Michael Accardi 
Let’s get this out of the way now. The BDS Bronco Pickup Concept is the closest we’re ever going to get to a Ford Bronco pickup truck.
Without rehashing the whole thing, the Bronco pickup was officially killed earlier this year when Ford notified suppliers the project would be smoked. This brings us to the BDS Ford Bronco Pickup Concept brought along to the 2021 SEMA Show, part of a quartet of Bronco concepts the brand is showcasing in Las Vegas.
Long-time Ford builder BDS Suspensions, a subsidiary of Fox Shocks, has created a fast-response backcountry fire truck based on a 2021 two-door Black Diamond Bronco. The BDS Bronco fire truck is downright rapid compared to those gargantuan Unimog and KAMAZ heavy-duty off-road fire trucks, and could prove to be a high value asset for first responders if it ever came to fruition.
Mechanical work on this Ford Bronco pickup truck for the 2021 SEMA Show started with a BDS 4-inch UCA System–naturally–which makes use of Fox 2.5 PES coilovers, BDS rear adjustable control arms, a track bar, plus swaybar disconnect functionality. The package rolls on 37-inch BFGoodrich KM3 tires which are mounted on some nouveau-riche-looking-gold-painted beadlock wheels.
Ford did just unveil new performance calibrations for the baseline 2.3L which can be uploaded through the OBDII port. But there’s no word if the BDS Bronco concept is using the new cals, or if its rocking the optional 2.7L EcoBoost V6.
Additional modifications to the Bronco Pickup include CrawlTek Revolution bumpers with integrates a recessed winch. There are recovery hooks, and an additional skid plate protecting the front end. moving towards the back, there’s another which and a matching set of recovery hooks. Both winches are WARN Industries ZEON 10s capable of pulling up to 10,000 pounds.
Obviously, the most striking modification is the pickup bed which is where the supposed fire fighting and first response gear would live. There are CrawlTek slider steps, a CargoGlide custom CG1000XL slideout tray, and ARB TwinAir underhood air compressor.
Aside from the modified hardtop, all of the components used on the BDS Bronco Pickup Concept are available through the Ford Accessory catalog.
