Well I'm moving on from the yj and settling onto a fullsize bronco. End goal that I can think of atm is going to be running my 40s and superduty axles. Doing some comfort mods, soft top and fiberglass fenders. But Still trying to pick out the right bronco. Going to look at an 86,(302/aod/bw1356?) that hasn't run since spring supposedly due to a fuel pump, this weekend. Eventually plan is to run a c6 and doubler, engine is tbd, more or less will be based on what I find. Should make for some entertainment for anybody who wants a good laugh I suppose. I'll post up a few pictures of some of the inspiration I've found.
On to the next one: Bronco build
- Thread starter YJKrawlin
- Start date
Qwk87Coupe
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Nov 8, 2006
- Location
- Huddleston VA
I'll be following this closely, been in the market for a FSB (87-91) "bricknose" for a while. I've managed to accumulate a bunch of good parts, just need something to throw them at!
77GreenMachine
Phillip Talton
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2010
- Location
- Trinity, NC
Out of curiosity, what drove the switch? I followed along with the YJ build and really liked it then you switched gears on me lol.
jyaks
Too many kids for a TJ
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2008
- Location
- Archer Lodge
I had a standard cab flare side f150 on 40's. Loved it other than I couldn't keep it running. Every time I drove it something broke or went wrong. Ended up with a parts truck next to it in the driveway.
CasterTroy
Faster'N You
- Joined
- Mar 21, 2005
- Location
- Wallburg
BTDT loved my 96 but wish like hell it had the 351 instead of 302
UTfball68
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2008
- Location
- Granite Quarry
1) There's a metric ass ton out there for SD axle swaps in to an 80-96/7 Ford, some pricier than others, but no need to recreate the wheel if you don't want to.
2) 302's should never be in a full size suv/truck. If you're looking for a stock set up 351weezy gets my vote...will be the easiest to drop in. More power than the 302 and most of the benefits. Budget would dictate carb/efi and power yielded. But if you're going to buy a soft top, I'll assume you're a baller from the start, and go ahead with an FI 393.
3) For the glass, I'm a huge fan of the Autofab panels
2) 302's should never be in a full size suv/truck. If you're looking for a stock set up 351weezy gets my vote...will be the easiest to drop in. More power than the 302 and most of the benefits. Budget would dictate carb/efi and power yielded. But if you're going to buy a soft top, I'll assume you're a baller from the start, and go ahead with an FI 393.
3) For the glass, I'm a huge fan of the Autofab panels
77GreenMachine
Phillip Talton
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2010
- Location
- Trinity, NC
I vote you go with a supercharged Cobra or Lightning engine. I always wondered why no one built a sweet rig with one of those engines but @Jody Treadway pointed out that they’re so huge they don’t fit most applications we would use them. I’d say you’d have plenty of room for one! But they’re not budget friendly at all.
UTfball68
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2008
- Location
- Granite Quarry
Best Shawn voice: engines through the 90's were useless:end shawn voice. But seriously, damn near everything Ford from 72-mid-2000's are sub-250hp turds, even the 'performance' vehicles. In my opinion, 'cobra' and 'lightning' come with a rather hefty premium and negligible performance gain in the power department. I'd just as soon take that same money for a lightning engine and sc and toss it at a new(er) coyote...pretty easy finding engine/trans combos these days in the $6k range with 50-75k on the clock...50% more power than that lightning and probably a trans backing it that can handle 1000hp.
Wow didnt expect to get so many responses overnight, I'll try to get to everything I see.
The main reason I'm going to look at this bronco this weekend is the guy swears it has a built 302 in it that he paid like 4000 to have built and that it is pushing over 300 hp (almost 2x stock) so I figure for the low low price he's asking. It wont hurt to go take a look. He's asking 1k and I figure if the tub and frame arent rusty at that price it will probably be worth it being the year I want.
I've heard great things about auto fab, I'll definitely be going through them for besides. I've only found a few companies that do the 80-86 front end though and that's what I'd prefer to keep so trying to find some reviews there.
I have I alot of decent deals on that body style and have though about getting one since all of the front ends swap out anyways and I'm planning on running glass fenders. So the fender opening will match either way.
Alot of things, but the short way is, with the fuel cell in the back it just wasnt going to ever be enough room, would never have a back seat in it again and if that was going to be an issue in the future (for our dogs or if we decide to have kids) I'd rather start over now than later on after I've invested another sum of $$ and was simply out of it. I've always loved the broncos and figured I can swap some of my more high dollar parts like my axles and tires over and start out in a decent place with it vs say a k5.(because all my friends are asking why I didnt just try to find a k5)
I love desolate motor sports swap but since I have an 04 axle, the current cheap route will be to go with the skyoffroad kit, which after buying from them before in certain will be well made. I tried recreating the wheel with my yj and things just didnt work as well as i intended.
The main reason I'm going to look at this bronco this weekend is the guy swears it has a built 302 in it that he paid like 4000 to have built and that it is pushing over 300 hp (almost 2x stock) so I figure for the low low price he's asking. It wont hurt to go take a look. He's asking 1k and I figure if the tub and frame arent rusty at that price it will probably be worth it being the year I want.
I've heard great things about auto fab, I'll definitely be going through them for besides. I've only found a few companies that do the 80-86 front end though and that's what I'd prefer to keep so trying to find some reviews there.
I'm not a baller by any means haha. But I have lifted off jeep hard tops by myself long enough and even helping my buddy with his k5 top has almost killed me. My buddy got a soft topper for his k5 and has loved it another has one on the back of his Toyota and it is really well made and convenient so I intend to go that route once I have some $$$ saved up. Thankfully my jeep part out is going well so I'm hoping everything will be bought sooner rather than dragging out another year long project.
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2005
- Location
- Hendersonville, NC
This. I'll be swapping many of my 306 parts into/onto a roller Windsor block and doing so soon.
RPMs and torque all in one.
Apparently the popular thing to do is just slam a 460 in them. Idk about all that though. 1st goal is getting the right bronco, everything else is modifiable.
I was looking at those while doing my research and maybe interested in doing something like that eventually once the swaps become more common and affordable. I was a fan of my ls swap because I was able to do it for under 3k. 5-6k is still a bit steep of a price drop for something I'm unfamiliar with and dont have a knowledge base, like the ls swap has, to fall back on. But definitely not off the table if I can find the info needed.
UTfball68
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2008
- Location
- Granite Quarry
I’m not familiar with anyone doing it in the OBS Broncos...doesn’t mean there aren’t any. But I have a half dozen/dozen guys that have done it in the last year with 73-79 half tons and Broncos in my advanced group I could put you in contact with for some pointers. This guy is actually starting #2 of the year...
I've seen that one somewhere. Maybe someone shared it on Instagram. I know im not at a point to do it right now but eventually I'd be interested in it for sure.
92_SquareEye
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2015
- Location
- 35°44'59.8"N, -78°49'13.6"W
This might suit your needs...
Hadn't seen that one on Fb marketplace I'll have to see if I can find it.
Went and picked up a project bronco today rust isnt too bad besides the tailgate and a little above the wheel arches. For $1,000 it was hard to pass on a relatively rust free chassis in the body style I wanted. The floor pans are all solid and so are the doors, rockers and drip rails. Engine isnt running, needs a new fuel tank and pump and we will see where we are at. Interior is what you'd expect from a 30 year old truck torn seats and slightly cracked dash. All the rear plastics seem to be in good shape though and the back seat is in good shape. Once the engine is running and the tv cable is adjusted ill move on to putting my superduty axles under it. Excited to get started. Worse case the engine is junk and I move on to a better engine and a c6 like I eventually want.
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Cleaned the interior up a little today and washed the moss off of half of the truck. The engine turns over freely. Got it to cough a little on starting fluid but with the lift pump in the tank gone, the frame rail pump wasnt pulling much to pull fuel from a gas can. Also found the labels verifying a jasper rebuilt engine albeit however many years old it supposedly has 1k miles on it. Starting to spray on pb blaster on some of the bolts that will be coming off. Leaf springs, bumper, et . Found out the front of the frame (where the bumper mounts) was cut and raised 3 inches to match the body lidt to keep the bumper in line with the body. So that will be a fun process to correct if necessary.
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I may have to get in touch with you. The frame is relatively rust free on this one but I just noticed (didnt think to check this before) that the previous owner raised the bumpers to match the body lift, by cutting the front and rear sections of the frame and raising them 3 inches and welding them back on. Might not have been a big issue if the sas swap kit I was looking to use and springs I was looking to use didnt put the spring perch in the spot that is now raised. I have to start thinking of options now. Whether to fix or find a donor frame.
Does anyone think cutting the raised section off and sleeving the frame with a 2x6 and leaving 6 inches or so sticking out would work? It's such an odd shaped frame and I would really like to avoid having to buy another frame but the 3 options I see myself having are, buy a new frame, try to sleeve this frame or switch to the desolate motorsports sas kit which involves new axles(05+ vs my 04) and a way more expensive kit. Opinions?
WARRIORWELDING
Owner opperator Of WarriorWelding LLC.
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2008
- Location
- Chillin, Hwy 64 Mocksville NC
Links or extended twin I beams.......the ✂ done right are Tits.
The question is always budget.
Next is use.
A long armed vs. Of the stock suspension with an apropriate leaf pack in the rear will index very high on the RTI.
With a tasteful trim and tub work a lower stance and 38 are not a huge issue.
How streatable do you want it? Both can be had to around the mentioned tire size.
It's a hugely stable platform.
As for the frame....it is good near 3/16 metal. Dropped and diamond shaped plates on the inner side and a box cap on the profile. Moving the hanger forward will be limited to how you work the steering. All could be fitted and I would not raise an eyebrow. Use whatever winch plate design to tie it together and go beat on it.
I plan to wheel it. To what extent I dont know yet. But being steerable and able to drive to the trail are my 2 biggest concern . The mounts for the suspension would be coming aftermarket and clear the steering but I just worry about the stress since the mount for the affordable kit would sit squarely on the cut section, after reattaching it. I have the 04 axles and 40s I'd like to fit and articulate.
This bronco is running the leaf spring setup I was talking about. Sky offroad kit, excursion springs, 40 inch tires. Granted he wheels his hard and cut the body to lighten it all up and turn it to a full trail rig. Ultimately I think 4-5 inches of lift and 40s with the overfenders will be doable either way. But my biggest concern is just the fear of setting half the weight of the suspension on a 6 inch piece of frame and was reattached. If that makes sense. But if its doable and makes sense to cut the lift, clean it up plate it and burn it back in, I have no problem going that route. I was just worried I was making a mistake in thinking that way.
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I like the long arm radius arm kit from desolate but it's in the 3-5k range on pricing. Which blows my budget out of the water. I'm back and forth between going for it and keeping it budget friendly though.
This bronco is on the desolate kit with 40s, but I haven't seen any real world reviews or installs of the kit. So it may not work well in the situations I want it to, theres no telling. Also. It's really hard to find bullnose examples of broncos, almost all of the ones I find that are wheeled are the 92-96 body style.
This bronco is on the desolate kit with 40s, but I haven't seen any real world reviews or installs of the kit. So it may not work well in the situations I want it to, theres no telling. Also. It's really hard to find bullnose examples of broncos, almost all of the ones I find that are wheeled are the 92-96 body style.