Some cars beg for customization. The human brain never fully accepts a Nissan Altima with aftermarket parts and a unique visual theme. But the Ford Bronco? Bring on the stripes, the different roofs, even the aftermarket tube doors.
That’s certainly what Ford is doing.
The automaker launched its Ford Custom Garage program last year to market unique packages for the Bronco, F-150, Mustang, and other vehicles that take easily to heavy customization.
Now, the in-house custom shop has revealed one of its first projects — a Bronco upfit package with a beachy visual theme and upgrades for the sand.
The Bronco Coastal Package is available for 4-door Bronco SUVs in Base, Big Bend, Black Diamond, and Outer Banks trim, and 2-door Broncos in the Base trim. If you have the Sasquatch package, this setup won’t work.
Mechanically, it leaves the powertrain alone. But it adds 17-inch silver wheels that could easily be 1970s steelies and a 2-inch off-road suspension lift to help cope with dunes. You’re responsible for finding tires for them on your own. A ProCal tool, also part of the package, helps recalibrate the speedometer for the new wheels.
Visually, the package includes silver fender flares and a silver grille. A stripe in a pastel gradient on the shoulder line looks lifted from a 1980s sunscreen bottle. The color adjustments look spectacular on the Desert Sand model Ford used for photos.
The package includes a Bimini top with a silver Bronco graphic. Tube doors are an added-cost option.
It’s not cheap — $5,400 — but will give you one of the best-looking Broncos in town. If this is the sort of project we can expect from Ford Custom Garage, we’re excited about its future.