Ford Bronco XLT 351.

Joined: 10 Jul 2003

Hey guys, a freind of mine is buying a 351 cleveland powered Bronco XLT(Auto) which he wants to modify with all the usual crap...lift/tyres/winch..etc what i was just wondering is how do they rate as a offroad vehicle, are they any good or are they just plain shithouse.
Is there any particular things that go wrong with them.

I told him they would be to heavy and to wide and shit but he just keeps telling me there really good offroad with the right size lift/tyre combo and reckons he'll put my Mav to shame once finished.

Have any of you guys had or know of a freind thats had 1 and if so what are they like.How do they Rate, Any Good??.Mav

Joined: 12 Dec 2002 Location: Wangaratta

MAV-RIK wrote:

Hey guys, a freind of mine is buying a 351 cleveland powered Bronco XLT(Auto) which he wants to modify with all the usual crap...lift/tyres/winch..etc what i was just wondering is how do they rate as a offroad vehicle, are they any good or are they just plain shithouse.
Is there any particular things that go wrong with them.

I told him they would be to heavy and to wide and shit but he just keeps telling me there really good offroad with the right size lift/tyre combo and reckons he'll put my Mav to shame once finished.

Have any of you guys had or know of a freind thats had 1 and if so what are they like.How do they Rate, Any Good??.Mav

Put the MAV to shame .. I would like to see that .. with similar mods the Mav should kill it .. The only broncs I have seen in the bush have been overweight oafs that make alot of noise and not really go far ...

Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2004 4:32 pm

Depending on the year there is a hell of a lot of gear available for broncos unfortunately most of it being stateside.

I guess where any larger sized vehicle will be compromised is in tight situations and also lack of been there done that knowledge that exists with more popular models in Australia.

If he wants a bent 8, I'd say a Nissan with a conversion may be more the go and definiely hold better value.

CRUSHU may be the person to ask here about big blue ovals...

I'm sure your friend will get 90% negativity but I'd say do some research on the web, keep a credit card or cheque book handy and well anything is possible;)

Joined: 15 Nov 2002 Location: Driving my GU in Melbourne

I take it that it is the series 2 Bronco not the really cool early broncos.

They can be made to be petty amazing offroad just have a look for the Government Mule that has graced many a page in the US mags and videos. The biggest restriction you will find is the sheer size of them. You think its hard seeing over the bonnet n the Mav wait till you try in the bronco. they are very big Shocked

Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2004 4:46 pm

I found this for you, looks like a good community with heaps of info, just bear in mind they can buy these bits and pieces like you can go down to autopro and buy schnit for a commodore... and they use left hookers...

http://www.2bigbroncos.com/technical/index.html

http://www.ford-trucks.com

want another 6"
http://www.soderblom.net/bronco/tech/lift/

Joined: 10 Jul 2003

Thanks guys i googled abit and found a few sites on bronco's and as mentioned there really big in the states, i found a few pics of em with 44s fitted aswell as 460's so the mods market is much much bigger than here it seems.
A 460 equipped 1 on 44in boggers would be pretty full on though and should be fairly good offroad.I would have thought a 351 would have been sufficient enough.I suppose it depends on what type of suspensions fitted aswell, i read they run 4shocks on the front is this correct.

Are they coil sprung or leaf ive never really looked under 1 before.

Thanks for your replies.Mav

Joined: 09 Apr 2003 Location: Carrum Downs V Posts: 3330

unless it is an import, it will have the twin traction beam front axle, with 3.5 ratios, and front and rear lsd. procomp 4x4 have a 6"lift kit in stock. it is coil front, and leaf rear. 35" will rub on the control arm at full lock. no big deal, just dont turn the wheel as much. pull the roof off when off roading, so you dont bang it on trees. i may mention now, that i have some 15 x 10 rims for sale Wink

Joined: 28 Nov 2002 Location: Melbourne

I've always had a soft spot for Bronco's ever since I was a kid and my uncle had one...geez that thing was huge when you're 6 (still is I suppose!)

Joined: 10 Jul 2003

Thanks for the info CRUSHU, its not an import it was sold new here, i asked him today what type of suspension they have and he said coil front and rear leafs,(springover type leafs on rear are standard he reckons) he said he's not to sure but maybe the later model 5ltr injected ones might be coil all around but his like i said his not sure..
His is fitted with a 9"LSD rear and a borg warner type front with 3.55 gears like you mentioned.How strong are the fronts do you know.

Its huuuge inside the consoles the size of an esky and overall it looks fairly clean throughout and Geez its torquey, low range is incredibly and ill let him know about the rims, what are you looking at for them and what type are they, also any idea on the price of the 6" lift ProComp have and do you need to pinion diffs and fit gearbox packes and stuff on these like you do Mav's.Thanks a bunch guys keep the comments flying.Mav

Joined: 10 Jul 2003

Also whats the twin traction beam front axle and are there any problems he should look out for.Thanks.Mav

Joined: 09 Apr 2003 Location: Carrum Downs V Posts: 3330

it is a dana 44 front diff, and yes, spring over rear is standard. with a lift block. they have never had coil rear. the front diff is reasonably strong, if tyres are kept around the 35" or less. being high pinion, they are a bit weaker. i have a 400ci engine in mine, and with 35" tyres, and standard 3.5 gears, will keep up with a v6 commodore at the lights. still plenty of power with the 38.5"s. all the nessesary parts for the lift are included in the kit, no gearbox packers but. my alloys are black powdercoat. procomps ph no is 03 9705 6677. they also have another customer with a 90 f150, 6"lift etc, maybe they will have more info.

Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Location: Melbourne Australia

I am not a ford guru but aren't broncos pretty similar to F100s etc?

If so (and I definitely could be wrong) there was a story in 4WD Monthly once that outlined some of the things you can do with them, and what to look out for.

But I dunno if they're the same or not.

ANYWAY - I would think you'd be able to get them pretty capable if you had the $$$, and there's no escaping the fact that they are PRETTY DARN COOL LOOKING machines.

Jason

Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: North East Melbourne

ive heard the chassis prone to cracking up near the engine?

they are big. few more problems would be getting the crane in to pull it out when its stuck.

Joined: 09 Apr 2003 Location: Carrum Downs V Posts: 3330

bronco's and f100's are the same from the same era, but have a shorter wheel base.

Joined: 12 Dec 2002 Location: Wangaratta

CRUSHU wrote:

bronco's and f100's are the same from the same era, but have a shorter wheel base.

My dads f100 broke in half Shocked

just behind the cab .. the great big tyre cage in the back was all that held it together ..(may have been what caused it to crack to begin with too) ...

Joined: 27 Nov 2002 Location: Lost in Melbourne.

Does he want a lift kit?

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2457823251&category=30862

Ford F series/Bronco quad shock 6" Superlift,
with 8x RANCHO RS5000 shocks + F100 +F150

Up for auction I have a 6" superlift with quad shock setup. My friend worked in the USA ski fields for six months and he brought the bronco and had the lift kit installed in the 1978 Bronco in the summer of 97 he used it for six months of weekend driving before importing it to australia he has had it stored in a garage for five years. I recently bought all of the running gear and suspension out of the bronco. All items are the same for right or left hand drive. This kit is to suit a 75-81 F series/Bronco with coil spring front. however almost everything will fit a 81-96 F series/bronco with coil spring front(track rod/ C bushes won't fit and you will need to get drop front diff mounts @ $100.00 a pair & quad shock mounts at $180.00 a pair from f-trucks australia, You could probobly get $280.00 for the track arm and the c bushes). This kit may fit a 71-75 Fseries with coil front end but you'd be best to call someone like f-trucks Australia. All items are in good condition. The only thing you would need to get is a drop pitman arm for the steering box which is in the vicinity of $50.00 and it is advisable to get new bolts Approx $30.00-$40.00. The front shock that mounts at the same spot as the track arm has a dent in the bottom below the lowest point the internal piston gets to. This is from contacting the end of the track arm at full compresson. These kits retail for $2,950.00 plus shocks at 8 x $155.00 each which equals $2,950.00 + $1,240.00 = $4,190 replacement cost. Also as a bonus i'm throwing in the tyres that we're on the truck which are Mickey Thompson 39"tall-15"Tread width-15"Rim size Belted BAJA'S, these tyres are either just above or at the tread wear indicators, so probably not legal on the road but still good for offroad. I've added a picture to show you just how big these tyres are, i'm 5'11" tall. Items in this lift include: FRONT: coil springs(used). Quad front shock mounts(used but cleaned up). Brandnew unused urethane 4degree c bushes for the front diff. Fully adjustable track arm(a.k.a. panhard rod)(used) with brand new unused urethane bushes. Four Rancho RS5000 6" lift shocks(used). Braided stainless extended brake lines(used). Drop radius arm mounts plate extenders(used). Radius arm mount plates(used but cleaned up). Bolts(used). REAR: Leaf springs with add-a-leaf(used). Raiser blocks(used but cleaned up). Extended sway bar mount rods(used but cleaned up). Quad shock rear mounting bar kit and accessories (brand new unused). Two Ranch RS5000 lift shocks (used). Two Ranch RS5000 lift shocks (Brand new unused). Also if wanted i can include a Rancho twin steering stabaliser kit that is brand new for an extra $150.00, they retail for $397.00. Due to the amount/size/weight of this kit pickup will be the only option unless you can find a means of freight. I can drop off anywhere in sydney for $50.00 Email me if you would like extra pictures e-mailed to you. Call me on 0415 583 888 if you would like to inspect the kit and we can organise a time to see it. Good luck on your bidding and i hope you win because i'm sure you'll be happy with it. Aaron,

Joined: 10 Jul 2003

This looks AWESOME, ive been looking at quite a few yank websites and they certainly have some monsters there, overall they seem not to be a bad rig and can be made more than capable.Mav

Joined: 24 Apr 2003 Location: snowy mountains

Broncos are an awsome looking truck.

www.highcountrycustoms.com.au have broncos suspension available in OZ

Joined: 09 Apr 2003 Location: Carrum Downs V Posts: 3330

bogged wrote:

Does he want a lift kit?

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2457823251&category=30862

Ford F series/Bronco quad shock 6" Superlift,
with 8x RANCHO RS5000 shocks + F100 +F150

i bought this kit....

Joined: 14 Nov 2004 Location: brisbane

I have an 80 model Ford Bronco which I am currently building. It has a 460 big block, C6 Auto, 2.5" body lift, 5 inch suspension lift and I have converted the front I-beam suspension to F150 live axel. Just waiting patiently for other bits and pieces. So lets see how this goes.

Joined: 09 Apr 2003 Location: Carrum Downs V Posts: 3330

sounds cool, maybe post some pics!! are you running the coil front dana 44, like my 79? what size tyres you running? what bits are you waiting for? i may be able to help out.

Joined: 14 Nov 2004 Location: brisbane

I have a coil front end. Just waiting for engine components, gearbox reconditioning, painting, tyre size I have not decided yet. Just trying to sell my Hilux to finish of the rest. I don't have any photos as yet but will when finished.

Joined: 16 Aug 2005 Location: brisbane bay side

you want to see a ford truck check out this one www.f650pickups.com/indexb.html if i hade the money i would have one