To start off, this build has definitely been an experience, especially for 4 college students. We decided to purchase a vehicle together solely for mudding/rock crawling and trail purposes. Our daily drivers couldn’t take the abuse we were giving them so we finally decided to go in together a purchase an 87’ Ford Bronco with a 302 
I’ve never been partial to Ford and we’ve all had difficulty getting everything just right but we’ve learned a great deal. We purchased the vehicle, stock for the most part, on May 23rd, 2011. Sitting stock the Bronco came with a multi-tone paint scheme with black on the sides, and a camo design on the top. The Bronco had a 3 inch body lift with 31x10.50’s on it. We also receive a pair of 33x12.50’s when we purchased it. To start the vehicle, we used a screwdriver touching the ends to either piece of the cylonoid due to the starter being out. Honestly the Bronco was on its last leg, and glorified junk at this point. Through many work hours, an incredible learning experience, expense after expense, we are proud of all our hard work and the new beast we call the “Bro-Co”
Our next step was working on by-passing the starter, using a pushbutton starter. We now have the pushbutton in the dash of the vehicle with no problems to date.
We then decided on cutting the rear fenders, and also taking the 31x10.50’s and flipping the wheels to the 33’s and mounted them. At this point we took the Bronco on a trip across the river and learned we had more problems than we were aware of. To start, the 33x12.50’s we had on were very warn and definitely not the ideal off-roading tire. Also the air filters were sucking too much water and we decided to later snorkel the vehicle.
Before any of that, we got 3 large pieces of steel pipe. One of the four owners cut and welded 2 of the pieces to either door hinge, locking them in with a pin on either side. Also he welded the other piece of the pipe to 2 pieces of metal pieces and then welded the pipe to the front of the Bronco. The local highschool donated a backseat which he welded into the back of the Bronco.
Now on to the tires, we bought a set of 44x19.50’s TSL Super Swampers locally that were worn considerably. We traded the 44’s and some cash for a nearly new set of partially cut 33x14’s Super Swamper Boggers.
Before mounting our new tires, the Bronco drastically needed a paint job. We decided on a lighter shade of Orange to draw as much attention as possible. After the orange color, we painted the undercarriage, the wheels, and front bumper completely black. We finished the day by painting the two metal tube doors a lime green color. If we could go back, the Bronco would be completely lime green, but we’re all still satisfied.
Finally the time had come to mount the boggers and see what the Bronco could do. We were incredibly impressed by the
difference the boggers made in the mud and on the trails.
One of the co-owners Dad donated us two l.e.d truck-lite lights and we mounted them onto the top of the hood.
The next step in the Bronco was engineering a snorkel from PVC pipe. We ran a piece from each intake, combining them together with a Y and running in through a hole we cut in the front fender and up the cab. I must say, this afro-engineered intake was pretty sweet.
A few other things we’ve done since the original purchase are as follows: replacing the alternator, water pump, serpentine belt, and the battery.
Though we still have changes to make, I’ve loved the entire process. We’ve all learned and have gained tremendous respect for all the hard work a project build takes. There is one thing I can assure everyone, this is will definitely not be our last build.
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated and welcomed.
I’ve never been partial to Ford and we’ve all had difficulty getting everything just right but we’ve learned a great deal. We purchased the vehicle, stock for the most part, on May 23rd, 2011. Sitting stock the Bronco came with a multi-tone paint scheme with black on the sides, and a camo design on the top. The Bronco had a 3 inch body lift with 31x10.50’s on it. We also receive a pair of 33x12.50’s when we purchased it. To start the vehicle, we used a screwdriver touching the ends to either piece of the cylonoid due to the starter being out. Honestly the Bronco was on its last leg, and glorified junk at this point. Through many work hours, an incredible learning experience, expense after expense, we are proud of all our hard work and the new beast we call the “Bro-Co”
The Evolution of the self-named “Bro-Co”
To start, we gutted the entire vehicle. All the carpet, the top, the rear glass, anything that we rendered not necessary, has got to come off. 
Our next step was working on by-passing the starter, using a pushbutton starter. We now have the pushbutton in the dash of the vehicle with no problems to date.
We then decided on cutting the rear fenders, and also taking the 31x10.50’s and flipping the wheels to the 33’s and mounted them. At this point we took the Bronco on a trip across the river and learned we had more problems than we were aware of. To start, the 33x12.50’s we had on were very warn and definitely not the ideal off-roading tire. Also the air filters were sucking too much water and we decided to later snorkel the vehicle.
Before any of that, we got 3 large pieces of steel pipe. One of the four owners cut and welded 2 of the pieces to either door hinge, locking them in with a pin on either side. Also he welded the other piece of the pipe to 2 pieces of metal pieces and then welded the pipe to the front of the Bronco. The local highschool donated a backseat which he welded into the back of the Bronco.
Now on to the tires, we bought a set of 44x19.50’s TSL Super Swampers locally that were worn considerably. We traded the 44’s and some cash for a nearly new set of partially cut 33x14’s Super Swamper Boggers.
Before mounting our new tires, the Bronco drastically needed a paint job. We decided on a lighter shade of Orange to draw as much attention as possible. After the orange color, we painted the undercarriage, the wheels, and front bumper completely black. We finished the day by painting the two metal tube doors a lime green color. If we could go back, the Bronco would be completely lime green, but we’re all still satisfied.
Finally the time had come to mount the boggers and see what the Bronco could do. We were incredibly impressed by the
difference the boggers made in the mud and on the trails.
One of the co-owners Dad donated us two l.e.d truck-lite lights and we mounted them onto the top of the hood.
The next step in the Bronco was engineering a snorkel from PVC pipe. We ran a piece from each intake, combining them together with a Y and running in through a hole we cut in the front fender and up the cab. I must say, this afro-engineered intake was pretty sweet.
A few other things we’ve done since the original purchase are as follows: replacing the alternator, water pump, serpentine belt, and the battery.
Though we still have changes to make, I’ve loved the entire process. We’ve all learned and have gained tremendous respect for all the hard work a project build takes. There is one thing I can assure everyone, this is will definitely not be our last build.
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated and welcomed.
