TREAD Bronco 2025

Being handed the keys to Bronco magazine has been a thrill—literally. I’ve had the chance to ride shotgun with some of the most passionate builders, talented photographers, and die-hard Bronco fans out there. From bone-stock classics to beach cruisers and weekend drivers, each feature in this issue represents a piece of the culture we all love. One of the best parts of this role is getting to curate and share these stories. Every Bronco has its own personality, and so does every owner. Whether it’s a father passing down a rig to his son, a weekend adventure with the family, or a wife finally getting her dream ride, these trucks bring people together in a way few vehicles can. This issue is all about celebrating the lifestyle, from trail rides…

01/ WeatherTech Kinetic Recovery Rope System WeatherTech’s Kinetic Recovery Rope System uses kinetic energy for smooth, safe vehicle recovery from sand, snow, or embankments. Available in two sizes and built in the USA, this system includes soft, lightweight shackles that won’t freeze or damage your rig. Stronger and safer than traditional tow straps, it’s a must-have for any off-road kit. www.weathertech.com 02/ Bronco x YETI Tundra Haul Cooler YETI’s first wheeled cooler just got a Bronco-worthy upgrade. The Tundra Haul delivers legendary ice retention with PermaFrost™ insulation, a FatWall™ design, and rugged never-flat wheels that roll easily over rocks, sand, or gravel. Topped with a white Bronco logo on a navy lid, this trail-tested cooler is built to follow your rig wherever the adventure leads you. thebronconation.com 03/ Midland ER310…

Back in the day, Don Backstrom’s ’74 Bronco was just another well-kept rig tucked away with about 40k miles on the clock. But fast forward a few decades, and this thing’s a whole different beast. Retired and wrench-happy out on Camano Island, Washington, Don had a vision, and with help from the crew at Rain City Garage, he brought that dream to life. The result? A slick Bronco that looks classic but drives like it rolled straight outta 2024. Under the hood, Don swapped in a Gen 3 Coyote 5.0L from Ford Performance. That’s right—this old-school wagon is now running modern muscle, backed up by a Ford electronic transfer case and stuffed between Kincer hybrid axles. It’s sitting on a legit Kincer Builder Series chassis powdercoated in Black Magic and…

For Cody Hill, building wild, fully custom vehicles isn’t a hobby; it’s a way of life. Whether it was a towering squarebody C10, a lifted Ford F-350 dually rolling on 28s, or a tricked-out side-by-side UTV, Cody has always been the type to build big and bring his family along for the ride. But when Ford announced the Raptor version of their reinvented Bronco, something different sparked inside of him. Instead of going the expected route with big wheels or mall-crawler flash, Cody saw an opportunity to go off-grid—literally. Overlanding was a growing trend in the custom scene, but Cody realized no one had yet tackled an overlanding Bronco Raptor. That lone idea ignited a full-blown build concept that quickly snowballed into something the custom world hadn’t seen before. To…

If you weren’t at the New Jersey Bronco Invasion this year, you missed one unforgettable weekend on the coast. Imagine this: hundreds of Broncos lined up on the beach, tires dug into the sand, with the Atlantic breeze rollin’ in, and the Wildwood boardwalk buzzing just steps away. It wasn’t just a show; it was a full-on celebration of Bronco culture. Hosted by the crew at Blinker Fluid Productions, this event brought Bronco owners together from all over the country for three straight days of rigs, raffles, and rip-roarin’ off-road action. With daily beach parking, access to some of the top names in the industry, and a full-on obstacle course, the Invasion was more than just a meetup; it was an experience. The best part? It didn’t matter if you…

If you feel like this Bronco looks familiar, you’re probably right. Originally built for Jeff Trapp (owner of Jeff’s Bronco Graveyard) as a promotional display vehicle, the build was well documented on History Channel’s “Detroit Steel TV” show a few years ago when it was customized by Mobsteel. Since then, the old Bronco has been plastered all over the internet, becoming one of the most recognized second-gens out there. It obviously didn’t start out that way. In fact, the ’79 was in pretty rough shape when Adam Genei of Mobsteel first dragged it into the Detroit-based shop. When your client is in the business of selling every Bronco restoration part imaginable, however, you’re already a few long strides ahead in the game. With the entire Jeff’s Bronco Graveyard catalog at…