Is there a "bible" of the early Bronco explaining every specificities and upgrade above the year?
Where can i check if the frame numbers match with the motors and the body?
What kind of axle is it good to have for mostly holiday road driver ? Dana 30, 44 or 60?
If I found a good bronco and I want to repaint the body, is it restrictive or quite simple to do ? what is the price range for a full paint?
if i want to lift the body of 2 inch max, what is the best option?
thx for your help!
PS If I'm not in the good section of the forum, please redirect my post in the good one!
There is no matching numbers on the motor. The motor has a date code when the block was cast, but it doesn't have a number which matches the VIN number.
This should help you with the engine casting part number. For an original motor (or at least a correct date coded motor) you should be looking for a number that starts with a "C" (1960s) or "D" (1970s).
http://mustangtek.com/FordDecode.html
The VIN number on the frame is on the passenger side, top of frame, just behind even where the bell housing meets the engine. It's typically closer to the inside of the frame than the outside. There's sometimes another on closer to the rear of the frame, passenger side, top, between the front spring mount and the shock mount. They should match a number on a tag on the inside of the glove box door, and a sticker just above the drivers side door strike plate.
"Axle" must be lost in translation. No problem. The rear differential of all Broncos is a Ford 9 inch. The front differential from the factory is either a D30 (1966-1971) or D44 (1972-1977). A previous owner may have changed a D30 to a D44. The D44 is the stronger and popular unit, but if you're just driving on the road with limited off-road, the D30 is fine. A D60 isn't factory although someone may have put one in who are looking for a super strong unit for rock crawling.
Paint is based on what you want done. With no body work and not changing the color (so no painting the door jambs, dash, inside of door etc, just an exterior shoot, you can have a good one done for maybe $1500. For a full paint, where the body comes off the frame, the interior is stripped out, parts disassembled (fenders and grill off so they can be painted where they meet) it's sanded down to metal, re-seam sealed, primed, block sanded, painted with a two stage (paint, clear coat) under, inside, and outside, you can spend $15,000+ maybe more if you want the top done. So somewhere in-between.
Why do you want a 2 inch body lift? Why not a suspension lift? When you do a body lift, you have to change things like shift linkage, move radiator shroud, potential steering parts, brake lines, etc. You also get a large gap between the top of the bumper and the bottom of the body. But if you want a body lift, any of the usual bronco vendors have body lift bushings.
Someone else will have to suggest a "bible." I learned most of what I know here. Merry Christmas!