Oh mah gawd, you guys! My new Ford Bronco is finally in production! It was scheduled for production for the week of November 15th. I figured I check up on Friday, November 12th. The little indicator of “In Production” in the owner’s portal was circled. I called the dealer and they confirmed that it is, in fact in production. Yey!

Unfortunately, aside from that he couldn’t provide me with anymore details. He estimates that delivery will be in 3-6 weeks, which is rather vague. he said I don’t need to do anything right now. I quickly asked about loan interest rates and he said on the Bronco they’re about 4 or 5 percent. Meh, I can do better than that.

Anyway, this is great news. I’d like to point out that my vehicle, despite being produced in November of 2021, will still be a 2021 model year. The only difference for 2022 on the Black Diamond model is the front bumper. In place of the Ford Performance Heavy-Duty Modular bumper, the ’22 will have a “Capable Bumper”. That bumper is also steel, includes fog-lights, and recovery points. But it is not “heavy-duty” (ha! whatever that means), and it not modular. Not modular, meaning that the end-caps do not come for more wheel clearance, and is not compatible with a brush guard or a winch.

Oddly, I think I’d rather have the fog-lights. I don’t see myself adding a brush guard, a winch, or ever being in a climbing situation where I’d need to remove the end caps. I am just being realistic here. That said, I’d use fog-lights every time it’s dark out (sorry, not sorry).

Bronco Bumpers:

Each of the tree Bronco bumpers is pictured below. Interestingly, all these bumpers feature front parking sensors, something that is only available on High Pack models in 2021. Sourced from Bronco Nation. They go as such:

Standard Bumper: The Standard bumper (above) is default for Base, Big Bend, Outer Banks, and Wildtrak.

• Material: plastic
• Features: recovery points in all trims, fog lamps in Big Bend, Outer Banks, and Wildtrak

Capable Bumper: The Capable bumper (above) will be standard on Black Diamond and Badlands, replacing the current Heavy-Duty Modular default.

Material: powder-coated steel

Features: fog lights, recovery points.

Heavy-Duty Modular Bumper: The Heavy-Duty Modular bumper (above) is currently standard on Black Diamond, Badlands, and First Edition. It will be optional on every trim in 2022.

• Material: Steel
• Features: modularity, recovery points, supports the brush guard, factory winch, and front steel bash plates