All,

I'm selling my 1999 F150 4x4 with suspension lift and 35x12.5s because the wife wants to get out of the payment, and I can't really do much more with it due to lack of aftermarket parts. Not many lockers or other goodies for the 9.75" axle.

getting to the point. I know that eventually I will want another 4x4. I'm thinking I want to build a very capable older Bronco.

here is the dream:

1. 39x15 Mickey thompson Baja belted Tires (I just like the look of these tires) on Weld racing Wheels

2. dana 60 axles with ARB lockers , front and rear. (I know I can get axles from Dynatrac)

3. Preferably a C6 tranny. Did they come with C6 in any of these?


My questions.
1. Are there aftermarket suspension parts/kits to make such a beast?
2. Is this thing going to be a rollover buggy? I guess what I'm asking is have you seen or driven such an animal, is it driveable?
3. What is the best torque monster that won't require major surgery, 351, 400? maybe a beefed up Inline 6 for low RPM Torque?
4. What transfer case came in these, are they adequate?
5. Any reccomendations for a model year for such a project?

thanks,
Greg

 

When you say older Bronco, do you mean the original body style (1966-1977), the second body style (1978-1979), or the third body style?

If you're talking '66-'77, there are a lot of aftermarket parts. To answer your questions in order:

3) The EB only came with the C4 auto from '73 to '77. The only other tranny was the 3 speed manual.

1 & 2) The tallest non-custom suspension lift I've seen from a reputable vendor is 5.5" and the tallest body lift I've seen is 3". It is questionable as to whether this combo would clear 39" tires and I think you would find that even if it did you would not have good suspention articulation or road manners. This isn't to say it can't be done, but I think that the EB seems to be happiest on about 5.5" overall lift and 35" tires. This is what I'm shooting for with my '76.

3) Since the 289, 302, and 351W all share common bolt patterns, the 351 is the most practicle swap without going nuts with the torches and welder. If you want more torque, put a stroker kit in it from Summit or something similar. The EB is a relatively light truck, and while we all love power, a big block is probably excessive.

4) The EB came with a Dana 20 transfer case. From '66 to '72 it had something like a 2.46 low range. In '73 it went to around a 2.38 low. Other gearsets are available for it down to 4.88. It is an all cast iron gear driven case which should take a fair amount of power and abuse if properly maintained.

5) The EB was had a few major changes between '66 and '77 which would be a determining factor in which year you choose. If you're planning on replacing everything anyways, then it doesn't matter much which year you choose.

Here is a rundown of options:

Engines:

I-6:
170 ci.: '66-'72
200 ci.: '73-'74

V-8:

289 ci.: '66-'68
302 ci.: '69-'77

Transmission:

3 Speed Manual: '66-'77
C4 Automatic: '73-'77

Transfer Case:

Dana 20 T-Shift: '66-'72
Dana 20 J-Shift: '73-'77

Front Axle:

Dana 30: '66-'70
Dana 44: '71-'77

Rear Axle:

Ford 9": '66-'77

Front Brakes:

Drum: '66-'75
Disk: '76-'77 (Power option)

Rear Brakes:

Drum: '66-'77

Steering:

Manual: '66-'72
Power Option: '73-'77

Body Style:

Wagon: '66-'77
Half-cab: '66-'72
Roadster: '66-'68

That should cover the basics.


Regards,

J.B. Hebert

 

That's the kind of info I was looking for. And yes, I was looking at the EB. Looks like I probably want a later model based on some of the hardware included. I guess the Dana 44 is tough enough for 35" tires, and I understand the 9" to be almost as tough as a dana 60. What is required to get a 351 installed, provided I find a 289/302 configured setup? Is the C4 good enough for the 351?

Thanks Again,
Greg

 

With good aftermarket axles and U-joints from a company like Warn or Moser, the 44 will give you a nice compromise between ground clearance and strength. The Ford 9" has the advantage of being the most used and modified axle on the planet, so if you want to go nuts with it and install 35 spline axles and a full floater kit, it can actually be made stronger than a 60.

Apart from finding a good donor, the 351 should bolt right in. If you're using a carb, it's very simple. All of your 302 accessories will bolt up with adapters available from James Duff, WIld Horses, etc. I would recommend getting catalogs from the following vendors:

James Duff
Wild Horses
Jeff's Bronco Graveyard
Advance Adapters

James Duff has a section in their catalog on swapping to a 351. You may need a different harmonic balancer, oil pan, and headers depending on your application.

If your C4 is in good shape it should be fine behind a 351. I would put a shift kit in it and/or have it rebuilt by a shop that can set it up for extreme use. Alternately, while you have everything apart, you could go to a C6. You can get an adapter to mate it up to the Dana 20 from Advance Adapters.

I believe that some Ford trucks came from the factory with a 351/C6/NP205 combo that might be perfect for your application. You would just need to fabricate a new crossmember and get some driveshafts made up.

Flip through the Advance Adapters catalog to get some other ideas on what combos you could use. I'm not a big automatic fan, but if I were going to swap one in, I'd consider using an AOD tranny to give me an overdrive for the highway.

Good luck with your project.

J.B.