New Bronco Project

[AdamDude04]

after a long summer thinking, wish, and dreaming, I'm going to make my dreams come true..well one of them! Thanks to a new job offer

The Plan: Buy a Bronco, bedliner EVERYTHING and mild build the motor. Looking for a Bronco of decent body (minimal rust) but of course interior can be crap as most gets gutted.

THE QUESTION - This will probably sport a 6" lift, 35's, mild build motor, reliable but powerful. 4x4 of course. So with the "crumple" laws put into place in the early 90's.. what Bronco would be best for offroading? I assume a tank, 87-91 as it's just pure metel all the way around, but would there be a benift to buying a 92-96 body style?

This truck will probably see some roll over action at least once in its life, though I'll avoid that by all costs lol

 

[Krafty]

if you can find one a 80 to 86 would be my choice cause you don't run the risk of frying as much if your engine bay see's some water.

these bronco's are also built like a tank, are very easy to fix/ modify, I ran my 81 for 7 years in snow ice and salt, one paint job when I got it held up the whole time. plus with the bronco already set up for carb you can run any motor as long as it will bolt up to the tranny, or you find the matching tranny. 300 302 351 will fit , 351M 390FE 400M 428, 429, 460 will need the right transmission but will be an easy swap otherwise.

 

[Seabronc]

If you plan on a roll over some time in your life, I wouldn't depend on crumple laws helping you. You better find one with a roll cage or plan on having one installed.

Good luck,

>-

 

[miesk5]

Roll-Overs...

never mind, its a long story

So consider this somewhat extreme, but interesting and poss a future change for our 96..by Chris S



More pics by Chris

Roll Cage Fab/Install Links in my site @ http://www.broncolinks.com/index.php?index=268

GL on your Bronco Find & Enjoy!

 

[50joe]

Thats awsome! I need that done to mine. But not for rollovers. Just because everyone seems to keep hitting it...LOL.

 

[miesk5]

lol Joe

me too!

 

[AdamDude04]

Thanks guys!

I know the older, the "stronger" these trucks are. I personally don't like the early early models, unless the 60's..but those are too sweet to crash into a tree lol

I personally like the 87-91 body style, but like the 92-96 best, however they have crumple laws and tons more sensors. Just didn't know if there was any real benifit to the newest body style or not.

Roll cage on the list. I was thinking which was best, outside or inside? I was toying the idea of inside, because I do want to remove the cap

Another idea I've had was removable doors. Not sure if there is a kit out there, but I was thinking a simple locking pin in replacement for a bolt in the door hinge. May work, may not but I'll toy around with it. If it does, of course a wire connector harness will need to be tapped into place as I assume power windows/locks will be in place.

My buddy reminded me of skid plates, so those are easy to make and put in place. This time, I'm going to cut a hole in place of where the oil ***** is to make oil changes much easier!

 

[Seabronc]

Thanks guys!

I know the older, the "stronger" these trucks are. I personally don't like the early early models, unless the 60's..but those are too sweet to crash into a tree lol

I personally like the 87-91 body style, but like the 92-96 best, however they have crumple laws and tons more sensors. Just didn't know if there was any real benifit to the newest body style or not.

Roll cage on the list. I was thinking which was best, outside or inside? I was toying the idea of inside, because I do want to remove the cap

Another idea I've had was removable doors. Not sure if there is a kit out there, but I was thinking a simple locking pin in replacement for a bolt in the door hinge. May work, may not but I'll toy around with it. If it does, of course a wire connector harness will need to be tapped into place as I assume power windows/locks will be in place.

My buddy reminded me of skid plates, so those are easy to make and put in place. This time, I'm going to cut a hole in place of where the oil ***** is to make oil changes much easier!

The disadvantage to an inside cage is loss of space, but on the up side you keep the outside look. It would take a bit of looking around, but I know I have read posts in some forum or other about doing it, perhaps 1/2 doors. Miesk5 probably has a link to the subject.

Good luck,

>-

 

[AdamDude04]

The disadvantage to an inside cage is loss of space, but on the up side you keep the outside look. It would take a bit of looking around, but I know I have read posts in some forum or other about doing it, perhaps 1/2 doors. Miesk5 probably has a link to the subject.

Good luck,

>-

I'm not so much worried about space. If a daily driver, then yes, I'd lean more to the outside cage vs inside.

Cool thing is, I've been eyeing the new 2500/3500 2010 Ram models with an oil burner. I have a couple other capable trucks to tow with, but an oil burner get much better MPG and have that extra power/braking needed.

1/2 doors is actually a good idea! I keep finding myeslf going out to the driveway and looking at the Bronco comming up with ideas and mental images in my head lol

 

[brad050]

80-86 would probably be best but if you want a newer one I think 87-91 fit bigger tires? >-

 

[Justshootme84]

The 80-96 Bronco frames are basically the same, except for the crumple zones on the frame horns of the 92-96. (And the swiss cheese 1980 frame debacle). The only problem with the crumple zones is it makes adding an aftermarket winch bumper or doing an SAS a bit harder, but not much. The point is that whatever year modle you get, you can swap front clips to change the body style. you can put an 87-91 clip on an older and cheaper 80-86 model for instance.

I'm running a 10-point rollcage kit made by S&W Racecars made out of 1-5/8"x0.135 wall tubing that I installed myself. I do have a very detailed write-up on that in the Tech Articles forum, and about 80+ pics at Supermotors.net gallery for my 84 Bronco. There are important safety issues when installing a cage that you should be aware of, whether you put one in a daily driver, mud drag truck or rock crawler. The design of the dash on the 97-up Broncos makes for a bit less room inside with a full cage, too.

Last, the removable door mod is very simple, and I've done it to both the 84 and 78 Broncos. I use 4.5" long, 3/8" bolts in place of the pins on the door hinges. I also built a set of tube doors for the 84 out of two Bronco rear tire carriers. I like wheeling without the doors, since I have a habit of leaning out a bit to watch my front-driver's tire when offroading. The tube doors give me that option with a little protection from the trees. JSM84

 

[bobstrat]

Roll-Overs...

never mind, its a long story

beyond awesome.

wonder if NJ would put a sticker on that?