Upgrading the factory fog lights on a Ford Bronco Sport is one of the most satisfying lighting improvements you can make, and in this install series we went step by step through the Baja Designs S1 Fog Light Kit Ford Bronco Sport installation on a 2021 model. We teamed up with Eric, Baja Designs’ own light scientist and mechanical engineer of vehicle specific kits, to walk through the entire process from tools to final reassembly. If you have been thinking about ditching the OEM fog lights for something with more punch, this guide covers exactly what we did and what you can expect on your own truck.

This S1 Fog Pocket Light Kit for Bronco Sport is designed specifically for the 2021-2022 Ford Bronco Sport, and the fitment shows in how cleanly everything integrates. The kit reuses the factory mounting locations and taps into the OEM harness through plug and play adapters, so there is no cutting or splicing required. Below we break down the entire job, section by section, in the same order we performed it.

What You Get and Why It Matters

The kit is built around the compact and durable S1 LED Auxiliary Light Pods from Baja Designs. These are small but capable pods that drop into the factory fog pocket location. Because the kit is vehicle specific, it comes with the brackets, hardware, and plug and play adapters needed to mount the lights into the Bronco Sport bumper without modifying the vehicle wiring. That plug and play approach is a big deal for anyone who wants a factory clean look with a serious performance bump.

Tools You Will Need

Before starting, gather your tools so you are not stopping halfway through the job. For this install you will need a 7mm socket, a 10mm deep socket, a 7/16 socket, a 10mm open-end wrench, a 3mm Allen wrench, a trim tool or flathead screwdriver, and a multimeter or a circuit test light. Having each of these ready made the whole process go smoothly for us.

Prep Work Before You Begin

The first thing we did was turn the wheel toward the driver’s side, place the vehicle in park, and turn off the engine. Turning the wheel gives you far more room to work behind the fender liner, which is where most of the action happens on this install. It is a small step, but it makes accessing the fog light area much easier.

Driver’s Side Install

Removing the Fender Well Fasteners

Using the trim tool or flathead screwdriver, we removed the five plastic fasteners in the inner fender well. Then, with the 7mm socket, we removed the single fastener on the underside of the bumper. Once those were out, we gently pulled the inner fender well out of the way to reveal the area behind the fog light. Take your time here so you do not crack any of the plastic fasteners, since you will be reinstalling them at the end.

Dismounting the ECU

Here is the part that trips up a lot of first timers. On the driver’s side, you have to dismount the ECU and move it out of the way to reach the fog light region. This step is unique to the driver’s side, so keep that in mind. We pulled the plastic harness clip off the stud, then used the 10mm deep socket to remove the two bolts holding the ECU in place. To get the last fastener mounting the ECU, we reached through the driver’s side tow hook opening from the front of the bumper and used the 10mm open-end wrench to remove the nut. With that done, the ECU could gently be moved out of the way to access the fog light area.

Removing the OEM Fog Light

With the fog light now accessible, we unplugged the fog light harness connector from the light. Then, using the 7mm socket wrench, we removed the three OEM fog light mounting screws and set them aside because we would need them again shortly. After that, we pulled the OEM fog light out. That factory light is no longer needed, so it goes into the parts bin.

Mounting the S1 Bracket

Now for the fun part. Using the three OEM mounting screws we set aside, we mounted the Baja Designs driver side S1 fog light bracket. Orientation matters here, so pay attention. Only the driver’s side light gets mounted with the embossed housing logo facing the driver’s side and the bezel logo right side up. Getting this right ensures the light sits correctly and the beam pattern is aimed as intended. Next, using the 3mm Allen wrench and the two M5 housing bolts, we installed the S1 mounting bracket to the driver’s side light. This is where that little Allen wrench earns its place in your kit. Then we placed the light into the fog light opening from the front of the bumper, fitting it around the mounting bracket, and placed the spacer in between the fog light mounting bracket and the S1 bracket. To lock it all together, we threaded the 7/16 hex head bolt through the provided serrated washer, S1 bracket, spacer, and into the fog light bracket.

Wiring With the Plug and Play Adapter

This is where the vehicle specific design really shows its value. We located the fog light plug and play adapters, then connected the plug and play adapter to the light and to the OEM fog light connector. That is it. No splicing, no wire tapping, no guesswork. The new S1 light draws power right through the factory connection, keeping the whole install clean and reversible if you ever needed to go back to stock.

Reassembly

With the light wired in, we replaced the ECU (driver’s side only), then reinstalled the fender well and all associated fasteners. Take a moment to make sure every plastic clip is seated and the bumper fastener is snug. That wraps up the driver’s side.

Passenger Side Install

The good news for the passenger side is that the process repeats almost exactly, with one major exception: you will not have to remove the ECU. That single difference makes the passenger side noticeably faster than the driver’s side. Everything else, from removing the fender well fasteners and the OEM fog light to mounting the S1 bracket and connecting the plug and play adapter, follows the same steps we already covered. Just remember the bracket orientation rule and take your time seating the fasteners.

Why We Like This Kit

What stood out to us most was how cleanly this install goes together thanks to the vehicle specific engineering. Reusing the OEM mounting screws, tapping into the factory connector with plug and play adapters, and having every bracket and spacer cut to fit means you spend your time installing rather than fabricating. If you are comparing options, it helps to know how these auxiliary pods stack up against dedicated replacement units. For drivers who want a full housing swap instead of a pocket pod, you can explore a range of LED Fog Light Assemblies, and if you are chasing serious trail output there are plenty of Off-Road Fog Light Kits worth looking at as well.

Final Thoughts

All in, this is another clean Baja Designs install that most enthusiasts can knock out in an afternoon with basic hand tools. The driver’s side takes a bit more patience because of the ECU removal, but the payoff is a factory clean look with the performance of the S1 pods. If you follow the bracket orientation carefully and keep track of your fasteners, you will end up with a tidy, reversible upgrade that transforms how your Bronco Sport lights up the trail.

Frequently Asked Questions

What tools are required to install the Baja Designs S1 fog light kit on a Ford Bronco Sport?

You need a 7mm socket, a 10mm deep socket, a 7/16 socket, a 10mm open-end wrench, a 3mm Allen wrench, a trim tool or flathead screwdriver, and a multimeter or circuit test light.

Do you have to remove the ECU to install this fog light kit?

Yes, but only on the driver’s side. The ECU must be dismounted and moved out of the way to access the fog light area on that side; the passenger side install does not require ECU removal.

Can the OEM fog light mounting screws be reused with the S1 kit?

Yes, the three OEM fog light mounting screws are reused to mount the Baja Designs driver side S1 fog light bracket.

How should the S1 bracket be oriented during installation?

The bracket should be installed with the embossed housing logo facing the driver’s side and the bezel logo right side up.

Does the S1 kit use plug and play wiring?

Yes, the kit includes plug and play adapters that connect the new light to the existing OEM fog light connector.