Lessons learned from the Mexican 1000 can lead to Ford Bronco Wildtrak Hoss 3.0 accessories

The first question I asked Ford Bronco automotive manager Jamie Groves was, “What broke?”

“Nothing,” said Groves.

Ford held the stock 2022 Bronco Wildtrak with Hoss Suspension Update 3.0 in the Mexican 1000 to test the SUV in extreme conditions. The terrain ranged from transit sections on the highway to dazzling silt, sand and desert terrain that could be absorbed by cars. The idea was to find out what extreme Bronco owners can endure, and make Bronco the best for it. Last year, Ford managed the Bronco Badlands 2021 fund, which faced constraints. Lessons learned? The Ford Performance accessories department should offer extra protection for buyers wishing to race on their stock Bronco on and off-road.

The Hoss 3.0 suspension package is big news for the 2022 Bronco Wildtrak. It replaced the Bilstein Hoss 2.0 shock absorbers with Fox shock absorbers, which have larger remote tanks and aluminum housings that dissipate heat more efficiently. Ford has revised the spring rates, added a new rear stabilizer and internal and external steering, which are 32% stronger. In addition, the Hoss 3.0 kit has a steering rack Bronco Raptarproviding a 40% increase in maximum load compared to the standard Bronco rack.

For Bronco owners, Wildtrak production now has a higher performance threshold due to better thermal impact temperature and body movement control when bundled with the Hoss 3.0 package.

Ford Bronco Wildtrak 2022 with Hoss 3.0 package on the Mexican 1000

According to Grove, for Ford Wildtrak it was much easier to saw on the grueling Mexican NORRA 1000 than the Badlands 2021, which the team held last year. The reason was increased ground clearance by 1.2 inches, increased heat capacity of Fox shock absorbers so that they do not fade and lose performance, and wider by 1.9 inches for added stability. If last year the Bronco Badlands sometimes had to go around obstacles due to suspension restrictions, this year it didn’t. The new shock absorbers never disappeared, and the Hoss 3.0 suspension system was much more capable of jumping than last year’s Badland installation, Groves said.

Ford has added safety upgrades such as racing seats, a safety frame, seat belts and an extra tire along with a jack. This equated to extra (and unwanted) weight, putting the Bronco at a disadvantage.

The Bronco participated in the Evolution Pre-Runner Truck class against racing previous runners who weighed less and had much more power.

“We brought a knife into the fight,” Groves said.

Ford Bronco Wildtrak 2022 with Hoss 3.0 package on the Mexican 1000

Ford Bronco Wildtrak 2022 with Hoss 3.0 package on the Mexican 1000

Ford Bronco Wildtrak 2022 with Hoss 3.0 package on the Mexican 1000

Groves noted that the five-day Mexican 1000 race is different from the Baja 1000, as it is a staging and time of the event. Baja 1000 is just timed and you work until you finish. With the Mexican 1000 each stage is a day with different distances. Time is up, but the clock stops at night. During the day the only stops on the clock are for fuel. The Bronco stopped a lot, averaging about 100 miles per tank due to lack of fuel cell. The set-up allowed the team to go through Bronco every night and analyze his condition.

Torque was checked every night at the joints around the Bronco to make sure the bolts did not shift during the day (a paint pen was used to indicate the location before the race). The chassis was inspected for damage due to contact with the ground, and the tires were inspected.

Although nothing broke, there were three issues that eventually needed to be addressed: tires, brakes and a shock absorber.

Three tires leaked during the event, but with the help of a standard built-in tire pressure monitoring system, the team monitored the pressure and continued to drive until a change of driver or refueling was required.

Ford Bronco Wildtrak 2022 with Hoss 3.0 package on the Mexican 1000

Ford Bronco Wildtrak 2022 with Hoss 3.0 package on the Mexican 1000

Ford Bronco Wildtrak 2022 with Hoss 3.0 package on the Mexican 1000

The front brake pads had to be changed every night due to heavy wear from aggressive use on and off the road. The rear pads were replaced only once during the event. Groves noted that the braking system is great for travel and off-road, but they just weren’t optimized for racing
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“Customers don’t want to squeak the brakes,” Groves said. Anyone planning to race on their Bronco will want to upgrade their brake pads, Groves suggested.

Ford spokesman Sam Shembari noted that if Ford Performance Parts develops performance brake pads, they will be able to reduce the priority of noise and dust, giving priority to cessation, resistance to fading and wear.

The protection of the body was also a sore spot. For those planning to race, Wildtrak support plates may not be enough. In particular, it would be possible to upgrade the front cover. Groves noted that this market is currently deciding, but there is room for Ford Performance accessories.

But of all things, it was the rear shock absorber that ended up being a vulnerable spot on the SUV. At the rear the Bronco shock absorbers are mounted on the front of the axle. Remote damper tanks are located on the front of the damper, and during the off-road phase the team learned how vulnerable these tanks are to damage, especially from the passenger side.

“It’s always the passenger (sideways), the driver is always defending his side of the truck,” Groves said, laughing. The team had to look after it back to replace it, and couldn’t figure out what exactly happened to the impact tank, whether it was a rolling stone or what it was being pulled.

Groves noted that post-market protection has already hit the market for Bilsteins, but Ford Performance needs to look at how to offer protection for the new Hoss 3.0 Fox installation.

Ford Bronco Wildtrak 2022 with Hoss 3.0 package on the Mexican 1000

Ford Bronco Wildtrak 2022 with Hoss 3.0 package on the Mexican 1000

In a classroom with built-in trophy trucks and previous runners with 40-inch tires, the standard Bronco Wildtrak finished 3rd out of nine competitors and climbed the podium. Nothing broke, and the Bronco worked much better than last year’s Badlands, which received much more body damage. It looks like the Ford Performance accessories division is likely to look for additional off-road protection for Bronco owners in the near future.