Creating a killer custom Bronco can be really exciting! If you’re just starting out, you may need some expertise or inspiration. We’re here to help with this black lagoon build and our other custom Bronco builds.
Our Creature of the Black Lagoon Bronco build features some great styling upgrades like a satin black color change and lime green accents. On top of that it has a new wheel and tire set-up along with a lift. Come checkout how we made these improvements to see some before and after images!
PART LIST | |
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Rough Country 3.5-Inch Lift Kit | Bull Bar |
Window Tint | Bronco Lettering Overlay |
Powder Coated Tow Hooks | Green Painted Calipers |
Satin Black Color Change Wraps | Blackout Emblems |
18″ Toyo Open Country AT III Tires | 18″ Alpha Command Wheels |
Rough Country Ditch Light LEDs | Rough Country Fog Light Pocket LEDs |
Satin Black Vinyl Wrap
When this Outer Banks Bronco came to us it was gloss black and the client wanted to have that sleek tactical look. So, we applied a satin black 3M vinyl wrap to change the finish. As you can see in the photos below the satin finish reduces the reflective shimmer of gloss creating a more solid appearance similar to matte. Satin black is always a popular choice because it has such a simple and alluring look.
Vinyl wraps aren’t for everyone, but the truth is they are a cost-effective way of customizing your ride. Plus, wrapping your ride can have a few practical benefits. While it’s on your vehicle it will protect your paint from chips and corrosion. Later on, removing the automotive grade vinyl doesn’t harm the car. This is helpful you want to get a new wrap or just remove it completely. If properly installed and cared for, a wrap will last up to 7 years.
3.5-Inch Lift Kit
Another way improved the look and performance of this custom Bronco is by installing a 3.5-inch lift kit. Attaching a Bronco lift kit provides more ground clearance to overcome larger obstacles on offroad paths.
A lift kit like the 3.5-inch one we got from Rough Country is also used to make more space at the base of the vehicle for new wheel and tire setups. After the Bronco is lifted it has a far more assertive presence as its nose sits higher and it has more command of the road.
Lift kits usually come with a large instruction manual but can be a pain to install. If you haven’t done anything like this before we recommend going to a professional so you can have it installed correctly and protect your investment.
Custom Wheels and Offroad Tires
The wheel design on the Outer Banks trim wasn’t cutting it for our client so we looked into getting a new set of rims. To be sure they matched the style we were going for they had to come in a matte black and not appear over designed. We landed on a set of AlphaEquipt Command wheels.
These wheels fit the build well because they are both sturdy and classy with a slight retro feel. The wheel design is made up of 8 mid-sized blocky spokes that connect to a thick outer ring in a gear like pattern.
Along with the new wheels comes balanced offroad tires. Toyo Open Country AT 3 tires are some of our favorites because of their availability and traction without a huge expense to Fuel economy. Although, if you’re planning on taking your Bronco off-roading pretty frequently, we suggest something better rated for rugged terrain.
Painted Green Brake Calipers
Having a wheel design with open spokes allows for a better view of the brake calipers. Which is great because these painted green calipers go perfect with the darker satin black appearance. Personalizing the calipers on your build is a quick and easy way to depth to its design. We’ve had customer paint calipers in tons of colors like red, orange, yellow, pink, blue, green, and more.
With brake calipers it’s important to apply a durable and heat resistant paint. They deal with a lot of friction, debris, and road chemicals which can all be blocked with a coat of the proper paint. If you’re feeling really fancy you can put a ceramic coating on them for another layer of protection and a super easy clean.
Powder Coated Tow Hooks
Subtle areas beside the calipers that are great places to customize include the tow hooks. For this custom Ford Bronco we removed the hooks and powder coated them in a bright green to expand the color pop. This green hanging of the black is like radioactive seaweed hanging on to this beastly Bronco.
Lime Green Bronco Overlays
Our final touch of green is from a Bronco lettering overlay on the grille. An overlay adds a nice custom color to your Bronco emblem that makes it feel more unique to you. In fact, we customized all the other emblems on this lifted Bronco by darkening them with a tint.
Bull Bar
Next, we started adding more offroad accessories like this minimal bull bar on the Bronco’s front bumper. Bull bars guard your vehicle from collision damage or flying branches out on the trail. They’re made from heavy-duty stainless steel with a protective powder coat finish.
Offroad LED Ditch Lights
Following the bull bar are Bronco offroad LED accessories like these ditch lights. The cube LED ditch lights we installed are from rough country. They can be adjusted to fit whichever angle you need while running the trails. They’re also great for providing some light to your campsite. Even though lighting serves a practical purpose it can also give your custom ride a rugged look to it.
Another lighting accessories that we hooked up is a few more cube LEDs in the pockets of the bumper. This spot is good for housing LED fog lights kits from brands like Rough Country or Baja Design. The additional bright lighting helps to illuminate the path ahead.
Window Tint
Last on our list of accessories is window tint. 3M window tint is a great addition that protects your interior from harsh UV rays. Because of its solar energy rejection your rides interior stays cooler during hot summer months. For darker builds like this the heat reduction is very important since the black soaks up warmth.
Window tint on this build looks fantastic as the it bridges the gap between body and roof with a darker tone. However, it’s important to know that not all tint is made equal. We only use 3M tints because of their benefits over competing brands. We wrote a whole article about the benefits of 3M tint to help you learn more before making your decision.
Tints are offered from 5% to 70% with the lower numbers being darker. The % measures VLT (Visual Light Transference) which quantifies how much light comes through the film. When you go to select your tint, you need to keep in mind your local laws, so that you don’t get ticketed. We always recommend a professional install for this modification. Poor tint jobs will bubble and discolor over time. Make sure your window tint installer has a good warranty to protect your investment!
Interested in a custom build, blackout, or chrome delete for yourself? We offer pickup and delivery across the contiguous united states. Learn More