New Project

[Bebop Man]

I got a full size bronco ('86) last year and there's quite a few things on my to-do list for it. But, it's also my daily driver, so before I can get into the guts of things (frame-off rebuild, engine / trans swap, lift) I need to get a replacement vehicle.

Enter my new toy, a '77 EB. The frame is solid, and most of the body panels are in ok shape. The 302 is in bad shape, as well as the C-6.

My goal: I want to make an Eddie Bauer version of the Early Bronco. An EB EB, or EB Squared, to coin a phrase. All the bells and whistles and doo-dads. Power windows, locks, remote start, seats, etc...

The worst terrain it'll see is a snow covered gravel road, so I'm not going to put on much of a lift. 3 1/2" just so I can run 33's without having to cut fenders too much. I'd like to avoid a body lift, but am willing to consider one if needed.

Engine will be a 302EFI, and I was leaning towards a AODe / BW 1356. Since the 1356 is the model that does the e-shift "4x4 on-the-fly" I was wondering if anyone has tried that before, or could give me an idea what else I would need for the front axle. My plan is a Dana 44 w/ 4.56 gears and a trac-lok locker, but if I need to switch out for the e-shift capability, I'm willing to reconsider.

 

[S_bolt19]

Sounds like you are gonna have a lot of down time with building that puppy, but it sounds like it will be pretty damn sweet. I don't know too much about the auto trannys, but adding the e to the front axle might be a problem. What is going to be your donor vehicle? Another Bronco? I don't know what they came out of, but you might have to yank the tranny & axle to get what you want. It might be pretty easy, but again might be like trying to pull teeth on a crocodile too.

You are doing what I would love to do...go balls out. If you can talk your way out of it, maybe look into doing the ZF 5-speed. The only problem with that is that it does need a 1" body lift. As for fitting 33s under an uncut, you are going to have to get narrower tires. A 33x10.5 or even better a 33x9.5....pizza cutters. LUBRs (Lifted Uncut BRoncos) are way cool.

Does your rear end currently have 4.56 gears? You can do pretty good with 4.11s if want a better highway gear, but I wouldn't go much higher than that. It is what I run, but I also have an NP435 for crawling to help make up for not having low gears.

If I was to do what you are planning, I would go 5.0EFI (88 or newer for the mass air system), ZF 5-speed, disc brakes all around, powers...steering, seats, windows, locks, hydroboost brakes, tilt column....the list could go on and on. You just gotta have the money to do it. I would imagine that just what you have said, you are going to be in this for at least $15k.

And when you get started, be sure to post pictures and keep us updated. I would love to see your progress as you go on this. If you need any help on things, let me know, I have done quite a bit of some of the mechanical things you are looking at (less the tranny & axle swap).

 

[Bebop Man]

I'm going to have a lot of downtime between now and March, so that's my window to try and wrap this up.

As far as a donor vehicle, I don't really have one. I do have access to a couple of salvage yards, but I was planning on purchasing the major pieces new, or at least professionally rebuilt.

I do a fair amount of city driving which is why I wanted to go with an automatic tranny. For my FSB rebuild, that will be an NV4500 (hopefully I can find one with the early GM gear set).

I haven't torn apart the existing rear-end yet, but since I was going to go with the Dana 44 front and rear, with disc-brake conversion on both, I thought I'd just start from scratch. I'll have to spend some time with the gear set calculator, but as long I can hit 75 mph at around 2500 RPM, I'll be happy.

Yeah, the 302 on it's way is a rebuild from a '94 Mustang.

So here's my full list.

302 EFI

AOD, AODe or E4OD

BW 1356, or Dana 20 t-case (leaning towards BW for the e-shift)

Dana 44 Axles front and rear

4.xx differential (4.11, 4.56, we'll see)

Trac-Lok lockers

Power Seats (came from a '96 FSB EB)

Power Windows (will take some creative work to place the motor and still have full retraction)

Power Locks w/ remote

Remote Start

Tinted side and rear glass

Sliding glass on the rear

Defrost on the tailgate

Tilt wheel column

Air Conditioning

Heated seats

170 Amp alternator

up-rated wiring harness

Cruise Control

GPS

New carpeting

Headliner

I'm trying to keep everything within spittin' distance of $20K, and I think I can do all of this on my own for that. If I have to have the custom shops get involved, then it will definately climb.

 

[oldtimer]

if i were you i would go with the E4od there a little stronger than the other two theres a reason why ford uses them behind the diesal pushers if you are buying new i would check out 700raptor. com thats where i got mine there the best

 

[Yardape]

if i were you i would go with the E4od there a little stronger than the other two theres a reason why ford uses them behind the diesal pushers if you are buying new i would check out 700raptor. com thats where i got mine there the best

You bought an E4OD from raptor? To my knowledge they only build Chevy Trannies. Are you sure you didnt order a 700R4?

 

[S_bolt19]

Just curious, but why are you going to go with a 44 rear end? The 9" that is under it right now is stronger, even if it is a small bearing 9". You can also do an easier disc swap on it than you can on the 44 unless you plan on using a Cherokee 44. But then you have to fab up the mounts & other attachments and make sure that the width is correct. I would stick with the 9" and do the BC Bronco disc conversion. I did it and it took less than 1 day to do the entire swap from teardown to rebuild & cost less than $600. It uses Cadillac calipers & CJ rotors. Very clean & real affordable.

 

[bigbluebronc]

If I had the cash I would do a auto with 4 speed trans case, otherwise np 435 with stock dana 20, ( when are they (whos they) gonna make a dana 20 doulber)lol