Mud Blood and Tears
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- Feb 8, 2004
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Here's the scoop...I own an '85 Bronco II with a 2.8L V6 (need more power), automatic transmission (no true 4x4 enthusiast would be caught dead in an auto) and a 7.5" rear diff with 4:10 gears (bah! 7.5"??). I'm not really a Ford guy so I'm posting this in an attempt to determine if the gear train I'm thinking of sticking in this little truck is plausable or not. Will the components work with eachother? Will this setup fit in this machine? I ain't the expert and won't pretend to be....That's why I am here.
In the end I would like to have the following :
- 302ci V8 engine (from a 1975 - 1985 car/truck)
- T5 5 speed manual transmission (from a 1983-89 Mustang V8)
- Divorced NP205 transfercase (from a 1970's 4x4 truck)
- Ford 9" rear differential @ 4.56:1 (Limited Slip or possibly with a locker installed)
- Wider rear axle (axle choice yet to be determined)
- Convert the twin I-beam front suspension to a straight axle & leaf spring suspension.
- Ford 9" front differential @ 4.56:1 (Limited Slip or possibly with a locker installed)
- Wider front axle to match the rear axle (axle choice yet to be determined)
- Drop the rear leaf spring shakles 5"
- Install front leaf spring shakles to match the rear
- Tiddy up with custom driveshafts, crossmembers, steering column extension and misc. (I'm a machinist, this should be right up my alley)
Now I understand that these mods are going to take some serious time (years) and some serious dedication. I know I make it seem like no big deal to just go and convert axles and things of that nature but please keep in mind these are just thoughts at the moment. Money is an obstacle, however, I figure I can get most of my parts through the salvage yard and through buddies who do this kind of building. My machinist skills may pay off when it comes to the barter system as well - you know, machinist work for parts trade.
Does anybody see any reason at all why these modifications could not be done and work well with eachother? Anyone have any suggestions on which axles would work well in this situation? If so, please speak up. Ideas, suggestions, positive and negative feed back is also welcome and infact gratefully appreciated.
To me, on paper this surely looks like a rock solid truck which seems both bullet proof and unstoppable but like I said...I'm kind of a Mopar car guy and don't know too much about this Ford truck stuff. I may be in need of some expert advice here. Anyone ever convert their twin I-beam over to a straigh axle with a leaf spring setup? Got info, suggestions or food for thought here?
Thanks in advance,
Daniel
In the end I would like to have the following :
- 302ci V8 engine (from a 1975 - 1985 car/truck)
- T5 5 speed manual transmission (from a 1983-89 Mustang V8)
- Divorced NP205 transfercase (from a 1970's 4x4 truck)
- Ford 9" rear differential @ 4.56:1 (Limited Slip or possibly with a locker installed)
- Wider rear axle (axle choice yet to be determined)
- Convert the twin I-beam front suspension to a straight axle & leaf spring suspension.
- Ford 9" front differential @ 4.56:1 (Limited Slip or possibly with a locker installed)
- Wider front axle to match the rear axle (axle choice yet to be determined)
- Drop the rear leaf spring shakles 5"
- Install front leaf spring shakles to match the rear
- Tiddy up with custom driveshafts, crossmembers, steering column extension and misc. (I'm a machinist, this should be right up my alley)
Now I understand that these mods are going to take some serious time (years) and some serious dedication. I know I make it seem like no big deal to just go and convert axles and things of that nature but please keep in mind these are just thoughts at the moment. Money is an obstacle, however, I figure I can get most of my parts through the salvage yard and through buddies who do this kind of building. My machinist skills may pay off when it comes to the barter system as well - you know, machinist work for parts trade.
Does anybody see any reason at all why these modifications could not be done and work well with eachother? Anyone have any suggestions on which axles would work well in this situation? If so, please speak up. Ideas, suggestions, positive and negative feed back is also welcome and infact gratefully appreciated.
To me, on paper this surely looks like a rock solid truck which seems both bullet proof and unstoppable but like I said...I'm kind of a Mopar car guy and don't know too much about this Ford truck stuff. I may be in need of some expert advice here. Anyone ever convert their twin I-beam over to a straigh axle with a leaf spring setup? Got info, suggestions or food for thought here?
Thanks in advance,
Daniel
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