'74 Bronco build...aka Ralphy

nlped · Dec 7, 2013

Well, I've been a member on here since '09 and I finally became a Bronco owner in October of this year. I've bought a rig that's cut, and in need of some kinda work, but I think...THINK...I am up for the adventure. I've loved these EB's since I was a kid, but never had one. I've had J##ps, a sweet FJ40, and a few K5 Blazers, but when it really comes down to it, I'm a Blue Oval guy. I have had a BUNCH of Fox mustangs...still have the yellow one in my Avatar, and a few old F series pickups, and I'm even in the process of digging my wife's grandaddy's '56 F100 out of the woods at the family farm...he passed away back in May and my wife remembers riding around the farm in it with him, so she's excited about its resurrection...she doesn't know it'll be a bit "modernized"

.

My rig... Like I said... It's a '74, that's partially taken apart, needs some rust repair, and lots of drivetrain related upgrading. Here's what I'm starting with... Unfortunately these pictures are NOT taken in my shop. It is now living in a 21'x24' building with 2 riding mowers, a 4-wheeler, my HD Street Glide, tool boxes, bicycles etc...

nlped · Dec 7, 2013

I've been gathering parts for the future upgrades of ole Ralphy. They include, so far... GT40 Tubular upper & lower intake, 70mm T/B & EGR spacer, 76mm C&L MAM, 24# injectors, RJM EFI harness, A9L ECU, an extra set of O.E. valve covers , EFI dizzy (from Member stus70brc), Edelbrock Performer RPM aluminum heads (2.02I & 1.60Ex [from member Ourobos]), ford steel/rubber gaskets & custom GT40 upper intake plate, A/A AOD to Dana 20 adapter (Oh yeah, I already had a '93 5.0HO & AOD from the yellow car in my Avatar), North West wiring harness (from member STD [worried about that name...;D]) , Full set of Autometer guages, TBP front buckets, rear fold & tumble seat & console (from member berg bronco), AND today I found and bought a Griffin aluminum radiator and a complete '71 351 Windsor.

nlped · Dec 7, 2013

Plan is a drivable fuel injected Bronco /c 37" tires, Dana 44 disc front (E-Locker & 5.13's), not sure if I'll stay with the 9", but I'm considering 8.8 for the rear /c a 4-link (with E-locker & 5.13's too)...We shall see... Mildly stroked fuel injected 351, AOD, a/c (I live in the south...it's a must), decent paint, 5.5" lift with extended radius arms, 1-2" BL, WildHorses 23 gallon EFI Sherman tank (or something comparable), 4 wheel hydroboost disc brakes & fun to drive!!!

gnsteam · Dec 7, 2013

Welcome to Bronco ownership. Glad to see another EB rebirth.

Looks like your well on your way, looking forward to see your progress.

nlped · Dec 7, 2013

^^^ thanks man!!!

nlped · Dec 15, 2013

I just scored the appropriate 351W Lightning aluminum lower GT40 intake manifold. I'd been looking for one of these for months...1 more check off my list.

I also just got the FRPP Mustang 351W oil pan swap kit for a sweet price, I bought a SCAT cast 4.000 stroke lightweight crankshaft for a song too. Looks like the 351 will become a 408 with the aluminum heads, GT40 intake, 70mm TB/spacer, 76 mm C&L MAM, and 24# injectors...I'll be going with Comp Cams Hydraulic Magnum camshaft part #35-308-8 for a torquey set up. Should also mean that I can downgrade to 4.88 gears

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bigpitbull · Dec 15, 2013

This bronco came out of Florida.... I sold the previous owner a 76 ranger.... Keep the pics coming!

nlped · Dec 15, 2013

^^^Yep! I bought off of this site and he brought it all the way to my house here in alabama. He was on his way to Tennessee (where he originally bought Ralphy too) for the asking $$. That's what clenched the deal. He forgot to bring the seats and a few other pieces that he promised (I hope he comes through...it's been over 2 months).

nlped · Dec 21, 2013

Billy (previous owner) brought me the OE seats, a bunch of pieces/parts this week, so the purchase is complete. Yay

I also ended up getting another wiring harness (Painless), so I may sell the Northwest one, but I may use it in the '56 Ford.

I still don't have any pictures of the bronco, but I'm hoping to break ground on a Man Building the first of the year which should make things a bit easier to begin. It'll be 30x46, with a 200 amp service, water, insulation and plenty if ceiling height for a future post lift.

bigpitbull · Dec 21, 2013

Glad everything worked out.

nlped · Dec 21, 2013

Yep, billy is a heck of a guy. I guess u 2 have had lots of dealings. Lol

bigpitbull · Dec 21, 2013

No worries with him. Honest guy. Hurry up and post some pics! LOL

nlped · Dec 24, 2013

I'm going to get started on this thing after the 1st of the year... I have to finish the interior in the Mustang before the wife is going to let me dive off into another project.

I also have a GM product that I have to either finish or sell before it too...

Merry Christmas!!!

nlped · Dec 26, 2013

I made the decision to stay 9" rear, so I pulled the trigger & bought a 31 spline ARB, compressor, etc. the '77 Dana 44 will be getting one too in a month or 2. Now I've got to get the gears, installation kit and axles. These broncos love $$$, huh?

nlped · Dec 29, 2013

Well, I sold the SCAT crank and bought a 418 Stroker kit (Eagle Forged set up) that'll be about 10:1 which should make gobs of lowend power. Took the 1971 351W block apart today, and it's still stock bore...heck, it appears as though it'd never been apart before and the cylinders, bearing & such looked great.

nlped · Dec 29, 2013

I also have a thread on the Tech section about a custom Roller cam for the new set up...

Letsgocrawling · Dec 30, 2013

nlped said:
I also have a thread on the Tech section about a custom Roller cam for the new set up...

Ed, boy do I know about that thread, anyways I just wanted to say keep posting progress with your build, just checked it out, you must be stoked and from the sounds of it aka ralphy might just turn into a beast---
mark

nlped · Dec 30, 2013

Yeah Mark, Ralphy started out going to be powered by a mild 302 HO FI motor and morphed into a torque & $$$ monster... ;D

I dropped off the 351W block at the machine shop & they had something for me. I finally picked up the Eagle 4340 4.100" crank, 6.200 Eagle H-beam rods & the Probe +22cc pistons today. All neutral balanced. Now just waiting on my balancer, flex plate and a few assundry ARP studs/bolts. Then it's off to my buddies for assembly.

nlped · Dec 30, 2013

Here's a shot of the ARB RD119 I received today too. It came with compressor, switches, solenoid, 2 harnesses, air line and Line for tire inflation...

And a shot of the 351 Lightning GT40 lower...

nlped · Dec 30, 2013

I'm going to get the motor totally assembled and hanging on the stand so it can taunt me for awhile. Once that happens, I'm taking the AOD and A/A piece to my buddy for a once over and upgrades, the 9" rear and ARB to another buddy for a complete rebuild with the 4.86 R&P, 31 spline axles and Exploder rear disc with internal Parking Brake. Then the front '77 Dana 44 will get the appropriate ARB locker, chromoly axle shafts, and go under the knife to rotate the axle tubes to correct pinion angle for the 5.5" lift and Duff long arms.

In the meantime the body is off the frame. Body & frame are off to sandblast and then final bodywork and probably some sort of flat matte paint. Haven't decided on a color yet though...maybe green or sand color???

'74 Bronco build...aka Ralphy

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