Guys i need your valued opinions on this. I am enlisting in the Army and all of my friends always buy a brand new truck when they get stationed. Well i would actually like to keep my old '84. So i am going to put all that money into the perfect bronco. Tell me what you would do to build towards these goals.

1st. Be the perfect safari rig.
2nd. smoke any idiot at a red light.
3rd. Have more functions than a swiss army knive.
And finally look so good any gung ho dodge or chevy fan will get in line at the Ford dealer.

What we have to work with
an '84 full size bronco
351w
ifs dana 44
C6 automatic
np-208 transfer case
ford 9" rear
and a very large budget, the only thing that has to stay is the body, so go wild!

 

With a grocery list like that I hope you're enlisting in the officer program with an immediate advancement to O-7 and drawing flight and diving pay. Goodluck

 

thanks, but not all of my funding is coming from the army.

 

I remember a dude awhile back that was daydreaming in class, and wrote down his thoughts for the "ultimate" Bronco. I'm barely halfway with the project, but I can assure you it will be worth every cent if I ever finish. (See gallery). The bodywork is done, mostly stock except for the "Shaker" hood. Hardtop and spare tire rack removed, installing a 10-point rollcage with PRP racing seats. Replacing the wimpy motor and weak stock axles is next, with an SAS (D60) in front and GM 14-bolt in rear. A worked-over 460, C6 and NP205 for the drivetrain. A friend has a 351C with NOS system (500 HP) that I want to use instead of the heavier 460. That will quickly break my current stock parts, and that's when the upgrades go in. 35" tires are tall enough for me. Some lights and a winch.

 

sounds good, keep me posted

 

It's taken me about 4 years to get to this point, so it will prolly be another 2-3 for the rest. By then, you'll be at least LT. Colonel!!!

 

lol, does the army have those?

 

stroke out that 351 to a 393, get the c6 built well. install a Solid Axle D44 in the front get 4.56 or 4.88 gears installed and run 37's on 17" wheels.

 

secret compartments....they may not make it go fast or look cool, but those little spots all throughout the truck would be awesome. Not necessarily even secret, just new storage in spots it wasn't before. Maybe...a reinforced spare tire unit. One that looks like it would've been the spare to the original wheels, but is locked and super sturdy for tools, cleaning stuff, oil, a small air tank....a nitrous tank?...hmmmm. When you're underneath of the truck, right in front of the rear axle, there is a space where you can sit up straight underneath of a stock Bronco, and it's almost completely empty. There's a 4-6" shelf (not sure) that the back seat sits on that could be used as the drawer location. Custom consoles are always a nice touch...with the guages and what not. And I am a huge fan of push starts, maybe right in the console. Buckets in the back and a huge console and/ or security chest and /or cooler in the middle. Never saw a Bronco with suicide doors before. Automatic tailgate. TURBO CHARGED V8!!! I think 1100hp will move the Bronco quite nicely...half the budget for that and half for the rest of a bulletproof drivetrain. Maybe in the console have a chopped up laptop computer, with the little mouse and clicker pad right about exactly where your hand would rest...1000s of songs at your fingertips....ummmmmmmm....I'll keep thinking.

 

If you really have that kind of budget, contact
Foose Design Inc
17811 Sampson Lane
Huntington Beach CA. 92647
info (at) chipfoose.com

 

I would let chip do it, but what's the fun in letting somebody else build your rig? thanks for the ideas. i was thinking along thoughs line with the engine, throw a roots type blower on it. would look awsome sticking out of the hood

 

Or maybe just send him a few $$ to send you what he would do to it besides the body. Might even do a sketch fer ya.

 

yeah, i could see that, send him a consulting fee. hey chip send me a build sheet and some sketches....

 

Big budget.... Big Bronco....

I would buy the "CTM" custom Portal axles for the front and rear. I have pictures of them. Last year or so they said they could custom "portal" customer suplied axles... so send them your Dana 60 front and Sterling rear axles. Of course they were using custom Ford 9" axles...

pick your own motor, but mate it up to a brand new 6 speed manual trans with granny low 1st gear and .62 over drive 6th gear. Then mate that up to a triple stick NP-203 / NP-205 (with 3:1) Doubler. So you can choose between 3:1 or 6:1 low gear.

Stay with tires in the 35 to 38 inch range. Lets face it with Portal axles you don't need 44's to gain ground clearance. But with the portals you would have to complete the leaf spring SAS on the front.

Trim some sheet metal... add a custom front and rear bumper... add a Thule roof rack...

I could spend lots of money....

 

Don't forget lighting... And I don't just mean being able to see in front... You gotta be able to see the sides too... and you have to be able to go blackout