A Bronco 2.

Now I know what you guys are thinking:

1. That'll never work.
2. It'll never fit.
3. Put a 302 in it.
4. Never happen.
5. You'll need bigger front end springs.
6. You'll need a bigger rear axle.
7. What is this guy, some kind of moron?
8. It'll never pass emissions.
9. 351 anyone?
10. He'll never get exhaust on the thing even if he does get the engine in there.
11. Get ready to pop a hole in the hood.

You're probably right. However, my first vehicle was an '86 Bronco 2 that is now at the junkyard. Now, I drive a very rustified old 1970 F100. I have this nice, new, high horsepower / torque Ford 390 FE in it. It moves that old F100 along very well. As it is, it's like putting a cherry on top of a cowpie and calling it a chocolate sundae.

But I still have this spot in the back of my mind for the Bronco 2's. I also have learned the FE series inside, outside, and upside down. So naturally, this evil little plan has been percolating in the back of my head for a while, even more now that the 390 is complete and working well. Especially since Bronco 2's in good condition around here are $0.10 / dozen.

Now I know the issues involved with this swap (see above list) but it's still something I feel like I need to try some day.

I figure it'll take custom motor mounts, custom headers, and a conversion plate to run an AOD transmission, back to some kind of 9" rear end.

If you have ANY thoughts please feel free to share them. Has ANYONE, EVER, ANYWHERE, done what I am thinking of?

Finally, am I crazy?

 

Do it! Just skip the 4X4 and just do it, use engine plates to mount it in along with a trans cross member, a short 3" diameter drive shaft and 9" rear with a locker with 3.25 gears. With all of that power the 3.25's is all that you will need plus the AOD will give you exceptional fuel mileage. You can always overcome spring rates in the front, thats no big deal, I myself have always wanted to do something like this. I always liked the power that the 2.9 had with the 5spd in first gear at a 15-20 mph roll stomp on the go pedal and it felt like the front tires were going to come off the ground, put some real power in fornt and it should realy catch some air! Have fun!

 

Its not as crazy as you might think... They put a lot of FE blocks in cars... and a lot fo header combinations are available.

You could get front springs from a FE powered Mustang or Torino, I don't know about exhaust off hand, the guys at Ford Muscle might know what really fits. Brackets and accessories are probably pretty close for the cars and the BII. Advanced Adapters makes a FE bellhousing for the AOD. This is feasible.