Quite a few of my buddies have dedicated wheeling trucks and I think I need to get myself one soon. They are mainly chev guys and I could probably score some hand me down parts if I went that way, but I kinda like the idea of a late 70s Bronco with the coil spring front diff. What is the durability like for the t-case, etc on these rigs. I know if I go too big on the tires I will need to upgrade the diffs but that would be the case with any brand. I already have a Sterling rear diff out of a van and have a line on a D60 front for around $900. Also how tough is a 460 swap into a Bronco?

 

460 swap is cake. L&L mounts, im running stock EFI manifolds still due to the wierd heads for the time being. Basically one call to L&L will get you what you need, flywheel, mounts, headers, etc. As far as modding, its not as easy, but consider going EFI, im very impressed with the way it always runs perfect while in all kinds of ugly positions. I did the 10.5" rear from an 01 swap, as i understand its the same as the earlier 10.25", so its super easy. Spring pad width was within a half inch, so no moving of the pads was required, shorten up the driveshaft a little bit, Im not sure what you need to change to get the brakes to work, probably nothing major, i could tell you if you were using disks though. Up front, buy the C wedges for converting to coil from james duff, or maybe even JBG. set your castor/pinion angle, weld er up, fab up a nice track bar mount, and a steering setup. I was told i could use the stock f150 tierod and drag link, but was lied to. My F350 tierod has a bend in it to clear the front cover on the diff at full lock, where the F150 does not, and this did not work. I wound up keeping the 350 tierod, and getting a High steer arm, and adjustable drag link. Hope that helps a bit
Good luck
Brian

 

Find you self a 78 79 bronco, and then the 460 will be easy like Brian said with some new motor mounts.
Most have a NP205 transfer case, which is bullet proof.
And with 3/4 or 1 ton running gear you'd be set to go.

 

umm hate to tell yah this but if u pulled that "sterling" out of a van than its really a dana 60 or 61

 

Yeah, the 78/79's are awesome. I used to wheel my daily driver and you just can't beat on it as much as you can a dedicated wheeler. I sold my truck and bought a small car for work/school and then got myself a 78 bronco for wheelin'. Its so much more fun not having to worry about tree branches scratching my paint or breaking some or getting stuck.

 

Yeah I've got a 70 crewcab 4x4 that some of the guys have been telling me to wheel but I use it for work every day and I can't afford to be breaking it. So those broncos had 351s or 400s, C6 tranny and NP 205 Tcases mainly? Will the same C6 mate up to any of those engines?

 

umm, ok... i have personally pulled a 10.25 out of a 95/96 E-350

late model broncos are cool, but ya ever given any thought to an early bronco? talk about a cool body style.

ford used 3 different bellhousing styles for the C6... small block (302, 351), big block (429, 460) and diesel (444)

-cutts-

 

umm, ok... i have personally pulled a 10.25 out of a 95/96 E-350

well ive been told diffrent from about 5 guys from pirate. because the last time i pulled out a 10.25 from a van i was a dana 61

 

What about the FE bellhousing? Although not applicable to the 78-79 Broncos...



And freejay, the C6 from a 351M/400 will bolt to a 460.

.

 

460 is the way to go>>>>The first time I post this opinion..............The stock location of Your rear pinion sucks,,,,,,I believe it sucks for all Fords.....Works decent for stockers but barely....If you want the rear to hold up....Check the angle or get it right....Or else change $100 parts often

 

I think I'll see whats around for broncos and leave the motor, trans and t-case for now. When the motor gives in I'll swap to a 460 (or if I have some extra cash layin around). I'll probably go with 40"+ tires so I think I'll swap to 8 bolt wheels right off and save a step. I have the sterling rear mentioned before and a 14 bolt as well, I think I may go 14 bolt cause I hear parts are cheaper. Hopefully its a 4.10 as well. I have some D44 front stuff from a 76 F250 so I think I can convert the front D44 on the bronco to 8 bolt stuff for now then put in the D60 when that dies. I'm on a tight budget but I think it's time to get started anyways. Oh and I still have to dump 5-10K into my crewcab...Bodywork, Paint, Interior...... I definitely have the bug

 

Nice call......460 can wait....

 

Ummm, Fishy is usually right. Plus, I have pulled 10.25s out of vans. Not to mention the dana70u that can be found in the vans.

 

I vote for 78/79 Bronco, but, there is nothing wrong with a full sized Blazer (pre computer 1980) either if you need hand me downs and brownie points. I have plowed with early Blazers alot.