Bronco Body Swap....
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Bronco Body Swap....
I've been getting discouraged with my Bronco since the body is getting more rust spots here and there around the upper parts, so I'm thinking a body swap would do the trick once i have it built the way i want in the drive train area.
I'm looking at a '93 Explorer Sport 2wd as a commuter car so i can focus on the axles and tranny. The wheel base between the two is 105.2 for the FSB and 102.1 for the Sport.I don't think that little bit off should affect it any.
My idea is to have the same convenience of the back seats with the storage, but with a lighter body in a newer package deal.
If anyone has pictures of body swaps on a full size frame I've been looking for them as a reference for my ideas. I've found pics with Ranger cabs, extended F150 cabs & Bronco II's on a Bronco size frame.
..
..Or should i just change vehicles and stay away from a body swap?
I'm looking at a '93 Explorer Sport 2wd as a commuter car so i can focus on the axles and tranny. The wheel base between the two is 105.2 for the FSB and 102.1 for the Sport.I don't think that little bit off should affect it any.
My idea is to have the same convenience of the back seats with the storage, but with a lighter body in a newer package deal.
If anyone has pictures of body swaps on a full size frame I've been looking for them as a reference for my ideas. I've found pics with Ranger cabs, extended F150 cabs & Bronco II's on a Bronco size frame.
..
..Or should i just change vehicles and stay away from a body swap?
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
It's an '85 Bronco, on Wikipedia it say's the width on the Explorer is 70.2" and the Bronco is 79.3".
I've got this picture of a ranger cab used to swap on a full size frame, and here's a 2-door explorer to use as a reference pic. I want to use a 91-94 style as i like those front ends better.
I've got this picture of a ranger cab used to swap on a full size frame, and here's a 2-door explorer to use as a reference pic. I want to use a 91-94 style as i like those front ends better.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Southern Delaware
Im gonna just throw this out there- just put 1 tons and the bronco drivetrain(engine/trans/tc) into the exploder....
While it is the possible to do the body swap, it may be less of a hassle to just build up the exploder....
If you are worried about putting full widths under the ploder, its gonna happen when u put the body on the bronco frame anyways...so just put better, stonger axles under the exploder since the bronco ttb is only maginally stronger than the exploder ttb...or if it out of the budget, find some axles out of a salvage yard 78-79 bronco/FISO, they would be fine under the light body of the explorer....
OR do a SAS using a Jeep D30 front in the explorer and keep the stock explorer axle....it would handle up to 35 in tires
but again, Im just throwing it out there....
While it is the possible to do the body swap, it may be less of a hassle to just build up the exploder....
If you are worried about putting full widths under the ploder, its gonna happen when u put the body on the bronco frame anyways...so just put better, stonger axles under the exploder since the bronco ttb is only maginally stronger than the exploder ttb...or if it out of the budget, find some axles out of a salvage yard 78-79 bronco/FISO, they would be fine under the light body of the explorer....
OR do a SAS using a Jeep D30 front in the explorer and keep the stock explorer axle....it would handle up to 35 in tires
but again, Im just throwing it out there....
Street Queen to the extr3m3
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,554
Likes: 3
From: Lubbock, Texas
Good point matt....
Swap the drive train to the exploder...
I think the body swap would work, but you will have to do some frame modification and make some plates for the body mounts, not likely that they will light up correctly.
Swap the drive train to the exploder...
I think the body swap would work, but you will have to do some frame modification and make some plates for the body mounts, not likely that they will light up correctly.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
I've been thinking of that as an option, only thing making me think of the bronco as a donor is the stronger frame. But from the pictures I've found of upgraded X's they seem to hold their own...
Been roaming a site for the Explorers @ show your flex - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts Serious Explorations
Been roaming a site for the Explorers @ show your flex - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts Serious Explorations
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Southern Delaware
If you are worried about the strength of the frame, just box the explorer....but you stated that there is an increasing amount of rust on the bronco, so perhaps the frame may not be much stronger than the explorer's....
Im currently doin a cab swap-putting a 74 f250 crew cab on a 95 F350 4x4 chassis, so I know first hand how involved it is finding enough stuff to pick up, move around, position cabs, since the cab has been off SEVERAL times....uugggghh, it sucks...plus the frames are different so we have to custom fab up/modify body mounts...then comes the plumbing, wiring, linkages, shifters, steering....the list goes on....While it is not to entirely difficult, it is quite involved...
I hope I dont discourage you from continuing the swap, but having a well thought out/researched plan is best place to start...remember to keep us updated on whatever you decide, Im looking forward to following your build.....
Im currently doin a cab swap-putting a 74 f250 crew cab on a 95 F350 4x4 chassis, so I know first hand how involved it is finding enough stuff to pick up, move around, position cabs, since the cab has been off SEVERAL times....uugggghh, it sucks...plus the frames are different so we have to custom fab up/modify body mounts...then comes the plumbing, wiring, linkages, shifters, steering....the list goes on....While it is not to entirely difficult, it is quite involved...
I hope I dont discourage you from continuing the swap, but having a well thought out/researched plan is best place to start...remember to keep us updated on whatever you decide, Im looking forward to following your build.....
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 2
From: Albemarle, NC
I had a ranger that I swapped in a Dana 44 from an early bronco with disc brakes. The spring perches on the housing are the same width needed to match the spring cups on the frame. IM pretty sure the explorer should be the same as the ranger. Drive shaft even worked just had to get a new u joint, made a track arm bracket for frame and used heim joints for the drag link. I also hacked off a little bit of the bottom of the engine cross member then plated it for strength so I had plenty of clearance.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Brain's 97 Diesel
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Oct 25, 2016 03:14 PM
ralphatlarge
1966 - 1977 Early Broncos
11
Feb 10, 2015 07:07 PM
