There’s a New Better Bronco for Canadians

The Exclusive Everglades Special Edition is almost perfect

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Words by Perry Mack Photos Courtesy Ford

Are you considering building your own ultimate off-road 4x4 that works as a daily driver? If you are, browsing the options list of the new Ford Bronco Everglades Edition is a great place to start. This 4x4 makes one reminisce over photos of iconic world explorers like the Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser but with modern-day amenities and performance.

In the past, building a stellar off-roader meant going to the aftermarket for accessories and performance upgrades. This has changed over the last few years, where manufacturers are now equipping rigs right from the factory with virtually everything and anything a wheeler could want, at a price.

In some ways, the Everglades edition of the new Bronco is the pinnacle of what is offered. Though you do pay a premium, you get a factory warranty and factory engineers who have worked to make sure all the components are designed to work together. If you are a wrench-turning-DIYer you’ll want to check out the options on this edition. In the event you’re not, you’re just a few clicks away from a machine that will can you across the planet.

If you’ve been following the Bronco, you’ll know the details of the Sasquatch option package, which is available for most trim levels. It includes 35” M/T tires with 17” beadlock-capable wheels, front- and rear locking differentials, and Ford’s high-performance suspension system with BILSTEIN position-sensitive monotube shocks. It also sports a 4.7 final drive ratio and high-clearance fender flares. All of these features create a very capable off-road 4x4.

Not being satisfied with only ‘very-capable,' Ford has ventured a little further. They recently released the Bronco Raptor (see 4WDrive Volume 24, Number 1), which took the vehicle along the path towards a desert racer. It’s a beautiful 4x4 for driving in the American southwest where deserts are plentiful. In Canada, the U.S. east coast and border states, not so much.

This is where the Everglades edition makes more sense – running trails in wet, soggy and often wintery conditions. Most noticeable is the factory snorkel with a reversible air vent to better handle dusty, rain-soaked and snowy conditions. For the uninitiated, raising the air vent will help the engine reach clean air away from ground level trail dust, and moisture from weather and water crossings. Reversing the vent towards the rear of the vehicle reduces the amount of rain, dust and snow that can get sucked in.

Although hydro-locking your engine (sucking water into the cylinders) is not a good thing - the hidden danger is water entering moving parts. Ford raised the vents for the transmission, axles and transfer case, which they say has improved the water Fording depth to 92.5 cm (36.4 in). There’s no mention of elevated breather tubes for the differentials as of yet.

Drivers who love to push the limits of their vehicle and skills, usually opt for a winch to get them out of sticky situations. Ford partnered with Warn to include an integrated 10,000-pound (4,536 kg) ZEON 10-S WARN winch with 30 m (100 ft) of synthetic line.

There are a few other useful exterior features including rock rails to protect the lower sills, a moulded-in-colour hardtop and roof rack with crossbars. Unfortunately, the roof rack only has a static load limit of 204 kg (450 lb) and dynamic load limit of 50 kg (110 lb).

In keeping with the tradition of making special editions unique on the outside, the Everglades topography adorns the front quarter fenders and this edition has squared front and rear wheel arches with matching Sasquatch-width fender flares. There are five flavours in exterior paint including the Everglades-exclusive low-volume Desert Sand, plus Eruption Green, Area 51, Shadow Black and Cactus Grey.

Its 4-cylinder 2.3 L EcoBoost engine cranks out 300 hp and 325 lb ft of torque. This energy is delivered to the wheels via a 10-speed transmission. Rock crawlers will enjoy the maximum crawl ratio of 67.8:1.

What would easily have made this special edition Bronco better? Stock 37” tires and a beefier roof rack capable of supporting a few adults in a rooftop tent for overlanding. There was no word on pricing at the time of writing. However, ordering has begun but only for customers who have an existing order for a Bronco.