ok, dont bite, but what about a chromemoly tube frame instead? i myself have only towed a small trailer and besides the front clip the body tub is one piece. It would be a bit of a project to build, but could be purpose built...

 

You can do anything you want with your time, energy, and money. The body is not one piece. It IS a WELDED construction unit but the individual components are replaceable. You just have to spend more time separating them from the rest of the body due to their welded construction. The front fenders and fibreglass top are the only "bolt on" components other than the hinged components.

Are you talking about a tube frame internal to the body or a roll cage type addition? I've even seen an external tube cage around the body. I guess I am wondering what purpose it would be built for? I know the folks that add such things are typically looking for roll-over protection and strength to the body so they don't have issues slamming against rocks and the sides of hills during 4-wheeling expeditions.

 

ok, for example, the purpose of the unibody, other than being cheaper to build, is lighter. less weight means better acceleration, and mpg.

not only that, but if i was to use, say 2 1-2" chromoly pipes above one another, and use more pipe to make triangular braces between the two (similar to a steel truss for a building) It would also make it possible to build any suspention that i would want for the straight axle i want (mine is an 84, i like straight axles but don't want to have to lift it 6+ inches). whether it be leaves, coils, or nitrogen.

and yes it can be built to include rock sliders and a roll cage, whether it be internal or external.

 

The Bronco is NOT uni-body constructed. The body is mounted to a full-length steel ladder frame that will accept all manner of modifications to the suspension and any other devices mounted to it. There are no suspension components mounted directly to any part of the body and the body can be removed from the frame leaving the entire drivetrain, suspension, and running gear in place. This "rolling chassis" is the structural strength of these trucks. The body is just there to create the enclosure around you. I suppose if you thought you were going to get into situations that could bend or break 4" steel C-channel and the corresponding cross-members you might consider adding some gusseting at strategic points to beef it up but you'd have to be getting into some serious jumping and/or rock crawling to do that kind of damage to the OEM frame.

Now, the Jeep Cherokee, for example IS uni-body with heavier gusseting along the bottom of the "cage" of the vehicle to make for a sturdier platform for the suspension and drive line to be attached. These trucks suffer from structural weaknesses that would benefit from the kid of thing you are suggesting but the Bronco already has a rather hefty frame holding everything in place.

Would you re-invent the wheel and create another frame to replace the "base-plate" that is the frame of these trucks? I don't see how (unless you have access to serious tools and several engineering degrees you could hope to improve on what Ford put under these trucks in the first place).