Full Size Bronco or Explorer?
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More Turbo
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Full Size Bronco or Explorer?
A friend and I are planning on buying a 4x4 and building it up a little. We are having some trouble though deciding on weather to go with a gen1 Explorer (<94) or a full sized Bronco. BII is sort of out of the question because we both don't like the way they look...
I've done quite a lot of research on this, and found that the Bronco is ~1400Lbs heavier, 9 inches wider, and of course has larger engines, better axles, etc...
Any suggestions? My main concern is the transmission, as that could be a huge expense. Most of the cheap explorers for sale have "transmission failure" somewhere in their ad, and that worries me.
I've done quite a lot of research on this, and found that the Bronco is ~1400Lbs heavier, 9 inches wider, and of course has larger engines, better axles, etc...
Any suggestions? My main concern is the transmission, as that could be a huge expense. Most of the cheap explorers for sale have "transmission failure" somewhere in their ad, and that worries me.
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Joined: Jun 2006
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Owning both, the bronco has my vote. Still got a soft spot for them and really regret selling mine. Anyways...... I like the looks of broncos lifted more than explorers just my opinion plus you can take the top off the bronco. I'm sure other people think the opposite.
I guess depend on what type of wheelin your gonna do.
I guess depend on what type of wheelin your gonna do.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Coal Country, ND
I want to say Bronco, but a first gen Exploder with D60's under it has always been a dream of mine 
.
Narrower and lighter than a FSB, and it couldn't be too difficult to get a solid axle in place of the TTB. As far as the drivetrain, I'm pretty sure that the 4.0 is a dead reliable powerplant, not a hod rod, but dependable. Not sure on what's behind it though
. Could always put a 302/e4od combo in it.
But here's the problem, I just spent a lot of money on parts that would already come with a Bronco
.
. Narrower and lighter than a FSB, and it couldn't be too difficult to get a solid axle in place of the TTB. As far as the drivetrain, I'm pretty sure that the 4.0 is a dead reliable powerplant, not a hod rod, but dependable. Not sure on what's behind it though
. Could always put a 302/e4od combo in it. But here's the problem, I just spent a lot of money on parts that would already come with a Bronco
.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Manhattan, KS
The sploder tranny is the week spot, and there isn't an easy fix for it. I have a beater 78 Bronco that is pretty much stock that I have wheeled pretty hard and have only about $1000 in it after I bought it with a bad engine and swapped in a 400 bought from a buddy and then a bunch of little things.
The width is the big disadvantage of the Bronco and I can't squeeze through some places smaller vehicles get through. Although at this point everything is dinged on the Bronco, so I'm not afraid of a dent or scratch.
The width is the big disadvantage of the Bronco and I can't squeeze through some places smaller vehicles get through. Although at this point everything is dinged on the Bronco, so I'm not afraid of a dent or scratch.
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More Turbo
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Mostly trails, but the more slow, difficult type, which is why the slightly larger size of the bronco is a bit concerning...
That's pretty much what we are looking for. Something in the <$1000 range so we could afford to drop some more money in later for a roll cage, winch, either a SAS and custom lift of just a lift kit for the TTB, and tires... And whatever breaks...
The sploder tranny is the week spot, and there isn't an easy fix for it. I have a beater 78 Bronco that is pretty much stock that I have wheeled pretty hard and have only about $1000 in it after I bought it with a bad engine and swapped in a 400 bought from a buddy and then a bunch of little things.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Joppa, Maryland
Cool rig pud
My take is it depends on what you're going to do with it. If you're going to wheel in stock/nearly stock form stick with the FSB because it'll do it better and already has stronger components.
If you're going all out, one tons, big motor, cage, etc... take whichever body style you like more because it's going to cost about the same and be about the same amount of work either way swapping everything out.
Also you could go with the 5.0 sploder, they probably got a stronger tranny than what came with the 4.0. And for the 4.0.. the OHV is supposed to be pretty good, but there are a lot of issues with the SOHC version, so stay away from that one.
My take is it depends on what you're going to do with it. If you're going to wheel in stock/nearly stock form stick with the FSB because it'll do it better and already has stronger components.
If you're going all out, one tons, big motor, cage, etc... take whichever body style you like more because it's going to cost about the same and be about the same amount of work either way swapping everything out.
Also you could go with the 5.0 sploder, they probably got a stronger tranny than what came with the 4.0. And for the 4.0.. the OHV is supposed to be pretty good, but there are a lot of issues with the SOHC version, so stay away from that one.
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More Turbo
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Well, I suppose I'm leaning farther and farther towards the bronco. Just hope I can find one with a 351W and C6 with a completely beat down interior/exterior... Staying away from the AOD/E4OD, already replaced one of those by myself and I'd like to not do it again...
Only reason I want a cage is for safety. I don't plan on doing anything very extreme, but the local 4x4 area is Hollister Hills, and it has that name for a reason: it's very easy to roll even a stock height vehicle on "intermediate" trails. Drove a quad off a 300ft cliff there once, was the scariest thing that's ever happened to me.
Pud - It's very tell-tale when somebody with such an intense 1st gen exploder recommends the Bronco...
Only reason I want a cage is for safety. I don't plan on doing anything very extreme, but the local 4x4 area is Hollister Hills, and it has that name for a reason: it's very easy to roll even a stock height vehicle on "intermediate" trails. Drove a quad off a 300ft cliff there once, was the scariest thing that's ever happened to me.
Pud - It's very tell-tale when somebody with such an intense 1st gen exploder recommends the Bronco...
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From: Mobile, AL
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More Turbo
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Well, the shrubbery slowed me down, but still... I think I can keep the bronc with the wheels facing down for a while...
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From: Quesnel, BC, Canada
hang on there man, thats not my exploder hah. I wish....I was just cruising a local forum and was browsing that thread while also reading this one so I thought I would throw the photos up. Someone had mentioned wanting an exlorer with D60s in it. This one had fullwidths (D44/8.8, 289/c6) so I figured it would be close enough for the visual effect anyways.
Ive had 3 broncos, drove 2..thats why I suggested the bronco.
But captain P4 has a good point that, if youre going to swap in some big axles and other driveline components, all it comes down to is what style you like the most (ex vs FSB).
I still like being able to take the top off on a nice day.
Ive had 3 broncos, drove 2..thats why I suggested the bronco.
But captain P4 has a good point that, if youre going to swap in some big axles and other driveline components, all it comes down to is what style you like the most (ex vs FSB).
I still like being able to take the top off on a nice day.
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Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Manhattan, KS
I won't flame you for the samurai suggestions. I've seen some really capable ones on the trails and they didn't have a lot of mods. I still really enjoy my Bronco for a good rig without much investment.