Ford Bronco Cold Air Intake Install

Last Updated April 17, 2024 | Cory Jones

The 2021+ Ford Bronco offers impressive off-road capability straight from the factory, but there's always room for improvement. One of the easiest ways to extract more horsepower and torque is by upgrading to a cold air intake. A Bronco cold air intake relocates the intake to an area away from the engine to allow for cooler, denser air to be brought into the engine.

Check out the installation video below for more information.

How to Install a Cold Air Intake on Your 2021+ Ford Bronco

In this installation guide, we'll walk you through the process of replacing the stock air box with an aftermarket cold air intake on your 2021+ Bronco. With larger intake tubing and a high-flow filter, a cold air intake allows your Bronco's engine to breathe deeper for more power. You can expect gains of around 8-12 horsepower and enhanced throttle response. This is a great install for beginner mechanics because it only requires basic hand tools.

We're installing the Injen Cold Air Intake kit for the 2.7L EcoBoost found on the 2021+ Bronco. They make the same kit for the 2.3L as well. Regardless of what Bronco cold air intake kit you have, the installation process is largely the same with a few small differences.

Tools Needed

• 7MM Socket
• 8MM Socket
• 10MM Socket
• Lockjaw Pliers
• Flat-head Screwdriver
• 8MM Wrench
• 10MM Wrench
• Clip Removal Tool

Step 1: Remove Diverter Valve Wiring Harness

Pull back on the white tab and push down. Then, gently pull the harness out of the socket.

Step 2: Remove Diverter Valve Hose

Using your lockjaw pliers, loosen the clamp holding the hose to the diverter valve and wiggle it down the hose. Then, pull the hose off of the diverter valve.

Step 3: Remove Charge Pipe Bolts

Remove the three bolts holding the charge pipe in place.

Step 4: Disconnect Passenger-Side Turbo Hose

Disconnect the hose going to the passenger side of the turbo by loosening the clamp with your flathead screwdriver. Then, pull the hose off with your hands.

Step 5: Remove Charge Pipe C-Clip

Find where the two charge pipes meet and locate the C-clip at the base of where they intersect. Then, pull the two ends of the clip back towards you and push down to release the C-clip.

Step 6: Remove the Charge Pipe

Gently pull up on the charge pipe to remove it.

Step 7: Loosen Driver's Side Charge Pipe Clamp

Use your flathead screwdriver to loosen the clamp that holds the driver's side charge pipe in place.

Step 8: Remove Crankcase Lines

For the line with the red tab, push on the bottom until you feel it release, then pull. For the second one, push in on the yellow button to release the tabs. Then, pull until it disconnects.

Step 9: Remove Driver's Side Charge Pipe

Now that the crankcase lines are out of the way, remove the driver's side charge pipe.

Step 10: Remove Lower Intake Bolt

Next, we're going to remove the lower portion of the stock intake. Remove the bolt holding the lower intake section in place.

Step 11: Loosen Passenger Side Lower Intake Hose Clamp

Loosen the hose clamp connecting the lower intake to the air box with your flathead screwdriver.

Step 12: Loosen Driver's Side Lower Intake Hose Clamp

Using your flathead screwdriver, loosen the hose clamp on the opposite side.

Step 13: Remove Lower Intake Section

Gently remove the lower intake section from the engine bay.

Step 14: Remove Side Intake Bolt

On the driver's side, find the small bolt holding the intake in place. Then, remove that bolt. This might require you to use a small 8MM wrench to loosen it because it can be hard to reach.

Step 15: Loosen Driver's Side Turbo Hose Clamp

Use your flathead screwdriver to loosen the hose clamp that goes to the driver's side turbo.

Step 16: Detach Upper Intake Section

After loosening the driver's side turbo hose clamp, pull up on the upper intake section until you feel it disconnect.

Step 17: Disconnect Supplementary Tubing

Using the tool that comes with the Injen cold air intake, attach it to the tubing seen below. Then, push up on the tool to release the clips and disconnect the hose.

Step 18: Remove Upper Intake Section

Pull the upper intake section out of the engine bay after disconnecting everything in the previous steps.

Step 19: Remove Intake Clips

Moving to the front of the engine bay, use your clip removal tool to gently pop the factory intake clips out of place and save them for later. These can break easily, so be careful.

Step 20: Unplug the IAT Sensor

Unplug the IAT sensor by pushing in on the clips and pulling the plug out of place.

Step 21: Remove Air Box Bolt

Remove the 8MM bolt that holds the factory air box into place on your Bronco.

Step 22: Loosen Air Box Hose Clamp

Use your flathead screwdriver to loosen the hose clamp that goes to the factory air box.

Step 23: Remove the Air Box

After loosening everything, remove the factory air box from the engine bay.

Step 24: Remove Passenger Side Intake Tube

Using your 10MM wrench, remove the bolt holding the passenger side intake tube going to the turbo in place. This can be a bit challenging to get to, so take your time.

Step 25: Remove Intake Section From Turbo

After disconnecting everything, remove this intake piece from the turbo.

Step 26: Remove Rubber Grommet

Remove the grommet seen below from the factory air box.

Step 27: Transfer Grommet From Stock Air Box

Transfer the rubber grommet onto the Injen cold air intake. This allows you to mount the new intake to your Bronco.

Step 28: Install the New Air Box

Insert the Bronco cold air intake into place in the engine bay. Then, use the factory hardware that we removed earlier to install it in place.

Step 29: Reinstall Factory Clip

Reinstall the factory plastic clip we removed earlier.

Step 30: Install Air Filter

Slide your filter into the air box. Then, twist it until it locks into place.

Step 31: Install IAT Sensor Adaptor

Install the IAT sensor adaptor supplied in the kit onto the passenger side intake tube with the hardware provided.

Step 32: Remove the IAT Sensor

Remove the IAT sensor from the stock air box. Twist it then slowly wiggle it out until it comes loose and you can pull it out.

Step 33: Install IAT Sensor

Install the IAT sensor into the new adaptor you installed on the passenger side intake tube. Push it into place until it clicks, then turn it slightly until it locks into place.

Step 34: Install 2 in. to 3 in. Coupler

Slide your 2 in. to 3 in. coupler onto the passenger side turbo outlet and tighten down the clamp to hold it into place.

Step 35: Install Passenger Side Intake Tubing

Then, slide the passenger side intake tubing into place and tighten the clamp down.

Step 36: Transfer Over the Rubber Grommet From Driver's Side Intake

Find the rubber grommet on the driver's side intake section and remove it like you did earlier. Then, transfer it over to the new intake.

Step 37: Install 2 1/4 in. to 3 in. Coupler

Install your 2 1/4 in. to 3 in. coupler onto the turbo inlet and tighten down the clamp with your screwdriver.

Step 38: Attach Driver's Side Intake Tube

Attach the driver's side intake tube to the other end of the coupler you just installed. Tighten down the clamp once it fits properly.

Step 39: Reconnect Crankcase Hoses

Reconnect the crankcase hoses that you removed earlier on the driver's side. The tube with the orange tab connects to the bare metal port. The tube with the yellow tabs goes on the bottom of the two plastic ports and the red tab goes on top.

Step 40: Connect Intake Tubing

Connect the passenger and driver's side intake tubing with the supplied coupler. Then, tighten both hose clamps.

Step 41: Reinstall Factory Mounting Bolts

Reinstall the factory mounting bolt used to keep the intake in place.

Step 42: Install New Charge Pipe Mount

Unscrew the nut on the top of the new charge pipe mounts that come in the Injen kit. Then, thread it through the correct hole on the intake pipe.

There are two of these new mounts. The first is next to the factory mounting bolt we installed in step 41. The other is on the driver's side intake pipe.

Step 43: Reconnect the IAT Sensor

Reconnect the IAT sensor by plugging the harness into place.

Step 44: Reinstall the Charge Pipe

Reinstall the charge pipe using the factory hardware.

Step 45: Transfer Over Diverter Valve Hose

Transfer over the diverter valve hose on the factory driver's side intake pipe to your aftermarket one. Loosen the clips and then slide the hose off the factory tube. Then, slide it onto the same area on the Injen tube and slide the clamps back into place.

Step 46: Reconnect the Diverter Valve

Plug the proper wiring harness into the diverter valve until you hear it click into place.

Step 47: Mount the Charge Pipe

Tighten everything into place on the charge pipe and ensure it's secure.

Congratulations, you're all done!

Increase Horsepower and Throttle Response With Ease

A cold air intake is a great way to improve performance and throttle response without changing anything too drastic on your 2021+ Ford Bronco. While it may seem overwhelming, the installation process isn't hard and can be done by novice mechanics with a few simple tools.

Keep in mind that some Bronco cold air intakes will require a new tune to run properly. Always check if a tune is required before installing your new cold air intake.