I have a '96 EB with the 351 and cut the exhaust off after the cat and must say its pretty quiet for having "no exhaust" but my question is I've never went 4 wheelin and am running 32 X 11.50 and didn't know if I should do gears or do the complete bassani exhaust first? Also I used a tire calculator and figured with my current tire size the closest gear to my original setup would be about a 3.90 gear, does that sound right? also what is a good cheap locker and do I need one for the front also?

 

No point in doing the gears unless you get into tires that are larger than what you are running. The stock 3.55's are still ok with the 32's and if you are gonna start wheeling you will eventually end up wanting to suspension lift it anyway which will give you room for even larger tires. If both differentials are "open" (no locker and no limited slip configurations) you may want to take it easy and avoid the really serious trails until you can do gear and locker/LS etc. I put my 92 through Tellico ORV park after two solid days of rain with two open differentials and 31x10.50's and paid the price with some severe body damage and a mangled rear bumper because I had to be dragged off a rock. If you have your heart set on a locker that is relatively inexpensive and fairly easy to install, look into the Power Trax type lockers that can be installed into the existing carrier rather than having to go through the expense of having the gearset redone. Low-cost lockers tend to be noisey and since they are "automatic" lockers they can be very unpredictable in wet and particularly in snow and icy conditions. Keep that in mind if the truck is to remain a daily driver as well as an off-road toy.

You may be thinking that you are happy with your Bronco as it is and not interested in lifting it or tires larger than what you have but, if you start 4-wheeling that notion will quickly change when you realize just where you COULD go if only you had 4" or 6" of lift and the tires to go with it. That is why I suggest waiting on gears until you are certain what tire size you will ultimately want to run. Gearsets aren't cheap so you aren't gonna want to do it more than once if you don't have to.

As for the Bassani exhaust setup, I have been a total fan and "walking commercial" for their products since I bought the complete system for my truck about 4 years ago. Its worth every penny and it sounds extremely "menacing" without being too much when it comes to cabin noise and long trips. I noticed an immediate change in throttle response and power. I'd personally opt to do this first but the decision is, of course, ultimately yours.

 

Its not a daily driver as gas is too high and I have a tempo for daily driving, its a toy and will tow a car every once in a while so I didn't want to go real high on a lift or go too big on tires. I was thinking at most a 2"-3" lift and the biggest of 33 X 12.50 but am not sure I still want to be able to to tow the car without wasting alot of gas turning big tires.

 

I can understand that. If you ultimately want to run 33's and a small lift, wait on the gears and go up to 4.10's. This will put you very much in the ballpark for keeping your engine RPM's as close to stock as possible. 4.10's were actually a factory option in the Bronco specifically for adding some "umph" when towing. Be careful towing with an automatic locker. Like I said, they can get a little squirrely in rotten weather on pavement.

 

So whats the biggest lift I can do without having to extend brakelines and driveshafts and all that junk? Also will I need some wider rims for the 33's?

 

You can squeeze a 2" lift under it and probably be alright with the brake lines but anything over that you will need extended brake lines. Depending on the manufacturer and the quality of the lift, the extended brake lines are sometimes included in the cost of the kit. The driveshafts and the rest of the driveline can handle up to 6" of suspension lift before you have to worry about angles and lengths.

Assuming you would be wanting to run 33x12.50's you should really go up to 15x10" wheels. Most tire manufacturers recommend a rim that is no more than 2.5" narrower than the section width of the tire. If the tires are mounted on narrower rims they may not honor the warranty on them should something go wrong. There are narrower 33's available but the look and handling gets a little strange with all that diameter and so little width. (My brother runs 33x9.50's on his original 1966 so he can clear the uncut rear fenders but the tall sidewalls get a workout).

Though I am specifically opposed to body lifts, if you just want some extra tire clearance you can install a 2-3" body lift and get the clearance in the wheel wells but NOT between the frame and the ground. I personally think there is way too much extraneous stuff that needs to be done in addition to just installing a body lift to make it worth the time involved. Since it sounds like you are looking for something that will actually improve the truck's off-road capabilities a bit, I'd still opt for the suspension lift even if its a short one.

 

you can run a 6inch lift with no mods to brake lines or driveshaft im doing so right now on my 95

my drive shaft is lil short and i would sugest getting a longer one but its not needed and i wheel my truck alot and havnt had a problem with the brake lines when flexing

 

I'm running 33's with a 2 1/2" RC lift. Stock brake lines and no driveshaft mod. The pictures below are 32's with 15x8 wheels with a stock suspension, 32's with a 2 1/2" lift, and 33's with 15x10 wheels and a 2 1/2" lift.

 

I have run the 33 x 12.50's with no lift or gearing change. I made it everywhere the jeep guys infront of me went and I've only got the 302. I am installing a 3" body lift on the 89 so there is more room in the fender wells and even out the look. I have run the 33's on 15 x 8" rims but they narrow the footprint a little and give you a little taller tire. Whereas on the 15 x 10" rim they are a little squatter and have a little wider footprint (look better too). My 33's on 15 x 8 rims looked almost identical to the 32's I have on 15 x 8 rims - but there is a noticeable difference between them now that I have the 10" rims for the 33's.

If you are budgetting - I'd say exhaust, lift, locker, rims - IMO

 

Alright thanks guys!