The Bronco’s Comeback: A Modern Classic With Room For Improvement 

After a 25-year hiatus, Ford finally brought back the Bronco in 2021, reviving one of the most iconic off-road vehicles ever built. The new Bronco was designed to compete directly with the Jeep Wrangler, offering rugged off-road capability, customizable features, and a bold, retro-inspired design that pays homage to its heritage. 

With trims like the Wildtrak Sasquatch, Ford took things even further, equipping the Bronco with aggressive 35-inch tires, advanced 4x4 capabilities, and a high-output engine to handle any terrain. However, while Ford nailed the performance and styling, one area where the Bronco still falls short is its factory audio system—a common complaint among owners. That’s exactly what we set out to fix with this build. 

The Upgrade: More Power, More Precision 

One of the biggest improvements came from increasing power to the Focal ICU165 speakers in the kick panels. This upgrade significantly enhanced the lower midrange, making the sound feel more lifelike and punchy.   

For this build, we installed Focal ICU100 speakers in the top dash and rear pillars, ensuring a seamless and balanced soundstage. To round things out, we added an AudioControl TXFBB12 subwoofer, housed in a custom box designed specifically for the Bronco. This sub is mounted on the rear swing gate, ensuring minimal space is taken up while maximizing bass output. 

To Power Everything, We Used Two Amplifiers:  

JL Audio VX1000/5i to drive the speakers and subwoofer 

AudioControl ACM2300 dedicated to the Focal ICU165 speakers in the kick panels 

This setup delivers around 400 watts to the speakers, which is more than enough for clear, crisp sound. The subwoofer alone gets 500 watts, ensuring deep, controlled bass. 

Overcoming Space Limitations 

One of the biggest challenges in upgrading a Bronco’s audio system is space. While the full-sized Bronco is larger than the Sport model, there still isn’t much room for aftermarket amps. 

To keep everything neat, we removed the factory subwoofer from the passenger-side hatch wall and hid both amplifiers behind that wall. This placement keeps them out of sight while preserving precious cargo space. 

Total Control Over Your Sound 

We wanted to give the owner full control over their listening experience. So, we installed two key features: 

A JL Audio DRC100 subwoofer volume knob upfront, allowing for quick bass adjustments depending on the genre or mood. 

The JL Audio VX1000/5i amplifier’s built-in tuning controls, enabling precise audio adjustments to get the best performance from every speaker. 

Performance with the Top Off 

The Wildtrak Sasquatch Bronco’s convertible capability adds an extra challenge to audio performance. However, with the right amount of power and high-quality speakers, sound loss is minimized. Even with the roof off, the system holds up exceptionally well, ensuring you still get a rich, immersive audio experience. 

Ready for an Upgrade? 

If you’re looking to take your Bronco—or any vehicle—to the next level in sound quality, we’d love to help. Whether it’s a full system overhaul or just a few tweaks, we can customize a setup that fits your needs. Reach out to us, and let’s talk about making your ride sound as good as it looks!