yo!
I don't have much to offer other than some comments.
This is from a pal in upper Ontario a few yrs ago;
best mod for snow is a great set of snow tires. next is some good weight in the back of your Bronco so those great snow tires get some decent bite.
if those two options dont work out...then add a SELECTABLE locker. ARB or elocker
i've found being locked in the snow is more of a hinderance
and a person (for a chev, but ok)
If you want to run with one locker it should be in the rear. I have done very well in the snow with open diffs. I did a brief experiment welding (spool) the front diff on my IFS. I found that it didn't help at all in the snow traction wise. And it was scarrier to steer, so I went back to an open diff in the front.
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For a rebuilt engine, consider Ford;
Just in case; Remanufactured Engines & Transmissions - Motorcraft® Brand, Broncos & all Ford vehicles
Source: by fordinstallersupport.com (
http://www.fordinstallersupport.com/files/catalogs/ptm200.pdf)
Remanufactured Engines & Transmissions - Dual Brand, Broncos & all Ford vehicles
Source: by fordinstallersupport.com (
http://www.fordinstallersupport.com/files/catalogs/ptf200.pdf)
get some estimates from the Distributors & Ford; Ford has a good guarantee and the Qual is up there. And the Ford reman trannys/engines do not need to be installed by a Ford Dealer
Look at this Excerpt;
"...Ford and Motorcraft Remanufactured Transmissions and Gas Engines
Ford Motor Company, The American Road, Dearborn, MI 48121 (“Ford”) provides the following Limited Warranty on Ford and Motorcraft Remanufactured
Transmissions and Gas Engines to Ford, Lincoln and Mercury Dealers (each being a “Dealer”) or general Installers (each being an “Installer”). This Limited Warranty provides that Ford will credit the Dealer
or Installer for repairing or replacing, at Ford’s option, any Ford or Motorcraft Remanufactured Transmission or Gas Engine sold by Ford that is found to be defective in factory-supplied material or workmanship subject to the following terms, conditions and limitations:
Retail Customers: To obtain warranty service, please return your vehicle to any Ford, Lincoln or Mercury Dealership or return to the Installer who
originally installed the Ford or Motorcraft Engine or Transmission Assembly in your vehicle. Please have your original dated receipt for installation date verification.
Complete Gas Engine Long Block Assemblies (6006/6V012) and Transmission Assemblies (7000/7V000/7003)
• 36 months or 36,000 miles from warranty start date, whichever occurs first. Ford will cover 100% of all parts and labor at approved warranty reimbursement rates
• If installed by a Dealer, reasonable towing charges (up to 35 miles or to the nearest Dealer) are covered only if the vehicle is not covered under
another towing insurance coverage Short Blocks (6009/6V009), Cylinder Heads (6049/6V049) and Crankshaft Kits (6303/6V303) for Gas Engines
• 12 months or 12,000 miles from warranty start date, whichever occurs first. Ford will cover 100% of all parts and labor at approved warranty reimbursement rates
• If installed by a Dealer, reasonable towing charges (up to 35 miles or to the nearest Dealer) are covered only if the vehicle is not covered under
another towing insurance coverage
Warranty Start Date
• Ford and Motorcraft Remanufactured Transmissions and Gas Engines installed by the Dealer or
Installer—warranty begins on the date of installation
• Ford and Motorcraft Remanufactured Transmissions and Gas Engines sold by Dealer or Installer over-the-counter or to a retail purchaser—
on the date of sale
Limitations to the Warranty
The following limitation applies to the products covered by this Limited Warranty
• Towing charges are not reimbursable for Ford and Motorcraft Remanufactured Transmissions and Gas Engines sold
over-the-counter by a Dealer or Installer..."
read more incl the;
"No-Risk" Core Return policy means accurate quotes for engine and transmissions are no problem. 100 percent core credit will be given (regardless of damage or quality of returned core); just follow these guidelines and the return runs
smoothly.
• Returned core is the same part as the assembly purchased
• Core is 100% complete with all parts attached and all fluids drained and is returned in original package..."
=
U joints;
Identification, Driveshaft in 90-96 Bronco, 90-97 Aerostar, Econoline, F Series, Ranger; 91-97 Explorer; 97 Expedition, Mountaineer
Source: by Steve83 (Steve, That dirty old truck) at
http://www.supermotors.net/vehicles/registry/media/470494
This is same;
Universal Joint TSB 97-20-15 for 90-96
Source: by Ford via miesk5 at
http://home.comcast.net/~miesk5/technical_service_bulletins.htm#Door,%20Side,%20Wind%20Noise%20TSB%2099-6-5%20by%20Ford%20for%2094-96
CTM U-Joint & Axle Shaft, Chromolly 4340 Rebuild in an 81
Source: by Larry S (The Bronc, Larston, Lars915, Lars) at
http://web.archive.org/web/20041029170255/http://www.geocities.com/lars915/ChromeMolyAxles.htm
Dimensions & Series Numbers
Source: by Dana www2.dana.com
http://www2.dana.com/pdf/IJ900-04.PDF
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Tires?
It's like recommending beer brands... so let's have a Poll!
Old school still is in effect tho; narrow tread and tall, but then you have to recal your PSOM which is ez enuf.
Ask how or look in my site under instrumentation;
http://www.broncolinks.com/index.php?index=651
also look @ Conversion Constants TSB 94-16-16 for 92-94 Bronco, F Series, F 47, Aerostar, Econoline
Source: by Ford via Steve83 (Steve, That dirty old truck) at
http://www.supermotors.net/registry/media/646264_1
for Ford's specs on certain size tires
other Snow realted info i've collected over da yrs includes;
http://www.backcountrysurvival.com/
Basic Cold Weather Manual, Field Manual 31-70; "...This manual is designed to prepare the individual soldier and small unit commander to conduct military operations for extended periods of time under the most severe and varying cold weather climatic conditions. The doctrine and techniques in the manual are applicable in any area that has cold weather and snow with their accompanying operational problems..." by USA via backcountrysurvival.com...
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http://www.scc-chain.com/Traction%20Pages/Trac_installation.html
Snow Chains Installation Instructions by scc-chain.com...
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http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=18
Tire Circumference Differences; "...The ability of four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles to divide the engine's horsepower between its four tires is especially useful on loose or slippery surfaces such as sand and dirt, as well as on wet, icy or snow-covered roads. However it's important to remember that in order to transfer this extra power, the four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicle's driveline mechanically connects the tires so they work in unison. Four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles are equipped with additional differentials and/or viscous couplings that are designed to allow momentary differences in wheel speeds when the vehicle turns a corner or temporarily spins a tire. However, if the differentials or viscous couplings are forced to operate 100% of the time because of mismatched tires, they will experience excessive heat and unwarranted wear until they fail. This necessitates that four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles use tires that are very closely matched. This is because different diameter tires roll a different number of times each mile as a result of the variations in their circumferences. Tire diameter variations can be caused by accidentally using different sized tires, tires with different tread designs, tires made by different manufacturers, different inflation pressures or even tires worn to different tread depths. As an example of different tire diameters resulting from tires worn to different tread depths, we'll compare two 225/45R17-sized tires, a new tire with its original tread depth of 10/32-inch and a second tire worn to 8/32-inch of remaining tread depth. The new 225/45R17-sized tire has a calculated diameter of 24.97", a circumference of 78.44" and will roll 835 times each mile. The same tire worn to 8/32-inch of remaining tread depth is calculated to be 1/8" shorter with a diameter of 24.84", have a circumference of 78.04" and will roll 839 times per mile. While the difference of 1/8" in overall diameter doesn't seem excessive, the resulting 4 revolutions per mile difference can place a continuous strain on the tires and vehicle's driveline. Obviously, the greater the difference in the tires' circumferences, the greater the resulting strain. This makes maintaining the vehicle manufacturer's recommended tire inflation pressures and using "matched" tires on all wheel positions necessary procedures to reduce strain on the vehicle's driveline. Using "matched" tires means all four tires are the same brand, design and tread depth. Mixing tire brands, tread designs and tread depths may cause components in the vehicle's driveline to fail. Mismatched tires or using improper inflation pressures for all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive vehicles can also result in immediate drivability problems. Some Control Trac equipped vehicles in 4Auto mode may exhibit a shutter on acceleration and/or a noise from the front driveline and transfer case while driving. Some all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive vehicles may exhibit axle windup or binding while driving. Some four-wheel drive vehicles (manual or electronic shift) with a two-wheel drive mode may refuse to shift "on the fly" into 4x4 Auto or 4x4 High at highway speeds..." read more, esp. Matching Tires By Shaving Them to Maintain Equivalent Tire Tread by tirerack.com...
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