3/4 Ton Bronco?
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Southeastern IL
3/4 Ton Bronco?
Hey guys. My brother has had a 1980 Bronco sitting on our property for a minimum of 5 years, if not more. It was his first vehicle and he doesn't want to get rid of it for nothing. He would rather it sit and rot than sell it. It has went from 460 to 302, automatic to manual, and mud hole to... not running. It sports a (used to be) brand new paint job back when it was running. It currently has no running gear. Just axles.
I have a 1992 F-250 awaiting a transmission swap that is really irritating the crap out of me. Its definitely a 2 man job and I never can find help. I was debating totally blowing the truck apart, getting the body panels redone, undercoat the underneath side, and build up the engine since its sitting anyways. Then it hit me! How hard would it be to swap that old Bronco body onto my 3/4 ton frame and make a FrankenBronco!
I know a problem right off the bat. The Bronco frame is a reg cab short bed frame and mine is a reg cab long bed. Cutting down frames is a LOT of work! Im not sure how the front end will line up since the Bronco is a coil-over and mine is leaf sprung. Anyone else see any potential problems?
I have a 1992 F-250 awaiting a transmission swap that is really irritating the crap out of me. Its definitely a 2 man job and I never can find help. I was debating totally blowing the truck apart, getting the body panels redone, undercoat the underneath side, and build up the engine since its sitting anyways. Then it hit me! How hard would it be to swap that old Bronco body onto my 3/4 ton frame and make a FrankenBronco!
I know a problem right off the bat. The Bronco frame is a reg cab short bed frame and mine is a reg cab long bed. Cutting down frames is a LOT of work! Im not sure how the front end will line up since the Bronco is a coil-over and mine is leaf sprung. Anyone else see any potential problems?
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,005
Likes: 7
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Actually, a shorty F150 is still 4" longer than a Bronco.
I don't this is possible without alot of work. Frames aren't the same either.
The Broncos have a straighter frame, while the trucks frame dips down in the cab area.
I don't this is possible without alot of work. Frames aren't the same either.
The Broncos have a straighter frame, while the trucks frame dips down in the cab area.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,005
Likes: 7
From: Ottawa, Ontario
You can swap an engine from a truck, and the axles to the Bronco frame though, that's all bolt in....
And heres a pic for reference, to show a shorty F150 is longer than a Bronco. Not by much, but me to I use to think they were the same till my friend got his Bronco
And heres a pic for reference, to show a shorty F150 is longer than a Bronco. Not by much, but me to I use to think they were the same till my friend got his Bronco
Thread Starter
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Southeastern IL
Yup, I can see it. The main reason I ask is because I love the look of the Bronco and I want the towing capability of a 3/4-1 ton truck. If I swap a 3/4 ton rear axle in the Bronco, would the rest of the truck be rigid enough to tow the camper safely?
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,005
Likes: 7
From: Ottawa, Ontario
I've heard Bronco frames are as strong as 3/4 ton frames. But towing anything heavy behind a Bronco isn't going to drive nice. Since it's very short wheel based, the front end will have a tendency to float all over the road.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 4,063
Likes: 2
From: Southeastern IL
Yea I see what ya mean. I noticed even my reg cab long bed wanted to wander quite a bit. It makes for a hairy experience lol
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