Ford Bronco Gets $1,300 'Severe-Duty' Steering Option to Keep Tie Rods From Snapping

The Ford Bronco follows the old-school off-road formula in a few key ways—you can spec it with huge tires, a front locker, and even a crawler gear. But what's decisively more modern about the Bronco is its independent front suspension; there's no solid axle to be found up there. IFS is meant to provide a better ride and better high-speed performance, though it has its weaknesses. Ford aims to remedy them by offering owners a new severe-duty steering upgrade kit.

It's a $1,300 setup sold by Ford Performance that was first spotted by Ford Authority. Included is a higher torque motor with an improved and reinforced steering casing from the Bronco Raptor. That's the big boy that comes with 37-inch BF Goodrich tires from the factory. Also sold as part of the kit are stronger inner tie rods and reinforced outer tie rods with increased deflection ball joints. The goal is to provide more articulation while strengthening the steering system as a whole. Ideally, once you install these, you won't have to worry about your friends posting pictures of your Bronco with both front tires pointing inwards.

Although the kit costs $1,300, a Ford Pro-Cal 4 programming tool is also required to complete the job. That adds $495 to the total price.