Hello. Just found this site. I recently purchased a 1973 Bronco that I plan to restore. It is uncut. 302. Manual. I want to convert to disc brakes. I am also going to go over every bit of the drivetrain. This truck will not be used off-road. Just want to knock around in it. With that said, would I want a 3.73 gearing in the diffs since I think that will give me the best MPG? What other stuff would someone do? I want the truck totally stock. I see that the Bronco Graveyard sells completely rebuilt Dana 44's (with Disc conversion) for the front. Anyone have experience with this company? I am interested in purchasing the complete part to save time and effort. I have a rather large budget set aside for parts. So money isn't a problem, but I want to put the money to the best use. the truck is going to need lots of body work of course (door posts, inner fender pieces, etc). Thanks for any input.
Just bought a 1973 Bronco. Help needed.
- Thread starter BikeRider
- Start date
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Jeff's Bronco Graveyard, BC Broncos http://www.bcbroncos.com/store/ , Tom's Bronco Parts http://www.tomsbroncoparts.com/ , Wild Horses http://www.wildhorses4x4.com/ , they are all good. Shop around they all have good stuff. There are others to those are some of the main ones. There is alot of good sources of information and parts on the internet.
First, welcome to the board. By reading your post, I assume that you want to keep it as close to stock as possible but with the added benefits of "modern technology"
/emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />. You are on the right track right off by starting with the brakes/drive train. If I were going to rebuild one as you are, I would go about it in this fashion:#1 - Disc Brakes F & R
#2 - Power or Hydroboost brakes
#2 - Power Steering
#3 - EFI/SEFI
#4 - Transmission
I would definatly go with disc on all corners because of the stopping ability. And to do that, I would look at BC Broncos. The front & rear conversions are both using GM calipers and are probably the best on the market for kits. Once you do that, I would go with a hydroboost/power steering. They kind of go hand in hand or just do the PS because without that, you can't run the hydroboost. To get better gas mileage I would find an EFI/SEFI set up off of a late 80's/early 90's 5.0 and cob onto all of the fuel injection equipment. Last is the transmission. You can go with the 4 speed set up, but those are the t-18 or the NP435 trannys and they are truck transmissions and will feel like it. If you go with the ZF-5 speed from Wild Horses, you really can't go wrong. I personally stick to BC or WH when I order my stuff, but that is me. I have dealt with JBG but only if none of the other vendors have what I am looking for. Just personally, so take that for what it is worth.
A question for you, you said you want to go with 3.73 gears...is there a particular reason or just a happy medium? What are your current gear sets at right now? If you post up your VIN # or go to BroncOhio's web site ( http://www.broncohio.com/tech/ebvins.html ) and look at your VIN there to figure out what your gears are. But that is the route I would take to get started.
Thanks for the replies. It's been a week or so and I have had a chance to go over my truck, get a list together, place some orders (lots of orders) and actually get a start.
Yes, I want it all stock, but reliable and safe. So, upgrades seem to be a must. I mentioned 3.73 gearing, then realized (based on the tag on the rear) that my gearing is 3.50, which is fine. I have some deep pockets for this project, so I am going hog wild, with lots of new parts. I placed a massive order with Tom's Bronco parts and also got stuff from Bronco Graveyard. Tom's gave me just incredible customer service, so I kept using them. Bronco Graveyard seemed fine too.
I have a new 3rd member with locker, new axles, power steering kit, front disc conversion (will do rear later), power booster and lots of new U-joints. I have the new 3rd member and axles installed. Drive shaft apart, cleaned and painted with chassis black. All new parts for that going in this weekend. I figure I'm going to concentrate on every mechanical part of my chassis, then once I have it safe and reliable, I'll decide if I want to pull the body off or try to fix the body with it still on the chassis.
I don't 'know' the early Broncos. So, I am learning all about the truck. One question, this truck has blocks (about 2" or so) between the rear leaf springs and the axle housing. Should there be blocks there on a stock truck? I am thinking I need to remove those blocks. Is this correct?
Thanks. I'll try to stay in touch and post some updates and ping you all with questions.
Regards.
Yes, I want it all stock, but reliable and safe. So, upgrades seem to be a must. I mentioned 3.73 gearing, then realized (based on the tag on the rear) that my gearing is 3.50, which is fine. I have some deep pockets for this project, so I am going hog wild, with lots of new parts. I placed a massive order with Tom's Bronco parts and also got stuff from Bronco Graveyard. Tom's gave me just incredible customer service, so I kept using them. Bronco Graveyard seemed fine too.
I have a new 3rd member with locker, new axles, power steering kit, front disc conversion (will do rear later), power booster and lots of new U-joints. I have the new 3rd member and axles installed. Drive shaft apart, cleaned and painted with chassis black. All new parts for that going in this weekend. I figure I'm going to concentrate on every mechanical part of my chassis, then once I have it safe and reliable, I'll decide if I want to pull the body off or try to fix the body with it still on the chassis.
I don't 'know' the early Broncos. So, I am learning all about the truck. One question, this truck has blocks (about 2" or so) between the rear leaf springs and the axle housing. Should there be blocks there on a stock truck? I am thinking I need to remove those blocks. Is this correct?
Thanks. I'll try to stay in touch and post some updates and ping you all with questions.
Regards.
First, welcome to the board. By reading your post, I assume that you want to keep it as close to stock as possible but with the added benefits of "modern technology"
#1 - Disc Brakes F & R
#2 - Power or Hydroboost brakes
#2 - Power Steering
#3 - EFI/SEFI
#4 - Transmission
I would definatly go with disc on all corners because of the stopping ability. And to do that, I would look at BC Broncos. The front & rear conversions are both using GM calipers and are probably the best on the market for kits. Once you do that, I would go with a hydroboost/power steering. They kind of go hand in hand or just do the PS because without that, you can't run the hydroboost. To get better gas mileage I would find an EFI/SEFI set up off of a late 80's/early 90's 5.0 and cob onto all of the fuel injection equipment. Last is the transmission. You can go with the 4 speed set up, but those are the t-18 or the NP435 trannys and they are truck transmissions and will feel like it. If you go with the ZF-5 speed from Wild Horses, you really can't go wrong. I personally stick to BC or WH when I order my stuff, but that is me. I have dealt with JBG but only if none of the other vendors have what I am looking for. Just personally, so take that for what it is worth.
A question for you, you said you want to go with 3.73 gears...is there a particular reason or just a happy medium? What are your current gear sets at right now? If you post up your VIN # or go to BroncOhio's web site ( http://www.broncohio.com/tech/ebvins.html ) and look at your VIN there to figure out what your gears are. But that is the route I would take to get started.
