Didn't get any bites in the Lightning/Nite Forums....

I have been doing alot of work on my dad's 1996 EB for towing his boat and it's got me thinking of a Bronco of my own. I am a street car type person so while the desire for a jacked up 4x4 is there....I want an everyday fun vehicle.

Some questions I have and I know a lot of these are oxymorons, but assuming I want to make the most of the Bronco and not own a mustang, camaro, mclaren F1, etc ....

1) Is a 5.8L and a manual trans possible in a Bronco semi easily? If not is there a more manual E4OD option

2) What is the best handling suspension option? I'd either go with the Lightning's 17x8 setup or an 18" setup (between 265/60R17 or 275/55R18 assuming the PSOM reprogramming can still be done if I have to go outside stock tire height)

3) Most go 2WD instead of 4WD...is there a way to setup the 4WD to be more 'street rod' compatible instead of towing?

4) Brake upgrades....if I through in 400-500hp I will need better stopping power probably.

5) Top speed limiter and effect the 'brick' front end has on 1/4 mile type times. I think the 'Lightning' was even limited to 110mph...not that I would be exceeding that on a regular basis...but I'd like to be able to know if I had to I could go as fast as I could.

In my initial plans the truck gets really close to a 50/50 weight distribution (of course all the while weighing in at 2 tons ), but that should make for a nice balanced vehicle.

Would the best way to handle this type of thing is buy 1 good Bronco and 1 donor F150 or do you only need specifc F150 parts that are more economical to pick up in part?

My plan is to try for a 1996 since the bugs and E4OD issues are fixed...a 1993 would be cheapest but it doesn't use the NP200 and I am not sure how good the E4OD is that year...if I go 2WD totally the NP issue is moot, but the tranny is a expensive deal should I ruin it. I really want something on the floor instead of the column, but maybe I can get used to it.

Thanks for any advice.

Chris

 

Almost sounds like a Ford Cobra would do everything for you except give you the big Bronco look. Why not just stick with the Lightning ?

Good luch with your project !

 

I had two mustangs already 1966 GT and 1988 GT both done pretty well...the 1966 was a show winner but had about 325HP or so under the hood and the 1988 wore the full fms catalog.

I want a change really more than anything...a lightning won't work since I will be in the same 2 seater bind the 944 turbo will put me in and even less usable inside storage.

 

Lightning Bronco

 

I think its a realy cool idea, everybody has a 5.o stang. or f150 whether it be stock or lightning, do yo own thang!! hot rod haulin *** bronco? what a deal!

 

Well a lightning bronco is sort of my basis and much of what I do will be the same/use the same parts, however I am not cloning a 'Lightning'...I'd like to use a boosted engine instead of being NA and I'd like to use my own interior ideas and maybe a shaker scoop...this is in the planning process more than anything right now....I need to figure out what the conversion will cost me and then I can add on the power train goodies, paint, interior work, etc and see if I have the budget.

That article shed alot of light on the process.

 

I've wanted to do the same thing for a while, but I always feared the "why do that to a Bronco" response. I have an 88' 3-speed that I drive every day despite the 8 mpg. I would be a lot of fun if it was leaner and meaner. What parts from a donor would it take to convert from 4wd to 2wd? If it's already a grocery wagon, why not make it fun for me to drive.

 

I always get 'why do that to that' since I moved from Mustangs.

I have a 96 SC2 saturn now....(http://30moons.com/96SC2mine.php).

Whenever I detail it and have it shining people check it out and/or ask me about it. Almost always if they didn't know it was a Saturn to begin with they think I am joking when I tell them it's one.

I like unusual rides...I don't need the fastest or best handling I only need what I like.

I was going to go with a turbo on my Saturn, but since I did not buy it new the drivers seat and upper rear seat leather is messed up, the paint needs to be redone soon as it's starting to oxidize...I can buff it out but you can only do that so many times, and the timing chain and clutch will need to be done (100k miles now)...so for way over $5k in stuff I'd be better off going to a different car and let someone take this car that doesn't care if everything is perfect.

I was going to go 944 turbo, but now that I have been using my dad's 1996 EB while I fix it up for him I really like the truck's feel. I turn my own wrenches for almost everything now and the thought of a vehicle I can actually go down to the salvage yard and upgrade is getting to me. My Saturn is a limited edition so parts for the interior are impossible to find...but with Ford's it seems F150's would provide everything I need most of the time.


Chris

 

I think that this one is still 4WD, but it's low and it's 800 HP...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2427210587

 

The link didn't work. Check eBay item# 2427210587

 

My buddy and I are winding down an almost yearlong rest"mod" on a '67 mustang. We have added EFI from an '86 GT to the 289 Windsor, front disk brakes from a '7? Granada, and power brakes from the same '86 GT as the EFI, we've also done a lot of required fixing of things you would expect to be worn out after nearly 40 years. All that to say, we are looking for a new project and I also have become addicted to the idea of finding useful parts in the junkyard.
What do you think it might take, from a donor truck, to convert to 2wd:
tranny - I would like to go for an AOD, not an EAOD
driveshaft - I'm assuming it would have to be shortened given the shorter wheelbase
suspension - I haven't a clue where to start

 

E4OD would be the way to go I think...esp the 1995 late and 1996 models.

driveshaft needs to be shortened from the F150 (about a foot of wheelbase difference)

Suspension is basically bolt the F150 Lightning in and go to Eibach for better springs and rear shackles if you want it even lower.

I am giving up on a floor shifter since even if I get one to work I have a steering column that will have a shifter on it and gauges with the indicator.

I'd love a manual still.

Really if you have a F150 donor and a Bronco it's an easy deal...it won't be exactly a Lightning but alot of that can be easily rectified. To me the Lightning isn't a smart build (1st gen) since 240hp is easily made with other options and then some (350hp should be a min to shoot for).

 

Not necessarily looking for a lightning, just a lean mean Bronco. I prefer the auto to the manual, but in your case what about a t-5 from a mustang. I figure after getting the suspension done, then building up the 351w that's already in it should be that much more fun and worth it. I'm not looking for a 5,000 lb. autocross, just 2 tons of fun.

 

the trans is not the problem really, it's handling all the linkage and floor board holes as well as redoing the steering column/lock out.

You could say a C6 or T5 would back up to the 351, but how does it link up with the PCM and truck.

I am waiting on my shop manuals to start looking in to it.