronco Badlands RockSport BLACK Adjustable Suspension Upgrade kit designed specifically for the factory Bilstein-equipped trim.
Product: MetalCloak Game Changer Suspension Lift
Vehicle: Ford Bronco 6G (2021+)
Install Type: Complete system — full walkthrough
Key Tech: Duroflex joints, Durotrak bushings, RockSport BLACK shocks
Watch the Video & Read Full Transcript →
8. Upper Front A-Arms with Durotrak Bushings
Independent front suspension means geometry matters.
Once you lift the Bronco, the stock upper A-arms begin operating outside their intended angles. This video explains MetalCloak’s upper A-arms with Durotrak bushings — designed to correct geometry while maintaining daily-driver comfort.
Product: MetalCloak Upper Front A-Arms with Durotrak
Vehicle: Ford Bronco 6G (2021+)
Why It Matters: Correct geometry after a lift while keeping NVH in check
Technology: Durotrak vulcanized elastomer bushings
Watch the Video & Read Full Transcript →
9–11. Rear Control Arms: The Deep Dive (3 Install Videos)
This is where the Bronco build gets serious — and where most budget builds cut corners.
The rear control arms connect your axle to your frame. They influence axle alignment, ride quality, articulation range, and how the suspension behaves under load. MetalCloak publishes separate install videos for each rear control arm position because each one has different torque specs, access challenges, and geometry considerations.
Videos: 3 install guides covering every rear control arm position
Vehicle: Ford Bronco 6G (2021+)
Why Three Videos: Each arm position has unique geometry, access, and torque requirements
Watch: Rear Lower Control Arms Install →
Watch: Rear Control Arms Install →
Watch: Rear Upper Control Arm Install →
12–14. Rear Duroflex Control Arms: Why the Joint Matters (3 Product Videos)
You just watched how to install them. Now understand why MetalCloak’s control arms are different from everyone else’s.
Duroflex is a patented vulcanized elastomer joint that’s Kevlar-reinforced, self-centering, and built to deliver serious articulation without the NVH penalty of heims or the wear issues of polyurethane.
The B0303 part number is MetalCloak’s Bronco-specific rear Duroflex control arm package. These videos cover the engineering behind the part, what makes it different from off-the-shelf control arms, and how the Duroflex joint delivers trail flex and highway comfort in the same package.
Videos: 3 product overviews
Technology: Duroflex vulcanized elastomer joints — patented, Kevlar-reinforced
Part Number: B0303
Key Spec: 35°+ misalignment, unlimited rotation, self-centering, zero NVH
Watch: Rear Duroflex Control Arms (B0303) →
Watch: Duroflex Rear Lower Control Arms →
Watch: Rear Duroflex Control Arms (B0303 Overview) →
Phase 4: Track Bar & Steering
Suspension travel means nothing if the axle wanders. These final videos cover the components that keep everything planted and pointed where it should be.
15–16. Rear Durotrak Track Bar: Overview & Install
The track bar controls lateral movement of the rear axle. After a lift, the stock track bar’s bushings and angles can allow the axle to shift side-to-side under load — the kind of “wandering” you feel in corners, bumps, or uneven terrain.
MetalCloak’s Durotrak track bar uses vulcanized elastomer bushing technology to reduce axle wander without introducing harshness or constant maintenance.
Videos: 1 product overview + 1 install guide
Product: MetalCloak Rear Durotrak Track Bar
Vehicle: Ford Bronco 6G (2021+)
Solves: Rear axle lateral wander, especially post-lift
Watch: Rear Durotrak Track Bar Overview →
Watch: Rear Durotrak Track Bar Install →
17. Tie Rod Brace Kit Install
Bigger tires create more stress on the steering system. The Bronco’s tie rod can become a weak point once you go above stock tire sizes. A bent tie rod means you’re not steering where you’re pointing… and on the trail, that’s a bad day.
This video covers MetalCloak’s tie rod brace kit. It’s a bolt-on reinforcement designed to help prevent tie rod damage from rock strikes and side-load forces without requiring a full steering upgrade.
Product: MetalCloak Tie Rod Brace Kit
Vehicle: Ford Bronco 6G (2021+)
Install: Bolt-on, no cutting or welding
Prevents: Tie rod damage from rock strikes and side-loading with larger tires
Watch the Video & Read Full Transcript →
Frequently Asked Questions
What order should I install upgrades on a Bronco 6G?
Start with protection — bumpers, rocker rails, and skid plates. Then practical upgrades like the tire carrier. Then suspension upgrades like springs, shocks, and control arms. Finish with axle control and steering reinforcement like the track bar and tie rod brace. The videos above are listed in that order for a reason.
Does the Bronco 6G use the same suspension as a Jeep Wrangler?
No. The Ford Bronco uses independent front suspension (IFS) with upper and lower A-arms, while the Jeep Wrangler uses a solid front axle. The rear axle is solid on both vehicles, but the suspension geometry and mounting points are completely different. Bronco suspension components must be engineered specifically for the platform.
I have a Bronco Badlands. Are these upgrades still relevant?
Yes. The Badlands trim uses the same chassis and suspension mounting points. The main difference is the factory Bilstein shocks and slightly different spring rates. MetalCloak offers a Badlands-specific RockSport BLACK suspension upgrade that accounts for the trim-level differences. Everything else — bumpers, armor, control arms, track bars, skid plates — applies across all Bronco 6G trims.
Can I install Bronco suspension upgrades myself?
Yes. Many Bronco upgrades are bolt-on installations. With basic hand tools, jack stands, and a torque wrench, most owners can handle a large portion of these installs in a home garage. Watch the install videos first and decide for yourself.
Where can I download installation instructions?
MetalCloak publishes detailed full-color PDF installation guides for every product. Visit metalcloak.com/installation-instructions to download guides for Bronco, Jeep, Toyota, Ram, and more.
Seventeen videos.
A complete Bronco build… from armor to suspension to steering — with full transcripts so you can read along, reference later, or send the link to your installer.
MetalCloak is one of the few companies engineering Bronco 6G suspension and armor from scratch in the USA — not adapting parts and hoping for the best. Every component in these videos was designed for this platform, tested on this platform, and installed on this platform.
We test it… we film it… we publish it.
