Buggying out Bronco
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 177
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From: minnesota
Buggying out Bronco
Hey guys,
I am planning to buggy out my 1995 bronco. Due to the gas prices and the fact that I own a car that gets 30+ mpg, i'm going to strip my bronco. I'm taking the top off permanently. I am contemplating taking the tailgate off even though it is junk. This is because of the spare tire carrier. Should I scrap the tire carrier and just put the spare in the bed,or keep the tailgate. I was thinking of using a net style tailgate. this way my spare wouldn't go out the back of the truck. Then i'm slapping some tow hooks on it and a set of 33-12.5-15's mud tires and see what it can do. The truck is stock except for the engine. it is a 5.0. H.O. that is .040 over with dual exhaust and a k&n. I still run a racing performance muffler but no cats. I run the stock E40D and BW1356. In the gears i run 3.55 and a rear LS with Warn manual hubs up front. My truck has that off-road skid plate and dual shock option with the super cooling package too, so I have the extra large radiator. The waterpump and radiator are new. Any thoughts on this or what I should do wil be great. Thanks guys.
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I am planning to buggy out my 1995 bronco. Due to the gas prices and the fact that I own a car that gets 30+ mpg, i'm going to strip my bronco. I'm taking the top off permanently. I am contemplating taking the tailgate off even though it is junk. This is because of the spare tire carrier. Should I scrap the tire carrier and just put the spare in the bed,or keep the tailgate. I was thinking of using a net style tailgate. this way my spare wouldn't go out the back of the truck. Then i'm slapping some tow hooks on it and a set of 33-12.5-15's mud tires and see what it can do. The truck is stock except for the engine. it is a 5.0. H.O. that is .040 over with dual exhaust and a k&n. I still run a racing performance muffler but no cats. I run the stock E40D and BW1356. In the gears i run 3.55 and a rear LS with Warn manual hubs up front. My truck has that off-road skid plate and dual shock option with the super cooling package too, so I have the extra large radiator. The waterpump and radiator are new. Any thoughts on this or what I should do wil be great. Thanks guys.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
Likes: 12
From: Gateway to the West
33's and 3.55 gears? Wow, I ran a 92 like that for about a year and it about killed me. Passing power and hill climbing power went right out the window. Granted the engine mods you mentioned may help a bit, its still a stretch if you ask me.
Anyhow, you were asking about the tailgate. If you don't ever plan on having the top on it again, the gate serves no more purpose than a typical pick-up gate would (and before you can ask, swapping in a pick-up gate is more trouble than its worth). If you don't think you'll need the cargo space in the bed for other gear when you are wheeling, then the spare can easily be put into the bed. As a matter pof personal preference, I like the appearance of the truck with an actual gate. Net gates just look "cheeseball" to me. It takes very little time before they look less like nets and more like so many shreds of cargo straps dangling from the rear of the bed. Just my take on it. Take it for what its worth.
Anyhow, you were asking about the tailgate. If you don't ever plan on having the top on it again, the gate serves no more purpose than a typical pick-up gate would (and before you can ask, swapping in a pick-up gate is more trouble than its worth). If you don't think you'll need the cargo space in the bed for other gear when you are wheeling, then the spare can easily be put into the bed. As a matter pof personal preference, I like the appearance of the truck with an actual gate. Net gates just look "cheeseball" to me. It takes very little time before they look less like nets and more like so many shreds of cargo straps dangling from the rear of the bed. Just my take on it. Take it for what its worth.
Last edited by greystreak92; May 29, 2006 at 01:21 AM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 1
I'm with Greystreak on the gears. I ran 35's with 3.55's for awhile and overdrive is out of the question. Even if you dont do much highway, you will burn up your torque converter or 1st gear in your trans unless you plan on being in low range all the time. I like a gate also, but if your trying to save weight, I guess it has to go. You might consider fabing a aluminum ladder style gate. The spare in the bed is probubly better for weight distribution.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,388
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From: SE Texas
95bb, sounds like a good plan to me, and I wish you the best of luck!!! I agree with GS92 about regearing the axles, though. I have been running 35x12.50R15's with a 6" Skyjacker Class II lift on the stock 3.50 gears for the past couple of years. I can't wait to install the 4.56:1 ratio gears I bought last week. And since my 84 Bronco is now a dedicated trail-only rig, I'm putting a mini-spool in the rear Ford 9", and a full spool in the front Dana44 TTB with Warn manual-locking hubs. If you want to make the most use of your Bronco offroad, some type of traction-aide is recommended for both axles, especially if you do any rock crawling. Keep your old parts for spares, like the axle shafts. JSM84
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,274
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Your going to like the 4.56's. I switched to them when I was running the 35's (BFG Mudders) and I loved them. They were just a little lower than stock. (The Speedo read high). Now I'm running 38's with 4.88 gears with the same situation.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
Since your stripping it as it is, cut the fenders(possibly bushwacker fender flares) to clear 35s.
Since you will have to change gears any way, and you won't be driving it alot, go all out and get 35s.
You might want a 4" lift too, unless you don't like your fenders then trim till they fit.
Sounds good to me,
Good luck
Since you will have to change gears any way, and you won't be driving it alot, go all out and get 35s.
You might want a 4" lift too, unless you don't like your fenders then trim till they fit.
Sounds good to me,
Good luck
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: minnesota
Thanks for the info guys. I was considering 35's if I can afford to regear the axles. I really don't have money for a lift so I'll probably break out the sawzall. My bronco sits a little higher than most other bronco's and f-150's I've seen so it may already have some sort of lift in it even though everything looks stock. It is a custom painted, decaled, conversion bronco by a custom 4x4 shop when it was new. The original owner bought it that way from the dealership. I know that right now I clear 33's with no rubbing or and problems at all. I can fit 35's in the rear but not the front. If it matters, the only off-roading I do is mud and trails, no rockcrawling. I live in Minnesota so that is what is mostly around here. Finally should I go with 4.10's or 4.56's. I was leaning toward the 4.10's because once the E40D in my truck quits I will be swapping in a C6. I already have the tranny. I want to be able to drive it to the events or local mud bogs I go to. Thanks again guys and I'll keep you posted.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
You would be fine with 4.10s, expecially if you travle on the road at 55 or so often.
But you could always go for 4.30s they are right inbetween and would be perfect for the E40D, and the C6, while still giving you the power you want and decent mileage.
But you could always go for 4.30s they are right inbetween and would be perfect for the E40D, and the C6, while still giving you the power you want and decent mileage.
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