As we now know, the BR is almost a foot wider than the base Bronco and it integrates a unique fully-boxed frame with other structural reinforcements, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s assembled on its own line. Instead, some clever manufacturing tricks were implemented during the build process to ensure the biggest Bronco yet could fit through some of the assembly line’s choke points, albeit snugly.
This is quite interesting to see. The BR is set to be built this summer at the Michigan Assembly Plant, but there is a small issue with its size. Not that its its too wide (being bigger than the Bronco), but it's too tall! To make it fit, the two bolts that lock each rear coil-over shock mounts in place are loosened during assembly process, allowing the rear axle to lower, and a temporary third bolt holds an axle mount in place as the Bronco Raptor squeezes through the assembly line. At the end of the line, the temporary bolt gets removed, the axle is raised back up, and the main bolts are fastened back into place.
Engineering Manager Talk Pro Power Onboard and an Integrated Tire Inflator Kit
If you have ever been off-roading or rock crawling, you know that airing down your tires is extremely important. It improves ride quality, improves the traction a tire can get, creates a bigger tire footprint and making the overall off-roading easier (plus less chance of popping a tire!). But the downfall is having to air up the tires once again when done with the off-roading and returning back to the pavement. This can take a long time and tedious, especially if it's been a long day of shredding up the dirt.
So, Bier was asked about if this air integration was part of the 2022 BR and unfortunately it doesn't seem like it is in the plans (maybe now it will be because of the concerns of the off-roading).
Finally, the Ford Pro Power Onboard inverter generator system that’s exclusively to the fourteenth-generation F-150 at the moment seems like a no-brainer for the Bronco Raptor. Especially for those looking to take this highly capable SUV deep into the wilderness for some camping. For now, Pro Power will remain on the shelf for the Bronco Raptor, but the system could potentially be integrated in the future. Perhaps during an upcoming refresh of the product? We’ll have to wait and see!
Here is the interview with the Vehicle Engineer Dan Bier:
