Newbie looking for help.

[Tomax]

Hey guys, I'm new to the forums, and was looking for a ton of advise. I am located on the east coast right around the DC area, and just recently went down to the Outer Banks, with a group of friends of mine. It's been many years since I have been down there, and I forgot how much fun it is. I am looking to buy a Bronco, here in the area, to convert into an awesome Beach cruiser. I don't know to much about the different years and whats different in a Bronco and a Bronco II, so I am here to ask for answers, and advice. I plan on lifting it some and putting some large tires on it, and of course riding around without the top. I want the Bronco I get to be super strong, just in case I need to pull someone out of the sand, we had an issue with that this year, so a big powerful engine and a strong tranny are also key for me. So please all of you Bronco vets, toss a rookie some advice, and help me start building my dream machine.

Thanks,

Tomax

 

[BroncoJoe19]

Yeah, Broncos are fun.

A full size bronco with 33 inch wheels and a good tow point in the rear, (like a reese trailer hitch) with a little momentum going, and a recovery strap, should be a pretty decent tow/recovery vehicle. Loose sand can be a bit of a challenge for any vehicle, hence the need for momentum. A full size having more mass (than a B2) can generate more force at a lower speed. A 302 can spin all four tires in the sand, so going with a bigger engine won't really make any difference.

You can put a full size bronco in 4 low, and use it to pull down small buildings.

So what you want to build as a dream beach cruiser is up to you, what your mechanical abilities are, and how deep your pockets are.

For me a dream cruiser would be a full size bronco with 33's on it, and with a full size cooler on the front with fishing pole holders, and a reese hitch in the rear with a little platform to hold a little trike, or minibike. All with a decent sound system, and satellite TV.

BTW, if YOU are not going to do the work yourself, it may be less expensive to buy an already lifted truck than to have one lifted for you.

 

[Tomax]

Yeah, Broncos are fun.
A full size bronco with 33 inch wheels and a good tow point in the rear, (like a reese trailer hitch) with a little momentum going, and a recovery strap, should be a pretty decent tow/recovery vehicle. Loose sand can be a bit of a challenge for any vehicle, hence the need for momentum. A full size having more mass (than a B2) can generate more force at a lower speed. A 302 can spin all four tires in the sand, so going with a bigger engine won't really make any difference.

You can put a full size bronco in 4 low, and use it to pull down small buildings.

So what you want to build as a dream beach cruiser is up to you, what your mechanical abilities are, and how deep your pockets are.

For me a dream cruiser would be a full size bronco with 33's on it, and with a full size cooler on the front with fishing pole holders, and a reese hitch in the rear with a little platform to hold a little trike, or minibike. All with a decent sound system, and satellite TV.

BTW, if YOU are not going to do the work yourself, it may be less expensive to buy an already lifted truck than to have one lifted for you.

Your dream beast sounds just about what I am looking for. What Generation of Bronco do you suggest I start looking for, or are the all roughly the same? I have a year or so before we plan on making the trip again, so I have some time to work on building it up. I just need to know where to start. :blink: LOL! I was thinking mid to late 80's Full size, so it looks like I was on the right track. Thanks for the advice and please continue to toss your knowledge at me.

-Tomax

 

[Rednek]

ok. the bronco is the big one from 1980-1996. really 1978-1996.

the Bronco || is smaller and has a bigger rear window. much like the dodge ramcharger

in a 1980-96 they come with a 5.0L 302ci or a 351Windsor 5.8L

both engines have tons of power.

I suggest a 92-96 bronco. swap out frontend. get a solid axel. not bronco2 personally i dont like bronco2's get a **** Cepek 6" lift. dont get nitto mud grapplers. i messed up there. they wear down FAST. Boggers wear down fast but they are 100% BADASS!!!!!

if $ is no object get you a Cam, Headers, duall exhaust, a Broncoair.com winch bumper with a mile marker winch.

hit me up if you need any more info.

 

[BroncoCrawler]

I agree with broncojoe your dream cruiser would have some 33's on it geared to 4:56. Most people do a motor swap from a 302 to a 351 but there is really not a point in that. If you do your research you will realize that you can do way more with a 302 then you can a 351. If you would like a real good beach cruiser this is what i would personally do to my bronco for the basics.

302(you can stroke out a 302 to a 383 for abour 750 dollars)

C6 transmission

NP208/NP231 Tcase

4 inch lift

extended radius arms

33" tires

4:56 gears

those are the basic aftermarket parts you would want/need.

 

[BLADE262US]

I have to disagree with this statement " If you do your research you will realize that you can do way more with a 302 then you can a 351. " These engines both have a 4 inch bore a 302 has a 3 inch stroke and a 351 has a 3.5 inch stroke . Most all parts are shared except for the intake and the distributor ( as far as performance parts ) You should also mention that yes these stroker kits are available although Ive never seen one as cheap as your stateing the reliability factor goes way down on some of these . There is a kit to make a 351W into a 427 . Anytime you want to make power gas milage should not be a real concern because youve stepped over that line at that point . There is no way around it heat in the chamber generates horsepower and that heat has to come from somewhere and that would be more fuel . I have run many 302,s and many 351,s I no longer run any 302,s because I dont think they have the grunt required for a truck of this size . A 302 is great for a car but in my opinion not a truck . /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[Tomax]

I think I found one, one of the sites members down in Norfolk VA is selling his 94 with a 351 bored to 357 in it, and that looks like it may be my future beast. I want to thank everyone for your ideas and help. Once I get her, I'll be a pretty frequent flyer of these forums. Hope to be a real BroncoZone Member soon.

o Tomax o

 

[BroncoCrawler]

I have to disagree with this statement " If you do your research you will realize that you can do way more with a 302 then you can a 351. " These engines both have a 4 inch bore a 302 has a 3 inch stroke and a 351 has a 3.5 inch stroke . Most all parts are shared except for the intake and the distributor ( as far as performance parts ) You should also mention that yes these stroker kits are available although Ive never seen one as cheap as your stateing the reliability factor goes way down on some of these . There is a kit to make a 351W into a 427 . Anytime you want to make power gas milage should not be a real concern because youve stepped over that line at that point . There is no way around it heat in the chamber generates horsepower and that heat has to come from somewhere and that would be more fuel . I have run many 302,s and many 351,s I no longer run any 302,s because I dont think they have the grunt required for a truck of this size . A 302 is great for a car but in my opinion not a truck . /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

I beg to differ you can get sufficent performance out of a 302. You can stroke a 302 out to 347.

 

[BroncoJoe19]

I think I found one, one of the sites members down in Norfolk VA is selling his 94 with a 351 bored to 357 in it, and that looks like it may be my future beast. I want to thank everyone for your ideas and help. Once I get her, I'll be a pretty frequent flyer of these forums. Hope to be a real BroncoZone Member soon.
o Tomax o

Tomax,

BidiBronco has been a regular contributor to these forums. I suspect that you are looking to buy his rig. I hope that you remain a member of BroncoZone and participate in our discussion to the limit of your ability.

Again.. once you actually own a truck, don't be afraid to ask questions. Mre often than not you will get answers from someone who has "been there.. done that."

Good luck to you, and anjoy your bronco and the time you spend at the outer banks.

joe