Rock-Ready 1992 Ford Bronco “Bloodshark”

Blake Wilkey’s Solid-Axle Swapped 1992 Ford Bronco

when we heard that Blake Wilkey of Urban Assault video fame was taking a quick pause from shredding asphalt to building a rock crawling Bronco he refers to as Bloodshark, our attention span was locked on nothing else. We’ve all seen footage of Wilkey ripping though cities from Las Vegas to Tijuana at breakneck speeds and flying over obstacles with the greatest of ease. The level of excitement his driving skills delivers blows right off the charts, but with his latest project he was forced to slow down dramatically as he approached a project with a different set of obstacles ahead.

The vehicles that Blake typically fabricates and drives in his videos are all purpose-built to go almost anywhere. We were able to take a closeup on his Bronco when we caught up with him at King of the Hammers earlier this year, and it is impressive to say the least. While the cost of most of Blake’s projects no-doubt hover in the hig  her-rent district, the build of his 1992 Ford Bronco is much more relatable to what most regular Joes could pull off with the required knowledge and due diligence. ”

Ready To Rock

Blake was able to score the Bronco from a friend’s father at a great deal, so his initial investment into the truck was low to begin with. While budget wasn’t exactly a driving theme throughout the entirety of the project, Blake was lucky enough to utilize a good amount of readily available, off-the-shelf products that cut down on overall cost and down time.

Choosing the Right Solid Axle Swap Package

Navigating the world of solid axle swaps can feel a bit like staring at a restaurant menu written in a foreign language—exciting, but slightly overwhelming if you’re a first-timer. Blake’s experience serves as a playbook here: break things down, weigh your priorities, and don’t be afraid to roll up your sleeves.

Start by assessing how hard you want to hit the rocks. Are you aiming to crawl serious boulders at places like King of the Hammers, or just want to beef up for weekend trail runs? Most major swap kits come in a few flavors: from entry-level setups focused on basic front axle replacement, to fully loaded “monster” packages ready for off-road battle. It pays to review what’s actually included in each tier:

• Level 1 Kits are a good baseline—they’ll get your front end swapped, usually with the core essentials: mounts, brackets, hardware.
• Level 2 or Complete Packages bundle in upgraded steering, beefier suspension links, and reinforcements for those looking to drive a little harder.
• If the back end is your current weak link, there are upgrade kits targeting just the rear—think C-notches, 4-links, and beefed-up trailing arms to handle more articulation and abuse.

Before clicking “add to cart,” check compatibility for your Bronco’s year and drivetrain. Also, have a look at trusted brands like Desolate Motorsports, Quixotic Motorsports, King Shocks, and Eibach for solid reputations and proven performance. A little research here saves major headaches later.

And keep in mind—while you can certainly buy packages off the shelf, customizing for your driving style makes a huge difference. Wilkey didn’t hesitate to throw in his own twists with custom skid plates and extra armor, and neither should you.

Once you’ve squared away your wish list, you’re ready to get ordering and start wrenching—whether you do the swap on your garage floor or enlist the pros, the right package makes all the difference in your Bronco’s transformation.”

“Blake was lucky enough to utilize a good amount of readily available, off-the-shelf products that cut down on overall cost and down time.” 

To get the suspension system dialed in to take on the rocks at King of the Hammers, he began by ordering a Desolate Motorsports solid front axle swap kit, a Quixotic Motorsports rear C-notch, rear 4-link and billet trailing arms, King Shocks 3.0 and 2.5 coilovers for the front and rear respectively, Eibach shocks along with all the parts and pieces to put it all together. Blake didn’t just settle for a basic swap—he weighed his options, considering everything from comprehensive solid axle swap packages to level-specific kits that cater to different needs and budgets. The result? A monster-grade setup that not only transformed the Bronco’s stance and articulation, but also allowed for incremental upgrades as the build evolved. Each component was purpose-chosen to maximize capability while keeping the project approachable, striking a balance between off-the-shelf reliability and custom-tailored performance.  Blake whipped up his own engine and transmission skid plates and opted for a plate from Desolate to protect the factory fuel tank. Knowing the demands of off-road adventures, he also went the extra mile by crafting a custom fuel tank to ensure maximum driveline clearance—vital for navigating the kind of terrain the Bronco was destined to tackle. To help propel the Bronco through the rugged terrain, a set of Method Race Wheels 103s wrapped in X-Comp X/T tires were mounted and put into position.

Solid Axle Swap Options for Broncos

If you’re wondering about solid axle swap kits for different Bronco model years, rest assured—there’s no shortage of options. Whether you’re driving an early classic or a full-size ‘80s or ‘90s rig like Blake’s, you’ll find packages ranging from basic setups to all-out monster upgrades. These kits are usually tiered (think entry-level to pro), so you can dial in just how wild or wallet-friendly you want your project to be.

A few of the more comprehensive kits include everything you need for the front axle conversion, while others let you upgrade the rear as well with beefier hardware—ideal if you’re thinking about rock gardens or heavier trail use. Plus, many of these options play nicely with popular shocks and link setups from King, Eibach, and others already running under Blake‘s Bloodshark. It’s never been easier to mix, match, or go all-in with a one-stop package built to fit your Bronco’s generation and your off-road ambitions.

Rear-Only Solid Axle Swap? Absolutely.

If you’re curious about dialing in just the rear suspension, rest assured—dedicated solid axle swap upgrade kits are available for the back end only. This approach is perfect for those who want a boost in capability or flexibility at the rear without jumping into a full front-to-back overhaul.

With setups from trusted off-road brands like Quixotic Motorsports and others, you can focus resources and wrench time specifically on rear performance. Rear-only kits typically include essentials such as:

• C-notch components for additional clearance
• Four-link systems for improved axle articulation
• Billet trailing arms for strength and stability

Choosing this route lets enthusiasts fine-tune their rear setup to match off-road demands—whether towing, crawling, or just leveling up trail prowess—without the need to modify the front suspension at the same time.

Custom Touches You Can Actually Buy

If you’re eyeing some of the unique exterior graphics featured on this Bronco, you’re in luck. Thanks to Blake’s circle of automotive enthusiasts, the custom vinyl pieces aren’t just one-off creations—they’ll soon be available for purchase directly from the shop. So, whether you want to duplicate the look or add a bit of your own flair, you can snag these graphics and personalize your own rig without having to start from scratch.

Purpose Driven

Aside from a 3-inch Magnaflow exhaust system, an S&B air intake kit, and a Desolate Motorsports PS bracket with PSC pump, the Bronco’s factory-equipped 1992 Ford 351ci V-8 is still largely in stock condition, which is fine for truck’s intended purpose. Even though Blake is used to ultra-high performance horsepower output in his project vehicles, he has chosen to make do with the OE engine—for now. He has already hinted about possibly making a significant upgrade at some point, but there are currently other items a bit higher on the priority list. We will have to wait and see what develops. As for the Bronco’s factory-equipped ’92 E4OD transmission, it is also remains in place, although a manual shift case has been migrated over for additional control.

“A Desolate half cage has been incorporated into the interior, as has a pair of massive Quixotic rear tubs that were designed in-house to fit the space perfectly.” 

The Bronco’s exterior was also left largely alone save for the necessary armoring up with chromoly rock sliders and custom bumpers. A healthy dose of illumination was also added to the exterior with a row of front LED lights from Baja Designs, as well as two S2 Sport work lights sunk into the tailgate for increased rear visibility. To clear out enough fender space needed for full articulation of the wheels and tires, Blake reached for his trusty angle grinder and got to work. These OJ-era Broncos look great as-is without too many outwardly modification, and Blake has done his part to keep his looking as OG as possible.

While the exterior changes appear subtle at first glance, there’s more going on than meets the eye. Inspired by classic off-road icons, Blake resisted the urge to lather his Bronco in wild graphics or over-the-top accessories, instead letting the clean, timeless lines do the talking. It’s a deliberate nod to the golden era of full-size 4x4s—think late afternoon desert runs and the unmistakable silhouette of a Bronco slicing through the sunset. Instead of a flashy wrap or a bold custom grille, the focus here is on purposeful, well-executed upgrades that blend modern capability with vintage attitude.

Blake’s attention to detail ensures that every modification serves the Bronco’s intended purpose. The result? A rig that’s instantly recognizable to enthusiasts for its authenticity, yet ready to tackle the toughest trails with confidence. Whether you call it a tribute to the old-school or simply the cleanest Bronco at the trailhead, this build proves that less is often more—especially when you’re chasing that perfect balance between form and function.

Classic Influence, Modern Twist

Taking inspiration from the legendary ‘70s Bronco Free Wheeling package, Blake set the tone for this build with bold retro graphics that pay homage to Ford’s iconic color schemes of the era. But he didn’t stop there. Up front, the grille gets a nod to the original first-generation Bronco, thanks to a custom 3D-printed piece that seamlessly blends vintage character with a fresh, custom touch. The result is a look that instantly connects Bronco fans to the best of past generations, all while standing out as something uniquely personal to this project.

Rockin’ & Rollin’

On the other side of the coin, things have changed for the better inside the confines of the Bronco. A Desolate half cage has been incorporated into the interior, as has a pair of massive Quixotic rear tubs that were designed in-house to fit the space perfectly. The Full Throttle battery has been relocated into the cab right behind the passenger seat to keep it away from the elements. A Switch Pros panel has been positioned where the original transfer case panel used to be on the dash. Blake and crew then fabricated a one-off aluminum center console to house the Rockford Fosgate stereo and Rugged Radio unit so he can choose to either rock out or holler at the homies while he’s out shredding. Even though you may only see the driver- and passenger-side PRP high-back bucket seats at any given time, there are brackets to mount a matching third seat whenever an extra buddy wants to hop in and go along for a ride.

“Even though Blake is used to ultra-high performance horsepower output in his project vehicles, he has chosen to make do with the OE engine—for now.”

Surprisingly enough, it only took Blake the better part of five weeks to transform a bone stock Ford Bronco into the capable rock-climbing machine that it is today. While the change in speed and overall objective is vastly different when he’s behind the wheel of this truck compared to the high-intensity style vehicles Blake drives in his video series, making the steady and steep hike up to the top hill gets his heart pumping just the same.

“A healthy dose of illumination was also added to the exterior with a row of front LED lights from Baja Designs, as well as two S2 Sport work lights sunk into the tailgate for increased rear visibility.” 

While some minor tweaking still needs to be done to push the truck at optimum performance, Blake has built a radical foundation for his latest project so far. Be sure to stay posted to see what’s next for this rig, as well as whatever else Blake has coming up in the form of other exciting vehicle builds and video work.

UPGRADES

1992 Ford Bronco

OWNER:

Blake Wilkey
Ramona, CA

Shreddy Lyfe / Terra Crew

Engine/Drivetrain: 1992 Ford 351ci V-8, 3-inch Magnaflow exhaust system, S&B air filter kit, Desolate Motorsports PS bracket w/ PSC pump, speed density sensor, 1992 E4OD transmission, Arizona Driveshaft w/ Neapco U-joint and components, RCV Performance front and rear drive axels, 5.38 Motive Gears, Front ARM Air Locker, rear welded differential

Chassis & Suspension: Shop: Wilkey Works, Ramona, CA, Wheelbase stretched 1.5 inches, Desolate Motorsports solid axle swap, full front arms, shock mounts, transfer case skid plate, King Shocks front 3.0 IBP coilovers, rear 2.5 coilovers w/ clickers, Eibach springs, Quixotic Motorsports rear C-notch, rear 4-link kit, Billet trailing arms and shock mounts, WFO Concepts rear axle truss and drag kit, Synergy tie rods and ends, Wilkey Works engine and transmission pan, PSC steering box and stabilizer

Wheels, Tires & Brakes: 17-inch 103 Method Race Wheels, X-Comp X/T tires, plus a set of Mickey Thompson Baja Pro XS tires (40/13.5R17) mounted on KMC beadlock wheels for when maximum off-road traction is needed. Warn hubs provide reliable locking performance when the trail gets tough.

Brakes: Upgraded for Stopping Power

To bring all that off-road muscle to a safe halt, the Bronco features a set of high-performance SSBC Big Brakes. This upgrade ensures seriously enhanced braking capability over stock, offering the confidence to tackle steep descents and technical trails without breaking a sweat. Whether bombing through the backcountry or cruising through Ramona, Blake’s rig is ready to stop on a dime.

Body & Paint: Wilkey Works/Quixotic Motorsports bumpers, Chromoly rock sliders, Baja Designs lighting, Full Quixotic Motorsports rear tubs designed in-house

Interior: Skinny PRP high back seats w/ adjustable headrestCherry red suede upholstery, Solo Motorsports seat slider, Desolate Motorsports 1.75-inch DOM half cage, Wilkey Works center console w/ Switch Pros 12-button panel, cup holders, Rugged Radios F-Series antenna and intercom, Full Throttle battery mounted behind passenger seat, Baja Designs interior lights, Rockford Fosgate stereo